The Involvement of D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors in Cocaine Self-Administration

Peltier, Rachel L., The Involvement of D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors in Cocaine Self-Administration. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), June 1996, 195 pp. introduction, 6 chapters, discussion, bibliography, 91 titles. D1 and D2 dopamine receptor subtypes have been implicated in producing the reinforcing properties of cocaine. Chronic exposure to cocaine produces tolerance to its reinforcing effects in rats trained to self-administer cocaine. The time between cocaine reinforcers (ISRT) is directly related to dose. A three-point dose-response curve (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/inj) for cocaine self-administration is obtained during a single test session, allowing determination of optimal tolerance effects of cocaine (20 mg/kg/8 hr/7 days; IP) as demonstrated by a shift of the curve to the right. To test if pharmacokinetic factors contribute to the development of tolerance to the reinforcing properties of cocaine (20 mg/kg/8hr/7days; IP), cocaine and benzoylecgonine (metabolite) were measured in the plasma and brains of rats given a challenge injection of cocaine (2.0 mg/kg; I.V.). Chronic cocaine did not reduce the concentration of cocaine must be due to pharmacodynamics changes. Acute pretreatment with either the direct dopamine agonists d-amphetamine (0.32-3.2 mg/kg) or methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) did not consistently change cocaine self-administration. Chronic high-dose treatment with d-amphetamine and methamphetamine produced cross-tolerance to the reinforcing effects of cocaine but apomorphine (0.32-3.2 mg/kg) did not. In contrast, acute pretreatment with dopamine antagonists; flupentixol (mixed D1 and D2, 0.032-1.0 mg/kg), SCH23390 (specific D1, 0.0032-0.32 mg/kg), or eticlopride (specific D2, 0.0032 -3.2 mg/kg); dose-dependently decreased the reinforcing effects of cocaine (ISRT). Chronic treatment with mixed of D1 antagonists (flupentixol, 3.2 mg/kg/12 hr/5 days; or SCH23390, 0.25 mg/kg/12 hr/7 days) produced sensitization to the reinforcing effects of cocaine, but the D2 antagonist eticlopride (0.25 mg/kg/12 hr/7 days) produced cross-tolerance to the reinforcing effects of cocaine. In summary, both the D1 and D2 receptor subtypes seem to be involved in the acute effects of cocaine; however, the development of tolerance to cocaine appears to involve only the D1 receptor subtype.