Differential sensitivity of pinna reflex and esophageal temperature to clonidine in mice depleted of central noradrenaline by DSP-4.
Mice injected with DSP-4 [N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine], a selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, had marked depletions of central noradrenaline and an attenuated post-decapitation reflex. DSP-4-treated mice exhibited an increased sensitivity to the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine as measured by inhibition of the pinna reflex, but normal sensitivity as measured by hypothermia. This differential sensitivity may reflect the presence of supersensitive postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors in some, but not all, CNS regions after DSP-4 treatment.
D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D003000:Clonidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004423:Ear; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009498:Neurotoxins; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000172:deficiency*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*
D000588:Amines; D001596:Benzylamines; D009498:Neurotoxins; C016986:apraclonidine; D003000:Clonidine; C012102:DSP 4; D009638:Norepinephrine