d-Amphetamine and methylmercury exposure during adolescence alters sensitivity to monoamine uptake inhibitors in adult mice.

Gestational exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), an environmental neurotoxicant, and adolescent administration of d-amphetamine (d-AMP) disrupt dopamine neurotransmission and alter voluntary behavior in adult rodents. We determined the impact of adolescent exposure to MeHg and d-AMP on monoamine neurotransmission in mice by assessing sensitivity to acute d-AMP, desipramine, and clomipramine, drugs that target dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin reuptake, respectively. Male C57Bl/6n mice were given 0 (control) or 3 ppm MeHg via drinking water from postnatal day 21 to 60 (murine adolescence). Within each group, mice were given once-daily injections of d-AMP or saline (i.p.) from postnatal day 28 to 42. This exposure regimen produced four treatment groups (n = 10-12/group): control, d-AMP, MeHg, and d-AMP + MeHg. As adults, the mice lever pressed under fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement (FR 1, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120). Acute i.p. injections of d-AMP (.3-1.7 mg/kg), desipramine (5.6-30 mg/kg), and clomipramine (5.6-30 mg/kg) were administered in adulthood after a stable behavioral baseline was established. Adolescent MeHg exposure increased saturation rate and minimum response time, an effect that was mitigated by chronic administration of d-AMP in adolescence. In unexposed mice, the three monoamine reuptake inhibitors had separable behavioral effects. Adolescent d-AMP increased sensitivity to acute d-AMP, desipramine, and clomipramine. Adolescent MeHg exposure alone did not alter drug sensitivity. Combined adolescent d-AMP + MeHg exposure enhanced sensitivity to acute d-AMP's and desipramine's effects on minimum response time. Adolescence is a vulnerable developmental period during which exposure to chemicals can have lasting effects on monoamine function and behavior.