Long-term effects of early social isolation in Macaca mulatta: changes in dopamine receptor function following apomorphine challenge

Mark H. Lewis, John P. Gluck, Alan J. Beauchamp, Michael F. Keresztury, Richard B. Mailman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

112 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hypothesis that early social isolation results in long-term alterations in dopamine receptor sensitivity was tested using older adult rhesus monkeys. Isolated and control monkeys were challenged with apomorphine (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg), and the drug effects on spontaneous blink rate, stereotyped behavior, and self-injurious behavior were quantified using observational measures. Monoamine metabolites were quantified from cisternal CSF by HPLC-EC, prior to pharmacological challenge. Isolated and control monkeys did not differ in CSF concentrations of HVA, 5-HIAA, or MHPG. At the higher dose, apomorphine significantly increased the rate of blinking, the occurrence of whole-body stereotypies, and the intensity of stereotyped behavior (as measured by observer ratings) in isolated monkeys. The frequency of occurrence of self-injurious behavior was too low to allow for meaningful comparisons. These significant differences in response to apomorphine challenge support the hypothesis that long-term or permanent alterations in dopamine receptor sensitivity, as assessed by drug challenge, are a consequence of early social deprivation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)67-73
Number of pages7
JournalBrain research
Volume513
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 9 1990

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

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