Effects of methamphetamine on the cerebellar cortex: a preliminary study

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Aug:1074:149-53. doi: 10.1196/annals.1369.014.

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH) targets monoamine nerve terminals and produces motor effects, which are related to changes in catecholamine activity within the basal ganglia. Cerebellum plays an important role in motor control, nonetheless only a few studies investigated the effects of METH in this area. In this article, we report preliminary results on protein expression in the cerebellum following METH administration. In particular, we focused on the rate-limiting catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). By using immunoblotting, we found that METH administration produces a dose-dependent increase of TH within the cerebellar cortex of mice, which is opposite to the decrease of TH within the striatum. Further investigations are needed in order to determine the time course, the cerebellar regions, the cellular (and subcellular) compartments, and the functional role related to these effects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cerebellar Cortex / drug effects*
  • Corpus Striatum / drug effects
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Agents / pharmacology
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Substances

  • Dopamine Agents
  • Methamphetamine
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase