Reinforcing properties of fencamfamine: Involvement of dopamine and opioid receptors

• Published in: Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior biochemistry and behavior, 1995, Vol.50 (1), p.35-40
• Main Authors: Da Silva Planeta, Cleopatra, Aizenstein, Moacyr Luiz, DeLucia, Roberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Benzazepines - pharmacology; Binding, Competitive - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Central Nervous System Stimulants - antagonists & inhibitors; Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacology; Conditioning, Operant - drug effects; Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; Dopamine receptors; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Fencamfamine; Medical sciences; Metoclopramide - pharmacology; Naloxone - pharmacology; Norbornanes - antagonists & inhibitors; Norbornanes - pharmacology; Opioid receptors; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pimozide - pharmacology; Place conditioning; Rats; Receptors, Dopamine D1 - agonists; Receptors, Dopamine D1 - antagonists & inhibitors; Receptors, Dopamine D2 - agonists; Receptors, Opioid, mu - agonists; Receptors, Opioid, mu - antagonists & inhibitors; Reinforcement; Reinforcement (Psychology); Toxicity: nervous system and muscle
• ISSN: 0091-3057; 1873-5177
• DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(94)00236-C

Fencamfamine (FCF) is a psychostimulant classified as an indirect dopamine agonist. The conditioning place preference (CPP) paradigm was used to investigate the reinforcing properties of FCF. After initial preferences had been determined, animals were conditioned with FCF (1.75, 3.5, or 7.0 mg/kg; IP). Only at the dose of 3.5 mg/kg FCF produced a significant place preference. Pretreatment with SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg; SC) or naloxone (1.0 mg/kg; SC) 10 min before FCF (3.5 mg/kg; IP) blocked both FCF-induced hyperactivity and CPP. Pretreatment with metoclopramide (10.0 mg/kg; IP) or pimozide (1.0 mg/kg, IP), respectively, 30 min or 4 h before FCF (3.5 mg/kg; IP), which blocked the FCF-induced locomotor activity, failed to influence place conditioning produced by FCF. In conclusion, the present study suggests that dopamine D 1 and opioid receptors are related to FCF reinforcing effect, while dopamine D 2 subtype receptor was ineffective in modifying FCF-induced CPP.