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Integrated defence reaction elicited by excitatory amino acid microinjection in the midbrain periaqueductal grey region of the unrestrained cat. 1988

R Bandler, and P Carrive
Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.

Unilateral microinjections (0.20 microliter) of the excitatory amino acids (EAA), L-aspartate (ASP), D,L-homocysteate (DLH) or kainate (KA) were made into the midbrain of freely moving cats. Injections of DLH (20 nmol) or ASP (200 nmol) made within the midbrain periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) consistently elicited a threat display characteristic of defensive behaviour (i.e., pupillary dilatation, piloerection, retraction of the ears, sideways backing, arching of the back, hissing, howling, growling), whereas injections of DLH or ASP made in the tegmentum bordering the PAG did not elicit such behaviour. Injections of KA (940 pmol) made within the PAG, but not the tegmentum, elicited not only a threat display but also directed attack (striking with unsheathed claws and biting). As injections of EAA depolarize cell bodies, but not axons, the results suggest that a population of neurones whose excitation elicits all of the behavioural signs of defence, including directed attack, is found within the PAG. Histology indicated that the region of the PAG from which the defence reaction was elicited was not confined to any PAG subnucleus. Rather, the 'defence region' of the PAG formed a cylindrical column lateral to the midbrain aqueduct, approximately 1.5 mm in diameter and 5.0 mm in length, the rostral end of which lay dorsal to the caudal end. Further, it was found that EAA microinjections made in different portions of the defence region of the PAG elicited defence reactions characterised by different patterns of vocalization and differing intensities of display. It was also observed following unilateral injection of KA into the PAG that defence reactions, including attack, were elicited by approach in the visual hemifield or touch of the body contralateral, but not ipsilateral, to the injection site. The asymmetry of the defence reaction was not due to any obvious ipsilateral motor impairment and thus suggests that the PAG mediation of the defence reaction, in addition to controlling the outflow to the somatic and autonomic motor systems, also affects sensory processing.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007608 Kainic Acid (2S-(2 alpha,3 beta,4 beta))-2-Carboxy-4-(1-methylethenyl)-3-pyrrolidineacetic acid. Ascaricide obtained from the red alga Digenea simplex. It is a potent excitatory amino acid agonist at some types of excitatory amino acid receptors and has been used to discriminate among receptor types. Like many excitatory amino acid agonists it can cause neurotoxicity and has been used experimentally for that purpose. Digenic Acid,Kainate,Acid, Digenic,Acid, Kainic
D008297 Male Males
D008845 Microinjections The injection of very small amounts of fluid, often with the aid of a microscope and microsyringes. Microinjection
D010487 Periaqueductal Gray Central gray matter surrounding the CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT in the MESENCEPHALON. Physiologically it is probably involved in RAGE reactions, the LORDOSIS REFLEX; FEEDING responses, bladder tonus, and pain. Mesencephalic Central Gray,Midbrain Central Gray,Central Gray Substance of Midbrain,Central Periaqueductal Gray,Griseum Centrale,Griseum Centrale Mesencephali,Periaqueductal Gray Matter,Substantia Grisea Centralis,Substantia Grisea Centralis Mesencephali,Central Gray, Mesencephalic,Central Gray, Midbrain,Gray Matter, Periaqueductal,Gray, Central Periaqueductal,Griseum Centrale Mesencephalus,Periaqueductal Grays, Central
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005260 Female Females
D006710 Homocysteine A thiol-containing amino acid formed by a demethylation of METHIONINE. 2-amino-4-mercaptobutyric acid,Homocysteine, L-Isomer,2 amino 4 mercaptobutyric acid,Homocysteine, L Isomer,L-Isomer Homocysteine
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001224 Aspartic Acid One of the non-essential amino acids commonly occurring in the L-form. It is found in animals and plants, especially in sugar cane and sugar beets. It may be a neurotransmitter. (+-)-Aspartic Acid,(R,S)-Aspartic Acid,Ammonium Aspartate,Aspartate,Aspartate Magnesium Hydrochloride,Aspartic Acid, Ammonium Salt,Aspartic Acid, Calcium Salt,Aspartic Acid, Dipotassium Salt,Aspartic Acid, Disodium Salt,Aspartic Acid, Hydrobromide,Aspartic Acid, Hydrochloride,Aspartic Acid, Magnesium (1:1) Salt, Hydrochloride, Trihydrate,Aspartic Acid, Magnesium (2:1) Salt,Aspartic Acid, Magnesium-Potassium (2:1:2) Salt,Aspartic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Aspartic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Aspartic Acid, Potassium Salt,Aspartic Acid, Sodium Salt,Calcium Aspartate,Dipotassium Aspartate,Disodium Aspartate,L-Aspartate,L-Aspartic Acid,Magnesiocard,Magnesium Aspartate,Mg-5-Longoral,Monopotassium Aspartate,Monosodium Aspartate,Potassium Aspartate,Sodium Aspartate,Aspartate, Ammonium,Aspartate, Calcium,Aspartate, Dipotassium,Aspartate, Disodium,Aspartate, Magnesium,Aspartate, Monopotassium,Aspartate, Monosodium,Aspartate, Potassium,Aspartate, Sodium,L Aspartate,L Aspartic Acid

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