Function of brain α-adrenergic receptor characterized with subtype-selective α antagonist and KO mice.

Noradrenergic signaling, through the α and α adrenergic receptors modulates the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of disorders such as schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and addiction. However, it is unknown whether the α receptor has any significant role in CNS function. The present study elucidates the potential role of the α receptor in CNS function via the discovery and use of the first subtype-selective α antagonist (AGN-209419), and behavioral analyses of α-receptor knockout (KO) mice.