Dyskinesias elicited by methamphetamine: susceptibility of former methadone-consuming monkeys

Abstract

Rhesus monkeys with a history of drinking methadone but currently drug-free and control monkeys with no drug history were injected with methamphetamine hydrochloride (2 to 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight). In six of seven monkeys which had consumed methadone the lowest dose immediately elicited pronounced oral dyskinesias virtually identical to those of human tardive dyskinesia. The control monkeys did not exhibit oral dyskinesias even after prolonged treatment with the highest dose. The clincial implications may be related to the functioning of brain dopaminergic systems.