Inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase expression within the substantia nigra of mice infected with canine distemper virus.

Experimental infection of mouse brain with a neuroadapted strain of canine distemper virus (CDV) leads to early acute encephalitis, followed by late neurological diseases such as motor pathologies (paralysis and turning behavior) or obesity syndrome. We have previously shown that, during the early stage of infection, CDV replicates transiently in selective structures of the brain including the substantia nigra, a structure known to play a critical role in motor control. In this study we demonstrate that CDV replication in the substantia nigra induces an early decrease in transcript level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. The CDV infection of neuroblastoma cell culture, constitutively expressing TH, results in downregulation of TH transcription in the absence of cell death. In the few surviving mice with motor deficiencies, a pronounced decrease in TH expression is associated with a loss of dopaminergic cell bodies in the absence of any viral transcripts and proteins, suggesting that the initial CDV infection was sufficient to trigger irreversible neurodegenerative processes.

Specific potentialities of embryonic rat serotonergic neurons to innervate different periventricular targets in the adult brain.

During the development of the central nervous system, neurons are directed by both genetic and environmental factors to differentiate and form connections with their targets. We took advantage of the abundant homogeneous serotonergic innervations of the ependyma forming the supra- and subependymal plexuses to investigate possible commitment of embryonic neurons to innervate specific targets during axogenesis in the rat. The origin of the supraependymal innervation was determined by retrograde transport of cholera toxin (CT) from the ventricles. The supraependymal plexuses of the fourth ventricle mainly originated from neurons in the dorsocaudal region of the raphe dorsalis (DRN), while the rostral DRN and raphe centralis (CRN) contained perikarya projecting into the third ventricle. This suggested the existence, along the rostrocaudal axis of the raphe, of different neuronal subsets able to form distinct supraependymal plexuses in the third or fourth ventricle. To determine whether serotonergic neurons were committed to innervate specific areas of the ependyma, different embryonic metencephalic segments (rostral, median, or caudal) from 14-day-old rat embryos were independently grafted into the third or fourth ventricle of an adult brain in which the serotonergic neurons had been previously destroyed. The distinctive patterns of re-innervation specific to each of grafted segments indicate that subsets of embryonic serotonergic neurons are indeed committed to innervate certain restricted ependymal areas of the adult brain, presumably in response to different neurotropic and/or neurotrophic cues.

Selective induction of cytokines in mouse brain infected with canine distemper virus: structural, cellular and temporal expression.

We have previously shown that, in experimentally inoculated mice, canine distemper virus (CDV), a neurotropic virus, selectively infects certain brain structures (hypothalamus, hippocampus, monoaminergic nuclei, etc). Here we demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 transcripts are selectively expressed in these CDV-targeted structures, except in the dentate gyrus, where cytokines are induced without prior CDV replication. The time-course of TNF-alpha expression vs. viral replication in the hypothalamus was different from that in hippocampus. In addition, we show that a substantial number of neurons express TNF-alpha and IL-6. These findings provide new insights into the possible participation of cytokines in the neurological disorders triggered by CDV infection.

Indirect serotonergic agonists attenuate neuronal opiate withdrawal.

Withdrawal from opiates in dependent subjects produces strongly aversive psychological and autonomic responses which contribute to the chronic ingestion of opiates and the high incidence of relapse after withdrawal. A variety of evidence indicates that hyperactivity of noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons is an important brain substrate of opiate withdrawal. In particular, only a few agents have been found to be clinically useful in alleviating these symptoms and treating opiate dependence, all of which potently attenuate the activation of noradrenergic neurons in the LC evoked by opiate withdrawal. However, current pharmacotherapies, especially methadone and clonidine, have serious side effects, including hypotension, sedation and their own withdrawal reactions. Our goal was to find an alternative pharmacological treatment to reduce the magnitude of LC hyperactivity during opiate withdrawal. Previous studies indicated that brain serotonin (5-HT) systems may be involved in opiate withdrawal. Two results from our laboratory led us to study the effect of enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission on withdrawal-induced LC hyperactivity: (i) a substantial part of such LC hyperactivity is mediated by an excitatory amino acid input to the locus coeruleus, and (ii) 5-HT selectively attenuates excitation of LC neurons mediated by excitatory amino acids. Here, we report that agents which increase serotonergic neurotransmission attenuate the hyperactivity of LC neurons induced by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal from chronic morphine exposure in rats. The 5-HT releaser/uptake blocker, d-fenfluramine, as well as the 5-HT reuptake blockers fluoxetine or sertraline, significantly attenuated the withdrawal-induced hyperactivity of LC neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bladder distention activates noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons by an excitatory amino acid mechanism.

The present study was designed to determine the neurotransmitter(s) involved in activation of noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons by urinary bladder distention. The spontaneous discharge rate of single locus coeruleus neurons was recorded from halothane-anesthetized rats during the physiological challenge of bladder distention. Intrabladder saline infusion (0.5 ml) increased bladder pressure by 77 +/- 9.7 mmHg (n = 19) and this was associated with an increase in locus coeruleus discharge rate of 53 +/- 4.8% (n = 29). Simultaneous recordings of cortical electroencephalographic activity demonstrated that electroencephalographic activation, characterized by a decreased amplitude and tendency to shift from low frequency activity to higher frequency activity, was also associated with bladder distention. The role of corticotropin-releasing factor and excitatory amino acid inputs to the locus coeruleus in activation by bladder distention was tested in rats pretreated with a corticotropin-releasing factor antagonist, or excitatory amino acid antagonists. Intracerebroventricular administration of the corticotropin-releasing factor antagonist did not alter locus coeruleus activation by bladder distention. In contrast, both locus coeruleus activation and electroencephalographic activation associated with bladder distention were prevented by intracerebroventricular administration of kynurenic acid. The same dose of kynurenic acid also prevented locus coeruleus activation by repeated sciatic nerve stimulation, as previously reported. Local administration of kynurenic acid into the locus coeruleus greatly attenuated, but did not completely prevent the increase in locus coeruleus discharge elicited by bladder distention.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of nigral dopamine neurons by systemic and local apomorphine: possible contribution of dendritic autoreceptors.

Peripheral administration of low doses of dopamine agonist apomorphine induces a strong and short-latency inhibition of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, presumably via the activation of somatodendritic autoreceptors. We studied the site of action of apomorphine in anesthetized rats using volume-controlled pressure microejection combined with single unit recordings. Microapplication of apomorphine in the immediate vicinity of nigral dopamine neurons did not mimic the effect of intravenous administration of apomorphine (50 micrograms/kg), regardless of the concentration or volume used (10(-10)-10(-2) M, 10-100 nl). In contrast, the inhibition produced by systemic apomorphine was mimicked by drug application at a site 300 microns lateral and 600 microns ventral from the recording site in the zona reticulata of the substantia nigra, a region rich in dendrites of dopamine neurons. The inhibition induced by such a distant application of apomorphine could be reversed by systemic injection of D2, but not D1, receptor antagonists. Non-dopaminergic substances such as GABA, bicuculline or lidocaine were more effective when ejected close to rather than distant from the recording site, in a manner opposite to that of apomorphine. Similar to apomorphine, dopamine and D2 receptor agonists were more potent when intranigral applications were made at sites distant from, rather than close to, the recorded dopamine cells. Ejection of D2 antagonists in the substantia nigra zona reticulata attenuated the inhibitory effect of subsequent systemic apomorphine. Our results, together with other previous studies on the location of D2 receptors on dopamine neurons, suggest that peripheral administration of low doses of apomorphine inhibits nigral dopamine neurons by acting at D2 receptors located on the dendrites of these neurons.

Afferent projections to the rat locus coeruleus demonstrated by retrograde and anterograde tracing with cholera-toxin B subunit and Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin.

The aim of this study was to examine the afferents to the rat locus coeruleus by means of retrograde and anterograde tracing experiments using cholera-toxin B subunit and phaseolus leucoagglutinin. To obtain reliable injections of cholera-toxin B in the locus coeruleus, electrophysiological recordings were made through glass micropipettes containing the tracer and the noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus were identified by their characteristic discharge properties. After iontophoretic injections of cholera-toxin B into the nuclear core of the locus coeruleus, we observed a substantial number of retrogradely labeled cells in the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus and the dorsomedial rostral medulla (ventromedial prepositus hypoglossi and dorsal paragigantocellular nuclei) as previously described. We also saw a substantial number of retrogradely labeled neurons in (1) the preoptic area dorsal to the supraoptic nucleus, (2) areas of the posterior hypothalamus, (3) the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus, (4) mesencephalic reticular formation. Fewer labeled cells were also observed in other regions including the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, median raphe nucleus, dorsal part of the periaqueductal gray, the area of the noradrenergic A5 group, the lateral parabrachial nucleus and the caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus. No or only occasional cells were found in the cortex, the central nucleus of the amygdala, the lateral part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the vestibular nuclei, the nucleus of the solitary tract or the spinal cord, structures which were previously reported as inputs to the locus coeruleus. Control injections of cholera-toxin B were made in areas surrounding the locus coeruleus, including (1) Barrington's nucleus, (2) the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, (3) a previously undefined area immediately rostral to the locus coeruleus and medial to the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus that we named the peri-mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, and (4) the medial vestibular nucleus lateral to the caudal tip of the locus coeruleus. These injections yielded patterns of retrograde labeling that differed from one another and also from that obtained with cholera-toxin B injection sites in the locus coeruleus. These results indicate that the area surrounding the locus coeruleus is divided into individual nuclei with distinct afferents. These results were confirmed and extended with anterograde transport of cholera-toxin B or phaseolus leucoagglutinin. Injections of these tracers in the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, preoptic area dorsal to the supraoptic nucleus, the ventrolateral part of the periaqueductal gray, the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus yielded a substantial to large number of labeled fibers in the nuclear core of the locus coeruleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Functional changes in astrocytes by human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 T-lymphocytes.

The human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of a chronic progressive myelopathy (TSP/HAM) in which lesions of the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with infiltration of HTLV-1-infected T-cells. In a model that mimics the interaction between glial and T-cells, we show that transient contact with T-lymphocytes chronically infected with HTLV-1 induce profound metabolic alterations in astrocytes. Within the first week post-contact, an overall activation of astrocyte metabolism was observed as assessed by enhanced uptake of glutamate and glucose, and lactate release. In contrast, longer examination showed a reduced astrocytic accumulation of glutamate. The time course of the change in glutamate uptake was in fact biphasic. Previous observations indicated that HTLV-1 protein Tax-1 was involved in this delayed decrease, via the induction of TNF-alpha. The expression of the glial glutamate transporters, GLAST and GLT-1 decreased in parallel. These decreases in glutamate uptake and transporters' expression were associated with an imbalance in the expression of the catabolic enzymes of glutamate, GS and GDH, presumably due to Tax-1. Given the fact that impairment of glutamate management in astrocytes is able to compromise the functional integrity of neurons and oligodendrocytes, our results altogether give new insights into the physiopathology of TSP/HAM.

Astrocytic alterations induced by HTLV type 1-infected T lymphocytes: a role for Tax-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

In the neurological disease associated with HTLV-1 infected T lymphocytes infiltrated within the CNS are suspected of playing a prominent role in pathogenesis via inflammatory cytokines and the viral protein Tax-1. We hypothesized that T lymphocytes initiate functional perturbation in astrocytes, resulting in neuronal alteration as glial cells have a crucial role in CNS homeostasis. In particular, astrocytes manage the steady state level of glutamate and continuously provide metabolite precursors to neurons and oligodendrocytes. Using a model system of HTLV-1-infected T cells-astrocytes interaction, we show that after contact with T cells, astrocyte acquire a phenotype typical of gliosis: secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9, MMP-3). The concomitant increase in the expression of MMPs and of their endogenous inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-3) suggests a perturbation in MMP/TIMP balance. This may alter the extracellular matrix and, in turn, the cell environment. At a functional level, glutamate transport and catabolism are impaired in astrocytes. A decrease in glutamate uptake is associated with downregulated expression of glutamate transporters GLAST and GLT1. The expression of astrocytic enzyme of glutamate metabolism is modified with up-regulation of glutamine synthetase and down-regulation of glutamate dehydrogenase. The involvement of Tax-1 in these alterations, directly or indirectly via TNF-alpha, is shown. Altered glutamate uptake and catabolism associated with impairment in cell connectivity via MMP/TIMP imbalance could compromise the functional integrity of the CNS in general and that of neurons and oligodendrocytes in particular.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and neopterin in the cerebrospinal fluid: preferential presence in HTLV type I-infected neurologic patients versus healthy virus carriers.

The human retrovirus HTLV-I is responsible for the chronic progressive myelopathy, TSP/HAM, characterized by the presence of infiltrated T lymphocytes, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) within spinal cord lesions. MMPs have been associated with several neurological diseases, and we previously reported the specific presence of the extracellular matrix-degrading protease, MMP-9, in the cerebrospinal fluid of TSP/HAM patients. Nevertheless, previous studies have not yet shown whether the expression of MMP-9 is associated with HTLV-I infection per se, or with neurological symptoms following infection. In the present work, the presence of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-3) and of MMP-9 in the CSF of HTLV-I-infected individuals was compared in TSP/HAM patients versus HTLV-I carriers without neurological symptoms. TIMP-3, a regulator of MMP activity and cell survival, was detected with a significantly higher frequency in the TSP/HAM group and paralleled the increased levels of MMP-9 and neopterin, a sensitive indicator of cellular immune activation. These data may reflect the intense cell remodeling that occurs intrathecally in inflamed tissue. Changes in MMP, TIMP, and neopterin expression were not related to age at onset of disease, grade of motor disability, progressor status, or duration of disease, presumably indicating that TSP/HAM patients are continuously subjected to viral and immunological pressure. All these observations suggest that TIMPs and MMPs may contribute to the pathogenesis of TSP/HAM, and hence a new therapeutic strategy targeting the MMP/TIMP balance is needed. These observations also suggest that MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in CSF may be useful markers in the follow-up of the efficacy of therapeutic trials in TSP/HAM patients.

Down regulation of melanin concentrating hormone in virally induced obesity.

Obesity is a complex disease involving genetic components and environmental factors and probably associated with the dysregulation of central homeostasis normally maintained by the hypothalamic neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter network. We previously reported that canine distemper virus (CDV), which is closely related to human measles virus, can target hypothalamic nuclei, and lead to obesity syndrome in the late stages of infection. Here, using differential display PCR, we demonstrate specific down-regulation of melanin-concentrating hormone precursor mRNA (ppMCH) in infected-obese mice. Although ppMCH was down-regulated in all infected mice during the acute stage of infection, this was only seen during the late stage of infection in infected-obese mice. In addition, ppMCH mRNA and protein expression in the lateral hypothalamus was decreased in the absence of neuronal death. These results show the importance of ppMCH in the establishment and maintenance of obesity and the involvement of a virus as an environmental factor.

Afferent regulation of locus coeruleus neurons: anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.

Tract-tracing and electrophysiology studies have revealed that major inputs to the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) are found in two structures, the nucleus paragigantocellularis (PGi) and the perifascicular area of the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi (PrH), both located in the rostral medulla. Minor afferents to LC were found in the dorsal cap of the paraventricular hypothalamus and spinal lamina X. Recent studies have also revealed limited inputs from two areas nearby the LC, the caudal midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the ventromedial pericoerulear region. The pericoeruleus may provide a local circuit interface to LC neurons. Recent electron microscopic analyses have revealed that LC dendrites extend preferentially into the rostromedial and caudal juxtaependymal pericoerulear regions. These extracoerulear LC dendrites may receive afferents in addition to those projecting to LC proper. However, single-pulse stimulation of inputs to such dendritic regions reveals little or no effect on LC neurons. Double-labeling studies have revealed that a variety of neurotransmitters impinging on LC neurons originate in its two major afferents, PGi and PrH. The LC is innervated by PGi neurons that stain for markers of adrenalin, enkephalin or corticotropin-releasing factor. Within PrH, large proportions of LC-projecting neurons stained for GABA or met-enkephalin. Finally, in contrast to previous conclusions, the dorsal raphe does not provide the robust 5-HT innervation found in the LC. We conclude that 5-HT inputs may derive from local 5-HT neurons in the pericoerulear area. Neuropharmacology experiments revealed that the PGi provides a potent excitatory amino acid (EAA) input to the LC, acting primarily at non-NMDA receptors in the LC. Other studies indicated that this pathway mediates certain sensory responses of LC neurons. NMDA-mediated sensory responses were also revealed during local infusion of magnesium-free solutions. Finally, adrenergic inhibition of LC from PGi could also be detected in nearly every LC neuron tested when the EAA-mediated excitation is first eliminated. In contrast to PGi, the PrH potently and consistently inhibited LC neurons via a GABAergic projection acting at GABAA receptors within LC. Such PrH stimulation also potently attenuated LC sensory responses. Finally, afferents to PGi areas that also contain LC-projecting neurons were identified. Major inputs were primarily autonomic in nature, and included the caudal medullary reticular formation, the parabrachial and Kölliker-Fuse nuclei, the PAG, NTS and certain hypothalamic areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Molecular cloning of a new unc-33-like cDNA from rat brain and its relation to paraneoplastic neurological syndromes.

Anti-CV2-autoantibodies from patients with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes were used to purify protein(s) related to this disease. A novel cDNA, c-22, was obtained by PCR with primers based on amino-acid sequence of peptides obtained from this protein and rat brain cDNA as template. The deduced amino-acid sequence of c-22 shows homology to the Unc-33 gene from C. elegans in which mutations lead to defects in neuritic outgrowth and axonal guidance and cause uncoordinated movements of the nematode. Several consensus sites for putative protein kinase C phosphorylation were found, suggesting that the c-22 gene product may be a phosphoprotein. Northern hybridizations show that the apparently unique 3.8-kb mRNA of c-22 is present in rat brain tissue and its expression is developmentally regulated: the levels of C-22 mRNA, detectable in brain at embryonic day 17 (E17), increase up to post-natal day 7 (P7) and decline rapidly to an almost undetectable level in adult.

Subthalamic nucleus modulates burst firing of nigral dopamine neurones via NMDA receptors.

The role of the subthalamic nucleus in the burst firing of dopamine neurones of the substantia nigra was investigated using extracellular single unit recordings combined with pressure or iontophoretic micro-injections in anaesthetized rats. Inhibition of subthalamic neurones by pressure injection of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) regularized the burst firing pattern in eight out of 17 dopamine neurones. Bicuculline injection near subthalamic neurones increased their firing rate and increased burst discharge in a subpopulation of dopamine neurones tested (34 out of 102). The increase was depressed by iontophoresis of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist (+-)2-amino,5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5), but not of the non-NMDA antagonist, 6-cyano,7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). These data suggest that the subthalamic nucleus promotes burst discharge in a subpopulation of substantia nigra dopamine neurones via NMDA receptors.

Combining in vivo volume-controlled pressure microejection with extracellular unit recording.

We report a method for combining extracellular single-unit recording with pressure ejection, permitting microvolume quantification through the measurement of meniscus movement. Good optimization of both high quality recording and precise determination (in the nanoliter range) of the pressure-ejected volume can be obtained by using a recording electrode affixed to a calibrated, narrow inner diameter ejection pipette.

Local opiate withdrawal in locus coeruleus in vivo.

Hyperactivity of noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons following withdrawal from chronic opiates has been implicated in the opiate withdrawal syndrome. Here, we report that local withdrawal induced in vivo by microinfusion of an opiate antagonist into the LC of morphine-dependent rats marginally, but significantly, activated LC neurons above the level obtained with local naloxone microinfusion in naive rats. This local withdrawal response contributes a significant fraction (approximately 19%) of the total LC hyperactivity induced by systemic naloxone.

Brainstem afferents to the rostral (juxtafacial) nucleus paragigantocellularis: integration of exteroceptive and interoceptive sensory inputs in the ventral tegmentum.

The rostral pole of the nucleus paragigantocellularis (PGi), termed juxtafacial PGi, lies medially adjacent to the facial nucleus and lateral to the pyramidal tract and the nucleus gigantocellularis pars alpha in the caudal ventral pons. This narrow region of the ventral pontine reticular formation is an afferent to the nucleus locus coeruleus, and contains neurons which have been implicated in pain processing, cardiovascular regulation, respiratory control and arousal. Here, we studied brainstem afferents to the juxtafacial PGi using retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) or of a colloidal gold-protein complex. Anterograde transport of WGA-HRP, or of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L), was used to confirm and further detail innervation patterns in the juxtafacial PGi. Results revealed that the juxtafacial PGi receives inputs from a variety of nuclei involved in somatosensory, auditory and autonomic function. Retrograde labeling was prominent in the dorsal column nuclei, the inferior colliculus and the paralemniscal zone of the midbrain, as previously reported in other species. We also found afferents to the juxtafacial PGi that were not previously described, including the paramedian reticular formation and the paraolivary reticular formation. Afferents were also identified from the retrofacial PGi, the caudal medullary reticular formation and the dorsal periaqueductal gray, structures implicated in autonomic and pain regulation. These results indicate that inputs to this subregion of the PGi is distinct from that to the more caudal parts of the PGi, and support the view that the juxtafacial PGi may function in the integration and coordination of polymodal (somatic and visceral) sensory events.

Role of catecholamines in the modafinil and amphetamine induced wakefulness, a comparative pharmacological study in the cat.

Seventeen adult cats were chronically implanted with electrodes for polygraphic recordings in order to assess the role of catecholamines in the arousal effects of oral administrations of modafinil, a presumed noradrenergic agonist, and amphetamine, a well-known catecholamine-releasing agent. Whereas both modafinil (1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) and amphetamine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) caused a significant and dose-dependent increase in wakefulness and brain temperature, amphetamine, but not modafinil, elicited marked signs of behavioral excitation. Pretreatments with alpha-methyl-DL-p-tyrosine methyl ester (50 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis, almost completely prevented the effects of amphetamine (0.25 and 1 mg/kg), but only slightly reduced the duration of the waking effect of modafinil (2.5 and 5 mg/kg). Pretreatments with phentolamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), prazosin (1.5 mg/kg, per os) and propranolol (5 mg/kg, i.p.), an alpha-, alpha 1- and beta-receptor antagonist, respectively, attenuated significantly the arousal effect of modafinil (1 mg/kg, the same as below) but not of amphetamine (0.25 mg/kg, the same as below). Intraperitoneal injections of haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg), a dopamine-receptor antagonist, blocked significantly the arousal of amphetamine but not of modafinil. The effects of both modafinil and amphetamine were enhanced by a pretreatment with yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), an alpha 2-receptor antagonist. These results suggest that the arousal effect of modafinil does not depend on the availability of the endogenous catecholamines but results from an enhancement of alpha 1- and beta-receptor activity and that the waking and behavioral effects of amphetamine may be mainly due to an increase in dopamine release.

Inhibition of locus coeruleus neurons by the phencyclidine analog, N-[1-(2-benzo(b)thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine: evidence for potent indirect adrenoceptor agonist properties.

The effects of the phencyclidine derivative, N-[1-(2-benzo(b)thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine (BTCP), on the electrical activity of noradrenaline (NA) neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) were studied in halothane-anesthetized rats. Systemic administration of BTCP potently inhibited LC neurons (ID50 of 1.1 +/- 0.1 mg/kg i.v.). This effect was mimicked by local microejection of BTCP into the LC. Both the systemic and local effects of BTCP were blocked by alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists and prevented by prior depletion of catecholamines with reserpine. These and other data suggest that BTCP behaves as a potent indirect NA agonist (i.e. via NA re-uptake and/or release systems).

Effect of modafinil and amphetamine on the rat catecholaminergic neuron activity.

We have studied the effect of modafinil and amphetamine, two waking drugs, on the electrical activity of central dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons in the rat. Modafinil (128 mg/kg, i.p.) was unable to modify the firing pattern of these neurons, while amphetamine (2 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.) consistently inhibited their activity. A pretreatment with modafinil did not change thereafter the effect of amphetamine. Contrary to amphetamine, the waking effect of modafinil does not seem to be mediated by the catecholaminergic neuron activity per se.