Dopamine re-uptake inhibitors show inconsistent effects on the in vivo release of dopamine as measured by intracerebral dialysis in the rat.

The effects of the dopamine (DA) re-uptake blockers amfonelic acid and GBR 12909 on the in vivo release of DA were investigated. DA release was measured by means of a fully automated brain dialysis system. GBR 12909 induced a 3-fold increase in the output of DA; amfonelic acid was without effect. These results indicate a dissociation between the behavioural effects of DA re-uptake blockers and the effects on DA release. A strong synergistic rise of DA release was observed when haloperidol was co-administered with amfonelic acid or GBR 12909. The potentiation of DA release was completely prevented by infusion of 1 microM tetrodotoxin.