Role of adenosine in drug-induced catatonia in mice

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders affecting large majority of population who are older than age of 65. Apart from dopamine, acetylcholine and glutamate, adenosine has also been identified in the basal ganglia. Adenosine modulates the release of a variety of neurotransmitters including dopamine. In order to establish adenosine-dopamine interactions in drug-induced catatonia we studied the effect of adenosine in drug-induced catatonia in mice. In the present study adenosine dose dependently produced catatonia when assessed on rota-rod and bar tests in mice. Adenosine also potentiated the catatonic effect of perphenazine. L-dopa plus carbidopa or OR-486 (a potent centrally acting COMT inhibitor) completely reversed adenosine-induced catatonia. Since reversal by scopolamine of adenosine-induced catatonia was not to the same extent as with l-dopa and OR-486 it appears that catecholamines particularly dopamine rather than cholinergic modulation is more important in adenosine induced catatonia. The motor dysfunction (catatonia) could be easily assessed using rota-rod test apparatus in mice.