Lithium antagonizes dopamine-dependent behaviors mediated by an AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3 signaling cascade

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter involved in the control of locomotion, emotion, cognition, and reward. Administration of lithium salts is known to inhibit DA-associated behaviors in experimental animal models through unknown mechanisms. Here, we used a pharmacogenetic approach to show that DA can exert its behavioral effects by acting on a lithium-sensitive signaling cascade involving Akt/PKB and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). In the mouse striatum, increased DA neurotransmission arising either from administration of amphetamine or from the lack of the DA transporter results in inactivation of Akt and concomitant activation of GSK-3alpha and GSK-3beta. These biochemical changes are not affected by…

• HH
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• NI
  National Institutes of Health