The locus ceruleus: a possible neural focus for genetic differences in emotionality

• Published in: Experientia Vol. 44; no. 6; p. 491
• Main Author: Blizard, D A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 15.06.1988
• Subjects: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Emotions; Locus Coeruleus - physiopathology; Rats; Stress, Physiological - genetics; Stress, Physiological - physiopathology; Sympathetic Nervous System - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0014-4754
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01958923

The Maudsley Reactive and Non-Reactive strains have been developed as a model for the study of individual variations in stress-reactivity, and many differences in biobehavioral systems have been found between them. This review discusses limitations of the 'emotionality' construct in accounting for differences between the Maudsley strains and offers an alternative, theoretical approach. Amaral and Sinnamon have proposed that the locus ceruleus (LC) plays a stress-attenuating role in mediating behavioral, physiological and neuroendocrine response to prepotent, emergency-provoking stimuli and, building upon this formulation, it is proposed that the LC has been an important focus for gene action in the Maudsley model. It is suggested that the LC of the Non-Reactive strain is more strongly activated by stressful stimuli than the LC of Reactive rats, and is the basis of many of the behavioral and physiological differences between them. Behavioral and biochemical evidence consistent with this proposition is reviewed. Identification of the LC as a target for gene-action in the Maudsley model has an important advantage. It substitutes variations at a specific anatomic location in the brain for a loosely defined construct like emotionality, and the hypothesis is amenable to empirical tests by a variety of experimental approaches.