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Bilateral imbalance in striatal DA-uptake controls rotation behavior
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Brain Research
|May 23, 1994
Summary
Striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) imbalance correlates with asymmetric rotation behavior in rats. Lower dopamine uptake in the striatum contralateral to the rotation direction suggests DAT dysfunction contributes to this asymmetry.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Asymmetric rotation behavior in rodents is often linked to neurochemical imbalances.
- The dopamine transporter (DAT) plays a crucial role in regulating dopamine levels in the striatum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between bilateral striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) function and asymmetric rotation behavior.
- To determine if DAT density or function is altered in the striatum contralateral to the preferred rotation direction.
Main Methods:
- Rats were screened for spontaneous or amphetamine-induced rotation.
- In vitro characterization of presynaptic DAT in the ipsilateral and contralateral striatum using [3H]DA uptake and [3H]GBR-12935 binding assays.
Main Results:
- Dopamine uptake was significantly lower in the striatum contralateral to the preferred direction of rotation, both spontaneous and amphetamine-induced.
- Binding experiments confirmed a similar imbalance in DAT density between the two striata.
Conclusions:
- Striatal DAT imbalance, specifically reduced dopamine uptake, is associated with asymmetric rotation behavior during spontaneous rotation.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of DAT imbalance in amphetamine-induced behavioral asymmetry.