Impulse-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive release of GABA in the rat's substantia nigra measured by microdialysis

Abstract

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) release in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) was studied by microdialysis coupled with high performance liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection. Electrical stimulation of striatonigral axons in the internal capsule (IC) increased nigral GABA release in conscious and halothane-anaesthetized rats. This was prevented by intranigral infusion of tetrodotoxin (TTX) while basal GABA release was unaffected. Calcium-free, cobalt-containing (2 mM CoCl2) artificial cerebrospinal fluid reduced basal GABA overflow but not that evoked with high K+ (100 mM). Extracellular levels of glutamate (GLU) and taurine (TAU) were not modified by IC stimulation, TTX or 0 Ca2+ although high K+ promoted GABA and TAU release but not that of GLU. These data demonstrate an impulse- and sodium-dependent release of GABA from nigral afferent neurones which contribute little to the extracellular concentration of GABA under steady-state conditions.