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Methamphetamine‐Induced Depression of Monoamine Synthesis in the Rat: Development of Tolerance
Author(s) -
Schmidt Christopher J.,
Somalia Patricia K.,
Hanson Glen R.,
Peat Michael A.,
Gibb James W.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1985.tb12893.x
Subject(s) - neurochemical , monoaminergic , amphetamine , monoamine neurotransmitter , methamphetamine , psychosis , dopamine , stimulant , pharmacology , serotonin , psychology , medicine , neuroscience , psychiatry , receptor
Animals treated with high doses of amphetamines have been used as a model of schizophrenia due to the similarities between the psychosis associated with this mental disorder and that induced by chronic amphetamine abuse. When administered to naive rats in high doses, the amphetamine‐like CNS stimulant methamphet‐amine produces drastic alterations in the neurochemical parameters of the neostriatal monoaminergic systems. These alterations are characterized by a decrease in the activities of the rate‐limiting enzymes for dopamine and serotonin synthesis, as well as a decrease in the concentrations of both neurotransmitters and their metabolites. However, tolerance develops to these neurochemical effects when drug administration occurs in a pattern similar to that encountered during chronic amphetamine abuse. The results indicate that the neurochemical alterations produced by amphetamines in naive and tolerant animals differ widely. This suggests that the administration of high doses of amphetamine‐like central stimulants to naive rats may not be an appropriate model for studying the neurochemical changes associated with psychosis and amphetamine abuse.