Increase of dopamine synthesis in synaptosomes from rats treated with neuroleptics or reserpine.

Dopamine (DA) synthesis in rat striatum was increased three- to four-fold by in vivo treatment with gammabutyrolactone (GBL), reserpine, haloperidol and (-)sulpiride. DA synthesis in striatal synaptosomes (measured by formation of 14CO2 from labelled tyrosine) did not change after GBL and only doubled after reserpine and neuroleptic administration. The increase of synaptosomal DA synthesis was proportional to and probably due to kinetic activation of tyrosine hydroxylase which, after neuroleptic drugs, remained activated for at least 15 min in synaptosomal incubations at 37 degree C.