Effect of receptor blocking drugs on the depletion of brain glycogen by amphetamine

Abstract

1. Amphetamine sulphate (5 mg/kg), administered intraperitoneally, reduces the concentration of glycogen in the mouse brain by 25-30% after 30 minutes.2. The effect of several receptor blocking drugs on the amphetamine-induced cerebral glycogenolysis was studied.3. DL-Propranolol (0.25 mg/kg) and pronethalol (10 mg/kg) antagonized the depletion of brain glycogen by amphetamine.4. Phentolamine, methysergide, atropine and mepyramine failed to antagonize the amphetamine-induced glycogenolysis.5. D-Propranolol, chlorpromazine and phenoxybenzamine antagonized the glycogenolytic effect of amphetamine only when administered in sedative doses.6. It is concluded that amphetamine-induced glycogenolysis in the mouse brain may be mediated through a beta-adrenoceptor.