Toluene induces behavioral activation without affecting striatal dopamine metabolism in the rat: behavioral and microdialysis studies

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1995 May;51(1):97-101. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(94)00365-p.

Abstract

We examined the effects of toluene on the release of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in rat striatum using microdialysis. Intraperitoneal injection of 800 mg/kg toluene significantly increased motor activity in rats, as did methamphetamine (MAP) (1 mg/kg). However, 800 mg/kg toluene did not affect the extracellular levels of DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. This is in contrast to MAP, which significantly increased extracellular DA and decreased the extracellular levels of its metabolites. These results suggest that toluene-induced behavioral augmentation may not be associated with alterations in DA or serotonin neurochemistry such as are associated with MAP-induced behavioral augmentation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology
  • Microdialysis
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Neostriatum / drug effects
  • Neostriatum / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Toluene / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Toluene
  • Methamphetamine
  • Dopamine