Activation of nigral M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors produces opposing effects on striatal 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid measured by in vivo voltammetry.

3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was measured by differential pulse voltammetry in the neostriatum of anesthetized rats. DL-Muscarine (2.9 nmol) applied into the substantia nigra pars compacta, increased DOPAC concentration in the ipsilateral neostriatum. This effect was blocked by pirenzepine (2.8 nmol), and potentiated by AF-DX 116 (2.8 nmol). These results indicate the existence of two types of muscarinic receptors on dopaminergic neurons, whose activation produces opposing effects on dopamine metabolism in neostriatum.