REPEATED EXPOSURE TO COCAINE PRODUCES LONG-LASTING DEFICITS IN THE SEROTONERGIC STIMULATION OF PROLACTIN AND RENIN, BUT NOT ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN SECRETION

To determine whether cocaine-induced deficits in serotonergic function are long-lasting, the neuroendocrine responses to the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) releaser, p-chloroamphetamine were evaluated 1-8 weeks subsequent to 7 days of cocaine exposure (15 mg/kg b.i.d.). In cocaine-pretreated rats, the p-chloroamphetamine-induced elevations of prolactin and renin secretion were significantly reduced for 8 and 4 weeks, respectively. In contrast, the p-chloroamphetamine-induced elevation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion was at control values 1 week after cocaine exposure. The data suggest that some cocaine-induced deficits in serotonergic function are long-lasting.