Apomorphine produces an acute dose-dependent therapeutic effect on neglect produced by unilateral destruction of the posterior parietal cortex in rats.
The neglect syndrome is a complex and devastating neurological disorder typically induced by unilateral destruction of one of three regions of the neocortex: the inferior parietal lobule, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or the cingulate cortex. Previous studies of neglect using a rodent model have indicated that disruption of dopaminergic mechanisms may underlie neglect. However, the pharmacological results were obtained using a rodent prefrontal model of the syndrome (medial agranular cortex), whereas the majority of cases of neglect in humans are produced by unilateral destruction of the posterior parietal cortex (inferior parietal lobule). The present study examined the effects of administration of the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine on neglect induced by unilateral destruction of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in rats. The results indicated that administration of apomorphine produced a significant dose-dependent decrease in the severity of neglect. The results support the contention that neglect induced by cortical damage may be produced by a disruption of dopaminergic mechanisms, and that the PPC may be one component of a cortical system for directed attention.
Corwin
J V
JV
Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 60115, USA. tj0jvc1@corn.cso.niu.edu
Burcham
K J
KJ
Hix
G I
GI
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D001058:Apomorphine