ISSN:
1471-4159
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract: We examined the effects of chronic (2 weeks) treatment with a typical neuroleptic, haloperidol (1 mg/kg, s.c.), and an atypical neuroleptic, clozapine (20 mg/kg, s.c.), on neurotensin receptor (NTR) mRNA levels by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Quantitative OD analysis showed haloperidol-induced NTR mRNA levels in the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/ VTA) 110% over control levels (significant difference from the control, p 〈 0.05). In contrast, the same analysis applied to the sections from clozapine-treated animals showed no significant change in NTR mRNA levels compared with matched control sections (p 〉 0.05). Thus, chronic treatment with haloperidol but not clozapine resulted in elevated levels of NTR mRNA within the SN/VTA. These results suggest that the high incidence of extrapyramidal side effects of typical neuroleptics could result from changes in NTR expression in the SN/VTA.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.1993.tb03631.x
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