6-hydroxydopa during development of central adrenergic neurons produces different long-term changes in rat brain noradrenaline

Neuroteratology and Animal Modeling of Brain Disorders

Over the past 60 years, a large number of selective neurotoxins were discovered and developed, making it possible to animal-model a broad range of human neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this paper, we highlight those neurotoxins that are most commonly used as neuroteratologic agents, to either produce lifelong destruction of neurons of a particular phenotype, or a group of neurons linked by a specific class of transporter proteins (i.e., dopamine transporter) or body of receptors for a specific neurotransmitter (i.e., NMDA class of glutamate receptors). Actions of a range of neurotoxins are described: 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), 6-hydroxydopa, DSP-4, MPTP, methamphetamine, IgG-saporin, domoate, NMDA receptor antagonists, and valproate. Their neuroteratologic features are outlined, as well as those of nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and that of stress. The value of each of these neurotoxins in animal modeling of human neurologic, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders is discussed in terms of the respective value as well as limitations of the derived animal model. Neuroteratologic agents have proven to be of immense importance for understanding how associated neural systems in human neural disorders may be better targeted by new therapeutic agents.

Perinatal Lesioning and Lifelong Effects of the Noradrenergic Neurotoxin 6-Hydroxydopa

6-hydroxydopa (6-OHDOPA) was synthesized with the expectation that it would be able to cross the blood-brain barrier to be enzymatically decarboxylated to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), the newly discovered neurotoxin for noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons. In part, 6-OHDOPA fulfilled these criteria. When administered experimentally to rodents, 6-OHDOPA destroyed peripheral sympathetic noradrenergic nerves and did exert neurotoxicity to noradrenergic nerves in brain-in large part, from its conversion to 6-OHDA. However, the efficacy of 6-OHDOPA was less than that of 6-OHDA; also, 6-OHDOPA was relatively selective for noradrenergic neurons; near-lethal doses of 6-OHDOPA were required to damage dopaminergic nerves; and ultimately, 6-OHDOPA was found to be an agonist at AMPA receptors, thus accounting for more non-specificity. Nevertheless, 6-OHDOPA was found to be a particularly valuable tool in uncovering processes and mechanisms associated with noradrenergic nerve regeneration and sprouting, particularly when administered to perinatal rodents. Also, 6-OHDOPA was a good tool for selective mapping of noradrenergic nerve tracts in brain, since dopaminergic tracts were unaffected and did not interfere with the histofluorescent methodology used for this purpose in the early 1970s. As an experimental research tool, 6-OHDOPA was valuable in a short time-window, but its utility is largely limited because of newer research technologies that provide better means today for nerve tract mapping, and for experimental approaches engaged toward study of processes and mechanisms attending nerve regeneration. AMPA actions of 6-OHDOPA have not been extensively studied, so this avenue may enliven use of 6-OHDOPA in the future.

Free radical mechanisms in schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia

The present article discusses the distribution of free radical processes in the central nervous system (CNS). Specifically, we discuss the involvement of oxyradicals in the normal metabolism of catecholamine. We also review some proposals related to the possible importance of these compounds in the development of neuropsychiatric and movement disorders such as schizophrenia and neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD), respectively. Clinical studies have shown that antioxidant treatment can attenuate the movement abnormalities observed in TD. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the status of specific scavenging systems in these two disorders. The prophylactic use of antioxidants in patients who are treated with neuroleptics needs also to be considered.

Normal development and the effects of early rhizotomy on spinal systems in the rat

The normal postnatal development of 4 spinal systems was examined in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord using histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. We used thiamine monophosphatase (TMPase), a marker for dorsal root ganglion cells and their projections, a tachykinin, substance P (SP), which is provided by both dorsal root and intrinsic systems, and two markers for descending systems, serotonin (5-HT) and the synthesizing enzyme for noradrenalin, dopamine B-hydroxylase (DBH). The responses of each of these systems to unilateral dorsal lumbosacral rhizotomy on postnatal day 5 was then examined and quantified using image analysis methods to determine whether the extent of plasticity of spinal systems is different after a neonatal lesion than after a comparable lesion made in the adult. Each system differs in development, distribution, and in response to rhizotomy. TMPase is present in the dorsal horn on the day of birth (DPN0) and reaches adult levels of density by 5 days postnatal (DPN5). SP reaction product is present in a distribution similar to the adult in the dorsal horn on DPN0 and reaches adult levels of density by the second postnatal week. 5-HT is present in the dorsal horn on DPN0, shows a laminar distribution at DPN5, and acquires the adult distribution and density at the end of the second week. DBH is present in the dorsal horn on DPN0, acquires the adult distribution at DPN5 and adult levels of density at the end of the second postnatal week. Unilateral lumbosacral rhizotomy in 5 day old rats completely and permanently abolishes TMPase in the dorsal horn by 4 days postoperatively (4DPO). SP is decreased by 4 DPO (9 DPN) but recovers almost completely by 30 DPO. 5-HT is increased by 10 DPO and remains elevated thereafter. DBH is not changed postoperatively. There is shrinkage of lamina I and II by 10 DPO but the recovery of SP and the increase in density of 5-HT staining is proportionally greater than the extent of shrinkage. Therefore, shrinkage contributes to but does not entirely account for either the apparent recovery of SP staining or the increase in density of 5-HT staining. The responses of the TMPase, 5-HT and DBH systems to neonatal rhizotomy are very similar to the response to rhizotomy in adults and there is therefore no evidence for greater plasticity of these systems after neonatal rhizotomy than after adult rhizotomy. The SP systems show more rapid depletion and a greater and more rapid recovery than after adult deafferentation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Free radical mechanisms in the central nervous system: an overview

Free radicals are highly toxic compounds which can react with a number of molecules such as glycoproteins or amino acids. These reactions can lead to the denaturation of proteins, destabilization of cellular membrane and eventually, cell death. Free radicals have been recently implicated in the pathogenesis and clinical course of a number of neuropsychiatric disorders including aging of the central nervous system (CNS), schizophrenia, and the development of tardive dyskinesia during chronic use of neuroleptics. This paper provides an overview of the nature of free radicals and discusses briefly their participation in the toxicity associated with catecholamines in the CNS.

Parallel changes in brain flunitrazepam binding and density of noradrenergic innervation

The neonatal injection of neurotoxic compounds such as 6-hydroxydopa (6-OH-DOPA) and DSP 4 (N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride) produces marked changes in the development of central noradrenergic neurons, i.e. permanent denervation of the cerebral cortex and hyperinnervation of the brain stem and the cerebellum. Adult animals treated at birth with both neurotoxins were used to study the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam (FNZ) to membranes isolated from these regions. The administration of both toxins produced a marked and similar increase in the number of FNZ binding sites in the cerebellum. In the brain stem, 6-OH-DOPA increased the density of these receptors much more than DSP 4 (33% vs. 13%), a difference similar to that observed between the effects of both compounds on brain stem NA. In the cerebral cortex, both compounds reduced the maximal number of FNZ binding sites. No changes were observed in the affinity of FNZ binding sites in the different structures. When adult rats treated at birth with 6-OH-DOPA received an injection of DSP 4 7 days later, the number of FNZ binding sites was reduced by 43% in the cerebellum, 53% in the brain stem and 11% in the cerebral cortex. In these structures, DSP 4 reduced the absolute number of FNZ binding sites to the same level both in rats treated at birth with 6-OH-DOPA and in non-treated animals receiving DSP 4 7 days before killing. These results are further support for the existence of close parallelism between the density of benzodiazepine receptors, as demonstrated by FNZ binding, and the density of brain noradrenergic innervation.

Changes in the development of central noradrenaline neurons after neonatal axon lesions

The effects of early surgical lesions of ascending noradrenaline (NA) axons and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced NA denervation of the spinal cord on the postnatal development of central NA neurons of the rat have been studied using histo- and neurochemical techniques. The lesions were performed during the first week after birth and analyzed at the age of one or two weeks or in the adult stage. Complete unilateral hemisection at the mesencephalic level in the neonatal stage produced marked reductions of the 3H-NA uptake in vitro in the cerebral cortex with concomitant significant increases (+30-50%) of the uptake on the ipsilateral side of the pons-medulla when determined in adulthood. Partial unilateral hemisection, restricted to produce an axotomy of the dorsal NA bundle, led to almost complete NA depletions in the cerebral cortex, while significant NA elevations were found in the mesencephalon (+25-40%), pons-medulla (+15%) and cerebellum (+90%) on the ipsilateral side. In the latter region a significant NA increase (+50%) was also observed in the controlateral side. Regional analysis of the 3H-NA uptake after partial hemisection gave similar results. Intraspinal injection of 6-OHDA on the day of birth resulted consistently in marked NA depletions (-90% or more) in the spinal cord, while the effects on NA in the cerebral cortex varied, being either unaffected or markedly reduced. Animals with unaffected cerebral cortex disclosed a significant NA increase in the pons-medulla only, whereas animals with cortical NA denervation displayed significant increases in endogenous NA levels both in the pons-medulla and the cerebellum. The present results give further support for the "pruning effect" concept explaining the growth response that central NA neurons exhibit after neonatal 6-OHDA treatment systemically or when one axonal branch is damaged neonatally.

The structure of cerebral cortex in the rat following prenatal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine

The early, prenatal formation of noradrenergic projections to the forebrain has led to the proposition that these axons exert a trophic influence on cerebral cortex during ontogeny. To test this hypothesis, we have examined a number of different structural features of cortical development following prenatal lesions of the ascending noradrenergic axons. The parameters that were analyzed include cytoarchitecture, dendritic morphology, and the distribution of monoaminergic and nonmonoaminergic cortical afferents. Rat fetuses were administered the catecholamine neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) by transuterine, intraperitoneal injection on embryonic day 17. Vehicle-injected controls and fetuses treated with the catecholamine uptake inhibitor desmethylimipramine (DMI) prior to 6-OHDA were prepared. After reaching maturity (200-300 g), the brain of treated and control rats were examined using Nissl and Golgi preparations (for cytoarchitecture and dendritic morphology), histofluorescence (for monoaminergic afferents, especially dopaminergic axons), and serotonin and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) immunocytochemistry. Effective lesioning of the ascending noradrenergic system was confirmed in each case, using DBH immunocytochemistry. Prenatal treatment with 6-OHDA resulted in complete and long-lasting destruction of the noradrenergic innervation of the cerebral cortex, along with hyperinnervation of the diencephalon and brain stem. Despite the widespread denervation of cerebral cortex, no significant alterations in cytoarchitecture, dendritic morphology, or spine counts were found in treated brains. In particular, no abnormalities were observed in the apical dendrites of layer VI pyramidal cells, based on qualitative criteria. The distribution, density and morphology of serotonergic and dopaminergic afferents were unaffected. Thalamocortical afferents had developed normally as reflected by the cortical barrels. In 33% of the 6-OHDA-treated fetuses foci of ectopic neurons were found at the cortical surface. The ectopias contain neuronal processes, somata, and synapses interspersed with collagen and other connective tissue elements. While the ectopias may result from selective damage to the noradrenergic neurons, the finding of similar (but smaller) malformations in DMI-protected animals is equally consistent with a non-specific effect of 6-OHDA upon non-adrenergic cells. The examination of intervening stages will be needed to resolve this question. Based on the parameters of cortical structure analyzed in this study we conclude that the neocortex develops normally even in the absence of the noradrenergic system.

Opiate-enhanced toxicity and noradrenergic sprouting in rats treated with 6-hydroxydopa

Because endorphin receptor activation alters the function of the central noradrenergic system, opiates may change the regenerative sprouting of neurons in response to adrenergic neurotoxins. To test this hypothesis, newborn rats were treated with several opioids and 6-hydroxydopa (6-OHDOPA) and the development of the noradrenergic system was evaluated. In combination with 6-OHDOPA morphine and naloxone potentiated the development of norepinephrine (NE) levels in the pons-medulla and cerebellum by four weeks of age, beta-Endorphin, Leu- and Met-enkephalin and d-Ala2-enkephalinamide produced a similar effect in the pons-medulla. The effect of morphine was partially attenuated by naloxone. Increased cerebellar noradrenergic histofluorescent staining was observed with the morphine + 6-OHDOPA and naloxone + 6-OHDOPA treatments. Both naloxone and morphine decreased NE levels in the pons-medulla of adult rats treated with 6-OHDOPA. These results suggest that opiates and endorphins may enhance sprouting of noradrenergic neurons following neonatal treatment with 6-OHDOPA, by increasing the toxicity of this neurotoxin.

Reactive proliferation of brain stem noradrenergic nerves following neonatal cerebellectomy in rats: role of target maturation on neuronal response to injury during development

(c) the Vmax for the high affinity uptake of [3H]norepinephrine in homogenates of lower brain stem;

Effects of intraventricular injection of 6-hydroxydopamine in the developing kitten. III. Histochemical fluorescence and radioautographic studies of the noradrenaline hyperinnervation in the pons

In the present study, using neonatal intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the fluorescence histochemical method for monoamines, it is observed that an extensive plexus of noradrenaline (NA) fibres develops in the pontine region of the cat brain subsequently to the neonatal destruction of the ascending NA bundles and of the NA innervation in the cerebral cortex by the neurotoxin. This plexus is only partly conserved 10 months after the 6-OHDA treatment. Generally, only a limited number of NA perikarya degenerate in the region of the locus coeruleus, the others (nucleus subcoeruleus senso lato) exhibiting the same strong fluorescence as the new NA fibres. Using the radioautographic method after intraventricular injections of [3H]NA, our work demonstrates also the transient disappearance (at least one month) of the uptake of [3H]NA in the pons, whose NA cell bodies and nerve terminals are no longer labeled in the same number as in control animals. The possibility of again labeling significantly NA perikarya and numerous nerve terminals occurred between 3 and 5 months of age, probably indicating both a re-establishment of normal uptake properties in the preserved NA perikarya and nerve terminals and some maturation of the uptake mechanisms in the abnormal NA fibres of the pons. This last observation is at variance with data from newborn animals showing that the uptake of NA develops in parallel with the accumulation of endogenous NA in catecholamine nerve terminals. The present results, however, do corroborate and complement previous biochemical data obtained in the cat after neonatal injection of 6-OHDA.

Enhancement of sprouting and putative regeneration of central noradrenergic fibers by morphine

Treatment of newborn rats with 6-hydroxydopa (6-OHDOPA, 60 micrograms/g IP) increased the levels of norepinephrine in the adult cerebellum and hindbrain. Concurrent treatment with morphine sulfate (20 micrograms/g IP) potentiated the response to 6-OHDOPA in the cerebellum and pons-medulla. In addition, increased noradrenergic neurite density in 4 week cerebellar cortex (as observed with histofluorescent staining by glyoxylic acid) suggests that neonatal morphine increased the sprouting of noradrenergic neurons in the 6-OHDOPA treated rats.

Regenerative critical periods for locus coeruleus in postnatal rat pups following intracisternal 6-hydroxydopamine: a model of noradrenergic development

Rat pups were injected intracisternally with 20, 40 or 80 microgram of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) at various ages over the first 12 postnatal days in order to determine the critical period of the noradrenergic regenerative-sprouting response in the cerebellum. Twenty-four hours after the treatment NE fibers in the cerebellum had become extensively degenerated. NE levels were reduced by greater than 90-95% and histofluorescence microscopy revealed an absence of innervation except for lesioned axon stumps in the basal white matter and peduncles. The 80 microgram dose produced considerable cellular degeneration in the locus coeruleus and no regenerative growth was seen to follow this treatment. Following the two lower doses, however, regenerative growth did occur. This was maximal in those rats treated closest to birth and declined progressively to become insignificant in rats which were treated on postnatal days 5-12, depending upon the cerebellar subregion. This decline in regenerative potential paralleled the time course for development of NE levels in control cerebella. For this reason the mechanism(s) controlling noradrenergic developmental and regenerative growth in the cerebellum appear to be similar. Such regenerative growth may thus be a useful model for the study of developmental growth of locus coeruleus axons. Contrary to the cerebellar projection, regenerative growth of the forebrain noradrenergic projection was not detected until the rats were between 7 and 12 days old at the time of treatment. This regeneration in the cerebral cortex was preceded by incomplete initial destruction of NE fibers there, in apparent similarity to regenerative growth described to occur in the adult rat forebrain.

DSP-4: a novel compound with neurotoxic effects on noradrenergic neurons of adult and developing rats

The pharmacological actions of the compound N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride (DSP-4) are compatible with a specific neurotoxic effect on both peripheral and central noradrenergic neurons. The systemic injection of DSP-4 to adult rats transiently alters sympathetic neurons in the periphery but in the central nervous system the compound determines a marked and prolonged reduction of noradrenaline (NA) levels in all brain regions studied. When DSP-4 was injected systemically to rats at birth in doses ranging from 6.25 to 100 micrograms/g, no changes were found in peripheral sympathetic neurons 40 days later. On the contrary, in the same conditions and in relation to the dose injected, there were marked and persistent changes in the levels of NA in different regions of the brain. In the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord, the neonatal injection of SDP-4 produced a marked and long-lasting depletion of NA levels, similar to that observed after injection of the compound to adult rats. These changes were accompanied by a moderate increase in brain stem NA and a marked elevation of the amine in the cerebellum. These changes, different from the depletion observed in both regions when the compound was given to adult rats, are however similar to those observed after the neonatal injection of the neurotoxic compounds 6-hydroxydopamine or its precursor amino acid, 6-hydroxydopa. This indicates that probably central noradrenergic neurons respond in the same manner after different chemical injuries. DSP-4 crosses the placental barrier because when it was given to pregnant rats at the end of gestation, long-term changes were found in brain NA levels in their offspring, similar to those produced by the neonatal administration of the compound. This new neurotoxic compound provides a very useful tool for the study of noradrenergic neurons both in adult animals and during ontogenesis.

Loss of nerve cell bodies in caudal locus coeruleus following treatment of neonates with 6-hydroxydopa

The locus coeruleus is a well defined nucleus in cresylechtviolet preparations and the perikarya are easily distinguished. The coeruleus neurons are thought to be noradrenergic and during development can be selectively affected by the neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopa (6-OHDOPA). In 6-month-old rats that were treated on day of birth with 6-OHDOPA (60 mg/kg, i.p.) there was a 32% loss of nerve cell bodies in the locus coeruleus. While it was apparent that loss of cell bodies occurred throughout the entire nucleus, the greatest loss of perikarya was from the caudal extent of the nucleus. It is known that sprouting of noradrenergic terminals occurs in the cerebellum of rats following treatment of newborns with 6-OHDOPA. That there are fewer cell bodies to contribute additional terminals further dramatizes this sprouting phenomenon.

Regional development of norepinephrine, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase in the rat brain subsequent to neonatal treatment with subcutaneous 6-hydroxydopamine

Neonatal rats were injected subcutaneously with 100 mg/kg 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), or vehicle, on postnatal days 1, 2 and 3. At several times thereafter, determinations of tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activities, and norepinephrine (NE) concentration were made in the parietal cortex, cerebellum and pons-medulla in order to assess the extent of initial noradrenergic degeneration induced, and the rate of any ensuing regeneration. By the day following completion of the treatment (postnatal day 4), degeneration of noradrenergic terminals in the parietal cortex and cerebellum was very extensive, with NE levels and DBH activities reduced by more than 80%, and TOH activities reduced by 50%. In the parietal cortex noradrenergic degeneration remained virtually complete; and 9 and 70 days postnatal NE concentration and DBH and TOH activities were all decreased by more than 90--95%. In the cerebellum a progressive regeneration and apparent sprouting of NE fibers was observed. By postnatal day 9, NE, DBH and TOH in this tissue had all recovered to near control levels, and by day 70 these measures exceeded control levels by 95%, 115% and 50% respectively. In the pons-medulla, the initial effect of 6-OHDA on any of the measured parameters was negligible. By postnatal day 9 an increase in NE concentration was apparent, which increased further by day 70 to surpass the control level by 70%. At this same time DBH activity was increased by only 15% and TOH activity was unchanged. Separate analysis of the rostral half of the pons, which contains the locus coeruleus, revealed that on day 70 NE and DBH levels were increased much more substantially than in the whole pons-medulla, and TOH activity was also significantly elevated. This data indicates that the initial amount of degeneration induced by the 6-OHDA treatment is similar in both the parietal cortex and cerebellum, but regeneration proceeds only in the cerebellum. This suggests that noradrenergic fiber growth and regeneration in each target tissue is under independent regulation, possibly by the individual target neurons themselves.

Assessment of the effects of neonatal subcutaneous 6-hydroxydopamine on noradrenergic and dopaminergic innervation of the cerebral cortex

Female rats, treated at birth with 6-hydroxydopamine (3 x 100 mg/kg s.c. at 24 h intervals) or vehicle, were subjected at 112 days of age to unilateral electrolytic lesions of the locus coeruleus. Two weeks later regions of the telencephalon, both ipsi- and contralateral to the lesion, were simultaneously assayed for norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) content, and for tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activities. In the vehicle-treated rats the lesion resulted in at least an 80% reduction of NE and DBH on the ipsilateral side, relative to the contralateral side. TOH was reduced to a similar extent only in the parietal cortex and hippocampus. In the prefrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus TOH was decreased by only 31% and 64% respectively; the remainder was interpreted to be associated with projections of the mesocortical dopamine system. From this data it was possible to calculate that the ratio of TOH to DA in dopaminergic terminals is about 10-fold greater than the ratio of TOH to NE in noradrenergic terminals. Neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine treatment resulted in practically total elimination of noradrenergic terminals throughout the telencephalon, and the locus coeruleus lesion had no additional effect. The drug treatment produced no significant change in DA content or in the TOH to DA ratio in the prefrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus, indicating complete sparing of the mesocortical DA projections.

Possible involvement of brainstem norepinephrine in pentylenetetrazol convulsions in rats

The thresholds of twitch and clonic convulsion induced by intravenous infusion of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) were measured in rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In adult rats, intraventricularly applied 6-OHDA increased susceptibility to PTZ convulsions and decreased norepinephrine (NE) contents of the cortex, hypothalamus and brainstem. When 6-OHDA was applied intraventricularly at 8 days after birth, PTZ convulsion susceptibility was slightly decreased and brainstem NE content was significantly increased. However, the effects of 6-OHDA given at 20 days after birth were similar to those observed in adults. Significant decrease of cortical and hypothalamic NE contents, but no change in PTZ convulsion susceptibility, occurred following 6-OHDA injections into the dorsal and ventral NE bundles. These results suggest that the brainstem NE neurons play an inhibitory role on the development of PTZ convulsions.

Muscarinic hyposensitivity in the developing rat pretreated with 6-hydroxydopa

Atropine-induced locomotor stimulation was investigated in the developing rat pretreated with 6-hydroxydopa at birth. The locomotor stimulation by atropine was first observed on day 20 and gradually increased with age. The treatment with 6-hydroxydopa potentiated atropine-induced locomotor stimulation on days later than day 20 and inhibited a pilocarpine-induced catalepsy on day 30. This suggests that central cholinergic neurons, probably in the neostriatum, reach functional maturity between 15 and 20 days, and that the pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopa induced muscarinic hyposensitivity in the developing rat.

A biochemical and morphological study of the altered growth pattern of central catecholamine neurons following 6-hydroxydopamine

In this study the effect of administering 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) intracisternally on brain catecholamine content and fluorescence patterns of cerebellar processes was examined. It was found that intracisternal injection of 6-OHDA resulted in widely diverging effects depending upon the dose of 6-OHDA, age of the animal upon injection and the length of the post injection interval. Small doses of 6-OHDA (3 and 10 microgram) selectively depleted telencephalic and upper brain stem NE while larger doses of 6-OHDA (30 and 100 microgram) infringed on dopaminergic as well as noradrenergic neurons. In addition, the lower doses of 6-OHDA, but not the higher ones, led to an approximately two-fold accumulation of NE in the lower brain stem and cerebellum. Morphological observations suggested that the cerebellar norepinephrine accumulation after 10 microgram 6-OHDA was attributable primarily to an invasion of noradrenergic processes into the cerebellum.

Differential effect of various 6-hydroxydopa treatments on the development of central and peripheral noradrenergic neurons

6-Hydroxydopamine or 6-hydroxydopa injected systemically into newborn rats produced marked changes in the development of central and peripheral noradrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline concentration was elevated in the brain stem, particularly in the pons, and decreased in the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord while in the cerebellum, the effects were dependent on the mode of administration. The changes produced by 6-hydroxydopa in brain regional noradrenaline were related to the dose injected at birth. Similar modifications in the development of central noradrenergic neurons were found in the offspring of rats which had received 6-hydroxydopa at 16 days of gestation. The involvement of peripheral sympathetic neurons varied with the compound used and the form of its administration. Thus, 6-hydroxydopamine produced a permanent although partial peripheral sympathectomy, an effect which was less evident following multiple injections of 6-hydroxydopa after birth and almost minimal after a single injection. The prenatal administration of 6-hydroxydopa did not alter peripheral sympathetic neurons. It is concluded that with the appropriate treatment schedule, it is possible to lesion selectively the noradrenergic neurons in the central nervous system.