- Home
- Knowledge Base
- References
Autonomic brainstem nuclei are linked to the hippocampus.
Castle M, Comoli E, Loewy AD (2005) Autonomic brainstem nuclei are linked to the hippocampus. Neuroscience 134(2):657-669. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.04.031
Summary: Stimulation of the vagal nerve has been reported to enhance memory, as well as be an effective treatment for epilepsy. The authors examined the underlying synaptic pathway. The right ventral CA1 hippocampal field of rats was lesioned with 42 ng of either anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03), or 192-Saporin (Cat. #IT-01). The results indicate that both noradrenergic and cholinergic neurons are relay sites for this pathway.
Related Products: 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01), Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
Molecular neurosurgery with targeted toxins
Wiley RG, Lappi DA (2005) Molecular neurosurgery with targeted toxins. Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey.
Summary: The idea behind the book was to provide a road map for the users of Molecular Neurosurgery to see how experienced scientists used these exceptional reagents in their work. Experiments with several targeted toxins are described, and readers can get an idea either specifically about a targeted toxin that they’re using, or about how a type of molecule is used and at what dosage, in a paradigm similar to theirs.
Related Products: 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01), ME20.4-SAP (Cat. #IT-15), Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03), SSP-SAP (Cat. #IT-11), Dermorphin-SAP / MOR-SAP (Cat. #IT-12), IB4-SAP (Cat. #IT-10), CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)
Featured Article: Noradrenergic inputs to the medial amygdala originate in the A1 and A2 cells groups and release norepinephrine after mating stimulation sufficient to induce pseudopregnancy
Northrop LE, Cameron N, Erskine M (2005) Featured Article: Noradrenergic inputs to the medial amygdala originate in the A1 and A2 cells groups and release norepinephrine after mating stimulation sufficient to induce pseudopregnancy. Targeting Trends 6(2)
Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
Impairments in working memory and decision-taking processes in monkeys in a model of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dudkin KN, Chueva V, Makarov FN, Bich TG, Roer AE (2005) Impairments in working memory and decision-taking processes in monkeys in a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurosci Behav Physiol 35(3):281-289. PMID: 15875490
Related Products: ME20.4-SAP (Cat. #IT-15), Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
An opposing time-dependent immune-modulating effect of the sympathetic nervous system conferred by altering the cytokine profile in the local lymph nodes and spleen of mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis.
Harle P, Mobius D, Carr DJ, Scholmerich J, Straub RH (2005) An opposing time-dependent immune-modulating effect of the sympathetic nervous system conferred by altering the cytokine profile in the local lymph nodes and spleen of mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 52:1305-1313. doi: 10.1002/art.20987
Summary: In this work the authors examined the role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in late stages of chronic arthritis. 5 µg intraperitoneal injections of anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03) in mice were used to confirm that previous 6OHDA injections caused a sympathectomy. The results demonstrate that the SNS supports inflammation during the asymptomatic phase of arthritis, but inhibits inflammation during the chronic symptomatic phase.
Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
Involvement of brainstem catecholaminergic inputs to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in estrogen receptor alpha expression in this nucleus during different stress conditions in female rats.
Estacio MA, Tsukamura H, Reyes BA, Uenoyama Y, I’anson H, Maeda K (2004) Involvement of brainstem catecholaminergic inputs to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in estrogen receptor alpha expression in this nucleus during different stress conditions in female rats. Endocrinology 145(11):4917-4926. doi: 10.1210/en.2004-0469
Summary: Norepinephrine release in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is increased during periods of metabolic stress. The authors hypothesized that noradrenergic inputs to the PVN may also mediate estrogen receptor a (ERa) expression in the PVN during metabolic stress. 20 ng of Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03) was injected bilaterally into the PVN of rats, and ERa expression was examined in several stress models. Results indicate that during metabolic stress catecholaminergic inputs to the PVN play a major role in mediating the induction of ERa expression.
Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
Immunotoxic destruction of hindbrain catecholamine neurons impairs the vasopressin response to hypovolemia
Ritter S, Flynn FW, Dinh TT (2004) Immunotoxic destruction of hindbrain catecholamine neurons impairs the vasopressin response to hypovolemia. Neuroscience 2004 Abstracts 660.4. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Summary: In order to better understand the involvement of hindbrain catecholamine neurons in hypovolemia-induced vasopressin secretion, we lesioned these neurons selectively using anti-dopamine beta-hydroxylase (dbh) conjugated to the ribosomal toxin, saporin (DSAP). When injected into catecholamine terminal sites, this neurotoxin is selectively internalized by and retrogradely transported in dbh-containing neurons, destroying cell bodies that innervate the injection site. We microinjected DSAP or unconjugated saporin (SAP) control bilaterally into the medial hypothalamus of female rats to destroy catecholamine neurons innervating the magnocellular areas of the paraventricular nucleus (PVH). The lesion was verified at the conclusion of the experiment by analysis of dbh-immunoreactive terminals in the PVH and cell bodies in hindbrain catecholamine cell groups. Two weeks after DSAP injection, hypovolemia was induced by remote withdrawal of blood (1 ml/min for 4.5 min) using a chronically implanted intra-atrial catheter. Blood was sampled between 0-2 and 2-4.5 min and at 20 and 50 min after the start of blood withdrawal. Plasma vasopressin was extracted and analyzed using ELISA. The DSAP lesion severely impaired the vasopressin response. Responses at 20 min were 35 pg/ml in the SAP control and 21 pg/ml in the DSAP rats. Responses at 50 min were 45 pg/ml in the SAP and 23 pg/ml in the DSAP lesioned rats. Results indicate that hindbrain catecholamine neurons play a crucial role in full expression of the vasopressin response to hypovolemia.
Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
Noradrenergic inputs to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) contribute to yohimbine-induced activation of BNST neurons and hypothalamic CRH neurons in rats
Banihashemi L, Rinaman L (2004) Noradrenergic inputs to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) contribute to yohimbine-induced activation of BNST neurons and hypothalamic CRH neurons in rats. Neuroscience 2004 Abstracts 426.10. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Summary: Noradrenergic (NA) inputs to the BNST and hypothalamus are implicated in behavioral and endocrine responses to stress and anxiety. Yohimbine (YO) increases transmitter release from NA terminals, which promotes anxiety and activates CRH neurons at the central apex of the HPA axis. We hypothesized that these effects require NA signaling within the BNST. To test this, saporin toxin conjugated to an antibody against dopamine beta hydroxylase (DSAP; 50-100 nl) was microinjected bilaterally into the BNST to eliminate its NA inputs in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. After 2 weeks, DSAP-treated rats and intact control rats were injected with YO (0 or 5 mg/kg, i.p) and perfused with fixative 90 min later. Brain sections were processed to reveal DSAP lesion extent and YO-induced cFos activation. DSAP rats displayed nearly complete loss of NA terminals in the BNST, accompanied by moderate loss of hypothalamic NA terminals. Significantly fewer BNST neurons and hypothalamic CRH neurons were activated in DSAP rats after YO compared to activation in intact control rats, whereas parabrachial and central amygdala activation in DSAP rats was not diminished. We conclude that medullary NA neurons projecting to the lateral BNST collateralize to innervate the paraventricular hypothalamus, and that these NA projection neurons are necessary for YO to activate BNST and hypothalamic CRH neurons. Studies are ongoing to determine whether BNST-projecting NA neurons are necessary for YO to inhibit food intake or support conditioned flavor avoidance.
Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
Brainstem catecholaminergic neurons participate in central chemoreception in NREM sleep and wakefulness
Nattie EE, Li A (2004) Brainstem catecholaminergic neurons participate in central chemoreception in NREM sleep and wakefulness. Neuroscience 2004 Abstracts 145.9. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Summary: In the locus ceruleus (LC), noradrenergic neurons are CO2 sensitive in vitro and focal acidification stimulates breathing in vivo. Do catecholaminergic (CA) neurons in general have a like role? To kill brainstem CA neurons we administered a conjugate of the cell toxin saporin with an antibody to dopamine-β-hydroxylase via the fourth ventricle in rats (N=7) using IgG-saporin conjugate injections as a control (N=6). We studied breathing in air, 3 and 7% CO2 during NREM sleep and wakefulness before and 7, 14, and 21 days after the injections. TH-ir noradrenergic neurons were significantly reduced in LC (-84%) and the A5 region (-78%) but not the A9 region. PNMT-ir adrenergic neurons were significantly reduced in C3 (-56%) and C1 (-60%) regions. Neither treatment affected room air breathing. In 3 and 7% CO2, IgG-SAP injections had no effect. In the lesion group, during 3% CO2 frequency (f) was significantly decreased (two-way ANOVA) and Δ ventilation (VE) (VE in 5% CO2 – VE in air) was significantly decreased in sleep. During 7% CO2, both absolute and Δ VE and f were significantly decreased in sleep and wakefulness, Δ VE by 25% in wakefulness and 28% in sleep at 21 days. Brainstem CA neurons participate in central chemoreception in vivo during both NREM sleep and wakefulness.
Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)
Role of noradrenergic mechanisms in sustained attention, impulse control, and effects of methylphenidate in rats: Possible relevance to ADHD
Milstein JA, Lehmann O, Theobald DEH, Dalley JW, Robbins TW (2004) Role of noradrenergic mechanisms in sustained attention, impulse control, and effects of methylphenidate in rats: Possible relevance to ADHD. Neuroscience 2004 Abstracts 123.6. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Summary: There has been renewed interest in noradrenergic (NA) modulation of sustained attention and impulse control both clinically, with the approval of the SNRI atomoxetine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as preclinically, in the mediation of the psychomotor effects of stimulants, where blockade of α1 adrenoreceptors counteracts the locomotor stimulant effects of d-amphetamine. The current study examines the role of NA in the modulation of sustained attention and impulse control using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRT) in rats. Experiment 1 examined the systemic antagonism of methylphenidate (MP)-induced impulsivity with either prazosin, an α1 adrenoreceptor antagonist, which antagonises the locomotor activating effects of amphetamine, or propranolol, a general β-adrenoreceptor blocker. Prazosin partially attenuated the MP-mediated increase in premature responding, but also caused generalised motor slowing, increasing both correct latency as well as latency to collect food reward. Propranolol completely abolished MP-induced impulsivity. This effect was centrally rather than peripherally mediated, as nadolol, a peripheral β-blocker failed to affect MP-induced premature responding. Other experiments examined the comparative effects of selective dopaminergic or serotonergic receptor blockade. A second experiment investigated the effects of selective anti-DBH saporin-induced prefrontal NA depletion. Animals with prefrontal depletions were unimpaired on the baseline version of the 5CSRT. However, they appeared to be slightly impaired under high event rate conditions. Effects of selective prefrontal NA depletion on MP-induced behavioural changes will also be examined. Taken together, these studies provide evidence for a role of noradrenaline in impulse control and the effects of MP.
Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)