During adolescence, the dopaminergic areas of the brain undergo continued development. These areas are often considered to be responsible for incentive-motivated and risk-taking behaviors [1]. Amphetamine (AMPH) increases dopamine (DA) in the synapse both by blocking the monoamine transporters and by releasing DA from synaptic stores and the nerve terminal [2]. Prescription AMPH, such as Adderall®, is one of the most common prescription drugs abused by students and it is possible that adolescent abuse of AMPH could lead to increased substance abuse in adulthood [3]. Because of the similarities between AMPH and Methamphetamine (METH), early AMPH abuse could create neurological changes during adolescent development that prime for METH abuse in adulthood [4]. Expanding on the findings of previous studies in this lab, the current study hypothesized that mice exposed to small, clinically relevant doses of AMPH during adolescence will show behavioral cross- sensitization to a sub-acute dose of METH during adulthood, and that males will demonstrate a higher response when compared to females. Such a response would indicate that AMPH abuse during this adolescent developmental window resulted in long lasting, sexually dimorphic neurological change.
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