Neuromedin-induced excessive grooming/scratching behavior is suppressed by naloxone, neurotensin and a dopamine D sub(1) receptor antagonist

Neuromedin B and neuromedin C were tested for their grooming/scratching-inducing effects and the composition of neuromedin-induced grooming was established by calculating the relative contribution of various grooming elements to the total grooming scores. Excessive grooming induced by neuromedins is characterized by a predominant display of scratching. Since neuromedin C is much more potent than neuromedin B to induce excessive grooming/scratching behavior, it is concluded that the carboxyl-terminal heptapeptide of neuromedin C is important for this effect. Furthermore, it is concluded that dopamine D sub(1) receptors and opiate receptors are involved in this effect since the dopamine D sub(1) receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, as well as the opiate receptor antagonist, naloxone, suppresses or attenuates neuromedin C-induced excessive grooming/scratching behavior.