Advisor(s)

Dr. Manoranjan S D'Souza: m-dsouza@onu.edu

Confirmation

1

Document Type

Poster

Location

McIntosh Activities Room

Start Date

19-4-2024 10:00 AM

End Date

19-4-2024 10:50 AM

Abstract

The overall objective of the study was to assess the acute behavioral effects of currently used antidepressants and anxiolytics in male and female mice lacking regulator of G protein-signaling (RGS) proteins 2 and 4 and their wild-type counterparts. RGS 2 and 4 proteins negatively modulate signaling pathways of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play an important role in mediating the effects of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters in turn play an important role in the action of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications. The study was undertaken because no studies till date have systematically assessed the behavioral effects of anxiolytics and antidepressants in both male and female mice lacking RGS2 and RGS4 proteins. Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and antidepressant-like effects were assessed using the tail suspension test (TST). The anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs evaluated in this study include those that primarily target monoamine neurotransmission such as fluoxetine (30 mg/kg), desipramine (30 mg/kg), and buspirone (3 mg/kg). Data analyzed till date suggests that RGS2, but not RGS4, sex-dependently influences the antidepressant-like effect of desipramine and fluoxetine after acute administration. Moreover, the data suggests that RGS4, but not RGS2, sex-dependently influences the effects of buspirone and fluoxetine on anxiety-like behavior. Further doses of the above mentioned drugs are currently being evaluated. Data obtained from these studies will help in understanding the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of drugs in humans carrying polymorphisms of the RGS2 and RGS4 genes.

Key Words: Behavior, Sex, RGS2, RGS4, G proteins, Neurotransmitters, Depression, Anxiety, Antidepressants, Anxiolytics

Level of Access

Open Access

Open Access

Available to all.

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Apr 19th, 10:00 AM Apr 19th, 10:50 AM

Differential behavioral responses in male and female mice lacking either RGS2 or RGS4 proteins after acute administration of antidepressants and anxiolytics

McIntosh Activities Room

The overall objective of the study was to assess the acute behavioral effects of currently used antidepressants and anxiolytics in male and female mice lacking regulator of G protein-signaling (RGS) proteins 2 and 4 and their wild-type counterparts. RGS 2 and 4 proteins negatively modulate signaling pathways of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play an important role in mediating the effects of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters in turn play an important role in the action of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications. The study was undertaken because no studies till date have systematically assessed the behavioral effects of anxiolytics and antidepressants in both male and female mice lacking RGS2 and RGS4 proteins. Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and antidepressant-like effects were assessed using the tail suspension test (TST). The anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs evaluated in this study include those that primarily target monoamine neurotransmission such as fluoxetine (30 mg/kg), desipramine (30 mg/kg), and buspirone (3 mg/kg). Data analyzed till date suggests that RGS2, but not RGS4, sex-dependently influences the antidepressant-like effect of desipramine and fluoxetine after acute administration. Moreover, the data suggests that RGS4, but not RGS2, sex-dependently influences the effects of buspirone and fluoxetine on anxiety-like behavior. Further doses of the above mentioned drugs are currently being evaluated. Data obtained from these studies will help in understanding the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of drugs in humans carrying polymorphisms of the RGS2 and RGS4 genes.

Key Words: Behavior, Sex, RGS2, RGS4, G proteins, Neurotransmitters, Depression, Anxiety, Antidepressants, Anxiolytics