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Dopamine receptor agonists alter gap prestimulus modulation
1Department of Psychology, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395, USA.
Psychopharmacology
|January 23, 1998
Summary
Dopamine D2 receptor agonists modulate the startle reflex inhibition in rats. Quinpirole enhanced this inhibition, particularly with longer silent prepulses, suggesting a role for D2 receptors in sensory gating.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Auditory Neuroscience
Background:
- Prestimulus inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) is a basic form of sensory gating.
- Dopamine pathways are implicated in attention and sensory processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the inhibition of the rat's acoustic startle reflex by brief silent periods (gaps).
- To examine the effects of a D1 agonist (SKF-38393) and a D2 agonist (quinpirole) on gap inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to continuous noise with brief silent gaps preceding a startle-eliciting stimulus.
- The effects of varying doses of quinpirole and SKF-38393 on gap inhibition were measured.
- The D2 antagonist haloperidol was used to assess the involvement of D2 receptors.
Main Results:
- Quinpirole exhibited a biphasic effect on gap inhibition, with lower doses increasing inhibition and higher doses showing dose-dependent effects based on gap duration.
- SKF-38393 had no significant effect on gap inhibition.
- Haloperidol reversed the enhancing effect of quinpirole on gap inhibition.
Conclusions:
- The dopamine D2 receptor group plays a significant role in modulating gap inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex.
- These findings suggest that D2 receptor agonists may influence attention-related sensory gating mechanisms.