RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Caffeine Induces Dopamine and Glutamate Release in the Shell of the Nucleus Accumbens
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 6321
OP 6324
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.22-15-06321.2002
VO 22
IS 15
A1 Solinas, Marcello
A1 Ferré, Sergi
A1 You, Zhi-Bing
A1 Karcz-Kubicha, Marzena
A1 Popoli, Patrizia
A1 Goldberg, Steven R.
YR 2002
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/22/15/6321.abstract
AB An increase in the extracellular concentration of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is believed to be one of the main mechanisms involved in the rewarding and motor-activating properties of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine. Using in vivo microdialysis in freely moving rats, we demonstrate that systemic administration of behaviorally relevant doses of caffeine can preferentially increase extracellular levels of dopamine and glutamate in the shell of the NAc. These effects could be reproduced by the administration of a selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist but not by a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist. This suggests that caffeine, because of its ability to block adenosine A1 receptors, shares neurochemical properties with other psychostimulants, which could contribute to the widespread consumption of caffeine-containing beverages.