ENHANCEMENT OF DOPAMINE RELEASE FROM THE STRIATUM THROUGH METABOTROPIC GLUTAMATE-RECEPTOR ACTIVATION IN METHAMPHETAMINE SENSITIZED RATS

An intracerebral microdialysis technique was applied to study the effe ct of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist on dopamine rele ase in the striatum of methamphetamine (MAP)-sensitized rats. Rats wer e treated with MAP (1 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 6 consecutive days, followed by a 6-day withdrawal. Perfusion of 0.1 mM (1S:3R)-1-aminocyc lopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid through a microdialysis probe pl aced in the striatum enhanced the extracellular dopamine level, and in duced stereotyped behavior in MAP-sensitized rats. The enhancement of dopamine release and the stereotyped behavior were attenuated by co-pe rfusion of 0.4 mM RS-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl-glycine, a mGluR ant agonist. The present results sus est that mGluRs may be involved in th e expression of MAP-induced sensitization.