Alpha-2 adrenergic modulation of prefrontal cortical neuronal activity related to spatial working memory in monkeys
Abstract
The effects of systemically administered or iontophoretically applied clonidine (alpha-2 adrenergic agonist) and iontophoretically applied yohimbine (alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist) were examined on prefrontal cortical (PFC) neurons related to spatial working memory (SWM). Systemically administered clonidine (0.04 mg/kg) enhanced SWM-related PFC neuronal activity by 32.5 +/- 14.5%, (mean +/- SD; n = 25 neurons). The facilitatory effect of clonidine was antagonized by iontophoretically applied yohimbine. Iontophoretically applied clonidine enhanced SWM-related PFC neuronal activity by 38.2 +/- 18.6%, (n = 13 neurons), whereas similarly applied yohimbine suppressed it by 34.4 +/- 17.8% (n = 28 neurons). These results indicate that: a) systemically administered clonidine can facilitate SWM-related PFC neuronal activity through actions at alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the PFC; and b) conversely, blockade by yohimbine of alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the PFC suppresses SWM-related neuronal activity. The present study provides neurophysiological evidence that alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the PFC are involved in the cellular mechanisms underlying working memory.
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Blockade of α2 receptors selectively within the monkey PFC can recreate many of the key symptoms of ADHD.
“Importantly, blockade of α2 receptors selectively within the monkey PFC can recreate many of the key symptoms of ADHD.”
From Catecholamine Influences on Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortical Networks (2011) · cites this paper as [61]
Iontophoresis of an α2A agonist such as guanfacine onto PFC neurons enhances neuronal firing during the delay period for the neurons' preferred direction, while blockade of α2A receptors markedly reduces PFC neuronal firing during the delay period.
“Iontophoresis of an α2A agonist such as guanfacine onto PFC neurons enhances neuronal firing during the delay period for the neurons’ preferred direction (Figure 3A), while blockade of α2A receptors markedly reduces PFC neuronal firing during the delay period (indeed, high doses can silence a neuron) (57,61).”
From Catecholamine Influences on Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortical Networks (2011) · cites this paper as [61]
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- Authors
- Li, B.
- Affiliations
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Li, B
- ORCID
- Li, B
- Venue
- Neuropsychopharmacology
- Published
- 1999-11
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 601-610
- ISSN
- 0893-133X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1965392517
- Cited by
- 162
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (39000032, 39630140)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 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 › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- alpha2-adrenoceptors, prefrontal cortex, spatial working memory, clonidine, yohimbine, iontophoresis, neuronal activity, adrenergic modulation, monkeys
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Adrenergic alpha-Agonists, Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists, Animals, Brain Mapping, Clonidine, Electrooculography, Eye Movements, Female, Macaca mulatta, Memory, Neurons, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Space Perception, Yohimbine, Infusion Pumps, Implantable, Prefrontal Cortex, Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2
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