Strain differences in the distribution of dopamine (DA-2 and DA-3) receptor sites in rat brain

Strain differences in the expression of dopamine D1 receptors in Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar rats

“…Our lab has also demonstrated differences in DA transporter (DAT), DA D2 and D3 receptor binding in the WKY rat compared to control strains, suggesting altered DA transmission (Jiao et al, 2003;Yaroslavsky et al, 2006). This is supported by a separate group that found reduced DA levels in the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) and increased DA turnover in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and striatum compared to Wistar (WIS) controls (De La Garza and Mahoney, 2004).…”

“…Given our previous findings on the strain differences between WKYand WIS rats in terms of DAT, D2, and D3 receptors along with the behavioral profile and of the WKY rat, we have hypothesized that WKY rats may have a dopaminergic deficit (Jiao et al, 2003;Yaroslavsky et al, 2006). When taken in the context of these previous studies, the decreased D1 binding in WKY rats found in the CPu and NAc might further reflect a potential deficit in post-synaptic DA activity.…”

Cabergoline, a dopamine receptor agonist, has an antidepressant-like property and enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling

“…Tejani-Butt et al (2003) also showed that chronic treatment with nomifensine (a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor), but not with paroxetine (SSRI), reduced the immobility in FST. Interestingly, the expression level of D 2 receptor in Wistar-Kyoto rats is higher than Wistar in the ventral tegmental area where this receptor functions as an autoreceptor (Yaroslavsky et al 2006). Swimming stress has been shown to enhance the metabolism of dopamine and 5-HT in the prefrontal cortex of Wistar-Kyoto, but not in Wistar rats (De La Garza and Mahoney 2004).…”

Animal Models of Anxiety Vulnerability - The Wistar Kyoto Rat

“…D1 receptors in the substantia nigra are involved in mediating the startle response (Meloni and Davis, 1999), thus a higher D1 receptor level in this region may lead to heightened ASR magnitude in WKY rats. Results from a recent study demonstrated that WKY rats exhibited higher D2 receptor binding levels in the nucleus accumbens shell and ventral tegmental area, but lower D2 receptor binding in the caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens core and hypothalamus compared to WIS rats (Yaroslavsky et al, 2006). It is known that the D1 and D2 receptors represent critical sites where DA acts to modify behavior related to anxiety and reward; the altered expression of this receptor in the WKY rat may be reflective of the anxiety susceptibility noted in this rat strain.…”