A 5-HT2C receptor antagonist potentiates a low dose amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 2011-11, Vol.505 (1), p.10-13
• Main Authors: MCCORVY, John D, HARLAND, Aubrie A, MAGLATHLIN, Rebecca, NICHOLS, David E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0304-3940; 1872-7972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.07.036

This study was designed to determine whether a 5-HT 2C receptor antagonist could induce a conditioned place preference indicative of reward and/or abuse potential. Here, we present the first evidence that a selective 5-HT 2C receptor antagonist, 6-chloro-5-ethoxy-N-(pyridin-2-yl)indoline-1-carboxamide hydrochloride (CEPC), can potentiate a low dose (0.5 mg/kg) amphetamine–induced positive conditioned place preference (CPP). CEPC did not produce any CPP given alone at doses of either 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg, whereas low dose amphetamine alone produced only a slight, but statistically nonsignificant, place preference. These studies suggest that 5-HT 2C receptor antagonists can indirectly potentiate the rewarding effects of amphetamine, and perhaps other psychostimulants. If the results can be translated to man, putative 5-HT 2C receptor antagonist treatments for anxiety or depression may enhance or potentiate the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse such as amphetamine, which release dopamine.