Premium
Effects of prenatal treatment with 6‐hydroxydopamine and DSP 4 on brain development and behaviour
Author(s) -
König N.,
Serrano J.J.,
Jonsson G.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/0736-5748(83)90264-2
Subject(s) - dept , psychology , library science , medicine , computer science , immunology
Developmental roles of three neuropeptidesenkephalin, Substance P, and vasopressinwere investigated by acute administration of high physiological doses to neonatal rats. All three caused permanent physiological changes in the rats related to altered sensitivity to the peptide administered. Enkephalin administration to neonates increased the pain threshold of adult rats, and increased the number of mu opiate receptors in brain. Substance P administration lowered pain threshold, increased the sialogogic response to Substance P, and increased binding of radiolabelled Substance P to several brain regions. Vasopressin produced polyuria and polydipsia in adults, due to reduced sensitivity of the kidney to vasopressin. Altering neonatal levels of neuropeptides therefore has long-lasting physiological effects. Neuropeptides may play a role in the development of their target organs, specifically with respect to their peptide receptors.