Effects of CP 154,526, a CRF1 receptor antagonist, on behavioral responses to cocaine in rats.

We examined the influence of CP 154,526, a selective antagonist of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)1 receptors, in the locomotor, sensitizing, discriminative stimulus and rewarding effects of cocaine, as well as on the cocaine-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in male Wistar rats. CP 154,526 in doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, which did not affect basal locomotor activity, dose-dependently reduced the hyperactivation evoked by cocaine. To assess the effects of CP 154,526 on the expression of cocaine sensitization, the rats were injected with either saline or cocaine (10 mg/kg) for 5 days, and were then challenged with cocaine (10 mg/kg) after pretreatment with saline or CP 154,526 on day 5 of withdrawal.

Conditioned rewarding stimulus associated with cocaine self-administration reverses the depression of catecholamine brain systems following cocaine withdrawal in rats.

Craving phenomena are related to induction of substance-seeking behaviour by stimuli associated with the availability of the drug. We investigated the changes in monoamine metabolism in regions of the brains of rats that, following a period of training of cocaine self-administration, were either killed 2 h after the last session or underwent extinction trials, during which cocaine was withdrawn. During the training, acoustic and visual stimuli announced the availability of cocaine.

Effects of 5-HT1B receptor ligands microinjected into the ventral tegmental area on the locomotor and sensitizating effects of cocaine in rats.

The present study was aimed at finding out whether 5-HT(1B) receptors located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) played a role in the locomotor hyperactivity induced by a single dose of cocaine and in the sensitization evoked by repeated exposure to the psychostimulant in rats. Male Wistar rats, implanted bilaterally with cannulae in the VTA, were microinjected with GR 55562 (an antagonist of 5-HT(1B) receptors) or CP 93129 (an agonist of 5-HT(1B) receptors). GR 55562 (0.

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on the locomotor and sensitizing effects of cocaine in rats.

The present study was designed to find out whether single and repeated treatment with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) changed the cocaine-evoked hyperactivation or sensitization, and whether cross-sensitization occurred between TRH and cocaine. Like cocaine (10 mg/kg), TRH (10 mg/kg) increased the basal activation of rats; however, when given in combination with cocaine (10 mg/kg), TRH (5-10 mg/kg) did not change the locomotor effect of cocaine. On day 10, cocaine challenge of rats treated repeatedly with the psychostimulant (days 1-5) significantly enhanced locomotor hyperactivity compared to the effect of acute cocaine injection in saline-treated (days 1-5) animals.

Blocking impact of clozapine on cocaine locomotor and sensitizing effects in rats.

In the present study, we attempted to determine the effects of an atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine on the locomotor activation as well as sensitization to cocaine in male Wistar rats. When given acutely to rats, cocaine (10 mg/kg, ip) increased 4-fold the animals' locomotor activity. Repeated administration (1-5 days) of cocaine (10 mg/kg, ip) to rats significantly enhanced on day 10 the locomotor activation induced by its challenge dose given after 5-day withdrawal (sensitization).

Role of dopamine D3 receptors in controlling the expression of cocaine sensitization in rats.

It is established that dopamine (DA) is an important brain mediator of the behavioral (i.e. sensitizing) effects of cocaine in rodents.

Effects of 5-HT1B receptor ligands microinjected into the ventral tegmental area on cocaine discrimination in rats.

Some recent data indicate a significant interaction between serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and dopamine in mesolimbic brain structures (e.g. the ventral tegmental area) which modulate the behavioral effects of cocaine in rats.

Effect of intra-tegmental microinjections of 5-HT1B receptor ligands on the amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity in rats.

Previous research demonstrated that the mesoaccumbens dopamine (DA) pathway played a critical role in the behavioral effects of amphetamine in rodents. Nonetheless, recent findings have also indicated involvement of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) transmission in these effects. In the present study, we investigated the role of 5-HT1B receptors located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity in rats.

Effects of 5-HT(1B) receptor ligands microinjected into the accumbal shell or core on the sensitization to cocaine in rats.

The present study was designed to find out whether 5-HT(1B) receptors located in subareas of the nucleus accumbens played a role in cocaine sensitization in rats, and whether pharmacological activation of these receptors could modify this drug effect. Male Wistar rats implanted bilaterally with cannulae into the accumbens shell or core were microinjected with GR 55562 (an antagonist of 5-HT(1B) receptors) or CP 93129 (an agonist of 5-HT(1B) receptors). The rats, which were repeatedly (for 5 days) administered with cocaine (10 mg/kg) and then challenged with cocaine (10 mg/kg) after 5-day withdrawal period, showed significantly higher locomotor hyperactivity in comparison with the effect observed in saline-pretreated and cocaine challenged rats.

Effects of serotonin (5-HT)(1B) receptor ligands, microinjected into accumbens subregions, on cocaine discrimination in rats.

Recent data indicate a significant input of serotonin (5-HT) on mesoaccumbens dopamine-dependent behavioral effects of cocaine in rats. The present study investigated the role of 5-HT(1B) receptors in nucleus accumbens subregions (the shell and the core) and the effect of stimulation of those receptors in the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine in rats. Male Wistar rats were trained to discriminate cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.