In vivo brain microdialysis: advances in neuropsychopharmacology and drug discovery

Abstract

Introduction: Microdialysis is an important in vivo sampling technique, useful in assaying extracellular tissue fluid. The technique has preclinical and clinical applications and is widely used in neuroscience. In vivo microdialysis allows measurement of neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine and 5-HT, amino acids (e.g., glutamate and GABA), neurotransmitter metabolites and neuropeptides in extracellular fluid in discrete brain regions of laboratory animals including rodents and non-human primates.Areas covered: We present a brief overview of principles and procedures related to in vivo microdialysis and detail the use of this technique in the preclinical assessment of drugs designed for use in the treatment of chemical addiction, neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia. This review offers insights into the utility and versatility of this technique in pursuing neuropharmacological investigations and its potential in rational drug discovery.Expert opinion: In vivo microdialysis is a versatile technique, routinely used in pharmacological investigations of drugs for neurological disorders. Notably, it has been a powerful tool to elucidate neurochemical profiles and mechanisms of action of several classes of drugs and their effects on neurotransmitter systems. The exploitation and development of this technique for drug discovery will enable investigational new drug candidates to be rapidly moved into clinical trials, thus providing new therapies so in demand for neurological diseases.