title: Dopamine D(3) receptor deficiency sensitizes mice to iron deficiency-related deficits in motor learning.
abstract: Iron deficiency is a widespread form of malnutrition and is known to interfere with cognitive performance and development. To elucidate the role of dopamine D3 and iron deficiency (ID) in inducing cognitive deficits, we studied wildtype and D3 knockout mice on normal or iron-deficient diets subjected to a running wheel-based motor skill sequence. Surprisingly, ID alone had no effect on motor learning in this study, whereas combined ID and dopamine D(3) receptor (D3R)-deficiency significantly interfered with the acquisition of motor skills. Reduced D3R function may serve as a predisposing factor towards ID-related effects on motor learning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, Göttingen, Germany. fklinker@med.uni-goettingen.de
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Klinker
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dowling
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Paulus
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liebetanz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3 / Q000172:deficiency*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3