Effect of amphetamine on brain catecholamines, brain beta-endorphin, serum prolactin, catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase of various organs in the rat.

Rats were treated with amphetamine to induce an amphetamine psychosis which resembles paranoid schizophrenia. Brain catecholamines, brain beta-endorphin, serum prolactin as well as catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase were subsequently measured. The norepinephrine levels were significantly lower in brain regions of rats treated with amphetamine whereas levels of dopamine and beta-endorphin remained the same. No significant changes were found in the levels of catechol-O-methyltransferase, monoamine oxidase and serum prolactin. In view of recent findings by other investigators in this field, our results suggest an important role of the adrenergic system in the pathogenesis of amphetamine psychosis.