Noradrenergic modulation of sensorimotor processes in intact rats: the masseteric reflex as a model system

The masseteric jaw closure reflex was utilized as a model system with which to gauge the functional activity of central noradrenergic neurons. This system was chosen because it is a simple monosynaptic reflex the neuronal substrate of which receives a dense noradrenergic input. The modulatory effects of norepinephrine (NE) on this response in the intact, chloral hydrate-anesthetized rat were studied with a variety of pharmacological strategies. Initially, a reflex facilitation was obtained with the catecholamine precursor L-DOPA. Manipulations with greater specificity of action on the noradrenergic system were then employed. First, we used the presynaptic alpha-2 noradrenergic agonist clonidine, which acts to decrease noradrenergic transmission. Clonidine attenuated the amplitude of the reflex, and this suppression was blocked by pretreatment with the alpha-2 antagonist yohimbine. The effects of yohimbine itself were then examined, and a biphasic effect was obtained. At low doses, at which it preferentially acts as an antagonist at presynaptic alpha-2 receptors and increases noradrenergic transmission, yohimbine enhanced the reflex. At higher doses, at which it also displays postsynaptic alpha-1 antagonist activity, yohimbine depressed the reflex. This reflex modulation by yohimbine was blocked by pretreatment with the alpha-1 antagonist prazosin. The anatomical site of the observed effect was then localized to the direct noradrenergic innervation of the reflex circuitry by locally destroying, with 6-hydroxydopamine, the noradrenergic terminals in the trigeminal motor nucleus mediating the response. This significantly attenuated the reflex modulation by yohimbine, without affecting elicitation of the reflex itself.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)