The influence of prolonged amphetamine treatment and amphetamine withdrawal on brain biogenic amine content and behaviour in the rat

Male Wistar rats were treated orally with D-l-amphetamine sulphate in a dose of 3 mg/kg daily during 9 months. An increase of locomotor activity during the first 3 months was observed, while in the following 6 months locomotor activity was similar to the control group. The estimations of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in 9 discrete areas of brain, after 9 months of amphetamine treatment showed no changes in 5-HT level, but a significant decrease of the noradrenaline level in the pons. Withdrawal of amphetamine from rats treated for 9 months with this drug caused an inhibition of locomotor activity and a decrease of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine level in the cerebellum.