Effects of dopamine and serotonin synthesis inhibitors on the ketamine-, d-amphetamine-, and cocaine-induced locomotor activity of preweanling and adolescent rats: sex differences.

Effects of dopamine and serotonin synthesis inhibitors on the ketamine-, d-amphetamine-, and cocaine-induced locomotor activity of preweanling and adolescent rats: sex differences.
Behav Brain Res. 2019 Oct 23;:112302
Authors: McDougall SA, Rios JW, Apodaca MG, Park GI, Montejano NR, Taylor JA, Moran AE, Robinson JAM, Baum TJ, Teran A, Crawford CA
Abstract
The pattern of ketamine-induced locomotor activity varies substantially across ontogeny and according to sex. Although ketamine is classified as an NMDA channel blocker, it appears to stimulate the locomotor activity of both male and female rats via a monoaminergic mechanism. To more precisely determine the neural mechanisms underlying ketamine's actions, male and female preweanling and adolescent rats were pretreated with vehicle, the dopamine (DA) synthesis inhibitor ∝-methyl-DL-p-tyrosine (AMPT), or the serotonin (5-HT) synthesis inhibitor 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (PCPA). After completion of the pretreatment regimen, the locomotor activating effects of saline, ketamine, d-amphetamine, and cocaine were assessed during a 2 h test session. In addition, the ability of AMPT and PCPA to reduce dorsal striatal DA and 5-HT content was measured in male and female preweanling, adolescent, and adult rats. Results showed that AMPT and PCPA reduced, but did not fully attenuate, the ketamine-induced locomotor activity of preweanling rats and female adolescent r...

Source: Behavioural Brain Research - October 22, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: McDougall SA, Rios JW, Apodaca MG, Park GI, Montejano NR, Taylor JA, Moran AE, Robinson JAM, Baum TJ, Teran A, Crawford CA Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research