Effects of calcitonin on the brain of aged rats.
We have recently demonstrated that calcitonin, a putative neuromodulator, may influence extrapyramidal motor system by decreasing nigro-striatal dopaminergic function. Since calcitonin is extensively used in aged patients, we have investigated whether calcitonin might influence extrapyramidal motor behavior (haloperidol-induced catalepsy and apomorphine-induced hyperactivity) in rats of different ages. Intracerebroventricular injection of salmon calcitonin (1 micrograms/kg) prevented apomorphine-induced hyperactivity in 2, 7, 18 or 21 month old rats, but potentiated haloperidol-induced catalepsy only in 2 or 7 month old rats. In addition, in all the animals salmon calcitonin significantly decreased the secretion of prolactin, an anterior pituitary hormone that may act at central level enhancing nigro-striatal dopaminergic activity.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002375:Catalepsy / Q000139:chemically induced; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005116:Extrapyramidal Tracts / Q000187:drug effects*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
C028815:salmon calcitonin; D011388:Prolactin; D002116:Calcitonin; D006220:Haloperidol; D001058:Apomorphine