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Behavioural abnormalities in male mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase

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Abstract

IN addition to its role in blood vessel1,2 and macrophage3,4 function, nitric oxide (NO) is a neurotransmitter5 found in high densities in emotion-regulating brain regions6–8. Mke with targeted disruption of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) display grossly normal appearance, locomotor activity, breeding9, long-term potentiation10 and long-term depression11. The nNOS− mice are resistant to neural stroke damage following middle cerebral artery ligation12. Although CO2-induced cerebral vasodilatation in wild-type mice is NO−dependent, in nNOS" mice this vasodilation is unaffected by NOS inhibitors13. Establishing a behavioural role for NO has, until now, not been feasible, as NOS inhibitor drugs can only be administered acutely and because their pronounced effects on blood pressure and other body functions obfuscate behavioural interpretations. We now report a large increase in aggressive behaviour and excess, inappropriate sexual behaviour in nNOS− mice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Group, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218-2686, USA

    Randy J. Nelson & Gregory E. Demas

  2. Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, 02129, USA

    Paul L. Huang & Mark C. Fishman

  3. Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

    Valina L. Dawson & Ted M. Dawson

  4. Department of Physiology, The Johns Hopkins University, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

    Valina L. Dawson

  5. Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

    Valina L. Dawson, Ted M. Dawson & Solomon H. Snyder

  6. Departments of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

    Solomon H. Snyder

  7. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

    Solomon H. Snyder

Authors
  1. Randy J. Nelson
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  2. Gregory E. Demas
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  3. Paul L. Huang
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  4. Mark C. Fishman
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  5. Valina L. Dawson
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  6. Ted M. Dawson
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  7. Solomon H. Snyder
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Nelson, R., Demas, G., Huang, P. et al. Behavioural abnormalities in male mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Nature 378, 383–386 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/378383a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/378383a0

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