Based on a number of neuroanatomical and behavioural similarities, recent evidence suggests that heterozygous reeler mice, haploinsufficient for reelin expression, represent a useful model of psychosis vulnerability. As brain mesolimbic dopamine pathways have been proposed to be associated with the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders, we thought it would be of interest to examine whether these animals present disturbances in the mesolimbic dopamine system. To this end we studied by immunocytochemical, in situ hybridization procedures and receptor autoradiography, several markers of the mesotelencephalic dopamine pathway in heterozygous reeler mice and controls. We report that heterozygous reeler mice exhibit a reduction in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cell bodies and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in the ventral tegmental area, as well as a reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter immunoreactivity in the dopamine terminal fields of the limbic striatum. In these areas we also observed a reduction of dopamine D2 receptor mRNA. Finally, a marked increase in D3 receptor mRNA levels was observed concomitant with a significant increase in D3 binding sites. On the contrary, the nigrostriatal pathway did not show any significant alteration in heterozygous reeler mice with regards to the dopaminergic markers examined in substantia nigra cell bodies and dorsal striatum dopamine terminal fields. These results suggest a specific link between reelin-related neuronal pathology and dopamine involvement in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders.

Preferential alterations in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway of heterozygous reeler mice: an emerging animal-based model of schizophrenia / M., Ballmaier; Zoli, Michele; Leo, Giuseppina; Agnati, Luigi Francesco; P., Spano. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE. - ISSN 0953-816X. - STAMPA. - 15:7(2002), pp. 1197-1205. [10.1046/j.1460-9568.2002.01952.x]

Preferential alterations in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway of heterozygous reeler mice: an emerging animal-based model of schizophrenia

ZOLI, Michele;LEO, Giuseppina;AGNATI, Luigi Francesco;
2002

Abstract

Based on a number of neuroanatomical and behavioural similarities, recent evidence suggests that heterozygous reeler mice, haploinsufficient for reelin expression, represent a useful model of psychosis vulnerability. As brain mesolimbic dopamine pathways have been proposed to be associated with the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders, we thought it would be of interest to examine whether these animals present disturbances in the mesolimbic dopamine system. To this end we studied by immunocytochemical, in situ hybridization procedures and receptor autoradiography, several markers of the mesotelencephalic dopamine pathway in heterozygous reeler mice and controls. We report that heterozygous reeler mice exhibit a reduction in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cell bodies and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in the ventral tegmental area, as well as a reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter immunoreactivity in the dopamine terminal fields of the limbic striatum. In these areas we also observed a reduction of dopamine D2 receptor mRNA. Finally, a marked increase in D3 receptor mRNA levels was observed concomitant with a significant increase in D3 binding sites. On the contrary, the nigrostriatal pathway did not show any significant alteration in heterozygous reeler mice with regards to the dopaminergic markers examined in substantia nigra cell bodies and dorsal striatum dopamine terminal fields. These results suggest a specific link between reelin-related neuronal pathology and dopamine involvement in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders.
2002
15
7
1197
1205
Preferential alterations in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway of heterozygous reeler mice: an emerging animal-based model of schizophrenia / M., Ballmaier; Zoli, Michele; Leo, Giuseppina; Agnati, Luigi Francesco; P., Spano. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE. - ISSN 0953-816X. - STAMPA. - 15:7(2002), pp. 1197-1205. [10.1046/j.1460-9568.2002.01952.x]
M., Ballmaier; Zoli, Michele; Leo, Giuseppina; Agnati, Luigi Francesco; P., Spano
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/306189
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