Neuropeptide S stimulates dopaminergic neurotransmission in the medial prefrontal cortex.
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is known to produce anxiolytic-like effects and facilitate extinction of conditioned fear. Catecholaminergic neurotransmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been suggested to be crucially involved in these brain functions. In the current study, we investigated the effect of NPS on the release of dopamine and serotonin in the mPFC by in vivo microdialysis in rats. Central administration of NPS dose-dependently enhanced extracellular levels of dopamine and its major metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, with maximal effects lasting up to 120 min. In contrast, no effect on serotonergic neurotransmission was detected. Dopamine release in the mPFC has been previously linked to modulation of anxiety states and fear extinction. The present results may thus provide a physiological and anatomical basis for the reported effects of NPS on these behaviors.
Si
Wei
W
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA.
Aluisio
Leah
L
Okamura
Naoe
N
Clark
Stewart D
SD
Fraser
Ian
I
Sutton
Steven W
SW
Bonaventure
Pascal
P
Reinscheid
Rainer K
RK
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D045604:Extracellular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis / Q000379:methods; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
D009479:Neuropeptides; C534458:neuropeptide S, rat; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine