title: Development of receptors for dopamine and noradrenaline in rat brain.
abstract: In order to examine the receptor basis for the development of spontaneous locomotion and for the effects of clonidine in the infant rat, we measured the densities of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, alpha 2-adrenoceptors and D2-dopamine receptors in various brain regions of the developing infant Wistar rat. The mesolimbic D2-dopamine receptors paralleled the rise in spontaneous locomotion of the infant rat. No alpha 1-adrenoceptors were detectable at birth in any of the four regions examined (mesolimbic, hippocampus, frontal cortex, and hypothalamus), thus providing no basis for the locomotor-stimulating action of clonidine in the first week of life. Mesolimbic alpha 2-adrenoceptors matured between 21 and 28 days (at which time clonidine yields its usual sedating action).
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004146:Dioxanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology*; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D013134:Spiperone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004146:Dioxanes; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D013134:Spiperone; C010654:(2-(2',6'-dimethoxy)phenoxyethylamino)methylbenzo-1,4-dioxane; D003000:Clonidine