NITRIC-OXIDE INFLUENCES DOPAMINERGIC PROCESSES

Nitric oxide, in recent years, has emerged as an important substance c apable of modifying many biological processes. It is involved with bot h neural and immune processes. In my laboratory I will be examining th e relationship of nitric oxide and its involvement with modifying dopa minergic processes. In this review, I examine reports that already doc ument this relationship. Nitric oxide appears to be able to facilitate the release of various monoamines, especially dopamine. Furthermore, this gas has the ability to block the presynaptic re-uptake of dopamin e as well. Taken together, it would appear that nitric oxide can prolo ng the 'life' of dopamine in the synapse. Given the significance of do pamine in motor and psychological processes the significance of nitric oxide involvement increases exponentially. Copyright (C) 1996 Publish ed by Elsevier Science Ltd.