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  • Title: Sensitization of locus ceruleus neurons during withdrawal from chronic stimulants and antidepressants.
    Author: Harris GC, Williams JT.
    Journal: J Pharmacol Exp Ther; 1992 May; 261(2):476-83. PubMed ID: 1578363.
    Abstract:
    The effects of chronic exposure to cocaine, amphetamine and desipramine on noradrenergic neurons in the locus ceruleus were examined using intracellular recordings in rat brain slices. Animals were treated for 2 weeks with either cocaine, amphetamine or desipramine, and all recordings were made after a 1-week withdrawal period. Cells from all three drug-treated groups showed a significant increase in sensitivity to the acute effects of cocaine and amphetamine in prolonging the time course of the noradrenaline-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potential. At the highest cocaine and amphetamine doses tested (10 and 3 microM, respectively), the inhibitory postsynaptic potential duration was increased approximately 233% in the drug-treated groups relative to saline controls. In addition, locus ceruleus neurons from the cocaine-, amphetamine- and desipramine-treated groups showed a significant 10, 12 and 17% increase, respectively, in the maximum outward current produced by clonidine. There was also a significant increase in the behavioral sensitivity of the drug-treated animals to the sedative effects of clonidine. The mechanisms responsible for the increased sensitivity to the acute effects of cocaine, amphetamine and alpha-2 agonists may play a role in the withdrawal response to psychostimulants.
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