Aw. Bannon et al., EFFECTS OF CHRONIC NIMODIPINE TREATMENT ON THE RELEASE OF ACETYLCHOLINE FROM THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF CONSCIOUS RATS, Neuroscience research communications, 13(2), 1993, pp. 73-82
A previous report indicated that chronic nimodipine treatment enhanced
memory performance and increased in vivo release of acetylcholine (AC
h) in the hippocampus of Fischer-344 rats. In the present investigatio
n, the effects of nimodipine on hippocampal ACh release measured by in
vivo microdialysis were determined in Fischer-344 and Long-Evans rats
. Young male Fischer-344 rats were implanted with subcutaneous sustain
ed-release pellets of nimodipine (20 mg) or placebo pellets. Young mal
e Long-Evans rats were implanted with either 10 or 20 mg pellets of ni
modipine or placebo pellets. Fourteen days following pellet implantati
on, stereotaxic surgery was performed to place a guide cannula in the
dorsal hippocampus. Microdialysis studies were conducted twenty-one da
ys after pellet implantation and 7 days after guide cannula placement.
Samples were collected over a 6.5-7 hr period. In Fischer-344 rats, n
o effect of chronic nimodipine was found on hippocampal extracellular
ACh levels. In Long-Evans rats, 20 mg nimodipine pellets significantly
increased hippocampal extracellular ACh levels during the early phase
(20 - 140 min) of microdialysis.