Episodic neonatal hypoxia evokes executive dysfunction and regionally specific alterations in markers of dopamine signaling

Perinatal ischemic-anoxic and prolonged anoxic insults lead to impaired dopaminergic signaling and are hypothesized to contribute, at least in part, to the pathogenesis of disorders of minimal brain dysfunction such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. We hypothesized that subtle intermittent hypoxic insults, occurring during a period of critical brain development, are also pathogenic to dopaminergic signaling, thereby contributing to behavioral and executive dysfunction. Between postnatal days 7 and 11, rat pups were exposed to either 20-s bursts of isocapnic hypoxic gas, compressed air, or were left undisturbed with the dam. On postnatal days 23 pups were instrumented with electroencephalographic/electromyographic electrodes and sleep-wake architecture was characterized. Locomotor activity was assessed between postnatal days 35 and 38, learning, and working memory evaluated between postnatal days 53 and 64. Rats were killed on postnatal day 80 and tyrosine hydroxylase, vesicular monoamine transporter, dopamine transporter, and dopamine D1 receptors were quantified in the prefrontal cortex, primary sensorimotor cortex, and precommissural striatum by Western blot analyses. Post-hypoxic pups spent less time awake and more time in rapid-eye-movement sleep during the lights-on phase of the circadian cycle, were hyperlocomotive, and expressed impaired working memory. Striatal expression of vesicular monoamine transporter and D1 receptor proteins were increased in post-hypoxic rats, consistent with depressed dopaminergic signaling. These observations lead to the intriguing hypothesis that intermittent hypoxia occurring during a period of critical brain development evokes behavioral and neurochemical alterations that are long lasting, and consistent with disorders of minimal brain dysfunction.

Detection of behavioral impairments correlated to neurochemical deficits in mice treated with moderate doses of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

Overt behavioral symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) do not occur until over 80% of the striatal dopamine content has been lost. Diagnosis of the disorder relies on identifying clinical symptoms including akinesia, resting tremor, and rigidity. In retrospect, behavioral deficits are observed several years prior to diagnosis. Behavioral manifestations in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD, such as changes in general locomotor activity and rotorod performance, require large doses of MPTP and are often transient. We hypothesized that, as in PD, subtle behavioral changes also occur in the MPTP model. In this paper, we demonstrate that mice treated with moderate doses of the dopaminergic toxin MPTP display deficits in behavioral parameters that are significantly correlated with the loss of striatal dopamine. In addition, these behavioral measures are correlated to dopamine transporter, vesicular monoamine transporter, and tyrosine hydroxylase expression and are improved following L-DOPA administration. Detection of dopamine-modulated behavioral changes in moderately depleted MPTP mice will allow for more efficacious use of this model in PD research.

Decreased ethanol preference and consumption in dopamine transporter female knock-out mice

BACKGROUND

It is commonly believed that the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system participates in the etiology of alcoholism. One of the most important regulators of DA synaptic transmission is the DA transporter (DAT). We examined the effects of the genetic reduction or deletion of DAT on voluntary ethanol consumption and ethanol-induced sedation.

METHODS

Ethanol preference and consumption were assessed in the two-bottle choice paradigm, and the depressant effects of ethanol were evaluated by measuring sleep time after acute injection of ethanol.

RESULTS

The latent period to lose the righting reflex was shorter in both knock-out mice (DAT-KO) and heterozygote mice (HET) than in wild-type (WT) mice. No significant difference was found among the three genotypes in the ethanol blood concentration at the onset of regaining the righting reflex. Females of all genotypes consumed more fluid than males of the same genotype. HET and DAT-KO females had increased total fluid consumption compared with WT females. DAT-KO males had increased fluid consumption compared with WT and HET males. Ethanol preference and consumption were not different among male mice of different genotypes. WT and HET females demonstrated significantly higher ethanol consumption than males. HET female mice did not differ from WT mice in ethanol preference. There was no difference between HET and WT mice in the preference for saccharin or quinine solutions. DAT-KO females avoided ethanol, and their consumption and preference were lower than in WT and HET females, despite markedly increased total intake. DAT-KO mice also demonstrated altered taste preference for saccharin and quinine.

CONCLUSIONS

Partial deletion of DAT results in increased fluid consumption in female mice but does not change ethanol preference in either sex. Complete deletion of DAT reduces ethanol preference in female mice; this may be due to a combination of the pharmacological actions of DAT deletion and alterations in fluid consumption and taste discrimination.