Intrathecal FMRFamide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2) induces excessive grooming behavior in mice.
The molluscan neuropeptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) was administered intrathecally (i.t.) to mice and their behavior was monitored for 30 min. FMRFamide induced a dramatic and dose-related (5-12 micrograms) increase in grooming-related activities compared to saline-treated controls. The grooming behavior produced by 8 micrograms FMRFamide was not blocked by simultaneous i.t. administration of 10 micrograms of the following antagonists: atropine, phentolamine, methysergide, naloxone or spantide; peripheral administration of naloxone (3.5 mg/kg, s.c.) also failed to antagonize FMRFamide grooming. These data constitute the first report that FMRFamide produces behavioral changes in mammals.
R B
RB
Raffa
J
J
Heyman
F
F
Porreca
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019835:FMRFamide; D006120:Grooming / Q000187:drug effects*; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D008784:Methysergide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013373:Substance P / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology
D009842:Oligopeptides; D013373:Substance P; D009270:Naloxone; D019835:FMRFamide; D001285:Atropine; C042867:spantide; D008784:Methysergide; D010646:Phentolamine