Facilitative Effect of a Glutamate Transporter Inhibitor (2S,3S)-3-{3-[4-(Trifluoromethyl)benzoylamino]benzyloxy}aspartate on the Expression of Methamphetamine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization in Rats

We examined the effects of a potent glutamate transporter inhibitor, (2S,3S)-3-{3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoylamino]benzyloxy}aspartate (TFB-TBOA), on the expression of methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization in rats. Rats were intraperitoneally treated with 2mg/kg methamphetamine for 5 days and then challenged with 1 mg/kg methamphetamine. Intracerebroventricular administration of TFB-TBOA (0.1 nmol) 10 min before the challenge significantly facilitated the expression of behavioral sensitization. On the other hand, it had no effect on the locomotor activation elicited by the challenge with methamphetamine in repeated-saline-treated (non-sensitized) rats. These results suggest that central glutamate transporters may play an inhibitory role in the expression of behavioral sensitization to methamphetamine. Keywords:: glutamate transporter, methamphetamine, sensitization