Ascorbate potentiates amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference and forebrain dopamine release in rats

R. Christopher Pierce, James K. Rowlett, George V. Rebec, Michael T. Bardo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of ascorbate, which is known to modulate dopamine neurotransmission, on the reinforcing effects of amphetamine, we coadministered ascorbate and amphetamine during the acquisition of conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. Our results indicate that 100 mg/kg ascorbate potentiates the CPP induced by 0.5 mg/kg, but not 1.0 mg/kg, amphetamine. A higher dose of ascorbate (500 mg/kg) did not influence the CPP induced by either dose of amphetamine. In vitro release assays revealed that, whereas ascorbate alone (0.01-1.0 mM) did not influence straital dopamine levels, this vitamin potentiated amphetamine-induced dopamine release in both the nucleus accumbens and neostriatum. Collectively, these results raise the possibility that ascorbate potentiates amphetamine-induced CPP by increasing the ability of this psychostimulant to release dopamine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21-26
Number of pages6
JournalBrain Research
Volume688
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 7 1995

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by NSF grant BNS 91-12055 (G.V.R.) and by USPHS grant DA05312 (M.T.B.).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (all)
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

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