Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 747, Issue 2, 7 February 1997, Pages 348-351
Brain Research

Short communication
Repeated interferon-α administration inhibits dopaminergic neural activity in the mouse brain

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(96)01371-6Get rights and content

Abstract

In vivo effects of single and repeated interferon-α administrations on the dynamics of noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine were investigated in the mouse brain. Single interferon-α administration (15.30 and 60 × 106 U/kg i.p.) had no significant effect on the levels of monoamines and their metabolites or monoamine turnover. When interferon-α (15 × 106 U/kg i.p.) was administered once a day for 5 days, however, both dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels were significantly decreased and α-methyl-p-tyrosine-induced dopamine depletion was significantly suppressed. These results suggest that repeated interferon-α administration inhibits dopaminergic neural activity. This inhibitory action of interferon-α in dopamine neurons may be involved in adverse central effects, such as parkinsonism and depression with suicidal potential.

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