Purinergic modulation of neuronal activity in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system in vivo

ATP and its metabolite adenosine activate membrane receptors, termed P2 and P1, respectively. In the present study, the modulation of the mesolimbic neuronal circuit by ATPergic and adenosinergic mechanisms was investigated by microdialysis in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and by telemetrically recorded EEG from both the NAc and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of freely moving rats. The basal extracellular dopamine concentration was enhanced after accumbal perfusion with the ATP analog 2‐methylthio ATP (2‐MeSATP; 100 μM); by contrast, adenosine (100 μM) caused a reduction of extracellular dopamine. When given alone, the P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS; 20 μM) decreased the concentration of dopamine, whereas the P1 receptor antagonist 8‐(p‐sulfophenyl)theophylline (8‐SPT; 100 μM) increased it. In the same animals, P2 receptor stimulation by 2‐MeSATP caused neuronal activation, indicated by an elevation of the absolute power in the EEG of the NAc mainly by enhancement of the relative power in the alpha band (8–13 Hz) of the EEG spectrum. By contrast, adenosine led to a depression of the absolute power in the VTA accompanied by an elevation of the delta‐band power (0.4–6 Hz) in the NAc corresponding to a slowing of neuronal activity. When given alone, PPADS reduced the absolute EEG power in the NAc accompanied by a decrease in the high‐frequency power, but had no effects on the VTA. 8‐SPT on its own enhanced the total power in both the NAc and the VTA, reflected by an enhancement in the slow and the high‐frequency bands. Whereas the 8‐SPT‐evoked changes of EEG pattern as well as of dopamine concentration in the NAc were abolished by the co‐application of PPADS, the 8‐SPT‐induced EEG changes in the VTA persisted under these conditions. In conclusion, the accumbal neuronal output, reflected by both dopamine release and neuronal electrical activity, is modulated in a functionally antagonistic manner by P2 and P1 receptor stimulation. It is suggested that an inhibitory GABAergic feedback projection to the VTA is stimulated by adenosine, either directly or indirectly via glutamate release. Synapse 47:134–142, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.