The capacity of dopamine to alter extracellular glutamate in the nucle
us accumbens was examined by passing 1, 10 and 100 mu M Of amphetamine
, the D-2/3 agonist, quinpirole, or the D-1 agonist, SKF-82958 through
a microdialysis probe. It was found that amphetamine and quinpirole p
roduced a dose-dependent reduction in the basal levels of extracellula
r glutamate, while SKF-82958 was without significant effect. The capac
ity of the D-1 antagonist, SCH-23390 (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or the D-2 anta
gonist, sulpiride (10 mg/kg, i.p.) to block the reduction in extracell
ular glutamate by amphetamine (100 mu M) was examined. Both SCH-23390
and sulpiride prevented the reduction in extracellular glutamate by am
phetamine. The data indicate that, similar to the striatum, glutamate
release in the nucleus accumbens is modulated by presynaptic dopamine
receptors. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.