The Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (MCH) System Modulates Behaviors Associated with Psychiatric Disorders

Deficits in sensorimotor gating measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle have been known as characteristics of patients with schizophrenia and related neuropsychiatric disorders. PPI disruption is thought to rely on the activity of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system and is inhibited by most antipsychotic drugs. These drugs however act also at the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and exert adverse locomotor responses. Finding a way to inhibit the mesocorticolimbic- without affecting the nigrostriatal-dopaminergic pathway may thus be beneficial to antipsychotic therapies. The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) system has been shown to modulate dopamine-related responses. Its receptor (MCH1R) is expressed at high levels in the mesocorticolimbic and not in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways. Interestingly a genomic linkage study revealed significant associations between schizophrenia and markers located in the MCH1R gene locus. We hypothesize that the MCH system can selectively modulate the behavior associated with the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway. Using mice, we found that central administration of MCH potentiates apomorphine-induced PPI deficits. Using congenic rat lines that differ in their responses to PPI, we found that the rats that are susceptible to apomorphine (APO-SUS rats) and exhibit PPI deficits display higher MCH mRNA expression in the lateral hypothalamic region and that blocking the MCH system reverses their PPI deficits. On the other hand, in mice and rats, activation or inactivation of the MCH system does not affect stereotyped behaviors, dopamine-related responses that depend on the activity of the nigrostriatal pathway. Furthermore MCH does not affect dizocilpine-induced PPI deficit, a glutamate related response. Thus, our data present the MCH system as a regulator of sensorimotor gating, and provide a new rationale to understand the etiologies of schizophrenia and related psychiatric disorders

A simple and rapid method for assessing similarities among directly observable behavioral effects of drugs: PCP-like effects of 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate in rats

Directly observable behavioral effects of the N-methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5) (10–1,000 mg/kg IP, 0.18–5.6 μmol/rat ICV) and of phencyclidine (PCP) (3.2–56 mg/kg IP, 0.032–3.2 mg/rat ICV), ketamine (10–100 mg/kg), amphetamine (1–18 mg/kg), apomorphine (0.1–5.6 mg/kg), chlordiazepoxide (1–100 mg/kg), and pentobarbital (3.2–56 mg/kg) were studied in rats. Pharmacologically specific results were obtained rapidly and reliably, using a cumulative dosing procedure. Cluster analysis grouped the drug treatments, on the basis of their similarities in producing different behavioral activities, into three main clusters; characteristically, stimulant drugs (amphetamine, apomorphine) produced sniffing and gnawing; PCP-like drugs (PCP, ketamine) produced locomotion, sniffing, swaying and falling; sedative drugs (pentobarbital, chlordiazepoxide) produced loss of righting. The behavioral effects of ICV administration of AP5 were more similar to the effects of PCP-like drugs than to the effects of either stimulant or sedative drugs, thus supporting the hypothesis that the behavioral effects of PCP-like drugs may result from reduced neurotransmission at excitatory synapses utilizing NMDA preferring receptors. The present procedure is simple, rapid and may provide a useful approach in the classification of behaviorally active drugs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46445/1/213_2004_Article_BF00518181.pd

Punding and computer addiction in Parkinson's disease

Punding is a stereotypical behavior in which there is an intense fascination with repetitive handling and examining of mechanical objects, such as taking apart watches and radios or arranging common objects (lining up pebbles, rocks, or other small objects). This disabling condition, different from both obsessive-compulsive disorder and mania, is probably underreported. Punding is thought to be related to dopaminergic stimulation, although only a few observations of this condition in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) under therapy has been reported. We report a man with PD who developed an unusual, severe, repetitive behavior characterized by spending most of his time on his computer; this abnormal behavior was concomitant with the introduction of L-dopa (400 mg per day) and was not associated to a pattern of chronic inappropriate overuse of dopaminergic medication or other psychiatric symptoms. The patient had the feeling he was forced into a disruptive and unproductive behavior, and he made several attempts to quit without succeeding