Presynaptic modulation of dopamine-induced locomotor activity by oxotremorine in nucleus accumbens of the rat

Summary Behavioural studies were carried out to determine whether central cholinergic mechanisms regulate dopaminergic activity by presynaptic mechanisms as suggested by recentin vitro studies. Bilateral injections of a muscarinic receptor agonist, oxotremorine (4g), into the nucleus accumbens were found to enhance dopamine-induced locomotor activity. In rats deprived of presynaptic terminals by pretreatment with intraaccumbens injections of 6-hydroxydopamine, oxotremorine did not enhance dopamine-induced locomotor activity but on the contrary produced a marked reduction of locomotor activity. Although dopamine induced locomotor activity could occur in 6-hydroxydopamine treated animals, the muscarinic regulation was dependent on the presence of the intact dopamine terminal and hence a presynaptic receptor may be involved.