Specific neuroanatomical and neurochemical correlates of locomotor and grooming effects of bombesin.
Experiments characterized the behavioral effects of bombesin (BN) administered systemically (1-8 micrograms/kg; IP) or centrally at the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and the nucleus accumbens (NA) (0.0001-1.0 microgram/0.5 microliter). The role of dopaminergic system(s) in the mediation of BN-induced behavioral effects in rat was also investigated. Locomotor activity was quantitated with the aid of microprocessor controlled infrared beam grid systems while grooming related behaviors were simultaneously collected by an observer using time-sampling procedures over a 60 min period. Locomotor stimulation appeared to be specific to BN administration at the NA whereas the elicitation of grooming appeared to be specific to BN administration at the NTS. The dopaminergic system(s) appeared to play a significant role in the mediation of the effects of BN administered intra NA but not intra NTS.
Johnston
S A
SA
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Merali
Z
Z
D000818:Animals; D001839:Bombesin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D006120:Grooming / Q000187:drug effects*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D001839:Bombesin; D004298:Dopamine