K. Suemaru et al., CHRONIC NICOTINE TREATMENT POTENTIATES BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSES TO DOPAMINERGIC DRUGS IN RATS, Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior, 46(1), 1993, pp. 135-139
In the present study, the behavioral effects of apomorphine, methamphe
tamine, and haloperidol were examined in nicotine-treated rats. All an
imals were SC administered nicotine at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg or saline o
nce daily for 14 days. Hyperlocomotion induced by apomorphine (0.2 mg/
kg, IP) and methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg, IP) was greater in nicotine-tr
eated rats than in control rats. Stereotyped behaviors induced by apom
orphine (1.0 mg/kg, IP) and methamphetamine (5.0 mg/kg, IP) were also
potentiated in nicotine-treated rats. However, the incidence of catale
psy induced by haloperidol (0.25-1.5 mg/kg, IP) was slightly lower in
nicotine-treated rats. These results suggest that chronic nicotine tre
atment may increase the susceptibility of the dopaminergic system to d
opaminergic drugs.