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Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse

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Role of dopamine receptors in the regulation of aggression in mice; relationship to genotype.

E M Nikulina¹, N S Kapralova

¹Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk.

Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology

|September 1, 1992

Summary

Dopamine D2-receptors significantly influence aggression in mice. Selective stimulation or blockade of D2-receptors altered aggression levels, highlighting their key role in this behavior.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Genetics
Pharmacology

Background:

Aggression exhibits significant interline variability in inbred mouse strains.
Understanding the neurochemical underpinnings of aggression is crucial for modeling affective behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of dopamine (DA) receptors in genetically determined aggression.
To differentiate the effects of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor modulation on stimulation-evoked aggression.

Main Methods:

Studied aggression in eight inbred mouse lines using a stimulation-evoked aggression test.
Administered dopamine receptor agonists (apomorphine, bromocriptine, SKF 38393) and antagonists (sulpiride, SCH 23390).
Assessed behavioral responses and correlated them with genotype and receptor activity.

Main Results:

Identified distinct low-aggression and high-aggression mouse lines based on genotype.
Apomorphine (mixed DA agonist) activated aggression in low-aggression mice.
Bromocriptine (selective D2 agonist) increased aggression in low-aggression mice; sulpiride (selective D2 antagonist) reduced aggression in high-aggression mice.
Selective D1 receptor agents (SKF 38393, SCH 23390) had no significant effect.

Conclusions:

Dopamine D2-receptors play a critical role in controlling stimulation-evoked aggression.
Genetic factors significantly influence aggression, with D2 receptor function mediating these differences.
D2 receptor modulation offers a potential target for understanding and potentially treating affective aggression.