Behavioural consequences following infusion of selective neurokinin agonists into the median raphe nucleus of the rat.
The locomotor activity induced after infusion of selective neurokinin (NK) agonists into the median raphé nucleus of rats was investigated. In photocell cages, the NK-2-agonist, GR64349, and the NK-3 agonist, senktide, both increased motor activity in a dose-dependent manner. However, the NK-1 agonist, GR73632, had little effect over a range of doses. In the open field, the motor effect of all three NK agonists was identical to that observed in the photocell cages. In addition, senktide induced straub-tail, hind-limb splaying and various oral movements. Such effects were not noted with the other two agonists. These results suggest that activation of NK-2 or NK-3 receptors by the neurokinins, in the median raphe nucleus of the rat, leads to an increase in locomotor activity.
Mason
G S
GS
Department of Neuropharmacology, Glaxo Group Research Ltd., Ware, Hertfordshire, U.K.
Elliott
P J
PJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007267:Injections; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011903:Raphe Nuclei; D051381:Rats; D013373:Substance P / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D010446:Peptide Fragments; C054724:senktide; C068031:neurokinin A (3-10), lysyl(3)-glycyl(8)-R-lactam-leucine(9)-; D013373:Substance P; D015288:Neurokinin A