MeCP2-deficient mice have reduced α4 and α6 nicotinic receptor mRNA and altered behavioral response to nicotinic agonists

- Nicotine injection, 0.5 mg/kg and greater suppresses open field locomotion of WT mice.
- Nicotine up to 1 mg/kg produces increased locomotor activity in MeCP2-null (RTT) males.
- α4/α6 nAChR mRNA in midbrain/thalamus reduced in RTT males; a6 reduced in females.
- α4/α6 nAChR agonist TC-2559, ≥2.5 mg/kg suppresses locomotion in WT mice.
- TC-2559 doubles locomotion in RTT males, weakly suppresses in females compared to WT.