Norepinephrine and Dopamine Contribute to Distinct Repetitive Behaviors Induced by Predator Odor Stress Restricted; Files & ToC
Liu, Joyce (Spring 2023)
Published
Abstract
Exposure to stressful stimuli, such as novel environments or shock, elicits repetitive and
defensive behaviors in mice, many of which are mediated by the catecholamine
neurotransmitters norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA). Dbh -/- mice lack the enzyme
dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), which converts DA to NE. Thus, these mice lack NE and
have elevated levels of DA as compared to NE-competent controls. We investigated the
repetitive behavioral responses of Dbh -/- mice and their NE-competent littermates (Dbh +/-) to
predator odor exposure. We found that while Dbh +/- mice engage in vigorous defensive burying
in the presence of predator odor but not water, Dbh -/- show higher levels of grooming,
regardless of the environment, and very little defensive burying in the presence of predator odor.
Pharmacological blockade of NE neurotransmission through alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta
adrenoreceptors decreased defensive burying in Dbh +/- mice, while blockade of DA
neurotransmission through D1 receptors decreased grooming in Dbh -/- mice. Together, these
results suggest that NE transmission is required for predator odor stress-induced defensive
burying, while DA transmission through D1 receptors facilitates grooming. These results shed
light on the neurochemistry that contributes to innate responses to psychological stress and may
help identify neurotransmitters and circuits that underlie repetitive behaviors that are exacerbated
by stress, as seen in neuropsychiatric disorders like Tourette’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.
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