OPPOSITE CHANGES IN THE MESOLIMBIC DOPAMINE METABOLISM IN THE NERVE-TERMINAL AND CELL BODY SITES INDUCED BY LOCALLY INFUSED BACLOFEN IN THE RAT

Infusion of baclofen (10(-4) M, 1 h) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the cell body site of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) neuron system in conscious rats, caused a decrease in both axonal and somatodendritic DA release in this neuron system, when monitored by in vivo microdialysis using two probes simultaneously placed in both the NAC and the VTA. Levels of the metabolite of DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the VTA decreased significantly in a similar manner following infused baclofen into the VTA, however, a pronounced increase in DOPAC outflow was observed in dialysates from the NAC. This dissociated changes in DA metabolism observed in the NAC may possibly be derived from regulatory mechanisms via an autoreceptor located in the DA nerve terminals.