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Review
. 2015;13(3):407-18.
doi: 10.2174/1570159x13666150121225659.

The Involvement of Norepinephrine in Behaviors Related to Psychostimulant Addiction

Magdalena Zaniewska  1 , Małgorzata Filip, Edmund Przegalinski
Affiliations
Review

The Involvement of Norepinephrine in Behaviors Related to Psychostimulant Addiction

Magdalena Zaniewska et al. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015.

Abstract

Although it is generally accepted that the abuse-related effects of amphetamines and cocaine result from the activation of the brain dopaminergic (DA) system, the psychostimulants also alter other neurotransmitter systems. In particular, they increase extracellular levels of norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin by inhibiting respective plasma membrane transporters and/or inducing release. The present review will discuss the preclinical findings on the effects of the NE system modulation (lesions, pharmacological and genetic approaches) on behaviors (locomotor hyperactivity, behavioral sensitization, modification of intracranial self-stimulation, conditioned place preference, drug self-administration, extinction/reinstatement of drug seeking behavior) related to the psychostimulant addiction.

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Schematic illustration of the norepinephrine (NE) innervation of the dopamine (DA) structures. LC – locus coeruleus; LTN – lateral tegmental nuclei; NAc – nucleus accumbens; PFC – prefrontal cortex; VTA – ventral tegmental area.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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