TY - JOUR

T1 - Noradrenergic Modulation of Learned and Innate Behaviors in Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats by Guanfacine

AU - Volnova, Anna

AU - Kurzina, Natalia

AU - Belskaya, Anastasia

AU - Gromova, Arina

AU - Pelevin, Arseniy

AU - Ptukha, Maria

AU - Fesenko, Zoia

AU - Ignashchenkova, Alla

AU - Gainetdinov, Raul R.

PY - 2023/1/15

Y1 - 2023/1/15

N2 - Investigation of the precise mechanisms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other dopamine-associated conditions is crucial for the development of new treatment approaches. In this study, we assessed the effects of repeated and acute administration of α2A-adrenoceptor agonist guanfacine on innate and learned forms of behavior of dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats to evaluate the possible noradrenergic modulation of behavioral deficits. DAT-KO and wild type rats were trained in the Hebb–Williams maze to perform spatial working memory tasks. Innate behavior was evaluated via pre pulse inhibition (PPI). Brain activity of the prefrontal cortex and the striatum was assessed. Repeated administration of GF improved the spatial working memory task fulfillment and PPI in DAT-KO rats, and led to specific changes in the power spectra and coherence of brain activity. Our data indicate that both repeated and acute treatment with a non-stimulant noradrenergic drug lead to improvements in the behavior of DAT-KO rats. This study further supports the role of the intricate balance of norepinephrine and dopamine in the regulation of attention. The observed compensatory effect of guanfacine on the behavior of hyperdopaminergic rats may be used in the development of combined treatments to support the dopamine–norepinephrine balance.

AB - Investigation of the precise mechanisms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other dopamine-associated conditions is crucial for the development of new treatment approaches. In this study, we assessed the effects of repeated and acute administration of α2A-adrenoceptor agonist guanfacine on innate and learned forms of behavior of dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats to evaluate the possible noradrenergic modulation of behavioral deficits. DAT-KO and wild type rats were trained in the Hebb–Williams maze to perform spatial working memory tasks. Innate behavior was evaluated via pre pulse inhibition (PPI). Brain activity of the prefrontal cortex and the striatum was assessed. Repeated administration of GF improved the spatial working memory task fulfillment and PPI in DAT-KO rats, and led to specific changes in the power spectra and coherence of brain activity. Our data indicate that both repeated and acute treatment with a non-stimulant noradrenergic drug lead to improvements in the behavior of DAT-KO rats. This study further supports the role of the intricate balance of norepinephrine and dopamine in the regulation of attention. The observed compensatory effect of guanfacine on the behavior of hyperdopaminergic rats may be used in the development of combined treatments to support the dopamine–norepinephrine balance.

KW - dopamine (DA)

KW - norepinephrine (NE)

KW - dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats

KW - ADHD model

KW - Guanfacine (GF)

KW - spatial working memory

KW - attention

KW - guanfacine (GF)

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/fdb4fd6b-0954-3698-a930-712186d3f04a/

U2 - 10.3390/biomedicines11010222

DO - 10.3390/biomedicines11010222

M3 - Article

C2 - 36672730

VL - 11

JO - Biomedicines

JF - Biomedicines

SN - 2227-9059

IS - 1

M1 - 222

ER -