Mu and Delta Opioid Receptors Oppositely Regulate Motor Impulsivity in Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Mary C. Olmstead, Abdel-Mouttalib Ouagazzal, Brigitte L. Kieffer
Primary Institution: Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Hypothesis
Does the inactivation of mu- or delta-opioid receptor genes alter motor impulsivity in mice?
Conclusion
Mice lacking mu-opioid receptors showed decreased motor impulsivity, while those lacking delta-opioid receptors exhibited increased impulsivity.
Supporting Evidence
- Mu-opioid receptor knockout mice displayed a significant decrease in motor impulsivity.
- Delta-opioid receptor knockout mice were more impulsive than their wild-type controls.
- Both types of knockout mice showed no deficits in associative learning during the tasks.
Takeaway
Some mice are better at waiting for a treat than others, and this study found that certain brain receptors can change how impulsive they are.
Methodology
Mice were tested in a signaled nose poke task to measure impulsivity and learning, comparing wild-type and knockout mice for mu and delta opioid receptors.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in interpreting results based on the specific genetic backgrounds used.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on two genetic backgrounds and may not generalize to other strains or conditions.
Participant Demographics
Mice were bred on either a hybrid or C57BL6 background, aged 112-126 days at the start of testing.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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