Selective deficit in no-go performance induced by blockade of prefrontal cortical alpha 2-adrenoceptors in monkeys.
Two monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were trained to make a go response (go to touch a computer screen) when a red signal (go signal) was presented or a no-go response (inhibit the screen-touching action) when a green signal (no-go signal) was given. The alpha2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine was infused locally, bilaterally and continuously for 8 days into the prefrontal cortex (PFC) by using mini-osmotic pump. The no-go but not go performance was selectively impaired during the 8-day administration of yohimbine: the monkeys showed an inability to inhibit the touching response to the no-go signal, indicating that there was a deficit in the inhibitory ability of the animals. Similar infusion of saline into the same cortical area was without effect. The present study provides behavioral pharmacological evidence that alpha2-adrenoceptors in the PFC are involved in the neural mechanisms underlying response inhibition.
Ma
Chao-Lin
CL
Laboratory of Higher brain functions, Institute of Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Qi
Xue-Lian
XL
Peng
Ji-Yun
JY
Li
Bao-Ming
BM
D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000502:physiology*
D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2