Behavioral Consequences of Neurotransmitter Receptor Regulation.
Abstract
The role of brain cholinergic receptors in regulation of physiological and behavioral function was examined by inducing a change in the number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors and studying the effects of these changes on tolerance development and spatial learning in inbred mice. Chronic treatment with oxotremorine caused a down regulation of receptors in five brain regions including hippocampus and cortex, regions thought to mediate spatial learning. The time course of receptor recovery was compared to the loss of tolerance and changes in spatial learning ability. While receptor numbers were decreased for as long as 4 days after cessation of treatment, tolerance to oxotremorine was only detected for 48 hrs after removal from chronic treatment. Like wise, impairment of spatial learning was evident when animals began training at 24 hrs after cessation of treatment but learning was normal by 48 hrs after treatment. These results indicate that the status of cortical and hippocampal cholinergic function may be important for initial behavioral effects, but that there must be other factors in addition to receptor number that are important in the regulation of physiological and behavioral function. The possible roles of other cholinergic markers and other neurotransmitter systems are currently being investigated including NMDA receptor functions and phosphorylation of hippocampal proteins. Keywords: Learning, Brain, Nerve transmission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 13, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA187894
Entities
People
- Allan C. Collins
- Jeanne M. Wehner
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder