Adaptive Responsiveness of Some Central Receptors to the Denervation of Heterologous Afferent Fibers: Functional Significance and Possible Behavioral Consequences

Abstract

As shown in the rat brain, the development of the classical “denervation supersensitivity” of receptors does not always occur despite the complete destruction of the corresponding afferent fibers. This is due to the concomittant destruction of heterologous fibers which directly or indirectly contribute to the regulation of the denervated receptors. In this review, on the basis of data obtained in rats with lesions of ascending DA neurons, three examples of hetero-regulation of receptors will be provided. 1) In the prefrontal cortex, the concomittant destruction of afferent noradrenergic fibers (NA) prevents the development of the denervation supersensitivity of DA receptors of the D1 type. 2) In the nucleus accumbens, the development of the denervation supersensitivity of D1.