An endogenous neuroprotectant substance, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), prevents the behavioral and neurochemical effects of cocaine reinstatement in drug-dependent rats.

Abstract

Drug abuse disorder is induced by a variety of substances and results from their interaction with the brain reward system. It is characterized by a high frequency of relapse, usually associated with to craving. In this study we investigated the effects of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an endogenous compound with antidopaminergic and neuroprotective activity, on cocaine-induced reinstatement in cocaine-dependent, self-administering rats. 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (50 mg/kg i.p.) completely inhibited the expression of reinstatement of cocaine self-administration and accompanying neurochemical changes induced by a single priming cocaine dose (10 mg/kg i.p.). The priming cocaine dose inhibited dopamine metabolism in the structures containing nerve endings (frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and striatum) but not in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. A behaviorally active dose of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline administered 30 min before a priming dose of cocaine significantly increased the dopamine concentration in the limbic structures, and strongly inhibited dopamine metabolism in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Cocaine also inhibited noradrenaline and serotonin metabolism, and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline abolished the inhibition in noradrenaline metabolism, while it intensified the inhibition of serotonin metabolism. Our results strongly support the view that 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an endogenous compound, has considerable potential as a drug for combating substance abuse disease through the attenuation of craving.

• Authors: L Antkiewicz-Michaluk, M Filip, J Michaluk, I Romańska, E Przegaliński, J Vetulani
• Journal: Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) (J Neural Transm (Vienna)) Vol. 114 Issue 3 Pg. 307-17 (Mar 2007) ISSN: 0300-9564 [Print] Austria
• PMID: 16897599 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dopamine Antagonists
• Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Tetrahydroisoquinolines
• Serotonin
• 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline
• Cocaine
• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine

Topics

• Animals
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects, physiology)
• Brain (drug effects, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Brain Chemistry (drug effects, physiology)
• Cocaine (adverse effects, antagonists & inhibitors)
• Cocaine-Related Disorders (drug therapy, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Dopamine (metabolism)
• Dopamine Antagonists (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors (adverse effects, antagonists & inhibitors)
• Limbic System (drug effects, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Male
• Neural Pathways (drug effects, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Norepinephrine (metabolism)
• Rats
• Reward
• Secondary Prevention
• Self Administration
• Serotonin (metabolism)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Tetrahydroisoquinolines (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Ventral Tegmental Area (drug effects, metabolism, physiopathology)