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Modafinil evokes striatal [3H]dopamine release and alters the subjective properties of stimulants
- Source :
-
European Journal of Pharmacology . Jul2007, Vol. 568 Issue 1-3, p112-123. 12p. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Modafinil is a mild psychostimulant used for the treatment of sleep and arousal-related disorders, and has been considered a pharmacotherapy for cocaine and amphetamine dependence; however, modafinil''s mechanism of action is largely unclear. The present study investigated modafinil using drug discrimination and slice superfusion techniques. Rats were trained to discriminate cocaine (1.6 or 5 mg/kg) or amphetamine (0.3 mg/kg) from saline injection for food reinforcement. Modafinil (64–128 mg/kg) substituted partially for both cocaine doses and amphetamine. Pretreatment with a lower modafinil dose (32 mg/kg) augmented the discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine (1.6 mg/kg dose group) and amphetamine. In neurochemical experiments, modafinil (100–300 μM) evoked [3H]overflow from rat striatal slices preloaded with [3H]dopamine in a concentration-dependent manner; however, modafinil was less potent and efficacious than amphetamine and nicotine. The dopamine transporter inhibitor nomifensine (10 μM) blocked modafinil-evoked [3H]overflow, and concentrations of modafinil (<100 μM) that did not have intrinsic activity attenuated amphetamine (1 and 3 μM)-evoked [3H]overflow. Modafinil-evoked [3H]overflow was not altered by the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist mecamylamine, and modafinil did not alter nicotine-evoked [3H]overflow, indicating that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors likely are not important for modafinil''s mechanism of action. The present results indicate that modafinil evokes dopamine release from striatal neurons and is a psychostimulant that is pharmacologically similar to, but much less potent and efficacious than, amphetamine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *NEUROTRANSMITTERS
*DRUG abuse
*LOCAL anesthetics
*TOBACCO
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00142999
- Volume :
- 568
- Issue :
- 1-3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- European Journal of Pharmacology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25569080
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.03.044