Neurochemical and behavioral characterization of neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3 heterozygous mice

Abstract Background Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe neuropsychiatric condition affecting 1–3% of the worldwide population. OCD has a strong genetic component, and the SLC1A1 gene that encodes neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3 is a strong candidate for this disorder. To evaluate the impact of reduced EAAT3 expression in vivo, we studied male EAAT3 heterozygous and wild-type littermate mice using a battery of behavioral paradigms relevant to anxiety (open field test, elevated plus maze) and compulsivity (marble burying), as well as locomotor activity induced by amphetamine. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, we also determined tissue neurotransmitter levels in cortex, striatum and thalamus—brain areas that are relevant to OCD. Results Compared to wild-type littermates, EAAT3 heterozygous male mice have unaltered baseline anxiety-like, compulsive-like behavior and locomotor activity. Administration of acute amphetamine (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) increased locomotion with no differences across genotypes. Tissue levels of glutamate, GABA, dopamine and serotonin did not vary between EAAT3 heterozygous and wild-type mice. Conclusions Our results indicate that reduced EAAT3 expression does not impact neurotransmitter content in the corticostriatal circuit nor alter anxiety or compulsive-like behaviors.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	González,Luis F., Henríquez-Belmar,Francisca, Delgado-Acevedo,Claudia, Cisternas-Olmedo,Marisol, Arriagada,Gloria, Sotomayor-Zárate,Ramón, Murphy,Dennis L., Moya,Pablo R.
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedad de Biología de Chile 2017
Online Access:	http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0716-97602017000100225
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