6-Hydroxydopamine lesion in thalamic reticular nucleus reduces anxiety behaviour in the rat

We have studied the effect of the lesion of the dopaminergic innervation of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRn) on anxiety and motor behaviour. The lesion of the dopamine innervation was produced by the injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the dorsal part of the thalamic reticular nucleus. The lesion decreased the number of TH (+) cells of the pars compacta of substantia nigra by 33%, without modifying the number of TH (+) cells in ventral tegmental area. The lesion increased the time spent by the rats on the open arms of the elevated plus maze and decreased the duration of burying in the shock-probe test. Both results suggest reduced anxiety. The loss of the dopamine innervation to the TRn decreased the number of rearings but did not significantly affect total motor activity, gait or motor coordination, as evidenced by rotarod performance. These findings suggest that dopamine in the TRn plays a role in fear-related behaviour.