Subjective and behavioral effects of repeated d-amphetamine in humans

Citation
Sr. Wachtel et H. De Wit, Subjective and behavioral effects of repeated d-amphetamine in humans, BEHAV PHARM, 10(3), 1999, pp. 271-281
Citations number
57
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
BEHAVIOURAL PHARMACOLOGY
ISSN journal
09558810 → ACNP
Volume
10
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
271 - 281
Database
ISI
SICI code
0955-8810(199905)10:3<271:SABEOR>2.0.ZU;2-S
Abstract
Behavioral sensitization is thought to be an important determinant of drug- taking and drug-seeking behaviors. Although there is abundant research char acterizing behavioral sensitization in animals, there is little evidence fo r this phenomenon in humans. The aim of the present study was to determine if repeated oral d-amphetamine administration enhances self-reported mood a nd other behavioral indices of d-amphetamine effects in humans. Sixteen hea lthy volunteers, crith no prior stimulant use, received two doses of d-amph etamine (20 mg) and two doses of placebo, in alternating order, on 4 consec utive days, under double-blind conditions. Mood and behavioral effects were measured using standard self-report questionnaires. Heart rate, blood pres sure, psychomotor performance, and tapping speed were also monitored. d-Amp hetamine elicited prototypical increases on several measures including self -reported drug effects, mood, and physiological responses. However, except for a slight reduction in 'feel drug' scores during the first hour of the s econd d-amphetamine session, the majority of effects were not altered on th e second session. These results indicate that the subjective effects of d-a mphetamine display only an apparent mild tolerance after a single exposure 48 h earlier. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.