Dopamine release in the basal ganglia

Dopamine (DA) is a key transmitter in the basal ganglia, yet DA transmission does not conform to several aspects of the classic synaptic doctrine. Axonal DA release occurs through vesicular exocytosis and is action potential- and Ca 2+ -dependent. However, in addition to axonal release, DA neurons i...

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Main Authors: Rice, M, Patel, J, Cragg, S
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2011
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author Rice, M
Patel, J
Cragg, S
author_facet Rice, M
Patel, J
Cragg, S
author_sort Rice, M
collection OXFORD
description Dopamine (DA) is a key transmitter in the basal ganglia, yet DA transmission does not conform to several aspects of the classic synaptic doctrine. Axonal DA release occurs through vesicular exocytosis and is action potential- and Ca 2+ -dependent. However, in addition to axonal release, DA neurons in midbrain exhibit somatodendritic release by an incompletely understood, but apparently exocytotic, mechanism. Even in striatum, axonal release sites are controversial, with evidence for DA varicosities that lack postsynaptic specialization, and largely extrasynaptic DA receptors and transporters. Moreover, DA release is often assumed to reflect a global response to a population of activities in midbrain DA neurons, whether tonic or phasic, with precise timing and specificity of action governed by other basal ganglia circuits. This view has been reinforced by anatomical evidence showing dense axonal DA arbors throughout striatum, and a lattice network formed by DA axons and glutamatergic input from cortex and thalamus. Nonetheless, localized DA transients are seen in vivo using voltammetric methods with high spatial and temporal resolution. Mechanistic studies using similar methods in vitro have revealed local regulation of DA release by other transmitters and modulators, as well as by proteins known to be disrupted in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Notably, the actions of most other striatal transmitters on DA release also do not conform to the synaptic doctrine, with the absence of direct synaptic contacts for glutamate, GABA, and acetylcholine (ACh) on striatal DA axons. Overall, the findings reviewed here indicate that DA signaling in the basal ganglia is sculpted by cooperation between the timing and pattern of DA input and those of local regulatory factors.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Function and Dysfunction of the Basal Ganglia. © 2011 IBRO.
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spelling oxford-uuid:135f3a5f-21f1-4b1a-8d62-ae9b26b8e23f2022-03-26T10:13:29ZDopamine release in the basal gangliaJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:135f3a5f-21f1-4b1a-8d62-ae9b26b8e23fEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2011Rice, MPatel, JCragg, SDopamine (DA) is a key transmitter in the basal ganglia, yet DA transmission does not conform to several aspects of the classic synaptic doctrine. Axonal DA release occurs through vesicular exocytosis and is action potential- and Ca 2+ -dependent. However, in addition to axonal release, DA neurons in midbrain exhibit somatodendritic release by an incompletely understood, but apparently exocytotic, mechanism. Even in striatum, axonal release sites are controversial, with evidence for DA varicosities that lack postsynaptic specialization, and largely extrasynaptic DA receptors and transporters. Moreover, DA release is often assumed to reflect a global response to a population of activities in midbrain DA neurons, whether tonic or phasic, with precise timing and specificity of action governed by other basal ganglia circuits. This view has been reinforced by anatomical evidence showing dense axonal DA arbors throughout striatum, and a lattice network formed by DA axons and glutamatergic input from cortex and thalamus. Nonetheless, localized DA transients are seen in vivo using voltammetric methods with high spatial and temporal resolution. Mechanistic studies using similar methods in vitro have revealed local regulation of DA release by other transmitters and modulators, as well as by proteins known to be disrupted in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Notably, the actions of most other striatal transmitters on DA release also do not conform to the synaptic doctrine, with the absence of direct synaptic contacts for glutamate, GABA, and acetylcholine (ACh) on striatal DA axons. Overall, the findings reviewed here indicate that DA signaling in the basal ganglia is sculpted by cooperation between the timing and pattern of DA input and those of local regulatory factors.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Function and Dysfunction of the Basal Ganglia. © 2011 IBRO.
spellingShingle Rice, M
Patel, J
Cragg, S
Dopamine release in the basal ganglia
title Dopamine release in the basal ganglia
title_full Dopamine release in the basal ganglia
title_fullStr Dopamine release in the basal ganglia
title_full_unstemmed Dopamine release in the basal ganglia
title_short Dopamine release in the basal ganglia
title_sort dopamine release in the basal ganglia
work_keys_str_mv AT ricem dopaminereleaseinthebasalganglia
AT patelj dopaminereleaseinthebasalganglia
AT craggs dopaminereleaseinthebasalganglia