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α1-Adrenergic and α2-adrenergic balance in the dorsal pons and gross behavioral activity of mice in a novel environment

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Abstract

Rationale

Central α1- and α2-adrenoceptors in a number of different brain regions are known to have opposing actions on gross behavioral activity, with the former stimulating and the latter inhibiting activity. Therefore, blockade of α1-receptors may induce inactivity by leading to unopposed α2 activity.

Objective

The aim of this study was to test if central blockade of α2-receptor function restores behavioral activity in α1-receptor-blocked mice.

Methods

Dose-response studies were undertaken on the effects of α1- and α2-agonists and antagonists microinjected into the dorsal pons on gross behavioral activity in a novel cage test.

Results

The behavioral inactivity resulting from blockade of α1-receptors in the pons with the antagonist, terazosin, was reversed by either a low dose of an α2-antagonist, atipamezole, or a low dose of an α2-agonist, dexmedetomidine, but was exacerbated by a high dose of the α2-agonist.

Conclusion

The results support the hypothesis that blockade of α1-receptors in the dorsal pons of mice produces inactivity by causing unopposed activity of α2-receptors. This condition may be relevant to inactive states seen after stress or during depressive illness.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by MH45265 (E.A.S.) and NIDA T32 DA07254 (M.R.A.)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Ave., New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Eric A. Stone, Yan Lin & Mohammad R. Ahsan

  2. Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Ave., New York, NY, 10016, USA

    David Quartermain

  3. Psychiatry, MHL-HN510, NYU Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Eric A. Stone

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  1. Eric A. Stone
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  2. Yan Lin
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  3. Mohammad R. Ahsan
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  4. David Quartermain
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Correspondence to Eric A. Stone.

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Stone, E.A., Lin, Y., Ahsan, M.R. et al. α1-Adrenergic and α2-adrenergic balance in the dorsal pons and gross behavioral activity of mice in a novel environment. Psychopharmacology 183, 127–132 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0171-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0171-8

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