Biomaterial Database

Locomotor activity initiated by microinfusions of picrotoxin into the ventral tegmental area. 1979

G J Mogenson, and M Wu, and S K Manchanda

Ambulatory activity in rats was increased in a dose-related manner by microinjections of picrotoxin, a GABA antagonist, bilaterally into the ventral tegmental area. Microinjections of strychnine, a glycine antagonist, had no effect on activity. The ambulatory activity induced by microinjections of picrotoxin into the ventral tegmental area was significantly attenuated when the nucleus accumbens was pretreated with spiroperidol, a dopamine antagonist. These findings provide additional evidence that dopaminergic (A10) neurons projecting from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens, contribute to locomotor activity. It is suggested that picrotoxin disinhibits the A10 dopaminergic neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008124	Locomotion	Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. It can refer to humans, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and microorganisms.	Locomotor Activity,Activities, Locomotor,Activity, Locomotor,Locomotor Activities
D008297	Male		Males
D009714	Nucleus Accumbens	Collection of pleomorphic cells in the caudal part of the anterior horn of the LATERAL VENTRICLE, in the region of the OLFACTORY TUBERCLE, lying between the head of the CAUDATE NUCLEUS and the ANTERIOR PERFORATED SUBSTANCE. It is part of the so-called VENTRAL STRIATUM, a composite structure considered part of the BASAL GANGLIA.	Accumbens Nucleus,Nucleus Accumbens Septi,Accumbens Septi, Nucleus,Accumbens Septus, Nucleus,Accumbens, Nucleus,Nucleus Accumbens Septus,Nucleus, Accumbens,Septi, Nucleus Accumbens,Septus, Nucleus Accumbens
D010852	Picrotoxin	A mixture of PICROTOXININ and PICROTIN that is a noncompetitive antagonist at GABA-A receptors acting as a convulsant. Picrotoxin blocks the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-activated chloride ionophore. Although it is most often used as a research tool, it has been used as a CNS stimulant and an antidote in poisoning by CNS depressants, especially the barbiturates.	3,6-Methano-8H-1,5,7-trioxacyclopenta(ij)cycloprop(a)azulene-4,8(3H)-dione, hexahydro-2a-hydroxy-9-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-8b-methyl-, (1aR-(1aalpha,2abeta,3beta,6beta,6abeta,8aS,8bbeta,9S))-, compd. with (1aR-(1aalpha,2abeta,3beta,6beta,6abeta,8,Cocculin
D011954	Receptors, Dopamine	Cell-surface proteins that bind dopamine with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes influencing the behavior of cells.	Dopamine Receptors,Dopamine Receptor,Receptor, Dopamine
D004292	Dominance, Cerebral	Dominance of one cerebral hemisphere over the other in cerebral functions.	Cerebral Dominance,Hemispheric Specialization,Dominances, Cerebral,Specialization, Hemispheric
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
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
D013134	Spiperone	A spiro butyrophenone analog similar to HALOPERIDOL and other related compounds. It has been recommended in the treatment of SCHIZOPHRENIA.	Spiroperidol,Spiroperone
D013331	Strychnine	An alkaloid found in the seeds of STRYCHNOS NUX-VOMICA. It is a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors and thus a convulsant. It has been used as an analeptic, in the treatment of nonketotic hyperglycinemia and sleep apnea, and as a rat poison.	Strychnine Nitrate,Nitrate, Strychnine