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Nonlinear changes in activity and emotional reactivity scores following central noradrenergic lesions in rats

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Abstract

Two levels of permanent central norepinephrine depletion were obtained in rats by lesioning these neurons with small quantities of intraventricularly-applied 6-hydroxydopamine, and the effects of these lesions on a variety of standard tests of activity and emotional reactivity were studied. Both lesioned groups showed altered emotional reactivity; however, only the animals with less extensive lesions were hyperactive in running wheels, showed heightened shock-elicited aggression, were hyper-responsive to handling, and had a potentiated amphetamine-activation effect. It is suggested that these exaggerated behaviors reflected the sensitization and regeneration of partially lesioned noradrenergic circuits. These data are discussed in terms of the catecholamine hypothesis of depression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Amherst College, USA

    C. A. Sorenson & Gaylord D. Ellison

  2. Department of Psychology, U.C.L.A., USA

    C. A. Sorenson & Gaylord D. Ellison

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  1. C. A. Sorenson
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  2. Gaylord D. Ellison
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These data were part of Ph. D. dissertation by C.A.S. submitted to the Department of Psychology, U.C.L.A.

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Sorenson, C.A., Ellison, G.D. Nonlinear changes in activity and emotional reactivity scores following central noradrenergic lesions in rats. Psychopharmacologia 32, 313–325 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429467

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