Chemical Interactions in Methamphetamine Reinforcement

Abstract
Responding by rats was reinforced by intravenous infusions of 0.5 mg/kg methamphetamine hydrochloride. The effects of intraperitoneal injections of various doses of methamphetamine, alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (1-DOPA) were determined on this baseline. Intraperitoneally-administered methamphetamine produced a dose-related pause in responding, apparently indicating drug satiation. Injections of AMPT caused responding either to increase at low doses, or, at intermediate and high doses, to increase, then cease altogether, and finally return at a high rate which decreases to baseline. Injections of 1-DOPA had no noticeable effect on drug responding. Some biochemical implications of these data were discussed.

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