VENTRAL TEGMENTAL IONOTROPIC GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR STIMULATION OF NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS TONIC DOPAMINE EFFLUX BLUNTS HINDBRAIN-EVOKED PHASIC NEUROTRANSMISSION: IMPLICATIONS FOR DOPAMINE DYSREGULATION DISORDERS

摘要

Activation of glutamate receptors within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) stimulates extrasynaptic (basal) dopamine release in terminal regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Hindbrain inputs from the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) are critical for elicitation of phasic VTA dopamine cell activity and consequent transient dopamine release. This study investigated the role of VTA iono-tropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) stimulation on both basal and LDT electrical stimulation-evoked dopamine efflux in the NAc using in vivo chronoamperometry and fixed potential amperometry in combination with stearate-graphite paste and carbon fiber electrodes, respectively.