The effects of phencyclidine pretreatment on amphetamine-induced behavior and c-Fos expression in the rat

Previous data demonstrate that a single injection of phencyclidine enhances amphetamine-induced behaviors 24 h later, suggesting that the delayed effe cts of a single dose of phencyclidine may produce a schizophrenia-like stat e in animals. These behavioral changes were accompanied by altered patterns of c-Fos induction, suggesting possible neurochemical correlates to the ob served behaviors. Because investigations into PCP's ability to model schizo phrenia have found that the effects of repeated, or subchronic, PCP adminis tration differ according to the dose and administration paradigm, this stud y sought to determine whether single and subchronic PCP exposure produce di fferent effects on amphetamine-induced behaviors and c-Fos induction. No di fferences were observed between these administration paradigms; both single and subchronic PCP exposure enhanced amphetamine-induced c-Fos in the stri atum, decreased c-Fos in the prefrontal cortex, and decreased the number of cage-crossings. However, the observation that PCP pretreatment affected c- Fos induction in the same manner observed previously while having an opposi te effect on amphetamine-induced behavior suggests that these behavioral an d neurochemical effects are dissociated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.