| First Author | Knauber J | Year | 2000 |
| Journal | Eur Neuropsychopharmacol | Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 423-7 |
| PubMed ID | 11115730 | Mgi Jnum | J:102553 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3607752 | Doi | 10.1016/s0924-977x(00)00100-0 |
| Citation | Knauber J, et al. (2000) Decreased exploratory activity and impaired passive avoidance behaviour in mice deficient for the alpha(1b)-adrenoceptor. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 10(6):423-7 |
| abstractText | There is growing evidence that a dysfunction of central noradrenergic neurotransmission is involved in age-related impairments of cognitive performance and the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A reduction of density of central alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors (alpha(1)-AR) has been shown in aging and AD brains. Three alpha(1)-AR subtypes (alpha(1a), alpha(1b) and alpha(1d)) have been identified by molecular cloning. However, very little is known about the functional role of distinct alpha(1)-AR subtypes in the brain. This problem was specifically addressed using a model of knockout mouse deficient in alpha(1b)-AR (alpha(1B)-/-) because these animals show a 40% reduction of alpha(1)-AR density in the brain as already reported. In comparison to the wild-type mice (alpha(1B)+/+), alpha(1B)-/- mice showed significantly reduced square entries and a reduced rearing behaviour was observed over all sessions in the open field. In passive avoidance procedures, alpha(1B)-/- mice showed a tendency towards decreased short-term-latency and a significant decline in long-term-latency. The present results indicate that mutation of a single member of the alpha(1)-AR gene family creates a distinct phenotype and provide evidence that alpha(1B)-AR is possibly involved in modulation of memory consolidation and fear-motivated exploratory activity. Furthermore, this model of knockout mice may be useful in elucidating the role of alpha(1B)-AR in dementias involving deficits of the noradrenergic system. |
