Lack of cross-sensitization between the locomotor-activating effects of bromocriptine and those of cocaine or heroin
Hoffman, D.C.; Wise, R.A.
Psychopharmacology 110(4): 402-408
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-3158 PMID: 7870909 DOI: 10.1007/bf02244645
Accession: 008940879
Rats were given daily injections of bromocriptine (5.0 mg/kg IP) or vehicle either in the home cage or in a test box equipped with photocells to measure locomotion. The animals were then tested in the photocell boxes for their locomotor response to cocaine (10.0 mg/kg IP), heroin (0.5 mg/kg IP), or quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg IP). Repeated bromocriptine in the test box but not in the home cage caused progressive increases in sensitivity to the locomotor-stimulating effects of bromocriptine and increases in the subsequent sensitivity to quinpirole but caused only trivial signs of cross-sensitization to cocaine or heroin. Cross-sensitization to quinpirole was temporary; responsiveness to quinpirole decreased with further quinpirole injections. Lack of significant cross-sensitization between bromocriptine and either cocaine or heroin and lack of permanence of the cross-sensitization between bromocriptine and quinpirole raise questions as to the biological basis of psychomotor stimulant sensitization.
