Neuroscience 2000 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 536.10 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Behavioral inhibition in Wistar-Kyoto rats associated with a lack of brain noradrenergic reactivity to stress and reduced benzodiazepine binding in limbic forebrain. |
| Authors: |
Sands, S. A.*1
; Gould, G.1
; Frazer, A.1
; Morilak, D. A.1
1Pharmacology, Univ Texas Health Sci Ctr, San Antonio, TX |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
D. Neurotransmitters, Modulators, Transporters, and Receptors - 51. Catecholamines |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | I. Neural Basis of Behavior<br />- 118. Monoamines and behavior |
| Session: |
536. Catecholamines V Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 7, 2000 2:00 PM-3:00 PM |
| Location: | Hall G-J |
| Keywords: | norepinephrine, anxiety, locus coeruleus, WKY rat |
Stress is a factor in psychopathological conditions including depression and anxiety. The brain noradrenergic system, associated with arousal and behavioral activation, is activated by stress. NE dysregulation may thus link stress to psychopathology. However, evidence suggests a genetic influence on stress susceptibility, so we compared noradrenergic stress reactivity in rat strains differing in their behavioral and physiological response to stress (Sands, SFN 1999). Wistar, Sprague-Dawley and Lewis rats show app 30% increase in tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in locus coeruleus after acute restraint, but WKY rats show no increase. In this study, behavioral indices of stress reactivity indicate that WKY rats mainly exhibit behavioral inhibition in response to stress, consistent with a lack of noradrenergic reactivity. Compared to other rats, WKY show reduced locomotion, measured in an open field or as closed-arm entries in a plus maze (n=15-17, p<.05). Surprisingly, WKY rats spent a greater proportion of time in the open arms of the plus maze (p<.05). Together with the reduced locomotion, this behavior of WKY rats on the plus maze is similar to Sprague-Dawley rats that have been exposed to stress after injecting an α1 adrenergic antagonist into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (Cecchi, SFN 2000). Ligand binding results show reduced benzodiazepine binding density in limbic forebrain of WKY rats. Together with the lack of TH mRNA reactivity in LC, these observations suggest that WKY rats may be deficient in brain noradrenergic transmission, but appear to function in a tonic state of stress.
Supported by VA-DOD & MH53851
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2000 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2000. Online.
Copyright © 2000-2026 Society for Neuroscience; all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.
