In vivo voltammetric evidence that locus coeruleus activation predominantly releases norepinephrine in the infralimbic cortex: Effect of acute ethanol

Synapse. 2019 Apr;73(4):e22080. doi: 10.1002/syn.22080. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Abstract

Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry paired with pharmacology, the authors show that infralimbic catecholamine release following locus coeruleus stimulation is noradrenergic, but not dopaminergic, and not affected by acute ethanol. With previous work, these data suggest differential effects of ethanol on prefrontal norepinephrine and dopamine, a region important in addiction-related pathways.

Keywords: catecholamines; ethanol; locus coeruleus; prefrontal cortex; voltammetry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / pharmacology*
  • Ethanol / pharmacology*
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Locus Coeruleus / drug effects
  • Locus Coeruleus / physiology*
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / drug effects
  • Prefrontal Cortex / metabolism*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Long-Evans

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Ethanol
  • Norepinephrine