INCREASED STRIATAL GLUTAMATE TRANSPORTER BY REPEATED INTERMITTENT ADMINISTRATION OF METHAMPHETAMINE

We have examined the immunoreactivities of a glutamate (Glu) transport er, GLT-1, in rat brains treated with a single or repeated intermitten t administration of methamphetamine (MAP). In the stratum of behaviora lly sensitized rate induced by repeated intermittent MAP treatment, GL T-1 immunoreactivities were increased by 51%. There was no difference in the GLT-1 immunoreactivities in all regions examined between rate t reated with a single administration of MAP and the control rats. These results suggest that hyperglutamatergic activity in the striatum is i nvolved in the induction of behavioral sensitization caused by MAP.