Anxiogenic-like action of galanin after intra-amygdala administration in the rat.
The neuropeptide galanin is expressed in brain structures implicated in regulation of emotionality. The amygdala is known to play a central role in mechanisms of fear and anxiety. We therefore examined the effects of galanin (0.2 and 0.6 nmol/side) on experimental anxiety upon microinjection into the amygdala. Two established animal models of anxiety were used: a punished drinking test, and the elevated plus-maze. Punished responding was dose dependently suppressed by intra-amygdala galanin, whereas unpunished responding, drinking motivation, locomotor activity, and shock thresholds were unaffected. No effects on experimental anxiety were seen in the plus-maze following galanin injection. When injected into parietal cortex, no anxiety promoting properties of galanin were detected. These data suggest that activation of galanin receptors in amygdala modulates neurotransmission involved in fear and experimental anxiety.
Möller
C
C
Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Family Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Sommer
W
W
Thorsell
A
A
Heilig
M
M
D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D019004:Galanin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012769:Shock / Q000209:etiology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D019004:Galanin