CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPONSE TO METHAMPHETAMINE IS MEDIATED BY CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR (CRF) AND ENHANCED BY STRESS

A biotelemetric system that minimizes experimental stress was used to monitor the effects of a receptor antagonist for corticotropin-releasi ng factor (CRE), alpha-helical CRF(9-41), on cardiovascular and behavi oral response induced by methamphetamine (MAH) in freely moving rats. The elevations in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and lo comotive activity (LA) induced by MAH (1 mg/kg, i.p.) were attenuated by alpha-helical CRF(9-41) (10 mu g). On the other hand, the increases in MAP and HR elicited by MAH were enhanced by cage-switch stress. Th us, it seems that the cardiovascular response to methamphetamine is pa rtially mediated by CRF and enhanced by psychological stress.