Development of behavioral sensitization to the cocaine-like fungicide triadimefon is prevented by AMPA, NMDa, DA D1 but not DA D2 RECEPTOR antagonists

Triadimefon (TDF) is a triazole fungicide that blocks the reuptake of dopamine (DA) and leads to increased locomotor activity levels in mice and rats, effects similar to those of indirect DA agonists such as cocaine. We recently found in mice that intermittent TDF administration led to robust locomotor sensitization, a phenomenon reflecting neuronal plasticity, following challenge with the same TDF dose after a 2-week withdrawal period. The current study sought to determine whether antagonists to DA D1-like receptors (SCH 23390; SCH), DA D2-like receptors (remoxipride; Rem), ionotropic glutamate n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (CPP), or ionotropic glutamate alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors (NBQX) could prevent the development of TDF behavioral sensitization, therefore indicating their mechanistic involvement in TDF sensitization. Mice were treated with either vehicle, SCH (0.015 mg/kg), remoxipride (Rem, 0.3 mg/kg), CPP (2.5 mg/kg) or NBQX (10.0 mg/kg), followed 30 min later by vehicle or 75 mg/kg TDF (TDF), twice a week for 7 weeks, with locomotor activity measured post-dosing once a week. After a 2-week withdrawal period, mice were challenged with 75 mg/kg TDF or vehicle, to test for the presence of behavioral sensitization. Pretreatment with SCH, CPP, or NBQX, but not Rem, blocked the development of behavioral sensitization to TDF specifically for vertical activity. Antagonists that blocked TDF vertical sensitization also attenuated the increase in extracellular DA turnover (homovanillic acid [HVA]/DA) normally associated with this behavioral response. Therefore, DA D1, NMDA and AMPA receptors appear to be necessary for the development of behavioral sensitization to TDF. As such, TDF may be considered an environmental risk factor for behavioral dysfunctions linked to glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems.