Abstract
Rat striatal acetylcholine levels were measured in rats following the administration of drugs that primarily affect dopamine metabolism. Reserpine, clozapine and chlorpromazine caused decreases in striatal acetylcholine levels of 33%, 38% and 54% respectively. Apomorphine, L-DOPA, methamphetamine and amantadine caused increases of 27%, 14%, 17% and 45% respectively. The decrease in acetylcholine levels following drugs that deplete or block dopamine, and the increase following drugs that enhance dopamine or stimulate its receptors, is consistent with a direct inhibitory action of dopamine on cholinergic striatal interneurons. Increased levels of acetylcholine would accompany decreased firing of cholinergic neurons due to dopaminergic inhibitory action. Decreased levels would accompany increased firing due to reduced dopaminergic inhibitory action.
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