Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/135219
Title: | NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY OF THE NUCLEUS INCERTUS: STUDY OF ITS FUNCTION IN LOCOMOTION, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY | Authors: | JIGNA RAJESH KUMAR | Keywords: | nucleus, incertus, depression, locomotion, anxiety, relaxin-3 | Issue Date: | 30-Sep-2016 | Citation: | JIGNA RAJESH KUMAR (2016-09-30). NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY OF THE NUCLEUS INCERTUS: STUDY OF ITS FUNCTION IN LOCOMOTION, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY. ScholarBank@NUS Repository. | Abstract: | The nucleus incertus (NI) is an evolutionarily conserved brainstem structure whose functional relevance is poorly understood. Based on the widespread anatomical connections, variety of neuromodulators and receptors, and strong theta modulation, the hypothesis was that the NI is able to modulate arousal and behavioural activity levels. D2 receptor mRNA and protein was found to be expressed in the rat NI and appears to promote hypolocomotion. Electrical microstimulation of the NI in behaving rats robustly evoked locomotion. A loss-of-function study showed that the NI promotes passive coping, behavioural inhibition and anxiety-induced arousal. 5-HT1A receptors in the NI play a role in the anxiogenic response of a high dose of buspirone suggesting that they may be involved in promoting anxiety physiologically. In conclusion, the NI appears to modulate behavioural activity levels, stress-coping, arousal and anxiety differentially based on its activation level and presence of stressors via the availability of varied neuromodulators. | URI: | http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/135219 |
Appears in Collections: | Ph.D Theses (Open) |
Show full item record
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | Access Settings | Version | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KumarJR.pdf | 9.44 MB | Adobe PDF | OPEN | None | View/Download |
Google ScholarTM
Check
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.