ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Rat
;
Successive Discrimination
;
Conditioned Avoidance Response
;
Nerve Impulses
;
α-Methyltyrosine
;
Tetrabenazine
;
l-Dopa
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The effect of the administration of l-Dopa, 10 or 100 mg/kg i.p., on the α-methyltyrosine methylester HCl (α-MT; 250+50 mg/kg i. p.) or tetrabenazine (TBZ; 2 mg/kg i.p.)-induced suppression of a successive discrimination-conditioned avoidance task has been studied. It was found that administration of the high l-Dopa dose resulted in a reversal of the α-MT- or TBZ-induced suppression of the avoidance behaviour, although the discrimination was lost. Restoration of the avoidance behaviour and the correct discrimination was obtained with the low l-Dopa dose after α-MT but not after TBZ. The difference in the behavioural response to l-Dopa after α-MT as compared to the response obtained after TBZ is discussed in terms of the availability of the catecholamines formed from l-Dopa for release by the nerve impulses. Biochemical determinations of brain noradrenaline and dopamine were made in parallel. Further, a simple and reliable method for the aquisition of a successive discrimination in the rat is described.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00421027
