Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Date of Award
January 2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Scott E. Bowen
Abstract
Toluene is ubiquitous solvent commonly inhaled recreationally. Despite its frequency of misuse, there is little understanding of how toluene acts within the brain. To examine this, this master's thesis examined the impact of acutely inhaled toluene on dopamine (DA) release in the mouse CPu in vivo using microdialysis techniques. Toluene inhalation produced dose-dependent increases in DA levels as well as changes in locomotor activity. These effects were potentiated by pre-treatment with the GABAA antagonist bicuculline via reverse microdialysis delivery. These results suggest that the DA dynamics of toluene abuse are related to toluene's previously explored effects on the GABA system. It is possible that the action of toluene on GABA in the caudate actually inhibits toluene's action on DA. Another theory is that toluene activates multiple GABA receptor sites, and blocking GABAA blocked a primarily inhibitory pathway.
Recommended Citation
Callan, Sean, "The Effect Of Gaba A Antagonism On Locomotor Activity And Dopamine Release In The Mouse Caudate Putamen Following Acute Toluene Inhalation: An In-Vivo Microdialysis Study" (2014). Wayne State University Theses. 363.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/363