Background Methamphetamine’s behavioral effects have been attributed to its interaction with monoamine transporters; however, methamphetamine also has affinity for sigma receptors. Method The present study investigated the effect of the sigma receptor agonist SA 4503 and the sigma receptor antagonists BD-1047 and BD-1063 on methamphetamine-evoked [3H] dopamine release from preloaded rat striatal slices. The effect of SA 4503 on methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity and on the discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine also was determined. Results SA 4503 attenuated methamphetamine-evoked [3H]dopamine release in a concentration-dependent manner. BD-1047 and BD-1063 did not affect release. SA 4503 dose-dependently potentiated and attenuated methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity. SA 4503 pretreatment augmented the stimulus properties of methamphetamine. Conclusions Our findings indicate that SA 4503 both enhances and inhibits methamphetamine’s effects and that sigma receptors are involved in the neurochemical, locomotor stimulatory and discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine.

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