Effects of calcium antagonists on the cocaine- and methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference.

Abstract

The effects of calcium antagonists (nifedipine, flunaridine and diltiazem) on the cocaine- and methamphetamine-induced place preference were examined. Calcium antagonists alone induced neither place preference nor place aversion. Nifedipine markedly antagonized and flunarizine and diltiazem reduced the cocaine-induced place preference. The methamphetamine-induced place preference was reduced by nifedipine and diltiazem, but not by flunarizine. These results suggest the possibility that the cocaine-induced place preference is strongly influenced by dihydropyridine sensitive calcium channels, whereas the methamphetamine-induced place preference is not.