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J A Severson

Publications and source records attributed to J A Severson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

A quantitative estimate of the role of striatal D-2 receptor proliferation in dopaminergic behavioral supersensitivity: the contribution of mesolimbic dopamine to the magnitude of 6-OHDA lesion-induced agonist sensitivity in the rat.

Rats with unilateral depletions of neostriatal dopamine display increased sensitivity to dopamine agonists estimated to be 30 to 100 x in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rotational model. Given that mild striatal dopamine D-2 receptor proliferation occurs (20-40%), it is difficult to explain the extent of behavioral supersensitivity by a simple increase in receptor density. This study was designed to investigate the quantitative aspects of the rotational behavior model utilizing constrained non-linear curve fitting routines. A dose-response curve for the rotational response arising from apomorphine stimulation of the normosensitive striatum was obtained in animals bearing unilateral lesions of striatal efferents (predominantly the striato-nigral pathway as previously described). After the control dose-response experiment, rats received a dopamine- (DA) depleting lesion in the contralateral hemisphere. In one group, 6-OHDA was infused into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), a placement which is common in the literature and is known to deplete DA in both the striatum and nucleus accumbens. In a second group of rats, 6-OHDA was infused into the globus pallidus at a site which depletes caudate DA, but leaves n. accumbens DA relatively intact. The two experimental groups were tested in identical apomorphine-induced rotation dose-response experiments. The ED50's of the MFB- and caudate-lesioned rats were reduced by 36 and 5.8 fold, respectively, as compared to the control dose-response curve. The MFB and caudate lesions depleted striatal DA and produced a 30 and 36% increase in striatal D-2 binding sites, respectively. Modeling the behavioral and biochemical data with the null model for receptor occlusion indicated that increased striatal D-2 receptor density could account for the magnitude of behavioral supersensitivity in neither the MFB-lesioned group, nor even in the caudate-lesioned group. Thus simple up-regulation or D-2 receptors is unlikely to account for supersensitization as measured in the rotational model. Further, we suggest that quantitative modeling of such hypotheses is a valuable experimental technique for assessing relationships between biochemical and behavioral variables.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Behavioral sensitization following a single apomorphine pretreatment--selective effects on the dopamine release process.

Once daily subchronic pretreatments with the dopamine (DA) agonist apomorphine (APO) increase striatal DA synthesis and metabolism. Such changes imply that adaptations to APO do not dissipate completely within 24 h. In the present report we evaluated the effects of a single APO treatment 24 h prior to euthanasia on behavior and on striatal DA synthesis, metabolism, release and receptor binding. The single APO pretreatment reduced DA release from striatal synaptosomes. In contrast, striatal DA synthesis, metabolism, and the high-affinity binding of DA to the D2 receptor were unaltered 24 h after agonist pretreatment. At this time the stereotypic response to a subsequent APO challenge was enhanced. This adaptive pattern is different from that observed 60 min following an acute APO pretreatment, when high-affinity D2 binding is reduced. The pattern 24 h following a single APO pretreatment is also different from that observed following subchronic agonist dosing, when stereotypic behavior is enhanced, while basal DA synthesis and metabolism are increased.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Behavioral sensitization following subchronic apomorphine treatment--possible neurochemical basis.

Subchronic treatment with the dopamine agonist apomorphine produces a sensitization to the stereotypic effects of subsequent apomorphine challenge. The present study investigated the effects of this subchronic treatment on apomorphine induced stereotypic behavior and striatal dopamine synthesis, release, metabolism, and D2 receptor binding. The pretreatment, which enhanced the behavioral response to apomorphine challenge, also elevated basal dopamine synthesis and metabolism, but left the ability of a challenge dose of apomorphine to inhibit dopamine synthesis and metabolism unaltered. Thus, ongoing dopamine synthesis and extracellular levels of metabolites would be higher following apomorphine challenge in animals treated subchronically with the agonist. In contrast, neither synaptosomal dopamine release in response to depolarizing stimuli nor the density of D2 dopamine receptors was altered by the treatment. Overall, the results suggest that, while we did not find evidence of autoreceptor desensitization per se, apomorphine treatment may result in enhanced extracellular dopamine levels following dopamine agonist challenge to provide a greater stimulation of an intact dopamine receptor system.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Single apomorphine pretreatment results in a rapid decline in high-affinity dopamine binding to the striatal dopamine D-2 receptor.

The formation of a ternary complex of agonist, receptor, and G-protein precedes inhibition of adenylate cyclase and is associated with high-affinity agonist binding. The present experiment was conducted to determine if a single direct dopamine (DA) agonist, apomorphine (APO), pretreatment could produce a rapid uncoupling of the striatal DA D-2 receptor from its G-proteins. APO (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and saline were administered once, with killing 60 or 90 min following the APO or vehicle treatment. APO pretreatment resulted in a reduction in the high-affinity binding of DA to the striatal DA D-2 receptor without altering total agonist binding. The total density of antagonist-defined D-2 receptors (Bmax) was not altered by the treatment. The present results represent, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of changes in high-affinity agonist binding to the DA D-2 receptor following a single in vivo pretreatment of a direct DA agonist.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Methodological issues in the preparation and assay of platelet 3H-imipramine binding.

Several methodological factors in the preparation of platelets and the determination of platelet 3H-imipramine (3H-IMI) binding were examined. The ionic composition of the assay significantly affected platelet 3H-IMI binding. Approximately 25% of the specific binding of 3H-IMI to intact platelet preparations was retained in the absence of sodium and chloride ions. The addition of sodium ions enhanced the specific binding of 3H-IMI, but the addition of chloride in the presence of sodium had a more pronounced effect, enhancing binding approximately five-fold over that observed with the addition of sodium. Sodium was the only cation tested that enhanced binding. Only halides enhanced binding in the presence of sodium with the following order of potency: Cl- greater than Br- greater than I- = F-. Ions increased the density of binding sites (Bmax) and did not affect the affinity of the binding sites for 3H-IMI. In the presence of sodium and chloride, the use of serotonin (5HT) to define nonspecific binding in saturation experiments resulted in lower binding densities (Bmax) than when desipramine was used to define nonspecific binding. The component of binding that was insensitive to 5HT was roughly equal to the Bmax of 3H-IMI binding obtained in the absence of sodium and chloride using desipramine to define nonspecific binding. Overall, these data suggest that not all 3H-IMI binding that is displaced by desipramine is related to serotonergic mechanisms, and suggest that 5HT is a better choice than desipramine for the determination of the nonspecific binding of 3H-IMI. In addition, the binding of 3H-IMI to different platelet preparations was compared. The binding of 3H-IMI to intact platelets was less than that obtained using lysed platelet membranes when data were expressed per mg protein. The Coomassie Blue dye-binding method to determine platelet protein resulted in greater Bmax values than were obtained with the Folin phenol reagent method. The method of platelet preparation that is commonly used to prepare platelets for 3H-IMI binding resulted in similar binding values when compared to a method that prepares the entire platelet population. The results suggest that some, but not all, variations in laboratory methods used to prepare platelets and assay for platelet 3H-IMI binding may affect clinical studies examining this measure.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Aging does not alter the voltage-dependent release of endogenous dopamine from mouse striatal synaptosomes.

Striatal synaptosomes isolated from 3-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57B1/6J mice were exposed to low (5 mM) and high (30 mM) concentrations of potassium of 1, 3, 5, 15 and 30 s. There were no age-related differences in the total intrasynaptosomal content of dopamine among the three age groups of mice. The basal release of endogenous dopamine from synaptosomes isolated from 24-month-old animals was significantly greater than that from synaptosomes isolated from 3-month-old animals at all time points tested. Similarly the potassium stimulated release of dopamine from 24-month-old animals was also higher than that from the 3-month-old group, but this increase was not statistically significant. The net voltage-dependent release of dopamine (stimulated minus basal) was similar for all groups at all time points measured. The increase in basal dopamine release in the 24-month-old animals may reflect an increased fragility or leakiness of the synaptosomal preparation.

Aging↗
PubMed1988

Platelet tritiated imipramine binding and MAO activity in Alzheimer's disease patients with agitation and delusions.

Decreased platelet 3H-imipramine binding density and decreased monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity have been considered as biological characteristics of several neuropsychiatric disorders, and may be related to central serotonin defects. Since serotonin system defects occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and decreased brain 3H-imipramine binding density, and increased brain and platelet MAO activity are reported also, we studied platelet 3H-imipramine binding density (Bmax) and platelet MAO activity in AD outpatients without antecedent psychiatric disorder. AD subjects with significant symptomatic behavioral disorder, predominantly agitation and delusions, and AD subjects without symptomatic behaviors were compared with controls. Age, sex, mini-mental state examination score, and illness duration did not distinguish the two AD groups. The agitated/delusional group showed significantly lower Bmax values than uncomplicated AD subjects or controls. MAO activity was significantly increased among female AD subjects without symptomatic behaviors compared to those who were agitated or to controls. These results indicate that 3H-imipramine binding and MAO activity may distinguish AD subjects with agitation or delusions from those without symptomatic behaviors, and suggest the existence of a biologically based Alzheimer's behavioral subtype.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Electrocardiographic changes with nortriptyline and 10-hydroxynortriptyline in elderly depressed outpatients.

Pharmacokinetic factors may contribute to altered nortriptyline effects in the elderly. Plasma concentrations of nortriptyline's principal metabolite, E-10-hydroxynortriptyline, tend to be greater than nortriptyline, increase with age, and may contribute to cardiotoxicity. Electrocardiogram changes were evaluated in 21 ambulatory, elderly, depressed outpatients who were treated with therapeutic doses of nortriptyline. Resting electrocardiograms were obtained before and after 6 weeks of treatment. Plasma samples were assayed simultaneously for nortriptyline, E-, and Z-10-hydroxynortriptyline. Three subjects developed a first degree atrioventricular block and one developed a right bundle branch block during treatment. Mean daily nortriptyline dose and steady state plasma level in these subjects did not differ from those who did not develop conduction defects, but E-10-hydroxynortriptyline levels were significantly higher. Overall, there were significant correlations between changes in the PR interval and QRS duration with plasma concentrations of nortriptyline, E-10-hydroxynortriptyline, Z-10-hydroxynortriptyline, and the sum of nortriptyline and its 10-hydroxynortriptyline metabolites. Multiple regression analyses suggested that increases in PR interval were associated with increasing nortriptyline concentration, while increases in QRS duration and Q-Tc intervals were associated with increasing Z-10-hydroxynortriptyline concentration. E- and Z-10-hydroxynortriptyline may contribute substantially to the cardiac conduction effects of nortriptyline treatment and may be of particular importance in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Platelet [3H]imipramine binding in generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia with panic attacks.

The density of platelet [3H]imipramine binding sites is reported to be decreased in unipolar depression and, hence, is a putative biological marker. There is considerable evidence for a phenomenological and biological relationship of panic disorder with affective disorder. We studied platelet [3H]imipramine binding site density in unmedicated subjects with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; n = 55), panic disorder (PD) with and without agoraphobia (n = 52), and normal controls (n = 26) in order to determine whether or not patients with panic disorder differed from controls in this biological assay. We found no differences in binding site density (Bmax) or affinity (Kd) among the PD, PD with agoraphobia, GAD, and control groups. Nor did we find a relationship between Bmax or Kd and the severity of depressive symptoms or the presence of a family history of affective disorder. In view of two conflicting prior studies, the use of [3H]imipramine binding in panic disorder remains problematic.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Chronic antidepressant treatment and mouse brain 3H-imipramine binding.

Chronic pretreatment of mice with the monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor (-)deprenyl resulted in an increase in the density of cerebral cortical 3H-imipramine binding sites and a decrease in the density of cerebral cortical beta-adrenergic receptors. In contrast, pretreatment of mice with the tricyclic antidepressants imipramine and desipramine did not alter the density of cerebral cortical 3H-imipramine binding sites. Imipramine and desipramine treatment decreased the density of beta-adrenergic receptors. Haloperidol pretreatment resulted in an increase in the density of striatal D-2 dopamine receptors, but did not alter the density of cerebral cortical 3H-imipramine binding sites or beta-adrenergic receptors. These data suggest that brain 3H-imipramine binding sites can be regulated by pharmacological pretreatment, but that this regulation may not occur for all antidepressants.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in elderly depressed outpatients.

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was assayed in 42 unmedicated, elderly, RDC depressed, unipolar outpatients over 60 years of age, 17 nondepressed controls, and 17 younger volunteers without psychiatric illness. Elderly depressed women (n = 22) had significantly higher MAO activity than sex- and age-comparable controls. No significant relationships between MAO activity and duration of current depressive episode, duration of illness, or family history of affective disorder were obtained. These results extend to elderly female outpatients the finding that depression is associated with increased platelet MAO activity, exceeding the normal age-related increase.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

3H-imipramine binding in depressed elderly: relationship to family history and clinical response.

Platelet 3H-imipramine binding (Bmax) was determined in 34 elderly (mean age 64.8) unipolar depressed outpatients who were being treated with either nortriptyline or interpersonal psychotherapy for 10 to 16 weeks, and in nondepressed elderly controls. Bmax values were decreased in the depressed group. In addition, Bmax values were depressed further in subjects with a history of depression in first degree relatives. Good clinical response with either nortriptyline or psychotherapy was associated with lower Bmax compared to those subjects who had a poorer response to treatment. Treatment nonresponders and those with a negative family history of depression had Bmax values that were somewhat decreased but not significantly different from controls. This study extends to the elderly the potential applicability of platelet 3H-imipramine binding as a marker of depressive illness, and proposes a predictor for treatment response in elderly unipolar depressed patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Subdivision of mouse brain [3H]imipramine binding based on ion dependence and serotonin sensitivity.

The specific binding of [3H]imipramine to mouse brain membranes in an assay containing 120 mM NaCl and 5 mM KCl was similar in regional distribution and pharmacological specificity to that reported previously in rat and human brain. However, the absence of ions decreased the density of the specific binding of [3H]imipramine and did not affect the equilibrium dissociation constant. Sodium was the only cation, and halides were the only anions tested that enhanced the specific binding of [3H]imipramine. Chloride did not increase the density of binding in the absence of sodium. The ion-sensitive binding of [3H]imipramine was regionally dependent and was highly correlated with the uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) into synaptosomes from brain regions. 5-HT did not inhibit the binding of [3H]imipramine in the absence of ions. Antidepressants inhibited binding in the absence and presence of ions, but in the presence of ions inhibition curves were shifted to the left and the apparent complexity of inhibition was increased. Quantitative analysis of the inhibition of [3H]imipramine binding by antidepressants conducted in the presence of ions was consistent with two binding sites. Lesion of the serotonergic input to the cerebral cortex by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine suggested that both the 5-HT-sensitive and ion-sensitive binding of [3H]imipramine were associated with serotonergic nerve terminals. [3H]Imipramine binding displaced by desipramine, but insensitive to 5-HT and ions, was not affected by the lesion. Thus, the binding of [3H]imipramine that is displaced by desipramine, the most common assay for [3H]imipramine binding, includes a component that is not associated with brain serotonergic nerve terminals and 5-HT uptake, and, in addition, a separable component that is highly correlated with serotonergic function. These data have important implications for studies of serotonergic neurons and for the interpretation of imipramine binding data.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Genetic influence on the regulation of beta adrenergic receptors in mice.

The regulation of beta adrenergic receptors was investigated in inbred mouse strains in which previous studies revealed differences in the regulation of dopamine receptors. The density of beta adrenergic receptors in the cerebral cortex of BALB/J mice was about one-third of that in CBA/J and C57BL/6J mice. Strain differences in the binding of [125I]iodohydroxypindolol to beta adrenergic receptors were due to changes in the density of beta-1 adrenergic receptors. Chronic administration of propranolol did not result in an increase in the density of beta adrenergic receptors receptors in cortices of C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice were observed. In contrast, pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine resulted in increases in the density of beta adrenergic receptors in the cerebral cortex of all three strains. Analysis of the effects of these treatments on the subtypes of beta adrenergic receptors revealed that the changes were restricted to changes in the density of beta-1 receptors. The failure to observe a response to propranolol in CBA/J mice expands the extent of deficits reported previously in this strain for striatal dopamine receptor supersensitivity after chronic treatment with haloperidol (Severson et al., Brain Res. 210: 201-215, 1981). CBA/J mice may be a useful model for genetic analysis of mechanisms for the control of receptor sensitivity and to investigate the impairments of the regulation of catecholaminergic receptors observed in aged rodents.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Genotypic variation in striatal calmodulin content.

CBA/J and BALB/cJ mice have quantitative differences in the nigrostriatal projection. The number of nigral tyrosine hydroxylase reactive neurons, nigral and striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity and the density of striatal D-2 dopamine receptors are all less in the CBA/J compared to the BALB/cJ mouse. An unrelated strain, the C57BL/6J, has a striatal D-2 dopamine receptor density that is intermediate to that of CBA/J and BALB/cJ mice. CBA/J mice also show deficits in the ability of brain monoaminergic receptor systems to develop supersensitivity. Calmodulin may participate in several striatal dopaminergic receptor mechanisms. Thus, striatal calmodulin was examined in CBA/J, C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice. Striatal calmodulin was greater in CBA/J mice than in C57BL/6J or BALB/cJ. In all three strains, cerebral cortical calmodulin was similar. The percent distribution of total striatal calmodulin between soluble and particulate fractions was similar in the three strains. Calcium redistributed soluble striatal calmodulin into the particulate fraction and EGTA shifted calmodulin from the particulate into the soluble fraction. The percent of total striatal calmodulin redistributed by either treatment was similar in all three strains. Gel filtration chromatography of heat-treated soluble extracts from CBA/J and BALB/cJ striatum was similar in elution pattern, although more calmodulin was observed in extracts from the CBA/J. Possible mechanisms for the strain differences in calmodulin are discussed along with their relationship to strain differences in striatal dopamine receptor subtypes.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effect of duration of haloperidol treatment on DA receptor supersensitization in aging C57BL/6J mice.

Apomorphine-induced behavior, striatal [3H]spiperone binding, and striatal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity were assessed in 6 1/2, 13, and 27-30 month-old male C57BL/6J mice following 0, 30, 60 or 90 days treatment with the dopaminergic (DA) antagonist haloperidol. Both apomorphine-induced behavior and [3H]spiperone binding (Bmax) increased linearly with duration of haloperidol treatment, with no detectable age difference in the degree of supersensitization, although basal receptor density declined with age. Middle- and old-aged mice showed prolonged stereotypic behavior relative to young mice, suggesting slower apomorphine clearance. No differences in ChAT activity were detected with either age or duration of haloperidol treatment. Although the group means of binding and behavior were highly related, the within group correlations were poor. Overall, the results suggest that aged animals are capable of DA receptor supersensitization when given a sufficient stimulus--in this case, relatively long treatment regimes. Previously reported deficits in neuroleptic-induced supersensitization in old mice may be confined to relatively short treatment periods at low doses.

Age Factors↗