DIFFERENTIAL PULSE VOLTAMMETRY IN THE ANAESTHETIZED RAT: IDENTIFICATION OF ASCORBIC ACID, CATECHOL AND INDOLEAMINE OXIDATION PEAKS IN THE STRIATUM AND FRONTAL CORTEX

Abstract

Differential pulse voltammetric scans recorded using graphite paste working electrodes implanted in the striatum and frontal cortex of anaesthetized rats exhibited up to three distinct oxidation peaks at potentials between —0.1 and + 0.5 V. The first peak at about +0.12 V was selectively increased by the micro‐infusion of ascorbic acid (5 × 10−6m) close to the surface of the working electrode implanted in either the striatum or the frontal cortex. The second peak at about + 0.22 V was selectively increased by micro‐infusing either dopamine or 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, (5 × 10−6 m). The third peak at approximately + 0.35 V was selectively increased in a dose‐related manner by the micro‐infusion of either 5‐hydroxytryptamine, (7.5 × 10−6 m to 7.5 × 10−5 m) or 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid, (2.5 × 10−5 m to 6 × 10−4m). The results show that differential pulse voltammetry can be used to obtain qualitative and quantitative information about catechol and indoleamine neurones in vivo. 1982 British Pharmacological Society