Effects of baclofen on reserpine-induced vacuous chewing movements in mice

Brain Res Bull. 2006 Feb 15;68(6):436-41. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2005.09.019. Epub 2005 Nov 14.

Abstract

We have described that GABA mimetic drugs present the ability to inhibit the expression of reserpine-induced oral movements. In this respect, oral movements is associated with important neuropathologies. This study investigates the effects of an acute or a repeated treatment of different doses of the GABA(B) agonist baclofen, as well as withdrawal from these treatments, on the development and/or expression of reserpine-induced vacuous chewing movements (VCM). Male mice received two injections of vehicle or of 1mg/kg reserpine separated by 48 h. In the first experiment, 24h later, animals were acutely treated with vehicle or baclofen (1, 2 or 4 mg/kg). In the second experiment, animals were treated with vehicle or baclofen (1 or 4 mg/kg) for four consecutive days receiving a concomitant injection of 1mg/kg reserpine (or vehicle) on Days 2 and 4. Twenty-four hours later, animals received vehicle or baclofen. Thirty minutes after the last injection, they were observed for quantification of VCM and open-field general activity. The acute administration of all the doses of baclofen abolished the manifestation of reserpine-induced VCM. Repeated treatment with 1mg/kg baclofen induced tolerance to the ability of an acute injection of this dose to reduce VCM. Treatment with baclofen (4 mg/kg) did not modify spontaneous VCM. Acute administration of the highest dose induced a decrease in general motor activity and a potentiation of the reserpine-induced decrease in general activity. These results reinforce the involvement of GABAergic hypofunction in the expression of oral movements and suggest that a repeated treatment with baclofen induces compensatory changes in GABAergic transmission that can attenuate its acute property to decrease VCM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Baclofen / pharmacology*
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / metabolism
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / physiopathology*
  • GABA Agonists / pharmacology
  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists*
  • Male
  • Mastication / drug effects*
  • Mastication / physiology
  • Mice
  • Neural Inhibition / drug effects
  • Neural Inhibition / physiology
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism
  • Reserpine / adverse effects
  • Reserpine / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
  • GABA Agonists
  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists
  • Receptors, GABA-B
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Reserpine
  • Baclofen