Chronic amphetamine administration decreases D-2 dopamine receptor immunostaining in the lateral habenular nucleus

The effect of chronic amphetamine administration on the expression of D-2 d opamine receptor was immunohistochemically analyzed in the caudate-putamen and the lateral habenular nucleus, which are important links of the dorsal diencephalic conduction system. Significant decrease in the numbers of immu nopositive neural cells was observed in both regions, suggesting that chron ically administered amphetamine alters D-2 dopamine receptor function in th e dorsal diencephalic conduction system. This could be involved in the deve lopment of schizophrenia, stereotypies and neural impairment in psychostimu lant abusers.