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Screening of central functions of amino acids and their metabolites for sedative and hypnotic effects using chick
1Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan.
Insights
Chicks are a practical model for screening drugs that induce sedation and hypnosis. This research shows that certain amino acids and their metabolites effectively screen central nervous system functions in chicks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Animal Models
Background:
- The chick separation stress paradigm is a validated method for anxiolytic screening.
- Chick behaviors like motionless standing or drooping are linked to electrophysiological sleep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of the chick model for screening sedative and hypnotic effects of amino acids and their metabolites.
- To explore the central nervous system functions of various amino acid types.
Main Methods:
- Administering DNA-encoded L-α-amino acids, DNA-non-encoded amino acids, and their metabolites centrally in chicks.
- Observing behavioral and electrophysiological responses indicative of sedation and hypnosis.
Main Results:
- Certain amino acids, including L-α-amino acids, D-amino acids, β-amino acids, and their metabolites, demonstrated sedative and/or hypnotic effects in chicks.
- Observed chick behaviors correlated with electrophysiological sleep states.
Conclusions:
- The chick model is a convenient and effective tool for screening the hypnotic and sedative properties of amino acids and their metabolites.
- Findings in chicks regarding amino acid effects on sedation and hypnosis have been corroborated in human studies.
Abstract:
The chick has a practical advantage in the screening process in that chicks require only small quantities of drugs. The chick separation stress paradigm has traditionally been recognized as a valid form of anxiolytic screening. Further, chick behavior involving standing motionless with eyes closed or sitting motionless with head drooped is nearly always associated with electrophysiological sleep. When centrally administered, some DNA-encoded L-α-amino acids, as well as some DNA-non-encoded amino acids, such as metabolites of L-α-amino acids, D-amino acid and β-amino acid, have shown sedative and/or hypnotic effects in chicks. The effects of some of these amino acids have subsequently been confirmed in humans. In conclusion, the chick model is convenient and useful for screening central functions of amino acids and their metabolites for hypnosis and sedation.
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