Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The role of M4 muscarinic receptors in locomotor activity regulation remains controversial, with conflicting findings hampering our understanding of movement disorders. This uncertainty is further complicated by the unexplored relationship between M4 receptors and biological rhythms, as well as potential sex-specific effects that may explain previous inconsistent results. Through systematic investigation of locomotor functions in biological rhythm paradigms, we discovered that M4 muscarinic receptors significantly modulate locomotor activity rhythms via brain pacemaker mechanisms. Notably, this regulatory effect displayed marked sexual dimorphism, being present exclusively in females, suggesting crucial interactions with sex hormones. Our research identified the striatum as the key structure directing these locomotor biological rhythms. These findings provide critical insights into the sex-specific nature of M4 receptor function and establish a new framework for understanding hyperactivity disorders, particularly those exhibiting sex-based differences in prevalence or manifestation. Key words M4 muscarinic receptors " M1 muscarinic receptors " Biological rhythm " Locomotor activity " Striatum.
Source: Physiological Research
Authors: J Myslivecek, K Janisova
Institution: Charles University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $862
Funder: Univerzita Karlova v Praze
OpenAlex ID: W7123844476