Age-dependent effects of repeated methamphetamine exposure on locomotor activity and attentional function in rats

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2020Source: Pharmacology Biochemistry and BehaviorAuthor(s): Azadeh Nazari, Cristian Perez-Fernandez, Pilar Flores, Margarita Moreno, Fernando Sánchez-SantedAbstractMany adolescents use amphetamines which are the second most common abused illegal drugs. Methamphetamine (Meth), as a potent amphetamine affects attentional functions. However, the most significant factor for susceptibility to Meth is the age of exposure, most studies have examined the effects of Meth after early adolescence stage. The present experiment was aimed to investigate some possible short- and long-term effects of Meth at two distinct points of adolescence stage (early versus late) on 1) locomotor activity in adolescent rats and 2) attentional functions in their adulthood. Rats received Meth (5 mg/kg, i.p., for consecutive 10 days) during early adolescence (postnatal days (PND) 30–39) or late adolescence (PND 50–59). Locomotor activity was assessed after the first and tenth injections. Then, in adulthood, rats were trained and tested on the Five Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5C-SRTT) to display possible attentional impairments. The first Meth administration in early exposed adolescent (EEA) group produced the highest level of activity, compared with the first exposure in late exposed adolescent (LEA) group and tenth administrations in both groups. In adulthood, LEA group significantly delayed learning the 5C-SRTT and exhibited attentional impair...
Source: Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research