EFFECTS OF AGE AND ETHANOL ON DOPAMINE AND SEROTONIN RELEASE IN THE RAT NUCLEUS-ACCUMBENS

Neural functions in the nucleus accumbens (ACC) play an important role in alcohol drinking behavior. In the present study, we observed the e ffects of age and ethanol (EtOH) on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) release in the ACC of freely moving 4-, 10-, and 16-month-old rats us ing brain microdialysis techniques. After co-perfusion with 200 mM eth anol, ACC DA, and 5-HT release were decreased significantly in 16-mont h-old rats compared to those at 4 months old. ACC DA and 5-HT neurons of aged rats were less sensitive to ethanol. On the other hand, both b asal extracellular DA and 5-HT release in the ACC were significantly h igher in 16-month-old than in 4-month-old rats. Therefore, aging resul ts in opposite changes in basal and alcohol-induced DA and 5-HT releas e in the ACC. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.