Related Experiment Videos
Effects of anisomycin and CNS stimulants on brain catecholamine synthesis
Abstract:
Mice were injected with anisomycin, an inhibitor of cerebral protein synthesis; d-amphetamine, strychnine, or caffeine was administered 30 min later. Fifteen min before sacrifice at 1 or 2 hr after injection of anisomycin, 3H-tyrosine was injected intravenously, and catecholamine synthesis rates were estimated by measurement of the specific activity of 3H-tyrosine and the accumulation of 3H-norepinephrine and 3H-dopamine. Anisomycin decreased synthesis rates of catecholamines, but this effect was not significantly affected by any of the CNS stimulants. These results suggest that the recently reported reversal of anisomycin-induced amnesia by these stimulants is not due to an attenuation of brain catecholamine synthesis inhibition.
Insights
Central nervous system stimulants did not alter the anisomycin-induced decrease in catecholamine synthesis. This suggests stimulant reversal of anisomycin-induced amnesia is not linked to catecholamine synthesis inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anisomycin inhibits cerebral protein synthesis and induces amnesia.
- Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants like d-amphetamine, strychnine, and caffeine can reverse anisomycin-induced amnesia.
- The mechanism underlying this reversal is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether CNS stimulants affect catecholamine synthesis rates in mice treated with anisomycin.
- To determine if the reversal of anisomycin-induced amnesia by CNS stimulants is mediated by alterations in brain catecholamine synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Mice received anisomycin, followed by d-amphetamine, strychnine, or caffeine.
- Catecholamine synthesis rates were measured using 3H-tyrosine incorporation into norepinephrine and dopamine.
- Measurements were taken at 1 and 2 hours post-anisomycin injection.
Main Results:
- Anisomycin significantly decreased catecholamine synthesis rates.
- The administration of d-amphetamine, strychnine, or caffeine did not significantly alter the anisomycin-induced reduction in catecholamine synthesis.
- No significant difference in catecholamine synthesis was observed between anisomycin-treated mice with or without stimulant administration.
Conclusions:
- The reversal of anisomycin-induced amnesia by CNS stimulants is unlikely to be due to an attenuation of catecholamine synthesis inhibition.
- These findings suggest alternative mechanisms, independent of catecholamine synthesis, are responsible for the amnesia reversal.