Marked behavioral activation from inhibitory stimulation of locus coeruleus alpha1-adrenoceptors by a full agonist.

ABSTRACT: alpha(1)-Adrenoceptors are concentrated in the locus coeruleus (LC) where they appear to regulate various active behaviors but have been difficult to stimulate effectively. The present study examined the behavioral, pharmacological and neural effects of possible stimulation of these receptors with 6-fluoronorepinephrine (6FNE), the only known selective alpha-agonist that has full efficacy at all brain alpha-receptors. Infusion of this compound in the mouse LC was found to produce extreme activation of diverse motivated behaviors of exploration, wheel-running and operant approach responding in different environments consistent with a global behavioral function of the dorsal noradrenergic system. Infusion of selective antagonists of alpha(1)- (terazosin) or alpha(2)- (atipamezole) receptors

SUBMITTER: Stone EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2735576 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature