TAAR5 receptor agonist affects sensory gating in rats

Trace amines are structurally close to classical monoamines and dysregulation in trace amines and/or their receptors might contribute to pathology of mental disorders. The study was aimed to investigate the effect of recently identified Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 5 (TAAR5) agonist 2-(alpha-naphthoyl)ethyltrimethylammonium iodide (alpha-NETA) on sensory gating (SG) in awake freely moving rats. SG was studied in paired-click paradigm and SG index was calculated as difference in event related potentials component N40 amplitudes to the first and second stimulus in the pair. The 1 mg/kg dose of alpha-NETA as well as the control injection of saline had no significant effects on the SG index. However, higher doses of alpha-NETA (3 and 5 mg/kg) significantly decreased the SG index. The change in the SG index was mainly due to a decrease in the N40 amplitude, and the 5 mg/kg dose caused the N40 decrease both in response to the first and second stimulus in the pair. Thus, TAAR5 activation can influence SG, indicating the potential role of trace amines and TAAR5 in sensory information dosing.