Evidence for the contribution of CCK B receptor mechanisms to individual differences in amphetamine-induced locomotion

Abstract

Recent evidence shows that rats exhibit individual differences in their locomotor response to amphetamine (AMP). Moreover, evidence has accumulated showing that high-AMP responders exhibit more mesolimbic dopaminergic (DAergic) activation in response to AMP treatment than low-AMP responders. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide that is colocalised with mesolimbic DA and exerts complex modulatory actions on DA function. Two CCK receptor subtypes have been identified and selective antagonists have been developed. To examine the possible contribution of endogeneous CCK mechanisms to individual differences in responsivity to AMP treatment, male Wistar rats were divided into low- and high-AMP responders based on a mediam split of their locomotor response to AMP and the effects of the selective CCK antagonists L365-260 (CCK B; 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 mg/kg; n = 16) and devazepide (CCK A; 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 mg/kg; n = 23) were determined. Results showed that L365-260 (0.1 mg/kg) potentiated AMP-induced hyperactivity in low-AMP responders but did not affect AMP-induced hyperactivity in high-AMP responders. Devazepide was without effect in both groups of animals. This pattern of results suggests that CCK B, but not CCK A, receptor mechanisms contribute to interindividual. variation in responsivity to AMP.