The effects of behavioural sensitization to ethanol on dopamine D3 receptors in the mouse brain
Subtitle: a preliminary investigation.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 85
Description: Dopamine D3 receptors have been implicated in behavioural sensitization, but have never been directly measured in ethanol (EtOH)-induced sensitization. Since not all mice show EtOH sensitization, it was hypothesized that these differences may reflect changes in D3 receptors.Mice were administered EtOH or saline for 14 days and divided into High and Low sensitization groups. D3 mRNA expression measured with in situ hybridization did not differ among groups in any of the forebrain regions examined. D3 receptor binding measured with [3H]-7-OH-DPAT autoradiography was higher in sensitized animals.In a second study, EtOH sensitized and control mice were challenged with the D3 agonist PD128907. PD128907 had no effect on saline-treated animals, but appeared to attenuate locomotor activity in sensitized animals. Results of both experiments suggest that EtOH sensitization may be accompanied by enhanced sensitivity to D3 agonists, which may be the result of increases in D3 receptor binding.
Notes: Adviser:  Jose N. Nobrega.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, page: 2353.

MICR copy on microfiche (1 microfiche).