Discovery Of Post-stimulus Activated Release Implies New Mechanisms For Dopamine Release

Source: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Date: October 19, 2006

Summary:

The neurotransmitter dopamine continues to be released for nearly an hour after neurons are stimulated, suggesting the existence of secondary mechanisms that allow for sustained availability of dopamine in different regions of the brain including areas critical for memory consolidation, drug induced plasticity and maintaining active networks during working memory, according to a University of Pittsburgh study.

Determining the mechanisms that cause what is being called "post-stimulus activated release" and how they maintain dopamine levels could have important implications for understanding and treating neurological and psychiatric disorders caused by an imbalance of dopamine function including schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette's syndrome, Parkinson's disease and addiction.

Commentary: Maybe this finding will provide researchers with new insights into dopamine function and enable the development of new drugs and treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders caused by an imbalance of dopamine.