Strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors inducing [3H]-acetylcholine release in rat caudatoputamen: a new site of action of ethanol?

In the present study acute effects of ethanol on [3H]-acetylcholine ([3H]-ACh) release induced by activation of strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors in superfused slices of rat caudatoputamen were investigated. The glycine-evoked [3H]-ACh release (Ig EC50 = -4.10, CI95 = [-4.14, -4.05]) was inhibited by strychnine in a competitive manner (pA2 = 6.86, CI95 = [6.61, 7.08]). Release of [3H]-ACh could also be induced by L-serine. L-serine was less potent than glycine (Ig EC50 = -2.61, CI95 = [-2.69, -2.52]). Both glycine and L-serine showed similar maximum effects (Emax(glycine) = 1.34, CI95 = [1.24, 1.45]; Emax(L-serine) = 1.19, CI95 = [1.09, 1.32]). Ethanol at concentrations of 2%/1000 (= 34 mM) and 4%/1000 (= 68 mM) inhibited glycine-evoked [3H]-ACh release in a manner like the competitive antagonist strychnine, however with lower potency. The pA2 of ethanol was 1.19, CI95 = [0.85, 1.41], at 2%/1000 [v/v] and 1.51, CI95 = [1.19, 1.78] at 4%/1000 ethanol. Similar to its action on glycine-evoked [3H]-ACh release, ethanol at 4%/1000 [v/v] also inhibited L-serine-evoked transmitter release in a competitive-like fashion (pA2 = 0.83, CI95 = [-0.15, 1.18]). We conclude, that strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors, mediating [3H]-ACh release in the rat caudatoputamen, might represent a new site of action of ethanol.

Behavioral sensitization and extracellular dopamine responses to amphetamine after various treatments

The repeated administration of amphetamine (AMPH) results in a pattern of behavioral changes which includes an augmentation of some behaviors, generally referred to as behavioral sensitization. Some investigators have suggested that an increased dopamine (DA) response to AMPH challenge may underlie behavioral sensitization, while others have reported behavioral sensitization in the absence of an enhanced DA response. Because temporal and dosage parameters of the AMPH pretreatment regimen have been suggested to play a role in the appearance of an enhanced DA response, we utilized a variety of AMPH pretreatment regimens to assess the relationship between pretreatment dose of AMPH, duration of withdrawal and the DA response in caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens to a subsequent AMPH challenge. Under our experimental conditions, behavioral sensitization was observed after each of these treatments in the absence of an enhanced DA response in either brain region.

Ontogeny of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity and associated hyperthermic response

Methamphetamine (MA) administration to adult rats results in neurotoxicity characterized by depletion of caudate-putamen (CP) dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) and an accompanying increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content. The severity of MA-induced neurotoxicity correlates with the accompanying thermoregulatory response, i.e., a hyperthermic response facilitates neurotoxicity while a hypothermic response is neuroprotective. In the following study, the thermoregulatory and neurotoxic effects of MA administration (4 x 10 mg/kg) were investigated in developing rats at postnatal days (PND) 20, 40 and 60. Rats at PND 20 and PND 40 were administered MA at ambient temperatures of 22 degrees C and 30 degrees C; and PND 60 rats were administered MA at 22 degrees C only. Temperatures were measured and thermal responses were compared by calculating the total thermal response (TTR) induced by MA treatment. MA administration to PND 60 rats at 22 degrees C induced a hyperthermic response, resulted in a 47% reduction of neostriatal DA and a 49% increase of GFAP content. Administration of MA to PND 40 rats at 22 degrees C failed to induce a hyperthermic response and did not result in reduced DA or increased GFAP. However, administration of MA to PND 40 rats at 30 degrees C induced hyperthermia, reduced neostriatal DA by 54% and increased GFAP by 70%. MA administration to PND 20 rats at either 22 degrees C or 30 degrees C did not result in DA depletion or increased GFAP, even though MA administration to PND 20 rats at 30 degrees C induced hyperthermia. These results demonstrate that the induction of hyperthermia is necessary to exhibit MA-induced neurotoxicity at PND 40; however, PND 20 rats are resistant to the DA depleting effects of MA despite the induction of hyperthermia.

The role of dopaminergic systems in opioid receptor desensitization in nucleus accumbens and caudate putamen of rat after chronic morphine treatment

Morphine treatment of rats (60-70 mg/kg/day, 7 days) reduced delta opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity in caudate putamen without any change in regulation by mu receptors. Earlier studies suggested that dopamine D1 and mu opioid receptors that regulate adenylyl cyclase are expressed preferentially by striato-nigral neurons, whereas adenosine A2a and delta1 opioid receptors are expressed preferentially by striato-pallidal neurons. Chronic morphine treatment also resulted in a reduction of dopamine D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of A2a receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase. Treatment with a D2 receptor antagonist (eticlopride; 1 mg/kg/day) for 7 days reduced D1 receptor stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. In contrast, chronic treatment with a D1 receptor antagonist R(+)-7-chloro-8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4, 5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine HCL (SCH 23390; 2.5 mg/kg/day) resulted in a reduction of delta1 and delta2 opioid inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, with no change in the inhibitory activity of a mu agonist. The inhibitory activity of the D2 agonist quinelorane against adenosine A2a-activated enzyme was also reduced by this treatment. Thus chronic D1 blockade, like chronic morphine treatment, appears to cause a selective impairment of the regulation of adenylyl cyclase in A2a receptor-expressing striato-pallidal neurons. D2 receptor activation appears to play an important role in the desensitization of delta receptors, because concurrent administration of the D2 antagonist eticlopride with morphine prevented the densitization of delta and D2 receptors. Similar results were obtained in nucleus accumbens, which suggests a role for D2 receptor desensitization in the adaptive response of this brain region to chronic morphine.

Ventral and dorsal striatal cholinergic neurons have different sensitivities to kainic acid

The present study was conducted to investigate the sensitivity of the cholinergic elements of ventral and dorsal striatal regions of the rat brain to the neurotoxin kainic acid (KA). Cholinergic activity was assessed by determining choline-acetyltransferase activity (CAT) and by measurements of acetylcholine (Ach) release from slices prelabeled with [3H]-choline. Direct stereotaxic injections of high-dose KA (4 micrograms/2 microliters) into specific brain regions, reduced CAT in caudate putamen (CP) by 91 +/- 1%, in nucleus accumbens (Nac) by 71 +/- 6%, but CAT in the olfactory tubercle (OT) was not affected by KA. The effects of KA on CP CAT were dose- and volume-dependent. In the OT, KA failed to affect CAT at low, moderate or high doses. Slices obtained from CP injected with KA (3 days prior) showed a 90% reduction in the electrically evoked release of [3H]-transmitter release; however, KA had no effect on transmitter release from OT. These results indicate that KA spares the cholinergic elements of the OT, and reveal the existence of marked differences in excitotoxic action of KA between ventral and dorsal striatal regions and among regions of the ventral striatum. Kainic acid preferentially damages neuronal cell bodies, dendrites and terminals intrinsic within the structures injected, with little or no effect on afferent axons and terminal boutons. Therefore, we propose that most of the Ach present in the OT may be within afferent axons and axon terminals. In the CP and NAc, KA lesions reflect loss of intrinsic cholinergic neurons. In addition, variable levels of excitatory inputs and of excitatory receptors, of the mechanisms available to reduce elevated intracellular calcium concentrations and of the levels of free-radical scavenging resources, also could account for the differences in KA neurotoxicity between OT and CP.

Sex and strain influence the effect of ethanol on central monoamines

OBJECTIVE

We recently investigated the effects of EtOH on the mesolimbic dopamine and serotonin systems in male and female C57BL/6 (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) mice.

METHOD

Male and female rodents from the B6 and D2 mouse strains (n = 11 per strain, sex and dose) were used in this study. Doses of EtOH (vs saline) administered were 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 g/kg.

RESULTS

Treatment with saline or EtOH produced both strain- and sex-dependent differences in patterns of monoamine response. For example, D2s exhibited significantly higher overall dopamine (DA) levels than did B6s in the frontal cortex (FC), nucleus accumbens (NA) and caudate-putamen (CP). In the FC, female D2 evinced elevated 5HIAA at 1.0 g/kg. In the NA, D2 females showed dose related increases in levels of DA up to 3.0 g/kg, whereas in the D2 males and in B6 males and females we observed no response. Also in the NA, B6 males showed increases in dihydroxyphenyacetic acid (DOPAC) at 1.0 and 3.0 g/kg. In the CP, B6 males showed higher DA levels than B6 females at the saline, and all EtOH doses. For serotoninergic activity in the CP as well as the NA, EtOH produced a distinctive triphasic response, with the 1.0 and 3.0 g/kg doses of EtOH producing higher levels than saline and 2.0 g/kg of 5HIAA in B6 males than in B6 females.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate strain and sex differences in monoamine response to acute doses of ethanol, and further implicate (via changes in DOPAC) presynaptic mechanisms in the effects of ethanol on dopamine.

Dimethoxyphenylethylamine and tetrahydropapaverine are toxic to the nigrostriatal system

We report the toxic effects of 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine (DMPEA), and tetrahydropapaverine (THP) on the rat nigrostriatal system; THP is a tetrahydroisoquinoline compound which may be derived from DMPEA by conjugation of DMPEA and its oxidative metabolite, dimethoxyphenylacetaldehyde; both are potent inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I. These compounds were introduced to the unilateral caudate-putamen of male Sprague-Dawley rats over 7 days using a 200-microl mini-osmotic pump. Striatal dopamine on the injected side showed a significant decrease to 86% of the non-injected side after 16.55 micromol/7 days infusion of DMPEA, and to 73% of the non-injected side after 7.90 micromol/7 days of THP infusion; as the non-injected side dopamine also reduced in the THP-injected rats, dopamine on the injected side was 55% of the saline control. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive nigral neurons were decreased to 76% of the non-injected side after 16.55 micromol/7 days infusion of DMPEA and to 77% after 7.90 micromol/7 days of THP infusion. Dimethoxyphenyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds appear to be potent nigral neurotoxins.

Multiplex differential display identifies a novel zinc-finger protein repressed during withdrawal from cocaine

Multiplex differential display (MDD), a modification of differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR), was used to identify cocaine-dependent regulation of previously known and unknown gene products. Direct comparison of the MDD amplification profiles of duplicate, total RNA samples from the caudate putamen (CPu) of either vehicle or cocaine treated Sprague-Dawley rats indicated that the relative induction of a 240 bp (8G247) product, likely to represent c-fos mRNA, closely paralleled changes in c-fos mRNA as measured by Northern blot analysis. MDD and Northern blot analysis also revealed substantial repression of another PCR product (8G226) at 1 h and 1 day after repeated administration of cocaine. At 2 days after cocaine exposure, the level of 8G226 had returned to control levels. The DNA sequence of 8G226 exhibited near identity with a mouse zinc-finger protein (PZf) and is thus likely to represent a transcriptional regulator. Interestingly, the repression of 8G226 immediately after cocaine treatment is in direct contrast to the cocaine-dependent increase in expression documented for NGFI-A, another zinc-finger protein which also functions as a transcriptional regulator. Detailed characterization of the prolonged reduction in the expression of 8G226 may lead to the identification of additional regulatory pathways that produce changes in cellular response after repeated cocaine exposure.

Preproenkephalin mRNA expression in the caudate-putamen of MPTP monkeys after chronic treatment with the D2 agonist U91356A in continuous or intermittent mode of administration: comparison with L-DOPA therapy

The effect of chronic treatment with the D2 dopamine agonist U91356A or L-DOPA therapy on the regulation of preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA was investigated in the caudate-putamen of previously drug-naive cynomolgus monkeys Macaca fascicularis rendered parkinsonian by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In MPTP monkeys, pulsatile treatment with either L-DOPA or U91356A relieved parkinsonian symptoms but caused progressive sensitization to treatment and, as expected, induced choreic dyskinesias. In contrast, U91356A given in a continuous mode led to partial behavioral tolerance without appearance of dyskinesias. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, lesioning was shown to produce elevation of PPE mRNA levels in the lateral and medial parts of the putamen and in the lateral part of the caudate nucleus compared to control animals at the three rostrocaudal regions analyzed. In general, no change of PPE mRNA levels were observed in the medial caudate after MPTP lesioning with or without L-DOPA or U91356A treatments in the three rostrocaudal regions measured except for an increase in the caudal part of L-DOPA-treated MPTP monkeys. In the putamen and lateral caudate nucleus, elevated PPE mRNA expression by MPTP generally was not corrected (or only partially corrected) by chronic L-DOPA treatment except for the rostral medial putamen where correction to control values was observed. In general, pulsatile administration of U91356A partially corrected the lesion-induced elevation of PPE mRNA levels in the putamen and lateral caudate nucleus whereas the correction was more pronounced and widespread when MPTP monkeys received the continuous administration of this drug. These results indicate that the mode of administration of a D2 dopamine receptor agonist, such as U91356A, although at a roughly equivalent dosage influences the extent of inhibition of the expression of PPE in the denervated striatum of monkeys. In addition, the general lack of correction of the MPTP-induced increase of PPE mRNA in the striatum of L-DOPA-treated monkeys compared to the decreases observed with the D2 agonist treatments suggest that the D1 agonist component of L-DOPA therapy opposes the D2 agonist activity. Hence, D1 receptor agonist activity would stimulate PPE mRNA expression whereas D2 receptor agonists inhibit the expression of this peptide. Increases in PPE expression in the striatum may be implicated in the induction of dyskinesias since both groups of treated MPTP monkeys displaying dyskinesias had elevated striatal PPE mRNA levels whereas the MPTP monkeys with the lowest striatal PPE mRNA levels developed tolerance without dyskinesias.

Contrasting effects of excitotoxic lesions of the prefrontal cortex on the behavioural response to D-amphetamine and presynaptic and postsynaptic measures of striatal dopamine function in monkeys

The effects of excitotoxic lesions of the prefrontal cortex on behavioural, neurochemical and molecular indices of dopamine function in the caudate nucleus were studied in the marmoset. The lesion, which encompassed both the lateral and orbital regions of prefrontal cortex, made the animals more sensitive to the performance disrupting effects of the dopamine releasing drug, D-amphetamine, in a variation of the object retrieval task. Specifically, following drug administration, the lesioned marmosets were less able to gain access to food reward in the minimum number of responses. Analysis of the nature of the errors suggested that the deficit was not due to inhibition of a prepotent response as the lesioned monkeys were just as likely to make a detour reach to the unopened side of the box as a direct "line-of-sight" reach into the unopened front of the box. Rather, the data indicated a general disorganization of behaviour. The enhanced behavioural responsiveness to manipulations increasing presynaptic dopamine function was accompanied by neurochemical changes indicating a reduced responsiveness, as revealed by in vivo microdialysis. Thus, in lesioned animals, whilst there were no effects on baseline levels of extracellular dopamine in dorsolateral caudate, evoked release, both to systemic D-amphetamine and to a local depolarizing pulse of potassium ions, was attenuated. These opposite effects of the prefrontal cortex lesion on behavioural and neurochemical indices of striatal dopamine function occurred in the absence of any changes in striatal dopamine receptors of the D1 and D2 subtype, as determined both by radioligand binding assays and measurements of messenger RNA using in situ hydridization techniques. These data provide further insight into the interactions between prefrontal cortex and striatal dopamine function in the non-human primate. In particular, when taken in the light of our previous studies they indicate that following prefrontal manipulations, concurrence between behavioural and neurochemical indices of striatal dopamine function depends, critically, on the behavioural task. These findings are discussed with respect to the growing body of evidence implicating abnormalities in frontostriatal neurotransmission in complex disorders such as schizophrenia.

A PET-study of [11C]FLB 457 binding to extrastriatal D2-dopamine receptors in healthy subjects and antipsychotic drug-treated patients

We recently developed [11C]FLB 457 a substituted benzamide with the very high affinity of 20 pM for D2-dopamine receptors in vitro. The aim of the present exploratory study was to examine the anatomical distribution of [11C]FLB 457 binding in the human brain and to determine extrastriatal D2-receptor occupancy in antipsychotic drug-treated patients. [11C]raclopride was used to obtain reference values for D2-dopamine receptor occupancy in the putamen. After IV injection of [11C]FLB 457 there was a high concentration of radioactivity, not only in the caudate putamen but also in the thalamus and the temporal cortex. The concentration of radioactivity in the frontal cortex, the substantia nigra and the colliculi was slightly higher than in the cerebellum. Pretreatment with haloperidol and fluphenazine indicated that [11C]FLB 457 binding in extrastriatal regions to a high degree represent specific binding to D2-dopamine receptors. The D2-occupancy in antipsychotic drug-treated patients was on the same level in the thalamus and the temporal cortex as that determined with [11C]raclopride in the putamen. The study shows that [11C]FLB 457 has potential for quantitative PET-examination of D2-dopamine receptors in man.

Functional correlates of heroin sensitization in the rat brain

The aim of the study was to measure the changes in cerebral energy metabolism and c-fos mRNA expression following challenge with heroin in drug-naive rats and in animals previously sensitized to the drug. Acute heroin administration to drug naive-rats produced a generalized metabolic depression. In contrast, challenge with heroin in drug-sensitized rats produced selective metabolic increases in structures belonging to the basal ganglia. These changes were accompanied by increased c-fos mRNA expression in the caudate-putamen nucleus. These results demonstrate that the process of sensitization to heroin is coupled to functional changes that are confined to the subcortical motor circuits of the basal ganglia.

Increased dopamine turnover in the putamen after MPTP treatment in common marmosets

The differences in dopamine turnover rate between the putamen and the caudate nucleus in the striatum lesioned by a neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were studied in the common marmoset, a small New World monkey. Systemic administration of MPTP damaged equally and dose-dependently nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons projecting both to the caudate nucleus and the putamen. The compensatory increase of dopamine turnover, however, occurred more prominently in the putamen than in the caudate. The neural connection and function of the caudate nucleus and the putamen have been differentiated anatomically or physiologically. The compensatory increase of dopamine turnover rate is another different aspect of functions between the caudate nucleus and the putamen. Dopaminergic neurons projecting to the putamen showed more prominent cell loss than those projecting to the caudate in Parkinson's disease or related disorders. The selective augmented turnover rate of lesioned dopaminergic neurons might be, at least partly, involved with selective degeneration of nigrostriatal neurons projecting to the putamen.

Systemic administration of ephedrine induces Fos protein expression in caudate putamen and subthalamic nucleus of rats

Systemic administration of ephedrine, an anti-hypotensive agent with central effects, induced dramatic expression of Fos protein in the caudate putamen (CPu) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) of rats. This may be related to dopaminergic agonist properties that have been attributed to this compound, dopamine receptors being present in both CPu and STN. This finding seems to suggest that central effects of ephedrine might be mediated by changes in basal ganglia outflow.

The effects of kainic acid lesions on dopaminergic responses to haloperidol and clozapine

The antipsychotic drugs haloperidol and clozapine have the common action of increasing dopamine metabolism in the striatum (nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen) of the rat. Intracerebroventricular administration of kainic acid (KA) produces neuronal loss in limbic-cortical brain regions which project directly or indirectly to the striatum. In the present study, dopamine metabolism in subregions of the striatum was examined in rats with KA lesions after acute and chronic haloperidol or clozapine administration. The main findings was that the elevating effect of acute haloperidol treatment on the dopamine metabolite, DOPAC, was blocked in the nucleus accumbens shell and diminished in medial and laterodorsal caudate-putamen of the KA-lesioned rats. In addition, the elevating effects of both acute and chronic haloperidol treatment on dopamine turnover were attenuated in the laterodorsal caudate-putamen of KA-lesioned rats. The levels of dopamine, DOPAC, and HVA after chronic clozapine treatment were greater in KA-lesioned than control rats. These results indicate that dopaminergic responses to haloperidol may be diminished by limbic-cortical neuropathology, while such pathology does not significantly alter dopaminergic responses to clozapine.

PET study of competition between intravenous cocaine and [11C]raclopride at dopamine receptors in human subjects

OBJECTIVE

Animal data suggest that the strong euphoriant effects of cocaine are related to the drug's enhancement of available dopamine at the synaptic cleft. The authors' goal was to determine whether this mechanism is the same in humans because the development of putative pharmacological agents for treatment of cocaine dependence depends on this knowledge.

METHOD

Positron emission tomography with [11C]raclopride was used to examine the effects of the intravenous administration of 48 mg of cocaine (a typical "street" dose) on the occupancy of dopamine 2 receptors in the putamen of 11 self-identified intravenous drug abusers.

RESULTS

All 11 subjects reported subjective stimulation and euphoria in response to cocaine administration. Radioligand occupancy at dopamine receptors was decreased significantly after cocaine administration, suggesting that higher dopamine concentrations were competing at the receptor site.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the concept of dopamine system involvement in human cocaine abuse.

MR enhancing brain lesions in methanol intoxication

Methanol intoxication can cause necrosis of the putamen and subcortical white matter that is evident on neuroimaging. We report a 47-year-old man with significant methanol intoxication who had enhancing lesions in the caudate nuclei, putamina, hypothalamus, and subcortical white matter by MRI. This case demonstrates that contrast enhancement of brain lesions can be observed after methanol poisoning.

Selegiline induces dopamine release through ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the rat caudate-putamen in vitro

We used superfusion chambers to investigate the role of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in dopamine (DA) release elicited by the monoamine oxidase inhibitor selegiline in the rat caudate-putamen in vitro. Selegiline (R[-]-deprenyl], but not the S[+] enantiomer, concentration-dependently induced increases in extracellular concentrations of DA, with a maximal increase to 185% in comparison to basal outflow at 0.1 mM selegiline. Since in our experimental conditions exclusive MAO inhibition does not lead to an enhancement of extracellular DA levels, the effect of selegiline on DA levels seems not to be related to MAO inhibition. Butanedione (0.1 mM), a specific KATP channel blocker, also significantly enhanced extracellular DA levels in the rat caudate-putamen to approx. 260%. Selegiline only led to an additional increase of DA outflow, when added to submaximal concentrations of butanedione or tolbutamide, implying that selegiline is acting on identical sites. When the KATP channel opener cromakalim was added to the incubation medium, basal as well as butanedione-enhanced DA levels markedly decreased to about 40% when compared to baseline values. Selegiline-activated DA release was also antagonized by cromakalim. The selegiline effect was neither modulated by preincubation with the uptake inhibitor nomifensine nor by the DA agonist quinpirole and antagonist sulpiride. In conclusion these results suggest that selegiline is able to modulate KATP channels in the caudate-putamen of the rat in vitro resulting in an enhancement of striatal DA release.

Repeated binge exposures to amphetamine and methamphetamine: behavioral and neurochemical characterization

Stimulant psychosis and addiction are most commonly associated with repeated, high-dose binges or runs, typically preceded by a more intermittent pattern of stimulant abuse. We previously reported that rats exposed to an escalating dose-run pattern of amphetamine administration exhibited changes in their behavioral response profile that differed both qualitatively and quantitatively from the response to either acute or intermittent daily treatment. To determine the generality of these effects and characterize further the nature of the behavioral and neurochemical changes of this treatment, rats received single daily injections of amphetamine (2.5 or 4.0 mg/kg s.c.) or equimolar doses of methamphetamine, followed by multiple runs (four daily injections at 2-hr intervals) with the pretreatment dose. This treatment resulted in a unique behavioral profile, including a profound increase in the relative expression of locomotion vs. stereotypy. The markedly enhanced poststereotypy locomotor activation was characterized by repeated "burst"-like episodes of ambulation. The number of runs required for the emergence of this behavior was dose dependent and was similar for the two drugs except that with methamphetamine, there also was a marked prolongation of the poststereotypy locomotor response during run exposures. During runs, both drugs produced a decline in the caudate but not the nucleus accumbens microdialysate dopamine response, whereas only methamphetamine produced a decline in the serotonin response that was apparent in both regions. The possible relationship between these behavioral and neurochemical changes and their implications for high dose patterns of stimulant abuse are discussed.

Extracellular dopamine and amphetamine after systemic amphetamine administration: comparison to the behavioral response

To further delineate amphetamine-dopamine pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships, we examined extracellular levels of dopamine and amphetamine in caudate-putamen after the s.c. administration of 8 mg/kg amphetamine. In a parallel group of animals, we also assessed caudate-putamen tissue levels of the drug. Extracellular concentrations of the transmitter and the drug exhibited similar temporal profiles, each achieving maximum concentrations within 30 min of drug administration. Tissue levels of amphetamine exhibited a similar, although slightly earlier time to maximum levels. The concentrations of amphetamine and dopamine in the extracellular fluid and amphetamine in tissue rapidly declined with similar rates of elimination. In contrast to the temporal profiles for both dopamine and amphetamine, stereotyped behaviors achieved maximum intensity at about 60 min. In addition, although transmitter and drug declined almost 10-fold from maximum values over the 4-hr interval after amphetamine administration, stereotyped behaviors persisted for at least 3 hr before abating. The results of these studies confirm our previous observation that the temporal profiles for stereotyped behaviors and extracellular dopamine are dissociated, and also extend this dissociation to extracellular amphetamine. In addition, although there was a close correspondence between dopamine and amphetamine within each experimental animal, individual animals exhibited a broad range of maximal dopamine responses, suggesting a differential responsiveness to amphetamine.

Effect of transient focal ischemia on blood-brain barrier permeability in the rat: correlation to cell injury

Prolonged ischemia is known to damage the blood-brain barrier, causing an increase in vascular permeability to proteins. We studied the time course of extravasation of endogenous albumin in rats after 1 and 2 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion followed by 6, 12, and 24 h of recirculation. In a separate group of rats that had undergone 1 h of MCA occlusion and 6 h of recirculation, influx of [14C]aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) from blood to brain was also measured. After 1 h of occlusion followed by 6 h of recirculation, neuronal damage was evident in caudoputamen, but there were no signs of blood-brain barrier leakage to either AIB or albumin. At 12 h, the caudoputamen contained extravasated albumin, and at 24 h extravasation was extended to the somatosensory cortex. Animals subjected to 2 h of MCA occlusion showed albumin extravasation in caudoputamen already at 6 h of recirculation, and at 12 and 24 h albumin was abundant in the major part of the right hemisphere. This study suggests that damage to neurons precedes leakage of the blood-brain barrier. Even a relatively short period of ischemia such as 1 h will result in markedly increased vascular permeability. However, a longer transient ischemic insult disrupts the blood-brain barrier earlier than a shorter one.

3-Nitropropionic acid neurotoxicity: visualization by silver staining and implications for use as an animal model of Huntington's disease

The neuronal damage produced by the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3NPA) has been suggested to replicate much of the neuropathology seen in Huntington's disease (HD) and therefore might be used in an animal model. We investigated the susceptibility to this toxin of different neuronal populations in addition to the commonly studied caudate putamen by injecting 3NPA into seven different brain regions as well as systemically. After different survival times, rats were intracardially perfused, brain sections were processed with the Gallyas silver technique, and impregnated neurons were mapped with a computerized microscope. Intracerebral administration of 3NPA resulted in a lesion, the center of which was devoid of tissue while the area was surrounded by a halo of Golgi-like impregnated neurons. In addition to local damage, rats receiving microinjections into the frontal cortex, caudate putamen, basal forebrain, and amygdala displayed argyrophilic neurons in the thalamus corresponding to the topography of thalamofugal neurons projecting to the individual injection sites. On the other hand, negligible secondary damage was seen after injections into the internal capsule, thalamus, or substantia nigra, implicating that thalamofugal axons are especially vulnerable to the local effect of this toxin. Two and a half days after systemic administration of 3NPA, a diffuse argyrophilic neuronal reaction was seen in the dorsolateral part of the caudate putamen, together with a more regionally selective staining of neurons in different cortical areas and the hippocampus. These morphopathological changes were also accompanied by motor deficits. The affected neurons in the cortical regions were primarily in those layers (V and VI) and areas (medial prefrontal, caudal insular/periphinal, and ventral temporal) that do not project toward the lesioned striatal area; therefore, the cortical pathology may represent another primary site of action of the toxin. Among the affected neurons in the hippocampal complex were pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region as well as various neurons in the CA3 region and dentate hilar area. These studies suggest that a combination of 3NPA administration and a sensitive silver-impregnation method may unravel the potential site of primary neuronal damage in this animal model. Furthermore, these findings may contribute to the understanding of how the disease progresses in HD from the originally affected neuronal population(s) by the recruitment of closely related systems and pathways.

Quantification of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor mRNA levels associated with the development of behavioral sensitization in amphetamine treated rats

We hypothesized that changes in expression of dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 receptor genes in caudate/putamen (CP) would correlate with the development of behavioral changes in amphetamine treated rats. In order to test this hypothesis, we measured DA D1 and D2 receptor mRNA in CP, as well as locomotor behavior, in individual rats following amphetamine treatment. D1 and D2 mRNA levels were similar in caudate/putamen of rats treated with acute amphetamine, chronic amphetamine or saline injection. We found no correlation between D1 or D2 mRNA levels in caudate/putamen and the behavioral response to either acute or chronic amphetamine. These results suggest that behavioral sensitization to amphetamine is not mediated through transcriptional regulation of D1 or D2 mRNA levels in caudate/putamen.

Riluzole reduces incidence of abnormal movements but not striatal cell death in a primate model of progressive striatal degeneration

Riluzole has been shown recently to increase life expectancy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A number of experimental studies also suggest that this compound may be a neuroprotectant. We have investigated in baboons whether riluzole would protect striatal neurons from a prolonged 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP) treatment and ameliorate the associated motor symptoms. In animals receiving 3NP and the solvent of riluzole, 12 weeks of high-dose 3NP treatment resulted in the appearance of persistent leg dystonia and significant increases in the incidence of three categories of abnormal movements and in the dyskinesia index in the apomorphine test (0.5 mg/kg i.m.). Quantitative assessment of these behavioral deficits using a video movement analysis system demonstrated a significant decrease in locomotor activity and peak tangential velocity in 3NP-treated animals compared to controls. Histological analysis showed the presence of severe, bilateral, striatal lesions, localized in both caudate and putamen. Cotreatment with riluzole (4 mg/kg i.p., twice daily) significantly reduced the dyskinesia index (-35%, P < 0.02) in the apomorphine test. In the quantitative behavioral analysis, riluzole significantly ameliorated the decrease in peak tangential velocity (P < 0.02) but not the decrease in locomotor activity observed after 3NP. Comparative histological analysis of the two groups of treated animals did not demonstrate a clear neuroprotective effect of riluzole. The present study suggests that one potential therapeutic interest for riluzole in neurodegenerative disorders may reside in the reduction of motor symptoms associated with striatal lesions.