Responses of forebrain neurons to the MAO-B blocker L-deprenyl

Effects of physiological and pharmacological stimuli on dopamine release in the rat globus pallidus

A major aspect of understanding functions of the globus pallidus (GP) within the basal ganglia is the significance of its dopamine innervation. Here, we used in vivo-microdialysis in rats to characterize pallidal dopamine release in response to a number of physiological and pharmacological stimuli known to activate dopamine neurons. Results reveal that an aversive stimulus, i.e. handling for 20 min, significantly increased dialysate dopamine in the globus pallidus to about 130% of baseline levels. Likewise, a novel and appetitive stimulus, i.e. presentation of unfamiliar, palatable food, significantly elevated pallidal dopamine to about 150% of baseline levels both in rats which did and did not consume the food reward. These findings provide evidence that increases of dopamine (DA) efflux may largely reflect stimulus saliency implicating an involvement of pallidal dopamine signalling in control of behaviour governed by salient stimuli. Results further showed that reverse microdialysis of D-amphetamine and cocaine in augmenting concentrations of 0.1-100 microM elevated dialysate dopamine in a concentration-dependent manner suggesting a role of pallidal dopamine in mediating behavioural effects of psychostimulant drugs.

Perspectives on MAO-B in aging and neurological disease: where do we go from here?

The catecholamine-oxidizing enzyme monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) has been hypothesized to be an important determining factor in the etiology of both normal aging and age-related neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Catalysis of substrate by the enzyme produces H2O2 which is a primary originator of oxidative stress which in turn can lead to cellular damage. MAO-B increases with age as does predisposition towards PD which has also been linked to increased oxidative stress. Inhibition of MAO-B, along with supplementation of lost dopamine via L-DOPA, is one of the major antiparkinsonian therapies currently in use. In this review, we address several factors contributing to a possible role for MAO-B in normal brain aging and neurological disease and also discuss the use of MAO-B inhibitors as drug therapy for these conditions.