| First Author | Lähdesmäki J | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | Neuroscience | Volume | 113 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 289-99 |
| PubMed ID | 12127086 | Mgi Jnum | J:109288 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3628677 | Doi | 10.1016/s0306-4522(02)00185-9 |
| Citation | Lahdesmaki J, et al. (2002) Behavioral and neurochemical characterization of alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor knockout mice. Neuroscience 113(2):289-99 |
| abstractText | Genetic manipulation of mice now provides new tools to evaluate the biological functions of the alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(2)-AR) subtypes (alpha(2A), alpha(2B), and alpha(2C)). To investigate the role of the alpha(2A)-AR in the modulation of mouse primary behavioral characteristics and brain neurochemistry, mice with targeted inactivation of the gene for the alpha(2A)-AR were compared with wild-type C57BL/6 control animals. First, a comprehensive behavioral screen was employed to provide a detailed characterization of basic neurologic functions. Thereafter, the mice were analyzed in three models of anxiety, i.e. the elevated-plus maze test, the marble burying test and the open field test. The diurnal activity pattern of the mice was assessed in a 24-h locomotor activity test. Furthermore, receptor autoradiography of the brain was performed using the subtype-non-selective alpha(2)-AR antagonist radioligand [(3)H]RS-79948-197. Lack of the alpha(2A)-AR was associated with alterations in autonomic functions, including increased heart rate and piloerection. The mutant mice also exhibited impaired motor coordination skills, increased anxiety-like behavior and an abnormal diurnal activity pattern. In addition, neurochemical analysis of monoamine neurotransmitters revealed a considerable increase in brain norepinephrine turnover in mice lacking alpha(2A)-AR. Our results provide further support for the crucial role of the alpha(2A)-AR in modulating brain noradrenergic neurotransmission and many aspects of mouse behavior and physiology. |
