Enhanced responsiveness of alpha-noradrenergic receptors following discrete electrolytic lesions of the nucleus locus coeruleus: a behavioral demonstration.
Locomotor activity was evaluated in groups of reserpine-treated mice administered the catecholamine receptor agonists apomorphine and clonidine. Pretreatment of selected groups of mice with discrete electrolytic destruction of the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) resulted in a clonidine-potentiation of apomorphine-stimulated locomotor activity. This effect was greater in unilateral than bilateral lesioned mice. LC lesions also significantly reduced the level of locomotor habituation achieved within a 60 min observation period. The data are interpreted to suggest that discrete lesions of the nucleus LC results in increased alpha-noradrenergic receptor sensitivity.
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology
D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D012110:Reserpine; D003000:Clonidine; D001058:Apomorphine