EFFECTS OF D-AMPHETAMINE ADMINISTRATION ON THE RELEASE OF ENDOGENOUS EXCITATORY AMINO-ACIDS IN THE RAT NUCLEUS-ACCUMBENS

1. The effects of acute D-amphetamine administration to rats on the re lease of endogenous excitatory amino acids from nucleus accumbens slic es were studied.2. D-amphetamine (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg; i.p.) signific antly increased the spontaneous release of aspartate and glutamate fro m nucleus accumbens slices. 3. In contrast, D-amphetamine either produ ced no change or rather decreased K+ (40 mM)-evoked and N-methyl-D-asp artate (100 mu M)-evoked release of aspartate and glutamate from the s lices, respectively. 4. When D-amphetamine treated rats were pretreate d with haloperidol, the effects of D-amphetamine on the spontaneous re lease of excitatory amino acids were not produced, whereas its effects on N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked release remained unchanged. 5. These d ata suggest that amphetamine produces changes in excitatory amino acid -mediated transmission in the nucleus accumbens, that may play a role in amphetamine-induced behavioral or psychotomimetic effects.