Dopamine D(2) receptor activation modulates perceived odor intensity.
Dopaminergic modulation affects odor detection thresholds and olfactory discrimination capabilities in rats. The authors show that dopamine D(2) receptor modulation affects odor discrimination capabilities in a manner similar to the modulation of stimulus intensity. Performance in a simultaneous odor discrimination task was systematically altered by manipulations of both odorant concentration and D(2) receptor activation (agonist quinpirole, 0.025-0.5 mg/kg; antagonist spiperone, 0.5 mg/kg). Rats' discrimination performance systematically improved at higher odor concentrations. Blockade of D(2) receptors improved performance equivalent to increasing odor concentration by 2 log units, whereas activation of D(2) receptors reduced odor discrimination performance in a dose-dependent manner. Bulbar dopamine release may serve a gain control function in the olfactory system, optimizing its sensitivity to changes in the chemosensory environment.
Wei
Catherine J
CJ
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Linster
Christiane
C
Cleland
Thomas A
TA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D019257:Quinpirole / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000819:agonists / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013134:Spiperone / Q000494:pharmacology
D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D019257:Quinpirole; D013134:Spiperone