Summary
Selective depletion of catechol amines (CA) in brain—with little or no depletion of 5-hydroxytryptamine-was induced by α-methyl-tyrosine methylester-HCl. Concomitant disruption of conditioned avoidance responses (CAR) was observed in cats (Shuttle box) and rats (Skinner box). Restoration of the CA levels in the brain by l-DOPA resulted in a restoration of CAR. The data support the view that the CA of the brain are essential for CAR. The relative importance of noradrenaline and dopamine is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bernstein, B. M., and L. P. Cancro: The effect of two temporal variables of avoidance conditioning on drug-behavior interaction. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 3, 105–113 (1962).
Bertler, Å.: Effect of reserpine on the storage of catechol amines in brain and other tissues. Acta physiol. scand. 51, 75–83 (1961).
—, and E. Rosengren: A method for the fluorimetric determination of adrenaline and noradrenaline in tissues. Acta physiol. scand. 44, 273–292 (1958).
Blaschko, H., and T. Chrusciel: The decarboxylation of amino acids related to tyrosine and their awakening action in mice. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 151, 272–284 (1960).
Carlsson, A.: Drugs which block the storage of 5-hydroxytryptamine and related amines. Handbuch der exp. Pharmak. Ergänzungswerk, Bd. 19. Ed.: V. Erspamer. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1965 (in press).
—, and M. Lindqvist: In vivo decarboxylation of alpha-methyl DOPA and alphamethyl metatyrosine. Acta physiol. scand. 54, 87–94 (1962).
— —, and T. Magnusson: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan as reserpine antagonists. Nature (Lond.) 180, 1200 (1957).
—, and B. Waldeck: A fluorimetric method for the determination of dopamine (3-hydroxytyramine). Acta physiol. scand. 44, 293–298 (1958).
Herz, A.: Drugs and the conditioned avoidance response. Int. Rev. Neurobiol. 2, 229–277 (1960).
Nagatsu, T., M. Levitt, and S. Udentriend: The initial step in norepinephrine biosynthesis. J. biol. Chem. 239, 2910 (1964).
Oakley, S. R.: The effect of tranquillizers on positively and negatively motivated behavior in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 4, 326–342 (1963).
Orshinger, O. A.: The effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors on the deconditioning action of reserpine in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 2, 326–333 (1961).
Posluns, D.: An analysis of chlorpromazine-induced suppression of the avoidance response. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 3, 361–373 (1962).
Seiden, L. S., and A. Carlsson: Temporary and partial antagonism by l-DOPA of reserpine-induced suppression of a conditioned avoidance response. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 4, 418–423 (1963).
— —: Brain and heart catecholamine levels after l-DOPA administration in reserpine treated mice: Correlation with a conditioned avoidance response. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 5, 178–181 (1964).
—, and L. C. F. Hanson: Reversal of the reserpine-induced suppression of the conditioned avoidance response in the cat by l-DOPA. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 6, 239–244 (1964).
Smith, C. B., and P. B. Dews: Antagonism of locomotor suppressant effects of reserpine in mice. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 3, 55–59 (1962).
Spector, S., A. Sjoerdsma, and S. Udentriend: Blockade of endogenous norepinephrine synthesis by α-methyl-tyrosine, an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 147, 86–95 (1965).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hanson, L.C.F. The disruption of conditioned avoidance response following selective depletion of brain catechol amines. Psychopharmacologia 8, 100–110 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404170
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404170