Possible Interaction: Amphetamine and Norepinephrine

“The change in NE levels correlated with the change in amphetamine levels.”

“Previous data showed that by binding to catecholamine transporters, AMPH prevents the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE).”

“ Amphetamine (0.3mg/kg, subcutaneous) increased extracellular norepinephrine (by 400%) and dopamine (by 270%) in rat striata.”

“Decreased levels of norepinephrine have been linked with depression, so the flood of norepinephrine in the synaptic space may add to the euphoria that amphetamines produce.”

“Recent evidence suggests that NE systems may interact with DA systems to augment the activational effects of psychostimulant drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamine , and DA/NE interactions may play a key role in the capacity of psychostimulants to suppress eating.”

“Pronounced behavioural depression was observed 12 h after the withdrawal of amphetamine; 24 h after withdrawal, behaviour … depression recurred at 36 h. Recovery appeared to be complete after 48 h. Fluorimetric determinations showed that noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations … chronic administration of amphetamine in the cortex, … and mid-brain.”

“The rates of synthesis of DA and NE were increased by acute and chronic amphetamine treatment and returned to normal 24–48 h after withdrawal.”

“The effect of amphetamine can, therefore, be attributed to the activation of the norepinephrinergic system.”

“In all the brain regions analyzed AMPH significantly increased norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations, with only minor effects on their metabolites (caudate and accumbens DOPAC decreased).”

“Most neuropharmacologists currently consider inhibition of reuptake inactivation and direct synaptic release to be the major mechanisms of amphetamine action in the brain.3* Thus, by one or another means, amphetamine increases the amount of norepinephrine or dopamine available at synapses for receptor stimulation.”