Involvement of the dopaminergic receptors of the rat basolateral amygdala in anxiolytic-like effects of the cholinergic system
Abstract
Cholinergic system stimulation in some parts of the brain may affect anxiety-related behaviors. This system has many interactions with dopaminergic neurotransmission in the brain. We have studied the effect of cholinergic system activation in the basolateral amygdala on anxiety-related behaviors in adult male wistar rats using the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. Furthermore, the possible involvement of dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors of basolateral amygdala in physostigmine induced effects has been evaluated. The elevated plus-maze task was used to assess anxiety parameters and all drugs were delivered into basolateral amygdala via bilaterally implanted chronic cannulas. Physostigmine (20 μg/rat) increased the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) and open arm entries (%OAE), revealing an anxiolytic-like effect. However, muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine (8 μg/rat) decreased %OAT indicating anxiogenic-like effect. A sub-effective dose of scopolamine (2 μg/rat) plus physostigmine decreased %OAT and %OAE in comparison to saline plus physostigmine (20 μg/rat). Muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine (5 μg/rat), dopamine D(1) receptor antagonist SCH23390 (1 μg/rat) and dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist sulpiride (5 μg/rat) significantly increased %OAT which may show anxiolytic-like effects of drugs. Sulpiride (5 μg/rat) also increased %OAE parameter. Pre-treatment with SCH23390 (0.5 and 1 μg/rat) or sulpiride (5 μg/rat) blocked anxiolytic-like effect of physostigmine (20 μg/rat). All drugs were devoid of any significant effect on locomotor activity. It is concluded that intra-basolateral amygdala administration of physostigmine has anxiolytic-like effects which may be via muscarinic mechanisms. Furthermore, dopaminergic system activation probably via dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors is necessary for mediating anxiolytic-like effects of physostigmine.
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Both anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects have been described when amygdaloid DA receptors were blocked within BLA by sulpiride.
“both anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects have been described by t Zarrindast et al. (2011) when the amygdaloid DA receptors were blocked within the BLA by sulpiride, also a well-known D2R antagonist (Seeman and Van Tol, 1994).”
From Evidence for the existence of facilitatory interactions between the dopamine D2 receptor and the oxytocin receptor in the amygdala of the rat relevance for anxiolytic actions (2023) · cites this paper as Zarrindast et al., 2011
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- Authors
- Zarrindast, M.-R., Sroushi, A., Bananej, M., Vousooghi, N., & Hamidkhaniha, S.
- Affiliations
- Islamic Azad University, Tehran (IR)
- Hamedan University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Zarrindast, Mohammad-Reza
- Venue
- European Journal of Pharmacology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-12
- Volume
- 672
- Issue
- 1-3
- Pages
- 106-112
- ISSN
- 0014-2999 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2049698585
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6
- FWCI
- 0.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- basolateral amygdala, anxiolytic-like effects, cholinergic system, dopamine receptors, dopamine D1 receptor, dopamine D2 receptor, physostigmine, scopolamine, pilocarpine, muscarinic receptors, anxiety-like behavior, elevated plus maze, sulpiride, SCH 23390
- MeSH terms
- Acetylcholine, Amygdala, Animals, Anxiety, Behavior, Animal, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Dopamine, Drug Interactions, Male, Rats, Wistar, Receptors, Dopamine D1, Dopamine Antagonists, Maze Learning, Rats, Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists
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