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Nicotine administration impairs sensory gating in Long-Evans rats
M M Faraday1, M A Rahman, P M Scheufele
1Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|October 13, 1998
Summary
Nicotine impairs sensory gating in Long-Evans rats, unlike Sprague-Dawley rats. Sex and housing conditions significantly influence these nicotine effects on prepulse inhibition (PPI) and acoustic startle reflex (ASR).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
Background:
- Nicotine's impact on sensory gating, measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR), is inconsistent across rat strains.
- Previous studies show varied results in Sprague-Dawley versus Long-Evans rats, with methodological differences complicating interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of rat strain (Long-Evans) in nicotine's effects on ASR and PPI.
- To examine the influence of housing conditions (grouped vs. individual) on these nicotine-induced behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- 192 male and female Long-Evans rats received 12 mg/kg/day nicotine via osmotic minipump for 14 days.
- Standardized methodologies identical to those used in Sprague-Dawley studies were employed.
- Acoustic startle reflex (ASR) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) were measured.
Main Results:
- Nicotine administration impaired both ASR and PPI in Long-Evans rats.
- These impairments were observed in female rats irrespective of housing.
- Nicotine's effects on ASR and PPI interacted with housing conditions in male rats.
Conclusions:
- Rat strain is a critical factor influencing nicotine's effects on sensory gating.
- Sex and housing conditions are significant variables modulating nicotine's impact on ASR and PPI.
- The observed differences suggest a genuine strain-specific response to nicotine between Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats.