The anabolic-androgenic steroid nandrolone decanoate affects the density of dopamine receptors in the male rat brain

In recent years a male group of anabolic-androgenic steroid misusers has be en identified to share socio-demographic and personality related background factors with misusers of psychotropic substances, as well as being involve d in habits of multiple drug use. The present study aimed to assess whether anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) would affect the density of the dopamin e receptors in areas implicated in reward and behaviour in the male rat bra in. The effects of 2 weeks of treatment with i.m. injections of nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg/day) on the expression of the D-1-like and D-2-like rec eptors were evaluated by autoradiography. Specific binding of D-1-like rece ptors was significantly down regulated in the caudate putamen, the nucleus accumbens core and shell. D-2-like receptor densities were down regulated i n the nucleus accumbens shell, but up regulated in the caudate putamen, the nucleus accumbens core and the ventral tegmental area. These results are c ompatible with nandrolone induced neuroadaptive alterations in dopamine cir cuits associated with motor functions and behavioural paradigms known to be affected following AAS misuse.