VENTRAL MESENCEPHALIC PARTIAL-DERIVATIVE OPIOID RECEPTORS ARE INVOLVED IN MODULATION OF BASAL MESOLIMBIC DOPAMINE NEUROTRANSMISSION - AN ANATOMICAL LOCALIZATION STUDY

Microdialysis was used to examine the anatomical localization of mesen cephalic partial derivative opioid receptors that participate in modul ation of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. Independent group s of rats were injected with DPDPE into the ventral tegmental area (VT A) or interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). Extracellular nucleus accumbens D A and DOPAC concentrations were elevated after DPDPE injections into e ither site, but injections into the VTA were effective at lower doses than were injections into the IPN. Thus, it appears that the DA-modula ting actions of DPDPE are mediated in the VTA rather than the IPN.