PMID: 8945755Nov 8, 1996Paper

Picrotoxin induces both hypertension and dopamine release in the rat amygdala

Neuroscience Letters
T F Chu, M T Lin

Abstract

The effects of the epileptogenic agent, picrotoxin, on both the cardiovascular responses and the dopamine (DA) release in the amygdala were studied in anesthetized rats. In vivo voltammetry was used to measure change in extracellular concentrations of DA and its metabolites in the amygdala. Intravenous administration of picrotoxin produced hypertension, increased amygdaloid DA release and behavioral syndromes (such as increased masticatory movements, salivation, and forepaw tremors). Direct administration of picrotoxin into the amygdala also induced the same effects. The picrotoxin-induced effects were suppressed by activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors with diazepam or depleting brain DA with 6-hydroxydopamine. Blockade of central DA receptors with haloperidol also attenuated the picrotoxin-induced hypertension. These results indicate that picrotoxin affects interactions between GABA neurons and DA system in rat brain to induce hypertension during an epileptic attack.

References

Jun 23, 1987·Brain Research·A F Sved, G Felsten
Dec 1, 1987·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·L Nitecka, Y Ben-Ari
Jan 14, 1987·Neuroscience Letters·P W Gean, P Shinnick-Gallagher
Feb 23, 1973·Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology·A PhilippuW Roensberg

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