Short and long-term changes in dopamine and serotonin receptor binding sites in amphetamine-sensitized rats: a quantitative autoradiographic study.

The biochemical changes in DA and 5HT systems were investigated in amphetamine (AMPH)-sensitized rats, 1 and 15 days after cessation of treatment (5 mg/kg AMPH, i.p., twice a day for 6 days). At both times, AMPH-treated rats exhibited behavioral sensitization, as revealed by an enhancement of the stereotypic response to a challenge dose of 2 mg/Kg, ip. AMPH. Basal dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) metabolism was not significantly modified in different brain areas of AMPH-sensitized rats. Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of DA and serotonin 5-HT receptor subtypes was performed in the following brain regions: medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, striatum, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, dorsal and median raphe nuclei. A significant increase of [3H]SCH 23390 binding to D1 DA receptors was observed in the substantia nigra pars reticulata 1 day but not 15 days after the cessation of AMPH treatment, whereas [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding to 5-HT1A sites was found to be significantly enhanced in the dorsal raphe nucleus at both time points. No change in D2 DA nor in 5-HT1B or 5-HT2A receptors was found in any of the brain structures examined at either time point. The obtained results suggest that DA and 5-HT systems are differently and time-dependently involved in AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization.