Determination of neurotransmitter release into the caudate nucleus during convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole using in vivo differential pulse voltammetry.

In vivo differential pulse voltammetry using an electrochemically treated carbon fiber electrode was applied to the investigation of the in vivo release of indoleamine and catecholamine within the caudate nucleus of freely moving and immobilized rats during convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Two distinct oxidation peaks, on at 130 mV (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC] and the other at 300 mV (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid), were observed in voltammograms obtained from the caudate nucleus. In the caudate nucleus of freely moving rats, the in vivo oxidation current that peaked at 300 mV showed almost no change during and after tonic convulsions induced by 60 mg/kg of PTZ i.p. During tonic convulsions, the amplitude of the DOPAC oxidation peak significantly decreased to 75% of the peak height recorded prior to the injection of PTZ, and the minimum lasted for about 30 min; then the mean curve slowly recovered to the control level within 60 min. These results suggest that the release of dopamine (DA) in the caudate nucleus of freely moving rats decreased during tonic convulsions induced by PTZ. In another experiment, the EEGs of immobilized rats were recorded simultaneously, and the changes in the EEG pattern were used as an index of convulsion. In voltammograms from the caudate nucleus of immobilized rat, the peak height of the 130-mV oxidation potential significantly increased during ictal seizures. The increase lasted for 3-6 min after the ictal seizures. The severe electrical activity of the brain during ictal seizures interfered with the recording of some voltammograms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)