Beta1-adrenoceptor or alpha1-adrenoceptor activation initiates early odor preference learning in rat pups: support for the mitral cell/cAMP model of odor preference learning.
We proposed that mitral cell beta1-adrenoceptor activation mediates rat pup odor preference learning. Here we evaluate beta1-, beta2-, alpha1-, and alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists in such learning. The beta1-adrenoceptor agonist, dobutamine, and the alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, induced learning, and both exhibited an inverted U-curve dose-response relationship to odor preference learning. Phenylephrine-induced learning occurred in the presence of propranolol to prevent indirect activation of beta-adrenoceptors. Alpha1-adrenoceptor mediation may represent a novel mechanism inducing learning or may increase cAMP in mitral cells via indirect activation of GABA(B) receptors. Neither the beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, salbutamol, nor the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, induced learning.
Harley
Carolyn W
CW
Department of Psychology, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada.
Darby-King
Andrea
A
McCann
Jennifer
J
McLean
John H
JH
D058646:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058665:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*
D058646:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D058665:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1; D010656:Phenylephrine; D004280:Dobutamine; D000242:Cyclic AMP