Chronic l-tyrosine alters the locomotor activity and brain monoamine levels in Roborovskii hamsters

Yusuke Kabuki, Kazutaka Shigemi, Kousuke Hamasu, D. Michael Denbow, Mitsuhiro Furuse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Roborovskii hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) has high locomotor activity (hyperactivity) and low dopamine levels in the brain compared with the congeneric Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). To clarify the efficacy of dietary l-tyrosine in ameliorating signs of hyperactivity, we investigated the effects of chronic administration of l-tyrosine, the primary precursor of dopamine, on locomotor activity and brain monoamine levels in Roborovskii hamsters. Chronic supplementastion of l-tyrosine had no effect on locomotor activity in the open field, but did decrease locomotor activity in the home cage. Tyrosine increased dopamine and norepinephrine turnover rates and decreased in serotonin turnover rate in the brain. These findings suggest that long-term feeding of l-tyrosine may be effective in ameliorating signs of hyperactivity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)45-48
Number of pages4
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume488
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 13 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Neuroscience(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Chronic l-tyrosine alters the locomotor activity and brain monoamine levels in Roborovskii hamsters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this