Nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor agonists increase aggressiveness in the mouse resident-intruder test

Behavioural Brain Research
Epifanio F SilvaElaine C Gavioli

Abstract

Aggressive behaviors can be considered symptoms of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress, intermittent explosive, and personality disorders. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a peptide acting as endogenous ligand of the NOP receptor. Preclinical and clinical findings suggest the NOP receptor as an innovative target for the treatment of psychopathologies, such as anxiety, depression, and drug abuse. This study investigated the effects of NOP ligands and the behavioral phenotype of mice lacking the NOP receptor in an animal model of aggressiveness, the resident-intruder test. Mood stabilizers, such as valproate, lithium, and carbamazepine reduced aggressive behaviors of resident mice, while diazepam was inactive. In contrast, para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis, increased aggressiveness in mice. Similar to PCPA, the treatment with the NOP agonists Ro 65-6570 and AT-090 also increased aggressive behaviors. The systemic administration of the NOP antagonist SB-612111 did not modify the behavior of resident mice, but it prevented the aggressive behavior of Ro 65-6570. NOP receptor knockout mice did not display any behavioral difference compared to wild-type animals in the resident-intruder...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 25, 2019·Journal of Psychopharmacology·Victor A D HolandaChiara Ruzza
Feb 26, 2020·Psychopharmacology·Aldemara I SilvaElaine C Gavioli
Aug 7, 2019·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Gloria BrunoriAndrea Cippitelli

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