An Analysis of the Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Himantane on the Dynamics of the Ethanol-Induced Hyperlocomotor Response in DBA/2 Mice

Abstract

We studied the effect of himantane (N-(2-adamantyl)-hexamethyleneimine hydrochloride) on the ethanol-induced hyperlocomotor response in DBA/2 mice. It was found that himantane (20.0 mg/kg, i.p.) per se did not affect the spontaneous locomotor activity but weakened the stimulation of the behavior caused by ethanol (2.0 g/kg, intraperitoneally) after its preliminary single systemic administration. In ex vivo experiments where we evaluated the effect of himantane on the level of monoamines and their metabolites after acute ethanol administration it was shown that himantane has a predominant effect on dopamine and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems in the striatum in the absence of effects on the serotonergic system.