Research article summary (published 27 Feb 2009):

Lithium and genetic inhibition of GSK3beta enhance the effect of methamphetamine on circadian rhythms in the mouse.

Full Abstract

Lithium, a drug commonly used to treat mood disorders, and the psychostimulant methamphetamine are both capable of altering circadian rhythmicity. Although the actions of lithium on the circadian system are thought to occur through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3beta), the mechanism by which methamphetamine alters circadian rhythms is unknown. We tested the effects of concurrent methamphetamine and lithium treatment on the circadian wheel-running behavior of mice. Methamphetamine alone lengthened both the active duration and the free-running period of locomotor activity in animals housed in constant conditions. Administering lithium enhanced the period-lengthening effects of methamphetamine in animals housed in constant darkness. This effect was even more pronounced when animals were housed in constant light. Lithium increased both methamphetamine intake and serum levels of methamphetamine, possibly contributing to the effects on circadian behavior. We also tested the effect of methamphetamine in mutant mice possessing only one allele for Gsk3beta. These animals, when treated with methamphetamine, responded like wild-type mice treated with a combination of methamphetamine and lithium, displaying long, free-running rhythms. These data, together with many others in the literature, point to a complicated interaction between the circadian system and the development and possible treatment of psychopathologies such as bipolar disorder and drug addiction.

Author information

Author/s: Mohawk, Jennifer A (JA); Miranda-Anaya, Manuel (M); Tataroglu, Ozgur (O); Menaker, Michael (M);

Affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4328, USA.

Grants: 1P50MH074924 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; F32DA024542 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS) ; T32DK007646 (Agency:NIDDK NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Behavioural pharmacology (Behav Pharmacol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Mar; vol 20 (issue 2) : pp 174-83

Dates: Created 2009/04/08; Completed 2009/06/09; Revised 2009/07/07;

PMID: 19339873, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 7/24/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Alleles Animals Circadian Rhythm - drug effects Drug Synergism Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 - genetics; metabolism Heterozygote Lithium Compounds - administration & dosage; pharmacology

Male Methamphetamine - administration & dosage; blood; pharmacology Mice Mice, Inbred C57BL - genetics Mice, Mutant Strains Motor Activity - drug effects Photoperiod

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Lithium Compounds (0) ; Methamphetamine (537-46-2) ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (EC 2.7.1.37) ; glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (EC 2.7.1.37)

Related articles

These are the most related articles currently in our database:

• Activity rhythms in the circadian domain appear in suprachiasmatic nuclei lesioned rats given methamphetamine. 30 Dec 1986
• Long T methamphetamine schedules produce circadian ensuing drug activity in rats. 29 Sep 2000
• Long-continuous observation of the effects of methamphetamine on wheel-running and drinking in mice. 27 Feb 1994
• Effects of methamphetamine on development of circadian rhythms in rats. 30 Dec 1985
• Methamphetamine effects on rat circadian clock depend on actograph. 30 Mar 1991
• Disorganization of the rat activity rhythm by chronic treatment with methamphetamine. 30 Dec 1985
• Circadian variation in susceptibility to methamphetamine after repeated administration in mice. 30 Jan 1984
• Effects of T cycles of light/darkness and periodic forced activity on methamphetamine-induced rhythms in intact and SCN-lesioned rats: explanation by an hourglass-clock model. 29 Apr 1990
• Circadian activity rhythm in methamphetamine-treated Clock mutant mice. 29 Sep 2001
• Circadian variation in methamphetamine- and apomorphine-induced increase in ambulatory activity in mice. 29 Nov 1982

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a larger map of 100+ related articles.