Dopamine-sensitive signaling mediators modulate psychostimulant-induced ultrasonic vocalization behavior in rats

•Similar to cocaine, amphetamine increased BDNF protein expression in discrete brain regions, while pretreatment with a trkB neurotrophin receptor inhibitor, significantly reduced amphetamine-induced USV behavior.•Inhibition of cyclic-AMP/PKA signaling with H89 or inhibition of PLC signaling with U73122 significantly blocked both the acute and subchronic amphetamine-induced USV behavior.•In contrast to amphetamine, inhibition of cyclic-AMP/PKA signaling with H89 or inhibition of PLC signaling with U73122 further enhanced cocaine-induced USV behavior.