Neurotensin NTS and NTS receptor agonists produce anxiolytic-like effects in the 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalization model in rats.

Neurotensin is a neuropeptide neurotransmitter that interacts with multiple neurotransmitter systems, including those regulating amygdalar function, via NTS and NTS receptors. Both receptors are expressed in the amygdala and agonists for NTS or NTS receptors have exhibited anxiolytic effects in animal models. Systemic adminstration of NTS receptor agonist PD149163 was recently shown to reduce footshock conditioned 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in rats, suggesting that PD149163 produced an anxiolytic effect.