Changes in body temperature markedly affect striatal dopamine release and metabolism: an in vivo study.

Dopamine release and metabolism in the corpus striatum increased markedly when the core body temperature of anesthetized rats was increased from 35 degrees to 41 degrees C while temperatures below 34 degrees were associated with a marked attenuation of dopamine release. These observations may have clinical relevance in cases where alterations in body temperature are associated with extrapyramidal dysfunction.