摘要：Norepinephrine modulates synaptic plasticity in various brain regions and is implicated in memory formation, consolidation and retrieval. The cerebellum is involved in motor learning, and adaptations of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and optokinetic response (OKR) have been studied as models of cerebellum-dependent motor learning. Previous studies showed the involvement of adrenergic systems in the regulation of VOR, OKR and cerebellar synaptic functions. Here, we show differential contributions of β- and α2-adrenergic receptors in the mouse cerebellar flocculus to VOR and OKR control. Effects of application of β- or α2-adrenergic agonist or antagonist into the flocculus suggest that the β-adrenergic receptor activity maintains the VOR gain at high levels and contributes to adaptation of OKR, and that α2-adrenergic receptor counteracts the β-receptor activity in VOR and OKR control. We also examined effects of norepinephrine application, and the results suggest that norepinephrine regulates VOR and OKR through β-adrenergic receptor at low concentrations and through α2-receptor at high concentrations.
