Animal testing |
---|
![]() |
Main articles |
Testing on |
Issues |
Cases |
Companies |
Groups/campaigns |
|
Writers/activists |
Categories |
Locomotor activity is a measure of animal behavior which is employed in scientific research. [1] [2]
Hyperlocomotion, also known as locomotor hyperactivity, hyperactivity, or increased locomotor activity, is an effect of certain drugs in animals in which locomotor activity (locomotion) is increased. [3] It is induced by certain drugs like psychostimulants and NMDA receptor antagonists and is reversed by certain other drugs like antipsychotics and certain antidepressants. [3] [4] [5] [6] Stimulation of locomotor activity is thought to be mediated by increased signaling in the nucleus accumbens, a major brain area involved in behavioral activation and motivated behavior. [7] [8] [9] [10]
Hypolocomotion, also known as locomotor hypoactivity, hypoactivity, and decreased locomotor activity, is an effect of certain drugs in animals in which locomotor activity is decreased. [11] It is a characteristic effect of many sedative agents and general anesthetics. Antipsychotics, which are dopamine receptor antagonists, and many serotonergic agents, such as meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), can also produce this effect, often as a side effect.[ citation needed ]
Although locomotor activity is mainly an animal behavior test, it has also been evaluated in humans. [1] People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in the manic phase of bipolar disorder, on acute amphetamine, and with schizophrenia show increased locomotor activity, while children with autism show decreased locomotor activity. [1] Conversely, reduced locomotor activity is observed in bipolar individuals on mood stabilizers [1] and may be a characteristic symptom of the inattentive type of ADHD [12] (ADHD-PI) and sluggish cognitive tempo.[ citation needed ]
Hyperlocomotion is induced by dopamine releasing agents (DRAs) and psychostimulants like amphetamine and methamphetamine. [3] [4] [5] [13] [14] These drugs likewise induce stereotypies. [3] [5]
The dopamine reuptake inhibitors (DRIs) amineptine, bupropion, and nomifensine increase spontaneous locomotor activity in animals. [6] [15] The DRI cocaine increases locomotor activity similarly to the preceding DRIs and to amphetamines. [13] The atypical DRI modafinil does not produce hyperlocomotion in animals. [13]
Direct dopamine receptor agonists like apomorphine show biphasic effects, decreasing locomotor activity at low doses and increasing locomotor activity at high doses. [7]
Drug-induced hyperlocomotion can be reversed by various drugs, such as antipsychotics acting as dopamine D2 receptor antagonists. [3] [5] Reversal of drug-induced hyperlocomotion has been used as an animal test of drug antipsychotic-like activity. [3] [5] Reversal of amphetamine- and NMDA receptor antagonist-induced stereotypies is also employed as a test of drug antipsychotic-like activity. [3] [5]
Selective norepinephrine releasing agents (NRAs) include ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, levomethamphetamine, and D-phenylalaninol. [16] [17] [18] [19] However, these drugs also release dopamine to a much lesser extent (e.g., ~10-fold less potently). [16] [17] [18] [19]
Ephedrine consistently stimulates locomotor activity in rodents. [20] [21] [22] However, the hyperlocomotion induced by ephedrine may be mediated by dopamine release rather than by norepinephrine release. [21] [23] On the other hand, lesioning the brain noradrenergic system with the noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP-4 reduces dextroamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion. [24] [25] In addition, the selective α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin antagonizes amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion [24] [26] and knockout of the α1B-adrenergic receptor dramatically reduces dextroamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion. [24] [27] In contrast to ephedrine and amphetamine, pseudoephedrine [28] [29] and phenylpropanolamine do not stimulate locomotor activity in rodents. [30] [31] [32] However, in another study, pseudoephedrine was able to increase locomotor activity. [22] A potential confounding factor with β-hydroxyamphetamines like phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine is that they have lower lipophilicity compared to their amphetamine counterparts, with consequent reduced capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier and produce central nervous system effects. [33] [34] [35] [36]
Conversely, the potencies of monoamine releasing agents (MRAs) in producing amphetamine-type subjective effects in humans have been found to correlate with their potency to induce norepinephrine release and not with their potencies to induce dopamine release. [37] [38] In addition, self-administration of methamphetamine appeared to be relatively resistant to blockade by dopamine receptor antagonists. [37] Findings on the modulation of the ventral tegmental area by the noradrenergic locus coeruleus are mixed and suggestive of both excitatory and inhibitory roles. [37] The α1-adrenergic receptor appears to be facilitatory, whereas the α2-adrenergic receptor appears to be inhibitory, and the β-adrenergic receptors appear to not be involved. [37] More research is needed to investigate the role of norepinephrine in dopamine modulation and stimulant-like effects. [37]
In contrast to normal mice, psychostimulants like amphetamine, β-phenethylamine, and methylphenidate lose their ability to elevate brain dopamine but not norepinephrine in dopamine transporter (DAT) knockout mice and have been found to decrease locomotor activity in these mice. [39] [40] [41] [42] Paradoxically however, cocaine retains reinforcing effects in DAT knockout mice and cocaine and amphetamine are still able to elevate dopamine in the medial nucleus accumbens in these mice. [43] It was found that the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor reboxetine increases dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens in DAT knockout mice but not in normal mice, suggesting that the effects of norepinephrine elevation change in the brains of DAT knockout mice. [43]
Whereas dextromethamphetamine is a well-balanced norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (NDRA), levomethamphetamine is a selective NRA. [38] [16] [19] [44] Levomethamphetamine has similar potency as an NRA compared to dextromethamphetamine. [45] [13] [46] [47] [16] Conversely, levomethamphetamine is about 15- to 20-fold less potent in inducing dopamine release than dextromethamphetamine. [16] [19] [44] [38] [46] In accordance with the preceding, levomethamphetamine was found to selectively induce brain norepinephrine release with minimal effect on brain dopamine release across an assessed dosage range in rodents. [48] The drug did not increase locomotor activity at the assessed doses, in which brain dopamine release was not affected. [48] In contrast to levomethamphetamine, dextromethamphetamine at the same doses increased brain levels of both norepinephrine and dopamine and induced dose-dependent hyperlocomotion. [48] Relatedly, levomethamphetamine shows similar sympathomimetic effects as dextromethamphetamine but is substantially less potent as a psychostimulant in animals. [49] [50] [51] [48] As in rodents, levomethamphetamine showed reduced reinforcing and stimulant-like effects compared to dextromethamphetamine in rhesus monkeys. [52] [53]
Animal studies of the reinforcing and cocaine-like effects of dopamine releasing agents (DRAs) with varying capacities to release norepinephrine and serotonin in rodents and monkeys have suggested that in contrast to the case of serotonin release, which inhibits the reinforcing and stimulant-like effects of these agents, norepinephrine release has minimal influence on their misuse liability and associated effects. [54] [19] [55]
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs), like atomoxetine, reboxetine, and desipramine, do not increase locomotor activity in rodents and instead show no effect on locomotor activity or decrease it. [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] In addition, NRIs decrease amphetamine-, cocaine-, methylphenidate-, and phencyclidine (PCP)-induced hyperlocomotion in rodents. [61] [62] Accordingly, atomoxetine has been reported to attenuate the stimulant and rewarding effects of dextroamphetamine in humans. [63] [64]
A variety of different NRIs were shown to decrease spontaneous locomotor activity in a novel environment when given acutely and to decrease locomotor activity in both novel and familiar environments when given chronically in rodents. [57] Similarly, norepinephrine transporter (NET) knockout mice had low basal locomotor activity. [57] However, combination of an NRI with dopamine reuptake inhibition resulted in increased locomotor activity. [57] It was concluded that norepinephrine reuptake inhibition by itself decreases locomotor activity unless it is combined with dopamine reuptake inhibition. [57]
Certain serotonin releasing agents (SRAs), like MDMA and MDAI, though notably not others, like chlorphentermine, fenfluramine, and MMAI, [65] [17] [66] induce locomotor hyperactivity in animals. [67] [68] [69] [70] This is dependent on serotonin release allowed for by the serotonin transporter (SERT) and serotonin 5-HT2B receptor. [71] [68] [69] [72] [73] SERT knockout, pretreatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) (which block MDMA-induced SERT-mediated serotonin release), or serotonin 5-HT2B receptor knockout (which likewise blocks MDMA-induced serotonin release), all completely block MDMA-induced locomotor hyperactivity. [71] [68] [69] [72] [73] In addition, locomotor hyperactivity produced by MDMA is partially attenuated by serotonin 5-HT1B receptor antagonism (or knockout) [71] [74] [75] or by serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonism. [76] [77] [78] The locomotor hyperactivity produced by MDMA is fully attenuated by combined serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A receptor antagonism. [77] Conversely, the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor is not involved in MDMA-induced hyperlocomotion. [68] Serotonin 5-HT2C receptor activation appears to inhibit MDMA-induced hyperlocomotion, and antagonism of this receptor has been reported to markedly enhance the locomotor hyperactivity induced by MDMA. [78] [77] [79] [80] Activation of the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor is known to inhibit dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway as well as to inhibit dopamine release in the nigrostriatal and mesocortical pathways. [81] [82] [78] [83]
Although the serotonin system has been implicated in the hyperlocomotion of SRAs, certain SRAs, such as MDMA, are actually serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agents (SNDRAs), and catecholaminergic mechanisms are likely to additionally be involved. [84] [85] Relatedly, the α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin completely blocks MDMA-induced hyperlocomotion in animals. [86] [85] [87] In addition, the α1-adrenergic receptor antagonists prazosin and doxazosin reduce the psychostimulant and/or euphoric effects of MDMA in humans. [88] [89] [90] Similarly, the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) reboxetine, which prevents MDMA from inducing norepinephrine release, likewise reduces the stimulant effects and emotional excitation of MDMA in humans. [86] [91] Dopamine receptors also appear to be involved in MDMA-induced hyperlocomotion, although findings in this area, both in animals and humans, seem to be conflicting. [86] [92] [93]
In contrast to non-selective SRAs like MDMA, the highly selective SRA MMAI induces hypolocomotion in animals. [94] Similarly, the highly selective SRA chlorphentermine is said to weakly stimulate locomotor activity at low doses and to progressively suppress locomotor activity at higher doses. [95]
The reasons for the differences in locomotor activity with different SRAs are not fully clear. [78] In any case, they may be related to factors such as whether the agents are selective SRAs, whether they additionally act as agonists of serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, and whether they additionally induce the release of norepinephrine and/or dopamine. [78] [96] [97] [71] [66] [94]
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been reported to have no effect or to increase locomotor activity, at least under certain circumstances like novel environments. [97] [57] [58] [60] However, in other studies, SSRIs have been reported to produce hypolocomotion, an effect that could be reversed by the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB-242084. [98] [99] [100] In another study, the SSRIs fluoxetine and citalopram had no effect on locomotor activity alone or in combination with SB-242084. [97]
Fluoxetine has been found to not affect dextroamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion. [61] Similarly, sertraline did not affect cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. [101]
The serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) combined with benserazide can suppress the hyperlocomotion induced by dextroamphetamine in rodents. [102]
The non-selective serotonin receptor agonists and serotonergic psychedelics LSD and DOI decrease locomotor activity in animals. [14] However, whereas LSD suppresses locomotion at all doses tested, DOI as well as DOM show an inverted U-shaped dose–response curve, with stimulation of locomotor activity at low doses and suppression of locomotion at higher doses. [14] [103] [104] [105] [106] The hyperlocomotion of DOI at low doses is abolished in serotonin 5-HT2A receptor knockout mice, whereas the hypolocomotion with DOI at higher doses is blocked by the selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SER-082. [14] [103] [105] Similarly, the hyperlocomotion of low doses of DOM is reduced by the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist volinanserin (MDL-100907) and enhanced by the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB-242084 and its hypolocomotion at high doses is attenuated by SB-242084. [104] As such, it has been concluded that serotonin 5-HT2A receptor activation increases locomotor activity while serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonism decreases locomotor activity. [103] [104] [106]
The locomotor effects of many other serotonergic psychedelics have also been studied and have often been similar to the preceding agents. [105] However, in other cases, they have been different. [105] The tryptamine psychedelics psilocin and 5-MeO-DMT produce profound hypolocomotion in mice and this is blocked by the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 or by serotonin 5-HT1A receptor knockout but not by the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB-242084. [105] 5-MeO-DALT dose-dependently increased locomotor activity but produced a sharp decrease at the highest tested dose. [107] The relatively selective serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist 25I-NBOMe has been found to show similar locomotor effects to phenylalkylamine psychedelics, increasing locomotor activity at low doses at decreasing it at higher doses. [106] [107] The selective serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist 25CN-NBOH modestly increased locomotor activity or did not affect it. [108] [109] [110]
The non-selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonists meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) and Ro60-0175 as well as the selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonists WAY-161503 and CP-809101 produce hypolocomotion in rodents. [97] [111] [105] In serotonin 5-HT2C receptor knockout mice, on the other hand, mCPP produced hyperlocomotion. [97] In contrast to most serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonists, the selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist WAY-163909 had no effect on spontaneous locomotor activity. [111] The selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonists WAY-163909 and CP-809101 have been found to suppress dextroamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion. [111] [112] The non-selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist Ro60-0175 has been found to suppress the hyperlocomotion induced by cocaine, and this effect could be blocked by the selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB-242084. [97] CP-809101 has been found to decrease locomotor activity and antagonized phencyclidine (PCP)-induced hyperlocomotion. [112]
Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonists like volinanserin (MDL-100907) and ketanserin counteract the hyperactivity induced by amphetamine, cocaine, and NMDA receptor antagonists like PCP in animals. [113] [14] [114] [115] [116] [117] [118] [119] Less-selective serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonists, like trazodone, have been found to decrease locomotor and behavioral activity and to inhibit amphetamine-, cocaine-, and PCP-induced hyperactivity in animals similarly. [116] [120] [121] [122] [123] [6] Blockade of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor by atypical antipsychotics like clozapine and olanzapine contributes to the hypolocomotion they produce. [105] [124] In addition to serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonists, serotonin 5-HT2A receptor biased agonists that selectively activate the β-arrestin pathway but not the Gq pathway, like 25N-N1-Nap, have been found to antagonize PCP-induced locomotor hyperactivity in rodents. [113]
Serotonin 5-HT2B receptor antagonists by themselves do not appear to affect locomotor activity. [125] However, antagonists of the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor decrease the locomotor hyperactivity of amphetamine, cocaine, and phencyclidine (PCP). [126] [127] [128] [129]
The selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB-242084 has been found to produce modest hyperlocomotion at high doses in rodents. [130] [131] [105] The drug has also been found to produce modest stimulant-like effects in squirrel monkeys. [130] SB-242084 has additionally been found to enhance the hyperlocomotion of dextroamphetamine in rodents. [111] Similarly, it has been found to dose-dependently enhance the hyperlocomotion induced by dexfenfluramine in rodents. [97] [132] It has also been found to enhance the hyperlocomotion induced by MDMA, fenfluramine, cocaine, and methylphenidate, to modestly enhance nicotine- and morphine-induced hyperactivity, and to not affect the hyperactivity induced by RU-24969 or citalopram. [133] The serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB-221284 has been found to augment the nucleus accumbens dopamine elevations and hyperlocomotion induced by NMDA receptor antagonists like phencyclidine (PCP) and dizocilpine (MK-801) in rodents. [134]
Hyperlocomotion is induced by NMDA receptor antagonists and dissociative hallucinogens such as phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine, and dizocilpine (MK-801). [3] [4] [5] [13] [14] These drugs likewise induce stereotypies. [3] [5]
Non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, or antimuscarinics, such as atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, produce robust hyperactivity in animals, but also produce deliriant effects such as amnesia and hallucinations in both animals and humans. [135] [136]
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produces hypolocomotion in rodents. [137] Cannabidiol (CBD) does not appear to affect locomotor activity when administered by itself or when added to THC. [137] However, in some studies, CBD augmented THC-induced hypolocomotion. [137]
Classical opioids or μ-opioid receptor agonists like morphine and fentanyl stimulate locomotor activity in rodents. [138] [139] [140] However, high doses of μ-opioid receptor agonists induce locomotor depression. [141] δ-Opioid receptor agonists like AZD-2327 likewise stimulate locomotor activity in rodents. [142] [143]
The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) regulates the monoaminergic system and is a biological target for trace amines like β-phenethylamine and tyramine, the thyronamine 3-iodothyronamine, and drugs like amphetamines. [144] [145]
TAAR1 knockout mice show unchanged basal locomotor activity. [146] However, they show enhanced hyperlocomotion with amphetamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA, as well as with β-phenethylamine. [147] [148] [149] TAAR1 overexpression likewise is associated with unchanged basal locomotor activity. [150] However, overexpression of the TAAR1 results in only weak locomotor stimulation by amphetamine. [147] [151] [152] [153] The TAAR1 full agonists RO5256390, ulotaront (SEP-363856), and LK00764 have been found to suppress locomotion in mice. [154] [155] [156] Conversely, the TAAR1 full agonist RO5166017 [157] [158] and the TAAR1 partial agonists RO5073012, [153] RO5203648, [159] and RO5263397 on their own did not affect basal locomotion in rodents. [160] [161] [162] Similarly, the TAAR1 partial agonist RO5263397 did not affect locomotor activity in monkeys. [163] The TAAR1 antagonist EPPTB does not affect basal locomotor activity in rodents. [158] [164]
The TAAR1 full agonists RO5166017, RO5256390, and ulotaront all suppress psychostimulant-induced hyperlocomotion in mice. [147] [165] [166] The TAAR1 partial agonists RO5073012, RO5203648, and RO5263397 suppress locomotor stimulation induced by cocaine. [147] [151] [165] [167] The TAAR1 partial agonist RO5203648 suppressed dextroamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion at the highest assessed dose in rats but did not affect dextroamphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice. [152] [166] [150] [159] It showed complex effects on methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in rats, reducing early but potentiating late methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion with acute administration and suppressing methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion with chronic administration. [152] [168] The dual TAAR1 full agonist and serotonin 5-HT1 receptor modulator ulotaront did not affect dextroamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in rats. [169] The TAAR1 weak partial agonist RO5073012 did not affect amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice but substantially restored the locomotor stimulation of amphetamine in mice with TAAR1 overexpression. [152] [151] [153] In an unpublished study, EPPTB was reported to considerably reduce methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice chronically exposed to methamphetamine, an effect that was absent in TAAR1 knockout mice. [170] [171] The TAAR1 full agonists RO5166017, RO5256390, ulotaront, and LK00764 and the TAAR1 partial agonists RO5203648 and RO5263397 suppress the hyperlocomotion induced by NMDA receptor antagonists like phencyclidine (PCP), L-687,414, and dizocilpine (MK-801) in rodents. [152] [157] [167] [172] [156]
Many tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) do not increase locomotion, and instead often actually show behavioral sedation. [6] [7] [173]
Light exposure has been found to increase locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in rodents. [174]
Other similar behavioral measures include stereotypy, exploratory behavior, climbing behavior, and jumping behavior. [175] [4] [5] Amphetamines, which are dopamine releasing agents (DRAs) induce stereotypies in addition to hyperlocomotion. [4] [5] The dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine induces stereotypy and climbing behavior. [4] The dopamine precursor levodopa (L-DOPA) induces jumping behavior. [4] These effects can all be reversed by antipsychotics, which are dopamine receptor antagonists. [4]
{{cite book}}
: |journal=
ignored (help){{cite book}}
: |journal=
ignored (help)In the present experiments, two monoamine releasers, l-MA and PAL-329, were shown to produce cocaine-like discriminative-stimulus effects in monkeys, suggesting that they meet the above criteria. One of these compounds, l-MA, also has been shown to serve as a positive reinforcer in rodents (Yokel and Pickens 1973) and monkeys (Winger et al 1994), further confirming the overlap with behavioral effects of cocaine. Both compounds also exhibit an approximately 15-fold greater potency in releasing NE than DA, which may be therapeutically advantageous. For example, the subjective effects of l-MA in human studies are similar in some respects to those of d-MA. However, the subjective effects of the two isomers also differ in potentially important ways. While both l-MA and d-MA produce subjective ratings of "drug liking" and "good effects" in experienced stimulant users, only l-MA produces concomitant ratings of bad or aversive drug effects (Mendelson et al 2006), a factor which may limit its abuse liability.
Metamfetamine acts in a manner similar to amfetamine, but with the addition of the methyl group to the chemical structure. It is more lipophilic (Log p value 2.07, compared with 1.76 for amfetamine),4 thereby enabling rapid and extensive transport across the blood–brain barrier.19
Another potential determinant for increased abuse potential of MARs is selectivity for DA versus NE. Although DA is well-established to be a key neurotransmitter in mediating abuse-related effects of monoamine releasers and other drugs (for review, Leshner and Koob, 1999), amphetamine and other abused monoamine releasers have slightly (2 to 3x) higher potency to release NE than DA (Rothman et al., 2001). Moreover, methamphetamine self-administration in rats was relatively resistant to pretreatment with DA-antagonists (Brennan et al., 2009), and ephedrine (a 19-fold NE-selective releaser) has been shown to maintain self-administration in monkeys (Anderson et al., 2001) and substitute for amphetamine (Young et al., 1998) and methamphetamine (Bondareva et al., 2002) in drug discrimination studies in rats. Perhaps the most compelling data on the importance of NE comes from human subjects where amphetamine-like discriminative stimuli produced by monoamine releasers correlate with potency to release NE, not DA (Rothman et al., 2001). [...] There is also evidence of noradrenergic innervation of the dopaminergic system (Geisler and Zahm, 2005; Jones and Moore, 1977). Electrical stimulation of the locus coeruleus (LC) neurons increased levels of NE in the VTA and increased activity of DA neurons (Grenhoff et al., 1993). However, when exogenous NE was applied to the VTA, a decrease in firing rates of DA neurons was seen (Aghajanian and Bunney, 1977; White and Wang, 1984). Similar to the results of the latter study, lesions of the NE system by injection of 6-OHDA into the locus coeruleus increased firing of DA neurons in the VTA by 70% (Guiard et al., 2008). These data suggest that there may be both excitatory and inhibitory roles of NE on the activity of VTA dopaminergic neurons. [...] The receptors by which NE modulates DA at the level of the VTA are fairly well characterized. In particular, it appears that the α-1 receptor is responsible for increases in DA neuron firing following NE administration while the α-2 receptor mediates the inhibitory effects of NE (Grenhoff and Svensson, 1988; Grenhoff and Svensson 1989; Grenhoff and Svensson, 1993; Grenhoff et al., 1995). In addition to the α-2 receptor, it appears that NE can act directly on D2 dopaminergic autoreceptors to produce inhibitory effects (Grenhoff et al., 1995; Lacey et al., 1987; Arencibia-Albite et al., 2007; Guiard et al., 2008). ß-adrenoreceptors are not known to exist in the VTA (Grenhoff et al., 1995; Jones et al., 1990) and ß-adrenergic compounds do not mediate the effects of NE in the VTA (Grenhoff et al., 1995).
The stereoisomers of methamphetamine produce markedly different dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin responses in various brain regions in rats.41,42 d-Methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) is more potent in releasing caudate dopamine than l-methamphetamine (12 and 18 mg/kg). By use of in vitro uptake and release assays, d-methamphetamine (50% effective concentration [EC50], 24.5 ± 2.1 nmol/L) was 17 times more potent in releasing dopamine than l-methamphetamine (EC50, 416 ± 20 nmol/L) and significantly more potent in blocking dopamine uptake (inhibition constant [Ki ], 114 ± 11 nm versus 4840 ± 178 nm).12,13
When considered with neurochemical data that l-MA is similarly potent in releasing norepinephrine (NE) but 15- to 20-fold less potent in releasing dopamine (DA), as compared to d-MA (Kuczenski et al., 1995; Melega et al., 1999), l-MA may appear to carry lower abuse liability than d-MA.
Consistent with our past results, in response to 2 mg/kg D-AMPH, mean caudate extracellular DA increased approximately 15-fold to a peak concentration of 688 ± 121 nM during the initial 20 min interval, then returned to baseline over the next 3 hr. Similarly, in response to 2 mg/kg D-METH, DA increased to a peak concentration of 648 ± 71 nM during the initial 20 min interval and then declined toward baseline. In contrast, in response to both 6 mg/kg L-AMPH and 12 mg/kg L-METH, peak DA concentrations (508 ± 51 and 287 ± 49 nM, respectively) were delayed to the second 20 min interval, before returning toward baseline. [...] Similar to our previous results, 2 mg/kg D-AMPH increased NE to a maximum of 29.3 ± 3.1 nM, about 20-fold over baseline, during the second 20 min interval. L-AMPH (6 mg/kg) produced a comparable effect, increasing NE concentrations to 32.0 ± 8.9 nM. In contrast, D-METH promoted an increase in NE to 12.0 ± 1.2 nM which was significantly lower than all other groups, whereas L-METH promoted an increase to 64.8 ± 4.9 nM, which was significantly higher than all other groups.
The configuration of the α-methyl group is also an important determinant of the stimulant activity. The dextro isomers of both amphetamine and methamphetamine are considerably more potent as stimulants than the levo isomers. Depending on the parameter measured, the potency difference may range from two- to tenfold (Taylor and Snyder, 1970; Snyder et at., 1970b; Svensson, 1971; Roth et at., 1954; Van Rossum, 1970; Moore, 1963). The anorexic activity of the dextro isomers also exceeds that of the levo isomers (Lawlor et at., 1969). However, the two isomers are approximately equipotent in eliciting certain peripheral effects, such as the vasoconstriction, vasopressor, and other cardiovascular effects (Roth et at., 1954; Swanson et at., 1943).
There have been no studies directly comparing the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the methamphetamine enantiomers in mice. It is often suggested that dmethamphetamine exerts more potent physiological and pharmacological effects than l-methamphetamine does, and that the stimulating effects exerted by l-methamphetamine on the central nervous system are 2–10 times less potent than those of d-methamphetamine (Mendelson et al. 2006). The results of the present study indicated that psychostimulant effects induced by l-methamphetamine are lower than those elicited by one-tenth the dose of d-methamphetamine. In addition, plasma pharmacokinetic parameters and striatal concentrations of methamphetamine following administration of l-methamphetamine at 10 mg/ kg (which did not induce psychomotor activity) were approximately 11 and 16 times as high, respectively, as those following administration of 1 mg/kg d-methamphetamine. Despite the fact that there are differentiable psycho-stimulating effects between two enantiomers, no significant difference in plasma pharmacokinetic parameters was detected at 1 mg/kg.
{{cite book}}
: |journal=
ignored (help)The role of DA in the abuse-related effects of psychostimulants is well established in animal models. Still, deletions of DA D1, D2, and D3 receptor genes in mice had minimal impact on MDMA-induced locomotor activity,97 and DAT inhibition did not affect neurocognitive effects of MDMA in cynomolgus monkeys.98 In humans, D2 receptor antagonists reduced amphetamine-induced and MDMA-induced euphoria only at doses that produced dysphoria on their own.99 Therefore, it seems likely that systems unrelated to DA may be principally responsible for the acute effects of MDMA.40
{{cite book}}
: |journal=
ignored (help){{cite book}}
: |journal=
ignored (help)There is also evidence to support our finding that administration of SB 242084 alone induces stimulant-like effects, because administration of a high dose of SB 242084 (1.0 mg/kg) significantly increased basal locomotor activity in rats (Zaniewska et al., 2009). [...] This discrepancy may be accounted for by highlighting the tested dose range within each experiment. For example, the dose of SB 242084 used for reinstatement experiments in the previous rodent study (0.5 mg/kg) also failed to induce significant locomotor effects (Fletcher et al., 2002). However, increasing the dose of SB 242084 to 1.0 mg/kg did produce a modest, but significant, effect on locomotor activity in a separate study (Zaniewska et al., 2009).
In addition to enhanced dopamine release, TAAR1-KO mice show enhanced hyperlocomotion in response to psychostimulant drugs including amphetamine, methamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) [19,20,41,55], as well as to drugs that increase monoamine levels, such as MAO inhibitors [56]. By contrast, TAAR1-OE animals are hyposensitive to the stimulatory effects of amphetamine [54] in comparison to wild-type animals. [...] Three TAAR1 full agonists, RO5166017, RO5256390, and SEP-363856, were all able to prevent psychostimulant-induced hyperlocomotion in wild-type but not TAAR1-KO mice [47,78,79].
Most notably, Caron & Gainetdinov (personal communication) have recently observed that group-housed TA1 KO mice show enhanced sensitivity to the locomotor stimulating effects of both amphetamine and b-PEA relative to group-housed WT littermates, as well as normal habituation to an open field.
Psychostimulants like cocaine and d-amphetamine interact with the DA transporter (DAT) to elevate extracellular DA concentration. In rodents, this translates into excessive [locomotor activity (LMA)] (Figures 2A, B; Figure S3A, B in Supplement 1), the reversal of which can be used to predict the potential antipsychotic activity of drugs (22). RO5203648 given orally reduced hyperlocomotion in both rats and mice treated with cocaine (Figure 2A, B), although not at the highest dose in mice (10 mg/kg). RO5203648 reduced d-amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion by one half at a high dose (30 mg/kg) in rats, whereas in mice it had no effect at the doses tested (Figure S3A, B in Supplement 1).
[...] EPPTB's effect on the spontaneous locomotor activity in a familiar environment displayed by WT and taar1-deficient mice chronically exposed to 3 mg/kg METH (i.p.) over a range of doses was examined. The results of this study (Grandy, 2014; SfN abstracts) support the interpretation that EPPTB prevents to a significant degree METH-stimulated locomotor activity but only in WT mice with a history of chronic METH exposure.
The TAAR1-selective antagonist EPPTB blocked methamphetamine- and bupropion-stimulated chloride conductance in Xenopous oocytes co-expressing mouse TAAR1 and the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50's of 2.3±0.3nM and 4.3±0.7nM, respectively. [...] EPPTB displayed no affinity for mouse biogenic amine transporters nor did it produce a significant phenotype in wildtype or taar1-/- mice. In contrast, at the highest dose tested (100 mg/kg, i.p.) EPPTB inhibited approximately 70% of methamphetamine-stimulated (3 mg/kg, i.p.) activity in wildtype mice while having no effect on similarly treated [TAAR1] knockout mice. Intraperitoneal co-administration of methamphetamine (3 mg/kg) and bupropion (50 mg/kg) to wildtype mice produced greater activity than either drug alone, an effect absent from [TAAR1] knockout mice. [...] The existence of a methamphetamine-activated G protein-coupled receptor that is also activated by bupropion [...]
It was found that visual stimulation of rats with white-light of 82 lux intensity induced locomotor activity and increased extracellular 5-HT and dopamine (DA) levels in the visual cortex (Müller et al., 2007a; Müller and Huston, 2007) and 5-HT in the medial prefrontal cortex (Pum et al., 2008). The 5-HT and DA increase were also seen in anesthetized animals (Pum et al., 2008). Cocaine, which induces serotonergic and dopaminergic activation (Izenwasser et al., 1990; Müller and Homberg, 2015), potentiates [light-induced locomotor activity (LIA)] (Pum et al., 2011).