Chapter 7 - Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release in Basal Ganglia by Adenosine Receptor Agonists and Antagonists in Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract

This chapter discusses that the control of neurotransmitter release is a basic and fundamental property of neuromodulators such as adenosine and can be used to localize receptors and at the same time, increase the overall understanding of adenosine action. In combination with other techniques, which include electrophysiology, receptor autoradiography and hybridization, the fundamental mechanisms by which adenosine and its receptors control the motor behavior can be elucidated. Adenosine receptor ligands have profound and diversified effects on transmitter release in the central nervous system (CNS), which notifies additional roles for this nucleoside in the control of neuronal activity. This chapter also reiterates that adenosine A1 and A2A receptors have innumerable effects on neurotransmitter release in the striatum which are consistent with the control of the striatopallidal pathway in particular. Proper analysis of the relative importance of the A2A receptors—expressed in rectifying the imbalance of striatal activity observed in Parkinson's disease—will greatly enhance the understanding of this area of the brain.