Psychomotor behavior, basal ganglia and mGluR subtypes. An in vivo study
Ulrich O. Kronthaler, Werner J. Schmid
Zoological Institute, Dept. Neuropharmacology, University of Tⁿbingen, F.R.G.
The basal ganglia are a group of forebrain nuclei, crucially involved in the control of psychomotor behavior. Their input structures receive converging glutamatergic and dopaminergic afferents. Dysfunction of these afferents play a key-role in human diseases as Schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. During the past decade only the role of ionotropic glutamate receptors and their interaction with dopamine receptors within the basal ganglia was intensively investigated, although expression of mGluRs in these structures is known for the same period. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychomotor effects of i.c.v. and local infusions of mGluRs ligands in rats. In addition interaction of mGluRs with ionotropic glutamate and dopamine receptors was addressed. Infusions were executed using chronically implanted guide cannulas, to exclude acute interactions with anaesthetics. Psychomotor behavior was quantified in an open-field with hole-board (exploration and locomotion),an experimental chamber (sniffing stereotypy) and a catalepsy test (akinesia).
In summary the detailed results presented show: 1. Activation of mGluRs by 1S,3R-ACPD has cataleptogenic effects. 2. 1S,3R-ACPD is able to reverse motor stimulation induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate blockade, but not by dopamine receptor activation. 3. Selective activation of group II mGluRs with L-CCG I has sedating effects.
Supported by the DFG SFB 307/A4 and a grant of the Graduiertenkolleg Neurobiologie
(Supported by DFG SFB 307 A4 and Graduiertenkolleg Neurobiologie)
Document created 25. July 1996
.... back to the Homepage of Ulrich Kronthaler