Effect of repeated co-treatment with fluoxetine and amantadine on the behavioral reactivity of the central dopamine and serotonin system in rats.

In the present study we found that repeated co-treatment with fluoxetine and amantadine for 14 days (but not for 7 days) enhanced the hyperactivity induced by amphetamine or quinpirole (a dopamine D(2/3) agonist), compared to treatment with either drug alone. Whereas repeated co-treatment with fluoxetine and amantadine for 7 days more potently inhibited the behavioral syndrome evoked by the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(1A) receptor agonist (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT), it did not change the action of the 5-HT(2) receptor agonist (+/-)-1-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane hydrochloride (/+/-/-DOI). The obtained results support the hypothesis that repeated co-treatment with fluoxetine and amantadine may evoke more effective antidepressant activity than treatment with fluoxetine alone. Moreover, our results suggest that 5-HT(1A) receptors are useful targets for the development of more rapidly acting and more effective medication.