Region-specific effects of chronic lithium administration on neuropeptide Y and somatostatin mRNA expression in the rat brain.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 4-week lithium (Li+) food supplementation on neuropeptide mRNA expression in the rat brain. In situ hybridisation was used to determine the effects on the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and somatostatin (SS) mRNA. Increases in NPY mRNA levels were seen in the hippocampus, layers II-III of the entorhinal cortex, nucleus accumbens shell and in the medial caudate-putamen. Increases in SS mRNA expression were seen in the layers IV-VI of the entorhinal cortex and in the lateral caudate putamen. Thus, Li+ appears to affect discrete populations of NPY and SS mRNA expressing neurons, with possible relevance to beneficial effects of Li+ in affective disorders.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D002452:Cell Count; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000235:genetics*; D013997:Time Factors
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013004:Somatostatin; D008094:Lithium