Release of Dopamine from Striatal Synaptosomes: High Pressure Effects

摘要

Exposure to ambient pressures equivalent to 600 feet sea water (fsw) and greater, results in a disturbance of neurologic function referred to as the high pressure neurologic syndrome (HPNS). The symptoms of HPNS are similar to those of other dysfunctional brain states processing through a number of symptom stages, beginning with tremor, myoclonic episodes, electroencephalogram (EEG) change, and finally to convulsions. We investigated the effect of pressure exposure on the release of a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the region. Synaptosomes isolated from the guinea pig striatum were used to study the effect of compression to 67.7 ATA on (3H) 3H dopamine release. Pressure was found to have a suppressive effect on the initial release of (3H) dopamine by synaptosomes isolated from the striatum of guinea pigs. The finding suggests that decreased inhibitory regulation at the level of the striatum contributes to the hyperexcitability associated with compression to high pressure. Reprints. (kt)