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Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
Published on: October 11, 2018
Sleep deprivation differentially affects dopamine receptor subtypes in mouse striatum
Miranda M Lim1, Jinbin Xu, David M Holtzman
1Departments of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA. Miranda.Lim@uphs.upenn.edu
Neuroreport
|June 7, 2011
Summary
Sleep deprivation alters dopamine receptor density in the mouse brain. Specifically, it decreases dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) and increases dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) binding, suggesting remodeled dopaminergic circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
- Neuropharmacology
Background:
- The impact of sleep deprivation on dopaminergic systems is not well understood.
- Selective ligands for dopamine receptor subtypes are crucial for such investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in dopamine D1, D2, and D3 receptor density in the mouse brain following sleep deprivation.
- To determine if observed changes are specific to sleep deprivation or a general stress response.
Main Methods:
- Utilized receptor autoradiography with specific radioligands: [3H]SCH 23390 for D1R, [3H]raclopride for D2R, and a novel [3H]WC-10 for D3R.
- Compared receptor binding in sleep-deprived mice with control and restraint-stressed mice.
Main Results:
- Sleep deprivation led to a significant decrease in D1 receptor binding in the striatum.
- No significant change in D2 receptor binding was observed.
- A significant increase in D3 receptor binding was found in the striatum of sleep-deprived mice.
- This pattern of receptor changes was specific to sleep deprivation and not observed in restraint-stressed mice.
Conclusions:
- Sleep deprivation induces specific remodeling of dopamine receptor circuits in the brain.
- These findings highlight the significant impact of sleep loss on the dopaminergic system.

