ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
DSP-4
;
Norepinephrine depletion
;
Receptor supersensitivity
;
α2 Receptor
;
β Receptor
;
Functional supersensitivity
;
Adrenergic agonists
;
Clonidine
;
Clenbuterol
;
Exploratory behavior
;
Rat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Rats treated with DSP-4 [N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine], a selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, showed no differences compared to control rats in the number of head dips, a measure of exploratory behavior. Since a previous neurochemical investigation had demonstrated that DSP-4 rats have supersensitive α2 and β-adrenergic receptors in certain regions of the central nervous system, the behavior of these animals was also examined after the injection of clonidine, an α2 agonist, and clenbuterol, a β agonist. These drugs reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the head-dipping of both control and DSP-4 rats. However, this effect was of greater magnitude in DSP-4 animals. Control experiments suggested that the response to clonidine and clenbuterol was mediated centrally by α2 and β receptors, respectively. Other behavioral experiments with agonists of the dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems indicated that these neurotransmitter systems were unchanged in DSP-4 animals. The results are discussed in terms of the selective action of DSP-4 and the responsiveness of DSP-4 rats to adrenergic agonists. The DSP-4-treated rat may constitute a new model of functional supersensitivity to adrenergic agonists.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00439263
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