Our previous research, employing classical conditioning of the rabbit's nictitating membrane response has demonstrated that both associative learning and motor performance are critically dependent on the normal activity of the inferior olivary nucleus. Learning during classical conditioning involves a precise timing mechanism as indicated by its exquisite sensitivity to the temporal parameters of stimulus interval. Our work and that of others suggest that the synchronized oscillatory activity of olivary neurons may provide this timing mechanism. Moreover, serotonin (5-HT) has been demonstrated to regulate the rhythmic activity of the inferior olivary nucleus and also to determine the rate of learning and its motor expression. Both of these actions are mediated by the 5-HT2A receptor. Thus, we have hypothesize that 5-HT agonists and antagonists can increase or decrease the rate of learning and optimum level of motor function by acting at 5-HT2A receptors located on olivary neurons so as to enhance the ability of the olive to coordinate a neural network that determines the efficiency of learning and its motor expression. Experiments will be carried out to produce general or specific 5-HT denervations in order to assess the role of presynaptic 5-HT release on the acquisition of learning and motor performance. Systemic and intracerebral injections of 5-HT2A agonists and antagonists will allow us to identify the critical sites at which normal function can be restored. Other experiments will examine the 5-Ht mechanisms through which tremorogenic agents that act directly on the inferior olive impair learning and performance. Finally, we will examine whether the ability of some 5-HT2A antagonists to retard learning and motor function is due to their actions as inverse agonists. These experiments will provide clues concerning the role of the olivocerebellar system in learning and motor performance and possibly in the treatment of dysfunctions in learning and motor function. For example, 5-HT has been implicated in essential tremor and 5-HT2A receptor blockade has been demonstrated to be sufficient for antipsychotic action.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH016841-36
Application #
6538420
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Winsky, Lois M
Project Start
1988-09-01
Project End
2004-05-31
Budget Start
2002-06-01
Budget End
2004-05-31
Support Year
36
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$313,876
Indirect Cost
Name
Drexel University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
061197161
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Schindler, Emmanuelle A D; Harvey, John A; Aloyo, Vincent J (2013) Phospholipase C mediates (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI)-, but not lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-elicited head bobs in rabbit medial prefrontal cortex. Brain Res 1491:98-108
Schindler, Emmanuelle A D; Dave, Kuldip D; Smolock, Elaine M et al. (2012) Serotonergic and dopaminergic distinctions in the behavioral pharmacology of (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Pharmacol Biochem Behav 101:69-76
Scarlota, Laura C; Harvey, John A; Aloyo, Vincent J (2011) The role of serotonin-2 (5-HT2) and dopamine receptors in the behavioral actions of the 5-HT2A/2C agonist, DOI, and putative 5-HT2C inverse agonist, SR46349B. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 213:393-401
Romano, Anthony G; Quinn, Jennifer L; Li, Luchuan et al. (2010) Intrahippocampal LSD accelerates learning and desensitizes the 5-HT(2A) receptor in the rabbit, Romano et al. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 212:441-8
Oristaglio, Jeff; Romano, Anthony G; Harvey, John A (2009) Amphetamine influences conditioned response timing and laterality of anterior cingulate cortex activity during rabbit delay eyeblink conditioning. Neurobiol Learn Mem 92:1-18
Aloyo, V J; Berg, K A; Spampinato, U et al. (2009) Current status of inverse agonism at serotonin2A (5-HT2A) and 5-HT2C receptors. Pharmacol Ther 121:160-73
Romano, A G; Du, W; Harvey, J A (1994) Methylenedioxyamphetamine: a selective effect on cortical content and turnover of 5-HT. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 49:599-607
Chen, J F; Aloyo, V J; Qin, Z H et al. (1994) Irreversible blockade of D2 dopamine receptors by fluphenazine-N-mustard increases D2 dopamine receptor mRNA and proenkephalin mRNA and decreases D1 dopamine receptor mRNA and mu and delta opioid receptors in rat striatum. Neurochem Int 25:355-66
Chen, J F; Aloyo, V J; Weiss, B (1993) Continuous treatment with the D2 dopamine receptor agonist quinpirole decreases D2 dopamine receptors, D2 dopamine receptor messenger RNA and proenkephalin messenger RNA, and increases mu opioid receptors in mouse striatum. Neuroscience 54:669-80
Harvey, J A; Welsh, J P; Yeo, C H et al. (1993) Recoverable and nonrecoverable deficits in conditioned responses after cerebellar cortical lesions. J Neurosci 13:1624-35

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