BIOCHEMICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF 7-OH-DPAT ON THE MESOLIMBIC DOPAMINERGIC SYSTEM

Systemic administration of the putative selective D-3 receptor agonist 7-hydroxy-2-(N,N-di-n-propylamino)tetralin (7-OH-DPAT) consistently decreased extracellular dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in the nucleus accumbens and dopaminergic neuronal activity in the ventral tegmental area. 7-OH-DPAT inhibited dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens also when locally perfused through the dialysis probe. The results suggest the possibility that stimulation of dopamine D-3 receptors with 7-OH-DPAT mimic biochemical and electrophysiological actions previously ascribed to D-2 autoreceptor stimulation; however the lack of selective D-3 antagonist precludes any firm conclusion in this sense. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.