Amygdalar neuropeptide Y Y-1 receptors mediate the anxiolytic-like actionsof neuropeptide Y in the social interaction test

The effects of intra-amygdalar neuropeptide Y infusions were assessed in ra ts using the social interaction test. Neuropeptide Y administered into the central nucleus of the amygdala did not alter behavior, while injections in to the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala produced an increased social int eraction time. Furthermore, the anxiolytic-like effect was antagonized by c o-administration of the potent neuropeptide Y Y-1 receptor antagonist ((R)- N-[[4-(aminocarbonylaminomethyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-arginin amide trifluoroacetate) 3304, but not with the inactive enantiomer (( R)-N- [[4-(aminocarbonylaminomethyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-argininam ide trifluoroacetate) 3457. Therefore, neuropeptide Y produces an anxiolyti c-like effect in the social interaction test through neuropetide Y Y-1 rece ptors located in the basolateral amygdala. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.