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Authors 
Jentsch JD. Wise A. Katz Z. Roth RH.

Institution 
Neuropsychopharmacology Research Unit, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8066, USA.

Title 
Alpha-noradrenergic receptor modulation of the phencyclidine- and delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced increases in dopamine utilization in rat prefrontal cortex.

Source 
Synapse. 28(1):21-6, 1998 Jan.

Abstract 
The noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) and the neuronal cannabinoid receptor agonist delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two agents shown to have psychotomimetic properties in humans. Both drugs increase dopamine release and utilization in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region thought to be dysfunctional in schizophrenia. In the present series of studies, the effects of drugs acting at alpha-noradrenergic receptors on PCP- and THC-induced increases in prefrontal cortical and nucleus accumbens dopamine utilization in the rat were examined. Clonidine, an alpha2 noradrenergic receptor agonist, completely blocked the activation of mesoprefrontal dopamine system by THC or PCP. In addition, the alpha1 noradrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin blocked the PCP-induced increase in prefrontal cortical dopamine utilization. These data may provide new insights concerning pharmacological therapies for acute drug-induced psychoses and behavioral abnormalities in human PCP and THC abusers.

jentsch-01.pdf
file size: 67.32KB (68936 bytes)