Gender differences in the behavioral effects of methamphetamine

Eur J Pharmacol. 2002 May 10;442(3):231-5. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(02)01550-9.

Abstract

The effects of methamphetamine were tested in male and female rats on two different behavioral tasks. Following habituation to a locomotor activity chamber, female rats were more sensitive to the locomotor activating effect of i.p. methamphetamine (0.1-3.0 mg/kg) than were male rats. A similar effect has been observed for other psychomotor stimulants, including cocaine and amphetamine. However, males and females did not differ on methamphetamine-induced place preference following eight conditioning trials with a wide range of doses (0.1-5.6 mg/kg). These results suggest that males and females differ in their response to methamphetamine for only some behavioral tasks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology*
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Methamphetamine