Search results for "Monoamine neurotransmitter"

From the Golgi-Cajal mapping to the transmitter-based characterization of the neuronal networks leading to two modes of brain communication: Wiring a…

2007

After Golgi-Cajal mapped neural circuits, the discovery and mapping of the central monoamine neurons opened up for a new understanding of interneuronal communication by indicating that another form of communication exists. For instance, it was found that dopamine may be released as a prolactin inhibitory factor from the median eminence, indicating an alternative mode of dopamine communication in the brain. Subsequently, the analysis of the locus coeruleus noradrenaline neurons demonstrated a novel type of lower brainstem neuron that monosynaptically and globally innervated the entire CNS. Furthermore, the ascending raphe serotonin neuron systems were found to globally innervate the forebrai…

Retraction notice to “Relationship between dopamine D2 receptor occupancy, clinical response, and drug and monoamine metabolites levels in plasma and…

2012

Assessment of the abuse potential of MDMA in the conditioned place preference paradigm: Role of CB1 receptors

2013

Numerous reports have highlighted the role of the endocannabinoid system in the addictive potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine). A previous report showed that CB1 knockout (KOCB1) mice do not acquire MDMA self-administration, despite developing conditioned place preference (CPP). This contradiction could be due to the particular procedure of place conditioning used. The present work compares MDMA-induced CPP in KOCB1 mice using unbiased and biased procedures of place conditioning. In the unbiased procedure, MDMA induced CPP and reinstatement of the extinguished preference in wild type (WT) mice, but not in KOCB1 mice. In contrast, in a biased protocol of CPP, MDMA produced …

Cocaine enhances the conditioned rewarding effects of MDMA in adolescent mice.

2015

Although the consumption of cocaine is frequent in young users of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), the influence of exposure to cocaine on the rewarding effects of MDMA in adolescents has not been studied. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the effect of co-administration of cocaine (1 and 10 mg/kg) and a sub-threshold dose of MDMA (1.25 mg/kg) on the acquisition of conditioned place preference (CPP) (experiment 1). In addition, the effect of pre-treatment with cocaine on MDMA-induced CPP was evaluated (experiment 2). Levels of monoamines in striatum, hippocampus and cortex were measured in both experiments. Our hypotheses were that cocaine co-administration or pre-tre…

Brain met-enkephalin immunostaining after subacute and subchronic exposure to benzene

1994

Benzene is used in a wide variety of domestic and occupational activities, and due to its lipophilic nature, it accumulates in lipid-rich tissues like the brain. In this sense, neurotoxic action has long been associated with organic solvent exposure and it has been shown that benzene, injected in a single dose or during a prolongued administration, modifies the content of dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and its main metabolite 5-hydroxy indolacetic acid, in several brain regions of the rat, then revealing a stimulating action on brain monoamine synthesis and turnover. However, information concerning neurotoxic action of benzene exposure in vivo on peptidergic neuromodulatory systems is s…

Adolescent pre-exposure to ethanol or MDMA prolongs the conditioned rewarding effects of MDMA

2011

Adolescents often take ethanol (EtOH) in combination with MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine). In the present work we studied the effect of repeated intermittent adolescent pre-exposure to both drugs on the behavioral and neurochemical effects of MDMA in mice. Sixteen days after pre-treatment, the rewarding and reinstating effects of MDMA in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm were evaluated, along with the levels of biogenic amines, basal motor activity and corticosterone response to different challenges. Pre-exposure to EtOH, MDMA or EtOH+MDMA did not affect the CPP induced by 10mg/kg of MDMA. However, adolescent exposure to EtOH or MDMA increased the duration of the co…

Day- and night-time contents of monoamines and their metabolites in the medial preoptic area of the rat hypothalamus.

1999

The present study was conducted to investigate whether monoamines and their metabolites in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) of the rat hypothalamus exhibit differences in their contents between day and night. We therefore sampled the mPOA from adult animals of either sex at the middle of the light or dark period, respectively, and analyzed the tissue by means of high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. We found that, in female animals at mid-night, dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) was reduced to 43 and 30%, respectively, of daytime levels, while the norepinephrine content was doubled. No significant differences were observed in male animals. …

Prenatal cocaine alters later responses to morphine in adult male mice.

2006

Mice prenatally exposed to cocaine (25 mg/kg), physiological saline or non-treated during the last 6 days of pregnancy were evaluated as adults for the rewarding properties of 2 mg/kg of morphine, using the conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure. Likewise, isolated animals underwent a social interaction test with conspecifics after receiving the same morphine dose. Unlike control or animals pre-treated with saline, subjects prenatally treated with cocaine did not develop CPP with this dose of morphine. Only cocaine-exposed animals showed increased threat, avoidance and fleeing during the social encounter. No differences in motor effects of morphine were observed. Analysis of monoamine…

Impaired cannabinoid receptor type 1 signaling interferes with stress-coping behavior in mice.

2007

Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system is known to interfere with emotional processing of stressful events. Here, we studied the role of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) signaling in stress-coping behaviors using the forced swim test (FST) with repeated exposures. We compared effects of genetic inactivation with pharmacological blockade of CB1 receptors both in male and female mice. In addition, we investigated potential interactions of the endocannabinoid system with monoaminergic and neurotrophin systems of the brain. Naive CB1 receptor-deficient mice (CB1-/-) showed increased passive stress-coping behaviors as compared to wild-type littermates (CB1+/+) in the FST, independent of se…

The unilateral nigral lesion induces dramatic bilateral modification on rat brain monoamine neurochemistry

2009

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a neurotoxic compound commonly used to induce dopamine (DA) depletion in the nigrostriatal system, mimicking Parkinson's disease (PD) in animals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the 7-day effect of unilateral nigral lesion on rat brain monoamine neurochemistry. Five brain regions were examined: the brain stem, cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. 6-OHDA-unilateral lesion dramatically modified DA, serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites contents in both sides of the different brain nuclei. Furthermore, unilateral 6-OHDA lesion reduced DA and 5-HT contents and produced a robust inversion of their turnover in the nonlesioned side compared to …