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Effects of Methamphetamine in the Adult Rat

Herring, Nicole Reneé
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1187007484

Abstract Details

2007, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Medicine : Neuroscience/Medical Science Scholars Interdisiplinary.
Background: The use of (+)-methamphetamine (MA) has been shown to result in long-term monoamine, creatine, corticosterone, and cognitive alterations in human users. Previous animal models of MA exposure have demonstrated persistent damage to monoaminergic systems; but few cognitive effects have been shown. Additionally, the effects of MA on corticosterone and creatine have not been highly investigated. Methods: In Experiment-1, adult rats were treated with one of two MA dosing regimens and evaluated for neurotoxicity and behavior. Experiment-2 examined the influence of test order and treatment-to-test interval on cognitive outcomes. Experiment-3 determined the effects of MA on creatine, monoamines, and corticosterone up to 72 h after the first dose. Additionally, Experiment-3 was designed to evaluate the corticosterone-releasing effects of MA by utilizing a known stressor in an experiment similar to the one above. Finally, Experiment-4 examined the relationship between corticosterone and the MA-induced cognitive changes by determining the effects of MA in adrenalectomized rats on neurotoxicity and behavior. Results: The dose frequency utilized in these studies had no differential effects on behavior or neurotoxicity; however, impaired path integration and spared spatial navigation was demonstrated after MA administration. Removal of potential influences from other behavioral tasks and a shorter treatment-to-test interval did not alter the lack of spatial learning deficits. Corticosterone was increased up to 72 h and monoamine levels were decreased as early as 7 h after the first dose of MA, whereas brain creatine levels were unaffected. The alterations in neurochemistry did not appear to be the result of MA-induced increases in corticosterone alone; forced swim increased corticosterone but did not resemble MA in the other measurements. Blockade of corticosterone after MA treatment demonstrated that the deficits in path integration are not due to the increase in corticosterone. Additionally, hyperthermia does not appear to be a requirement for either the path integration deficits or the neurotoxicity to occur after MA exposure. Conclusions: The data in the present studies indicate that administration of a neurotoxic dosing regimen of MA results in long-term alterations in neurochemistry and path integration deficits that are not dependent on increased corticosterone levels or hyperthermia.
Dr. Michael Williams, PhD (Committee Chair)
Charles Vorhees, PhD (Other)
Ton Degrauw, MD, PhD (Other)
Kim Seroogy, PhD (Other)
Gary Gudelsky, PhD (Other)
234 p.
Biology, Neuroscience
Methamphetamine; Path Integration; Spatial Navigation; Corticosterone; Adrenalectomy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Herring, N. R. (2007). Effects of Methamphetamine in the Adult Rat [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1187007484

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Herring, Nicole. Effects of Methamphetamine in the Adult Rat. 2007. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1187007484.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Herring, Nicole. "Effects of Methamphetamine in the Adult Rat." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1187007484

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1187007484
736
© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.