Abstract
Behavioural studies were carried out to determine whether central cholinergic mechanisms regulate dopaminergic activity by presynaptic mechanisms as suggested by recent in vitro studies. Bilateral injections of a muscarinic receptor agonist, oxotremorine (4 μg), into the nucleus accumbens were found to enhance dopamine-induced locomotor activity. In rats deprived of presynaptic terminals by pretreatment with intraaccumbens injections of 6-hydroxydopamine, oxotremorine did not enhance dopamine-induced locomotor activity but on the contrary produced a marked reduction of locomotor activity. Although dopamine induced locomotor activity could occur in 6-hydroxydopamine treated animals, the muscarinic regulation was dependent on the presence of the intact dopamine terminal and hence a presynaptic receptor may be involved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 137-143 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Neural Transmission |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 3-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1982 |
Keywords
- 6-hydroxydopamine
- dopamine-induced locomotor activity
- nucleus accumbens
- oxotremorine
- presynaptic receptors
- dopamine
- nialamide
- animal experiment
- central nervous system
- cholinergic system
- controlled study