ASSESSMENT OF NEUROTENSIN RECEPTOR AGONIST EFFECTS ON FEAR-POTENTIATED STARTLE

<p>Systemic administration of the NTS₁ receptor agonist PD149163 has exhibited anxiolytic effects in male rats. The present study sought to further evaluate the potential anxiolytic effects of PD149163 by assessing this compound in both male and female C57BL/J6 mice using the fear-potentiated startle (FPS) paradigm. Startle chambers were equipped with a shock-grid floor, fluorescent light, and an acoustic startle speaker. Conditioning took place between the light and floor shock, and test sessions measured startle to a 90 dB noise burst while the light was on (FPS) or off. Startle magnitude did not differ between the male and female mice. PD149163 produced a significant difference between male and female mice startle response and a significant reduction in FPS in females. The NTS₂ receptor agonist β-Lactotensin produced a sex difference at an intermediate dose. The anxiolytic and partial 5-HT_1A agonist buspirone did not produce a significant difference in FPS. The reduction in FPS by PD149163 coincides with previous studies conducted in male rats. The reduction in FPS found in female mice suggests that more research is needed to examine the neurotensin system and sex differences. Overall, these findings support targeting the neurotensin system for the development of novel strategies for treating anxiety disorders.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychological Science

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Vanden Avond, Mark Aaron

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Adam Prus

• Neurotensin
• Fear-Potentiated Startle
• Conditioned Fear
• Anxiety
• Quantitative Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/91

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1103