Acute effects of estradiol pretreatment on the response to d-amphetamine in women

Little is known about the interactions between ovarian hormones and respons es to psychoactive drugs in humans. Preclinical studies suggest that ovaria n hormones such as estrogen and progesterone have direct and indirect centr al nervous system actions and that these hormones can influence behavioral responses to psychoactive drugs. In the present study, we assessed the subj ective and physiological effects of d-amphetamine (AMPH; 10 mg p.o.) after pretreatment with estradiol. Two groups of healthy, regularly cycling women participated in two sessions scheduled during the early follicular phases of two menstrual cycles. One group received estradiol patches (Estraderm TT S; 0.8 mg) which elevated plasma estradiol levels to approximately 750 pg/ mi on both sessions; the other group received placebo patches on both sessi ons. Both groups received AMPH (10.0 mg) and placebo in a randomized and co unterbalanced order on the two sessions. Dependent measures included self-r eport questionnaires, physiological measures, and plasma hormone levels. Mo st of the subjective and physiological effects of AMPH were not affected by acute estradiol treatment. Nevertheless, estradiol pretreatment increased the magnitude of the effects of AMPH on subjective ratings of 'pleasant sti mulation' and decreased ratings of 'want more'. Also, estradiol produced so me subjective effects when administered alone: It increased subjective rati ngs of 'feel drug','energy and intellectual efficiency', and 'pleasant stim ulation'. These results provide limited evidence that the stimulating effec ts of AMPH are increased by acute estradiol pretreatment. Copyright (C) 200 0 S. Karger AG, Basel.