Dopamine D1 Receptor Agonist SKF Research Articles

Frequency-Dependent Modulation of Dopamine Release by Nicotine and Dopamine D1 Receptor Ligands: An In Vitro Fast Cyclic Voltammetry Study in Rat Striatum.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug and exerts this effect partially through the modulation of dopamine release and increasing extracellular dopamine in regions such as the brain reward systems. Nicotine acts in these regions on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The effect of nicotine on the frequency dependent modulation of dopamine release is well established and the purpose of this study was to investigate whether dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) ligands have an influence on this. Using fast cyclic voltammetry and rat corticostriatal slices, we show that D1R ligands are able to modulate the effect of nicotine on dopamine release. Nicotine (500nM) induced a decrease in dopamine efflux at low frequency (single pulse or five pulses at 10Hz) and an increase at high frequency (100Hz) electrical field stimulation. The D1R agonist SKF-38393, whilst having no effect on dopamine release on its own or on the effect of nicotine upon multiple pulse evoked dopamine release, did significantly prevent and reverse the effect of nicotine on single pulse dopamine release. Interestingly similar results were obtained with the D1R antagonist SCH-23390. In this study we have demonstrated that the modulation of dopamine release by nicotine can be altered by D1R ligands, but only when evoked by single pulse stimulation, and are likely working via cholinergic interneuron driven dopamine release.

Genetic and Functional Analysis of Polymorphisms in the Human Dopamine Receptor and Transporter Genes in Small Cell Lung Cancer

The regulatory role of dopamine (DA) in endocrine, cardiovascular and renal functions has been extensively studied and used for clinical purposes. More recently DA has been indicated as a regulatory molecule for immune cells and malignant cell proliferation. We assessed the expression and the functional role DA, DA receptors, and transporters in primary small cell lung cancer (SCLC). By HPLC DA plasma levels were more elevated in SCLC patients in comparison with NSCLC patients and healthy controls. SCLC cell expressed DA D1- and D2-like receptors and membrane and vesicular transporters at protein and mRNA levels. We also investigated the effects of independent D1- or D2-like receptor stimulation on SCLC cell cultures. DA D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 induced the increase of cAMP levels and DARPP-32 protein expression without affecting SCLC growth rate. Cell treatment with the DA D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 inhibited SKF38393 effects. In contrast, the DA D2 receptor agonist quinpirole (10 μM) counteracted, in a dose and time dependent way, SCLC cell proliferation, it did not affect cAMP levels and decreased phosphorylated AKT that was induced by DA D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride. However, in only one SCLC line, stimulation of DA D2 receptor failed to inhibit cell proliferation in vitro. This effect was associated to the existence of rs6275 and rs6277 polymorphisms in the D2 gene. These results gave more insight into DA control of lung cancer cell behavior and suggested the existence of different SCLC phenotypes.

Abstract P628: Angiotensin 1-7 Mas Receptor and Dopamine D1 receptor Interaction as a Novel Natriuretic Mechanism in Rat Kidneys

Evidence to date suggests that a positive interaction between natriuretic factors promotes sodium excretion to maintain sodium homeostasis and blood pressure. Although the involvement of renal dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) in promoting sodium excretion is well established; the role of Angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 Mas receptor (MasR) is not clear. Here we provide evidence for a functional interaction between these two renal G protein-coupled receptors which suggests that natriuretic response to Ang 1-7 via MasR is dependent on D1R activation. Male Sprague Dawley rats of comparable weight and age were infused with Ang 1-7, MasR antagonist DPro, D1R agonist SKF38393 and D1R antagonist SCH23390. Blood pressure was monitored throughout the experimental procedure and none of the infused drugs affected the pressure. Animals infused with saline alone served as controls. Infusion of Ang1-7 caused significant natriuresis and robust diuresis compared to saline. SKF38393 infusion also induced significant natriuresis and diuresis when compared to saline infusion. Both natriuretic and diuretic response to Ang 1-7 was blocked by Dpro and SCH23390. However, Dpro failed to block SKF38393 response. Concomitant infusion of SKF38393 and Ang 1-7 did not show a cumulative natriuretic or diuretic effect when compared to SKF38393 or Ang 1-7 infusion alone. FENa (%), control (saline): 0.30 ± 0.09; Ang 1-7: 1.03 ± 0.21; Ang 1-7 plus Dpro: 0.49 ± 0.11; Ang 1-7 plus SCH23390: 0.36 ± 0.10; SKF38393: 0.83 ± 0.16; SKF38393 plus SCH23390: 0.41 ± 0.09; SKF38393 plus Dpro: 0.82 ± 0.17; Ang 1-7 plus SKF38393: 1.06 ± 0.21. These data suggest that Ang 1-7 via MasR causes natriuresis which is dependent on D1R activation. On the other hand, renal D1R-mediated sodium excretion is independent of MasR. This study is a paradigm shift as these data identify a novel functional unidirectional interaction between renal MasR and D1R which deviates from commonly known receptor-receptor interaction.

A new knock-in mouse model of l-DOPA-responsive dystonia.

Abnormal dopamine neurotransmission is associated with many different genetic and acquired dystonic disorders. For instance, mutations in genes critical for the synthesis of dopamine, including GCH1 and TH cause l-DOPA-responsive dystonia. Despite evidence that implicates abnormal dopamine neurotransmission in dystonia, the precise nature of the pre- and postsynaptic defects that result in dystonia are not known. To better understand these defects, we generated a knock-in mouse model of l-DOPA-responsive dystonia (DRD) mice that recapitulates the human p.381Q>K TH mutation (c.1141C>A). Mice homozygous for this mutation displayed the core features of the human disorder, including reduced TH activity, dystonia that worsened throughout the course of the active phase, and improvement in the dystonia in response to both l-DOPA and trihexyphenidyl. Although the gross anatomy of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons was normal in DRD mice, the microstructure of striatal synapses was affected whereby the ratio of axo-spinous to axo-dendritic corticostriatal synaptic contacts was reduced. Microinjection of l-DOPA directly into the striatum ameliorated the dystonic movements but cerebellar microinjections of l-DOPA had no effect. Surprisingly, the striatal dopamine concentration was reduced to ∼1% of normal, a concentration more typically associated with akinesia, suggesting that (mal)adaptive postsynaptic responses may also play a role in the development of dystonia. Administration of D1- or D2-like dopamine receptor agonists to enhance dopamine signalling reduced the dystonic movements, whereas administration of D1- or D2-like dopamine receptor antagonists to further reduce dopamine signalling worsened the dystonia, suggesting that both receptors mediate the abnormal movements. Further, D1-dopamine receptors were supersensitive; adenylate cyclase activity, locomotor activity and stereotypy were exaggerated in DRD mice in response to the D1-dopamine receptor agonist SKF 81297. D2-dopamine receptors exhibited a change in the valence in DRD mice with an increase in adenylate cyclase activity and blunted behavioural responses after challenge with the D2-dopamine receptor agonist quinpirole. Together, our findings suggest that the development of dystonia may depend on a reduction in dopamine in combination with specific abnormal receptor responses.

Nurr1 blocks the mitogenic effect of FGF-2 and EGF, inducing olfactory bulb neural stem cells to adopt dopaminergic and dopaminergic-GABAergic neuronal phenotypes.

The transcription factor Nurr1 is expressed in the mouse olfactory bulb (OB), although it remains unknown whether it influences the generation of dopaminergic neurons (DA) (DA neurons) in cells isolated from this brain region. We found that expressing Nurr1 in proliferating olfactory bulb stem cells (OBSCs) produces a marked inhibition of cell proliferation and the generation of immature neurons immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) concomitant with marked upregulations of Th, Dat, Gad, and Fgfr2 transcripts. In long-term cultures, these cells develop neurochemical and synaptic markers of mature-like mesencephalic DA neurons, expressing GIRK2, VMAT2, DAT, calretinin, calbindin, synapsin-I, and SV2. Concurring with the increase in both Th and Gad expression, a subpopulation of induced cells was both TH- and GAD-immunoreactive indicating that they are dopaminergic-GABAergic neurons. Indeed, these cells could mature to express VGAT, suggesting they can uptake and store GABA in vesicles. Remarkably, the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF-38393 induced c-Fos in TH(+) cells and dopamine release was detected in these cultures under basal and KCl-evoked conditions. By contrast, cotransducing the Neurogenin2 and Nurr1 transcription factors produced a significant decrease in the number of TH-positive neurons. Our results indicate that Nurr1 overexpression in OBSCs induces the formation of two populations of mature dopaminergic neurons with features of the ventral mesencephalon or of the OB, capable of responding to functional dopaminergic stimuli and of releasing dopamine. They also suggest that the accumulation of Fgfr2 by Nurr1 in OBSCs may be involved in the generation of DA neurons.

Adenosine A1 receptor stimulation reduces D1 receptor-mediated GABAergic transmission from striato-nigral terminals and attenuates l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in dopamine-denervated mice

γ-Aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR)-mediated postsynaptic currents were recorded in brain slices from substantia nigra pars reticulate neurons. The selective adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), increased the frequency, but not the amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic currents (IPSCs) in the presence of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (SKF) and phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitors (papaverine or AE90074). Under these conditions, DPCPX also increased the amplitude of evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs). The effect of DPCPX was also examined in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD), generated by unilateral denervation of the dopaminergic input to the striatum. In this model, SKF alone was sufficient to increase sIPSCs frequency and eIPSCs amplitude, and these effects were not potentiated by DPCPX. To confirm a depressive effect of A1Rs on the synaptic release of GABA we used the selective A1R agonist 5′-chloro-5′-deoxy-N6-(±)-(endo-norborn-2-yl)adenosine (5′Cl5′d-(±)-ENBA) which has limited peripheral actions. We found that 5′Cl5′d-(±)-ENBA decreased sIPSCs frequency, without affecting their amplitude, and decreased eIPSCs amplitude. Importantly, in the PD mouse model, 5′Cl5′d-(±)-ENBA prevented the increase in sIPSC frequency and eIPSC amplitude produced by SKF. Since exaggerated DA transmission along the striato-nigral pathway is involved in the motor complications (e.g. dyskinesia) caused by prolonged and intermittent administration of l-DOPA, we examined the effect of A1R activation in mice with unilateral DA denervation. We found that 5′Cl5′d-(±)-ENBA, administered in combination with l-DOPA, reduced the development of abnormal involuntary movements. These results indicate the potential benefit of A1R agonists for the treatment of l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia and hyperkinetic disorders providing a mechanistic framework for the study of the interaction between DA and adenosine in the striatonigral system.

Effects of ventral pallidal D1 dopamine receptor activation on memory consolidation in morris water maze test

In the present experiments, in adult male Wistar rats, the effect of microinjection of the D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF38393 into the ventral pallidum on memory consolidation, as well as on resistance of the resulting memory trace against extinction were investigated in Morris water maze test. SKF38393 was applied in three doses (0.1, 1.0 or 5.0μg in 0.4μl physiological saline, respectively). To clarify whether the effect of the agonist was specific, in a separate group of animals, the D1 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390 (5.0μg in 0.4μl physiological saline) was administered 15min prior to 1.0μg agonist treatment. In another group of animals, the same dose of antagonist was applied by itself.The two lower doses (0.1 and 1.0μg) of the agonist accelerated memory consolidation relative to controls and increased the stability of the consolidated memory trace against extinction. Antagonist pretreatment eliminated the effects of the agonist, thus confirming that the effect was selectively specific to D1 dopamine receptors. Our findings indicate that the ventral pallidal D1 dopamine receptors are intimately involved in the control of the consolidation processes of spatial memory.

The Effects of Dopamine D1/D2 Receptor Agonists and Blockers on the Behavior of Rats with Different Choices of Reinforcement Value

The effects of the dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists SKF and TNPA and the antagonists SCH 23390 and raclopride on the behavior of rats making different choices of reinforcement value were studied. Animals were separated into two typological groups – a group of impulsive animals, selecting low-value immediate reinforcement, and a group of self-controlled animals, preferring a valuable but delayed reinforcement (the delay-discount paradigm). Our results showed that systemic administration of D1 and D2 receptor antagonists SCH 23390 and raclopride led to increases in choosing the pedal delivering the immediate low-value reinforcement only in self-controlled animals. All animals showed increases in the numbers of missed reactions. Administration of the D1 and D2 receptor agonists SKF and TNPA produced differently directed and insignificant changes in reinforcement delivery pedal selection – self-controlled rats showed a decrease in the number of presses on the pedal delivering the valuable delayed reinforcement, while impulsive animals, conversely, showed an increase in the number of presses on the pedal delivering the more valuable reinforcement. Thus, these results provide evidence that changes in dopamine levels have different effects in animals with different individual-typological characteristics.

Role of D1 dopamine receptors of the ventral pallidum in inhibitory avoidance learning

The mesolimbic dopaminergic system (MLDS) originating from the ventral tegmental area has important role in the regulation of motivation, learning and memory. The ventral pallidum (VP), innervated by the MLDS, is involved in the regulation of adaptive behavior, but its exact role is not known in inhibitory avoidance learning. The VP contains both D1 and D2 dopamine receptors, but the density of the former subtype is more excessive. Therefore, in our present experiments, the role of D1 dopamine receptors of the VP in one trial step-through inhibitory avoidance paradigm was investigated.In the conditioning trial, animals were shocked 3 times with 0.5mA current for 1s, and subsequently were microinjected bilaterally with D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF38393 into the VP in three doses (0.1μg, 1.0μg or 5.0μg in 0.4μl saline). To clarify whether the agonist effect was specific, we also applied the D1 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390 (5.0μg in 0.4μl saline) 15min prior the agonist treatment.The D1 dopamine receptor agonist, in a dose-dependent manner, significantly increased the step-through latency during the test trials: retention was significant relative to the controls even after 2 weeks of conditioning. The D1 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390 pretreatment eliminated SKF38393 effects in the ventral pallidum. Our results show that D1 dopamine receptor mediated mechanisms in the VP facilitate learning and memory in inhibitory avoidance paradigm and this facilitation is specific because it can be eliminated by D1 dopamine receptor antagonist.

Synergistic Activation of the Nitrergic System of the Nucleus Accumbens by Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptor Agonists

Vital intracerebral microdialysis studies in Sprague–Dawley rats showed that administration of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF-38393 (100 μM) into the medial segment of the nucleus accumbens induced an increase in the extracellular citrulline (a coproduct of NO synthesis) level in this part of the brain (mean 139 ± 3%) and this was prevented by local administration of the neuronal NO synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (0.5 mM). Administration of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinelorane (100, 500, and 1000 μM) into the medial segment of the nucleus accumbens had no effect on this parameter. Simultaneous administration of SKF-38393 and quinelorane (100 μM each) into the medial segment of the nucleus accumbens was accompanied by a significant increase in the extracellular citrulline level in this part of the brain (mean 243 ± 14%) and this was blocked by local administration of 7-nitroindazole (0.5 mM). This study provides the first evidence for the cooperative synergistic regulation by the nitrergic system of the medial segment of the nucleus accumbens by dopamine D1 and D2 receptors.

Orbital Frontal Cortex D1 Dopamine Receptor Modulate Glutamate and NMDA Receptor in Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress

Stressors play a pivotal role in the occurrence of depressive illnesses. Disorders of monoamine neurotransmitters and their receptors may be the fundamental causes of depression. Additionally, abnormal expression of glutamic acid(Glu) and its receptor may be a major reason for depression. Consequently, the study of the relationship between monoamine and glutamic acid neurotransmitter in stress-induced depression has significances to reveal the profound mechanism of depression. NR2B subunits which are highly expressed in the cortex, hippocampus and olfactory bulb, are one of the key subunits of NMDA receptors. Orbital frontal cortex(orbital frontal cortex, OFC), which plays a significant role in higher brain function, such as emotional and complex behavior, is one of the major sub-regions of prefrontal. This study was to investigate the effect of orbital frontal cortex D1 dopamine receptor on Glu and its receptors, especially on NR2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid(NMDA) receptors in depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS). CUMS-induced depression model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats, and intra-orbital frontal cortex microinjections of D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF38393 and its antagonist SCH23390 were respectively adopted by rat brain stereotaxic coordinates. The behavioral observations were conducted by measurement of sucrose preference test, open-field test and tail suspension test. The concentration of Glu and the expression ofNR2B subunits in orbital frontal cortex were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and Western blot(WB) respectively. In comparison to control groups, depression-like behavioral changes were observed in CUMS rats, the concentration of dopamine and its D1 receptor were decreased; conversely, the increase of Glu and NR2B subunits of its NMDA receptors were observed in orbital frontal cortex. Depression-like behavioral of CUMS rats was obviously improved after pretreatment with injection of SKF38393, the expression of Glu and NR2B subunits of its NMDA receptors were also decreased. Normal rats showed depression-like behavioral which similar to the CUMS rats after pretreatment with injection of D1 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390, meanwhile, in orbital frontal cortex the expression of Glu and NR2B subunits of its NMDA receptors were significantly increased. These results suggest that the lowered dopamine release may be caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress, as the result of insufficient dopamine, orbital frontal cortex releases extra amounts of glutamic acid and its NMDA receptors are over activated. All those above then may lead to depression. Antidepressant effect of dopamine may be functioned by inhibiting the expression of Glu and NR2B subunits of its NMDA receptors.

D1 receptor agonist improves sleep–wake parameters in experimental parkinsonism

Both excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deregulation are part of Parkinson's disease (PD) non-motor symptoms and may complicate dopamine replacement therapy. We report here that dopamine agonists act differentially on sleep architecture in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine macaque monkey. Continuous sleep and wake electroencephalographic monitoring revealed no effect of the selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole on EDS, whereas the selective dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 efficiently alleviated EDS and restored REM sleep to baseline values. The present results question the relevance of abandoning D1 receptor agonist treatment in PD as it might actually improve sleep-related disorders.

Prolactin and fMRI response to SKF38393 in the baboon.

Background. This study’s goal was to provide dose–response data for a dopamine agonist in the baboon using standard methods (replicate measurements at each dose, across a range of doses), as a standard against which to subsequently validate a novel pharmacological MRI (phMRI) method. Dependent variables were functional MRI (fMRI) data from brain regions selected a priori, and systemic prolactin release. Necessary first steps included estimating the magnitude and time course of prolactin response to anesthesia alone and to various doses of agonist. These first steps (“time course studies”) were performed with three agonists, and the results were used to select promising agonists and to guide design details for the single-dose studies needed to generate dose–response curves.Methods. We studied 6 male baboons (Papio anubis) under low-dose isoflurane anesthesia after i.m. ketamine. Time course studies charted the changes in plasma prolactin levels over time after anesthesia alone or after an intravenous (i.v.) dose of the dopamine D1-like agonists SKF82958 and SKF38393 or the D2-like agonist pramipexole. In the single-dose dopamine agonist studies, one dose of SKF38393 (ranging from 0.0928–9.28 mg/kg, N = 5 animals) or pramipexole (0.00928–0.2 mg/kg, N = 1) was given i.v. during a 40-min blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI session, to determine BOLD and plasma prolactin responses to different drug concentrations. BOLD response was quantified as the area under the time-signal curve for the first 15 min after the start of the drug infusion, compared to the linearly predicted signal from the baseline data before drug. The ED50 (estimated dose that produces 50% of the maximal possible response to drug) for SKF38393 was calculated for the serum prolactin response and for phMRI responses in hypothalamus, pituitary, striatum and midbrain.Results. Prolactin rose 2.4- to 12-fold with anesthesia alone, peaking around 50–90 min after ketamine administration and gradually tapering off but still remaining higher than baseline on isoflurane 3–5 h after ketamine. Baseline prolactin level increased with age. SKF82958 0.1 mg/kg i.v. produced no noticeable change in plasma prolactin concentration. SKF38393 produced a substantial increase in prolactin release that peaked at around 20–30 min and declined to pre-drug levels in about an hour. Pramipexole quickly reduced prolactin levels below baseline, reaching a nadir 2–3 h after infusion. SKF38393 produced clear, dose-responsive BOLD signal changes, and across the four regions, ED50 was estimated at 2.6–8.1 mg/kg.Conclusions. In the baboon, the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 produces clear plasma prolactin and phMRI dose–response curves. Variability in age and a modest sample size limit the precision of the conclusions.

The dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 improves temporal order memory performance in maternally deprived rats

Previously, we showed that maternal deprivation (MD) (3h/day, postnatal-day 1–14) impaired the performance at adulthood in the object temporal order memory task (TMT) that principally implicates the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Dopamine (DA) transmission in the PFC may play a critical role in the achievement of the TMT. Here, to investigate whether MD could results in dysfunction of the DA system in the mPFC, we assessed in this region the tissue contents and extracellular levels of DA and its metabolites, as the density of D1 receptor. Besides we examined whether an agonist of the DA receptor D1, the SKF38393, could have a beneficial effect on the performance of deprived (D) rats in the TMT. We observed that MD induced a significant reduction of the extracellular level of DOPAC in the mPFC and in the density of the D1 receptor in the anterior cingulate cortex, a sub-region of mPFC. On the other hand, we observed that an acute systemic injection of a D1 receptor agonist, SKF38393, was effective to correct the memory deficiency of D rats in the TMT, when administered before the retrieval phase. We showed that a stress suffered by rats during the perinatal period led to dysfunction of the adult DA system, possibly triggering greater vulnerability to cognitive and mood disorders. Interestingly, an acute administration of a D1 receptor agonist in adulthood was sufficient to improve the deficit in the temporal memory. A better understanding of this phenomenon would permit the development of treatments adapted to patients with a history of early traumatic experiences.

Adolescent Changes in Dopamine D1 Receptor Expression in Orbitofrontal Cortex and Piriform Cortex Accompany an Associative Learning Deficit

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and piriform cortex are involved in encoding the predictive value of olfactory stimuli in rats, and neural responses to olfactory stimuli in these areas change as associations are learned. This experience-dependent plasticity mirrors task-related changes previously observed in mesocortical dopamine neurons, which have been implicated in learning the predictive value of cues. Although forms of associative learning can be found at all ages, cortical dopamine projections do not mature until after postnatal day 35 in the rat. We hypothesized that these changes in dopamine circuitry during the juvenile and adolescent periods would result in age-dependent differences in learning the predictive value of environmental cues. Using an odor-guided associative learning task, we found that adolescent rats learn the association between an odor and a palatable reward significantly more slowly than either juvenile or adult rats. Further, adolescent rats displayed greater distractibility during the task than either juvenile or adult rats. Using real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical methods, we observed that the behavioral deficit in adolescence coincides with a significant increase in D1 dopamine receptor expression compared to juvenile rats in both the OFC and piriform cortex. Further, we found that both the slower learning and increased distractibility exhibited in adolescence could be alleviated by experience with the association task as a juvenile, or by an acute administration of a low dose of either the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF-38393 or the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride. These results suggest that dopaminergic modulation of cortical function may be important for learning the predictive value of environmental stimuli, and that developmental changes in cortical dopaminergic circuitry may underlie age-related differences in associative learning.

Modulation of the extinction of two different fear-motivated tasks in three distinct brain areas

The hippocampus, basolateral amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex participate in the extinction of inhibitory avoidance and contextual fear conditioning. We studied the effect of drugs acting on receptors involved in synaptic modulation on extinction of both tasks. The drugs were given bilaterally right after the first of two sessions of extinction in each task through cannulae implanted into the mentioned areas. The doses used are known to influence memory consolidation of the original tasks. Their effects were evaluated on a second extinction session 24h later, and assumed to result from influences on the consolidation of extinction. The glutamate NMDA receptor stimulant d-serine (50μg/side) and the histamine methyl-transferase inhibitor SKF9188 (12.5μg/side) enhanced, and the NMDA antagonist amino-phosphonopentanoate (5μg/side) and the H2 histamine receptor antagonist ranitidine (17.5μg/side) inhibited, extinction of both tasks regardless of the region into which they were administered. Thus, glutamate NMDA receptors are involved in the consolidation of extinction of both tasks, and histamine H2 receptors modulate that process in all areas studied. Norepinephrine (1μg/side), the β-adrenoceptor antagonist timolol (1μg/side), the D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF38393 (12.5μg/side) and the D1 antagonist SCH23390 (1.5μg/side) also affected extinction of both tasks, but their effects varied with the task and with the site of infusion, suggesting that extinction modulation by β- and D1 receptors is more complex. In conclusion, extinction of two different aversive tasks is modulatable by various systems, which bears upon the behavioral and pharmacological treatment of fear-motivated brain disorders.

Suppression of Bladder Overactivity by Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonist in a Rat Model of Parkinson Disease

Overactive bladder is highly prevalent among patients with Parkinson disease. Adenosine is an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system but it is not fully clarified how adenosine receptors regulate the micturition reflex. Thus, we examined the effect of an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist on the micturition reflex in a rat model of Parkinson disease. In a rat model of Parkinson disease induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (Tocris Bioscience, Ellisville, Missouri) injection we examined the effects of the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist ZM241385, the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 and the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole on bladder activity. Intravenous administration of ZM241385 increased the intercontraction interval in a dose dependent manner in rats with Parkinson disease and sham operated rats but the inhibitory effect was greater in the Parkinson disease group. Intrathecal and intracerebroventricular administration of ZM241385 increased the intercontraction interval in each group. However, in rats with Parkinson disease the inhibitory effects induced by intracerebroventricular administration of ZM241385 were greater than in sham operated rats. Intravenous administration of SKF38393 increased the intercontraction interval in rats with Parkinson disease and subsequent administration of ZM further increased the intercontraction interval. However, SKF38393 did not increase the intercontraction interval after ZM241385 application. Also, ZM241385 increased the intercontraction interval without being affected by pre-administration or post-administration of quinpirole, which decreased the intercontraction interval. Results indicate that the adenosine A2A receptor mediated excitatory mechanism is enhanced at a supraspinal site to induce bladder overactivity and A2A receptor inhibition effectively suppresses bladder overactivity in rats with Parkinson disease. Thus, adenosine A2A receptor antagonists could be useful for bladder dysfunction in Parkinson disease cases.

Synergistic antidyskinetic effects of topiramate and amantadine in animal models of Parkinson's disease

L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease can be alleviated by amantadine, an antagonist at N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors. The antiepileptic drug topiramate, which blocks α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors, has also been shown to reduce dyskinesia. The purpose of this study was to examine the behavioral pharmacology of topiramate alone and in combination with amantadine in animal models of PD and L-dopa-induced dyskinesia. The effects of topiramate (5-20 mg/kg) and amantadine (5-20 mg/kg) on abnormal involuntary movements (the rat homologue of dyskinesia) and Rotarod performance were assessed alone and in combination in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat following chronic L-dopa treatment. Dyskinesia, parkinsonian disability, and "on-time" were assessed in the MPTP-lesioned nonhuman primate following administration of topiramate (5-20 mg/kg) and amantadine (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) alone and in combination. Topiramate and amantadine dose-dependently reduced dyskinesia in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat, whereas topiramate reduced Rotarod performance; there was no effect on parkinsonian disability in the MPTP-lesioned nonhuman primate, in which both drugs reduced dyskinesia. Topiramate and amantadine exhibited differential antidyskinetic effects on dyskinesia elicited by the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (2 mg/kg). Subthreshold doses of both drugs in combination had a synergistic effect on dyskinesia in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat, with no worsening of motor performance; this effect was confirmed in the MPTP-lesioned nonhuman primate, with a selective reduction in "bad on-time." These data confirm the antidyskinetic potential of topiramate and suggest that combination with low-dose amantadine may allow better reduction of dyskinesia with no adverse motor effects.

Roles of D1-like dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens and dorsolateral striatum in conditioned avoidance responses

Aversively motivated learning is more poorly understood than appetitively motivated learning in many aspects, including the role of dopamine receptors in different regions of the striatum. The present study investigated the roles of the D1-like DA receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) on learning and performance of conditioned avoidance responses (CARs). Adult male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.), intra-NAc, or intra-DLS injections of the D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF 81297 or the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 20 min before or immediately after a training session in the CAR task two-way active avoidance, carried out 24 h before a test session. Pre-training administration of SCH 23390, but not SKF 81297, caused a significant decrease in the number of CARs in the test, but not in the training session, when injected into the DLS, or in either session when injected into the NAc. It also caused a significant increase in the number of escape failures in the training session when injected into the NAc. Systemic administration caused a combination of these effects. Post-training administrations of these drugs caused no significant effect. The results suggest that the D1-like receptors in the NAc and DLS play important, though different, roles in learning and performance of CAR.

Opioid regulation of Pavlovian overshadowing in fear conditioning.

In Pavlovian overshadowing, a stimulus that predicts a biologically important event reduces conditioning to another, equally predictive stimulus. We tested the effects of an opioid antagonist and dopamine agonist on the ability of a salient white noise to overshadow a less salient light. Rats were conditioned to fear a light or a noise-light compound using a mild footshock. Compound-conditioned rats trained under the saline vehicle revealed significant overshadowing of the light by the noise. This overshadowing effect was significantly attenuated in rats trained under the opioid antagonist naltrexone, consistent with an opioid-mediated negative feedback model of conditioning. In line with predictions made by negative feedback-type models, we failed to obtain overshadowing with few trials, suggesting that the processes underlying conditioning during initial trials do not contribute to the opioid-dependent Pavlovian overshadowing obtained in our preparation. Lastly, we compared the involvement of dopamine-mediated and opioid-mediated processes in overshadowing by conditioning rats under the partial dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 or the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Both naltrexone and SKF 38393 were found to attenuate overshadowing; however, the behavioral profiles produced by each pharmacological manipulation were distinct. Collectively, these studies demonstrate an important role for both opioid- and dopamine-mediated processes in multiple-trial overshadowing.