EFFECT OF PHENCYCLIDINE ON DOPAMINE RELEASE IN THE RAT PREFRONTAL CORTEX - AN IN-VIVO MICRODIALYSIS STUDY

The effect of phencyclidine (PCP) on the extracellular dopamine levels in the rat prefrontal cortex was investigated using an in vivo brain dialysis technique. PCP increased extracellular dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex of freely-moving rats after the systemic (7.5 mg/kg i.p.) or the local injection (100 mu M and 500 mu M). The local injec tion of MK-801, which is a more selective and potent NMDA receptor ant agonist than PCP also increased the extracellular dopamine levels (fro m 10 mu M to 100 mu M). These results suggest that part of the effect of PCP is attributable to its antagonistic effect on the NMDA receptor .