Nk. Popova et al., GENETIC CORRELATIONS BETWEEN BRAIN DOPAMI NE METABOLISM AND ANXIETY IN MICE, Zurnal vyssej nervnoj deatelnosti im. I.P. Pavlova, 46(5), 1996, pp. 904-910
Dopamine, homovanillic acid(HVA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (D
OPAC) levels were determined in striatum and nucleus accumbens with ol
factory tubercles in four mice strains (C57BL/6, DBA/2, BALB/c, and CB
A). The levels of anxiety were estimated in the elevated plus-maze, da
rk-light test, and by the social activity. Significant correlation was
revealed between the content of dopamine (and its main metabolites) a
nd the lever of anxiety. All the correlations between the DOPAC level
and the percentage of time spent in the open arms, or at the illuminat
ed area, or contacting with a conspecific were positive. The correlati
ons between these anxiety indices and HVA levels were negative. It is
suggested that brain dopaminergic system plays an essential role in th
e regulation of anxiety and that anxiety is associated with increased
O-methylation and decreased oxidative deamination of dopamine.