CGS 10746B, A NOVEL DOPAMINE RELEASE INHIBITOR, BLOCKS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COCAINE AND MDMA CONDITIONED PLACE PREFERENCES

Cocaine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), two drugs self-admin istered by humans and laboratory animals, have previously been shown t o produce conditioned place preferences (CPPs) among rats, an index of drug-reward relevant events. Both of these agents increase functional levels of dopamine that may be critical to their rewarding properties . Here, the effects of doses of CGS 10746B, an agent reported to atten uate the release of dopamine without occupying dopamine receptors, are assessed on cocaine and MDMA's ability to produce a CPP. CGS 10746B d ose dependently blocked the establishment of a MDMA CPP. A 30 mg/kg do se of CGS 10746B, which completely blocked the MDMA CPP, also blocked the establishment of a cocaine CPP. Release of dopamine appears critic al to the ability of these agents to establish a CPP. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science Inc.