Dopaminergic influence on rat tongue function and limb movement initiation

Exp Brain Res. 2009 Apr;194(4):587-96. doi: 10.1007/s00221-009-1736-2. Epub 2009 Feb 27.

Abstract

Altering dopamine synaptic transmission can affect both cranial and limb sensorimotor function, but often to a different degree of severity. We hypothesized that haloperidol has dose-dependent but differential effects on lingual forces, lingual movement rates, and limb movement initiation. We measured average and maximal lingual force, tongue press rate and cataleptic descent time in nine Fischer 344/Brown Norway rats in varied doses of haloperidol. Decreases in lingual force and temporal parameters and increases in cataleptic descent time were related to haloperidol dose. However, they were related to a different degree as the relationships were strong between average force and tongue press rate, moderate between maximal force and tongue press rate, moderate between average force and cataleptic descent time, and weak between maximal force and cataleptic descent time. Elucidating the relationships between the cranial and limb sensorimotor systems in the context of altered dopamine synaptic transmission may assist in developing therapies for conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Dopamine Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Extremities / physiology*
  • Haloperidol / administration & dosage
  • Haloperidol / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Muscle Strength / drug effects
  • Muscle Strength / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Tongue / physiology*

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Haloperidol
  • Dopamine