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Role of nitric oxide on motor behavior
E A Del Bel1, F S Guimarães, M Bermúdez-Echeverry
1Department MEF Physiology, School of Odontology, Medical School, Campus USP, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. eadelbel@usp.br
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
|July 29, 2005
Summary
Nitric oxide (NO) influences motor control by modulating neurotransmission. Inhibiting nitric oxide synthase (NOS) can cause catalepsy, suggesting NO
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in various physiological processes, including motor control.
- Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the enzyme responsible for NO production.
- Previous studies suggest NO influences anxiety-like behaviors and exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in motor control.
- To examine the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors on motor behavior.
- To explore the interaction of NO with dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic systems in motor regulation.
Main Methods:
- Administration of various NOS inhibitors (e.g., L-NOARG, L-NAME) in rodents (mice and rats).
- Behavioral testing including elevated plus maze, open field arena, and catalepsy assessment.
- Pharmacological manipulations involving dopamine D2 antagonists, serotonin receptor antagonists, and antimuscarinic drugs.
- Histological analysis of NADPH-d positive neurons in brain regions associated with motor control.
Main Results:
- NOS inhibitors induced catalepsy in mice and rats, suggesting motor impairment.
- Acute L-NOARG administration showed additive cataleptic effects with haloperidol and potentiation by certain receptor antagonists.
- Antimuscarinic drugs blocked L-NOARG-induced catalepsy.
- Subchronic NOS inhibition led to tolerance to cataleptic effects and cross-tolerance to haloperidol.
- Changes in NADPH-d neuronal density were observed in motor-related brain areas following subchronic NOS inhibition.
- NO appears to play a protective role in experimental Parkinson's disease models.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide (NO) modulates motor behavior, likely through interactions with striatal dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic neurotransmission.
- Subchronic inhibition of NO synthesis induces neuroplastic changes and may reduce motor side effects of antipsychotic medications.
- The NO system interacts with neurodegenerative processes in the nigrostriatal pathway, indicating a potential neuroprotective role for NO.
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