Biochemical differentiation of amphetamine vs methylphenidate and nomifensine in rats

Abstract

Amphetamine-like stimulants were divided into two groups, one in which the stereotyped behaviour was not antagonized by reserpine [(+)-amphetamine, (-)-amphetamine, methamphetamine, phenmetrazine and phenethylamine] and another group in which the behavioural effects were blocked by reserpine (methylphenidate, nomifensine, pipradrol and amfonelic acid (NCA; Win 25978)). Both groups increased homovanillic acid (HVA) in whole brain 2 h after administration. The ‘methylphenidate group’ also increased brain 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in naive rats; whereas the ‘(+)-amphetamine group’ decreased DOPAC in naive rats, as well as in reserpinized rats, α-methyl-p-tyrosine-treated rats, and after acute hemisection. The reserpine antagonism of the ‘methylphenidate group’-induced stereotyped behaviour was partially reversed by type A monoamine oxidase inhibition. The ‘(+)-amphetamine group’-induced stereotyped behaviour was not blocked by short time pretreatment with α-methyltyrosine, only by longer pretreatment intervals. The mechanisms by which the two groups are differentiated biochemically is discussed with special attention to possible intra-neuronal inhibition of dopamine oxidation by the ‘(+)-amphetamine group’.