Effects of cocaethylene on dopamine and serotonin synthesis in Long–Evans and Sprague–Dawley brains

Abstract

We examined the behavioral and neurochemical effects of cocaethylene treatment in Long–Evans (�LE). and Sprague–Dawley� (SD) rats. Cocaethylene-induced behaviors were significantly less in LE rats. Cocaethylene caused an inhibition of dopamine synthesis in the caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens that was equivalent in both rat lines. Serotonin synthesis was also suppressed by cocaethylene treatment, however this phenomenon was less pronounced when compared with the effects on dopamine synthesis.