What is it about?

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) refers to the modulation of the startle response by the presentation of a weaker stimulus prior to the onset of the startle stimulus. This response is consolidated along the maturation process of the mesocortical system, where the dopamine neurotransmitter plays an important role. In fact, it has been reported that agonist and antagonist dopaminergic drugs are able to change PPI expression. This study was aimed to analyze the relationship between the adult medial prefrontal cortex (mPfc) and dopaminergic involvement in PPI throughout the life span. Specifically, the present experiment analyzed the effect of the administration of dopaminergic agonist amphetamine on PPI in two different age periods in Wistar rats: postnatal day (PND) 28 and PND 70. In this last period, we also explored the relationship between PPI response and amphetamine effects after mPfc lesion. The results showed that PPI was expressed in all groups and periods; however, amphetamine only modulated this effect during adulthood. We also found that the mPfc is essential to modulate PPI after amphetamine consumption. Besides, our results suggest a role for dopamine and mPfc as important modulators of PPI in adulthood. Nevertheless, this neurotransmitter could not be involved in the expression of PPI because the administration of a dopaminergic agonist was ineffective in PND-28 period. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This study is important because it shows that dopamine and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) play a key role in modulating prepulse inhibition (PPI) only in adulthood. It highlights how the brain’s ability to filter sensory information matures over time and depends on the mPFC. These findings are relevant for understanding psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and emphasize the need to consider developmental stages when using dopaminergic drugs.

Perspectives

My perspectives focus on deepening the understanding of the role that dopamine and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) play in regulating prepulse inhibition (PPI) throughout development. I believe our findings open new avenues for exploring how the maturation of dopaminergic and cortical circuits influences sensory processing and the prevention of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Additionally, I see it as essential to further investigate the differences in response to dopaminergic drugs at various developmental stages, which could help design more targeted and effective treatments based on age. Finally, I hope this work encourages studies that integrate neurobiological, behavioral, and pharmacological aspects to better understand the mechanisms underlying sensory gating function and dysfunction in humans.

María Auxiliadora Mena Peinado
Universidad Internacional de La Rioja

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Sensitivity to amphetamine in prepulse inhibition response requires a mature medial prefrontal cortex., Behavioral Neuroscience, February 2021, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/bne0000458.
You can read the full text:

Read

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page