The Neuropharmacological Basis of D-Amphetamine-Induced “Corner Selection” in Rats

Abstract

d-Amphetamine increases the “corner selection” tendency in rats kept at various ambient temperatures. This effect of the drug is mediated by central dopaminergic neurons and alpha NE synapses. The effect is dose dependent, and is not correlated with the thermal effects of the drug, although very high doses of d-amphetamine cause insensitivity to ambient temperature. The suggested explanation is that the “corner selection” effect is mediated via dopaminergic neurons in the caudate nucleus, while the hypothermic effect of the drug is mediated by DA neurons in the DA mesolimbic pathway. The “corner selection” effect may be considered as related to the general effect of amphetamine-psychosis.