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On the Use of Multiple Probe Insertions at the Same Site for Repeated Intracerebral Microdialysis Experiments in the Nigrostriatal Dopamine System of Rats
Author(s) -
Camp Dianne M.,
Robinson Terry E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1992.tb10044.x
Subject(s) - homovanillic acid , microdialysis , dopamine , chemistry , amphetamine , striatum , 3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid , serotonin , medicine , endocrinology , nigrostriatal pathway , neurotransmitter , dopaminergic , biochemistry , substantia nigra , biology , receptor
The effects of implantation of a dialysis probe into the striatum of awake rats on indices of dopamine (DA) and serotonin neurotransmission were assessed, first over 24 h following initial insertion of a probe, and then again following reinsertion of a probe at the same site 1 week later. It was found that the basal concentration of DA in dialysate stabilized within 20–40 min after probe implantation, although DA showed a modest decline 24 h later. There was, however, no significant difference in basal DA between two test sessions separated by 1 week. On the other hand, the basal concentrations of the DA metabolites, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, progressively increased for 2–3 h after probe implantation and decreased markedly by 24 h later. Furthermore, in contrast to DA, the DA metabolites decreased even further after the second probe insertion. Amphetamine‐stimulated DA release was also greatly attenuated following the second probe insertion, relative to the first probe insertion. Two probe insertions had only modest effects on the concentration of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid in dialysate, relative to the DA metabolites. It is suggested the effects of two probe insertions on DA metabolism and amphetamine‐stimulated DA release described here are indicative of probe‐induced damage to the nigrostriatal DA system. If this is the case, multiple probe insertions may not provide a feasible strategy for within‐subjects design dialysis experiments over extended periods of time, at least in the DA system of small animals. It is suggested further that a stable basal concentration of DA in dialysate may be an especially poor indicator of the integrity of the dopaminergic input to the striatum.