Changes on D2-like receptor induced Gi protein activation and hippocampal dopamine release in kindled rats

The present study aimed to characterize dopamine release in the hippocampus and D2-like receptor-induced Gi protein activation in several brain areas of fully kindled rats. During the interictal period, kindled rats showed lower extracellular levels of dopamine when compared with those obtained in the control group under basal conditions, a situation that was not modified when an afterdischarge was evoked. Hippocampal perfusion of sulpiride, a D2 receptor antagonist, enhanced dopamine release, which was more evident when an afterdischarge was induced in kindled rats. In addition, sulpiride perfusion was associated with longer seizure duration. Functional autoradiography experiments revealed increased [35S]GTPγS incorporation as a consequence of D2-like receptor activation in different brain areas of fully kindled animals, including the ventral hippocampus. The present study reveals that hippocampal kindling is associated with alterations in dopamine release and D2-like receptor-induced neurotransmission.

► Alterations on dopamine release and D2-like receptors are described.
► Kindled rats show low interictal dopamine release in hippocampus.
► Blockage of D2 receptors augments dopamine release in kindled rats.
► [35S]GTPγS incorporation was increased in different brain areas of kindled rats.
► Dopamine dysregulation in epilepsy could explain some neuropsychiatric disorders.