Variation in the ability of neuroleptics to block the inhibitory influence of dopaminergic neurons on the activity of cells in the rat prefrontal cortex.

The stimulation of the ventro-medial mesencephalic tegmentum (VMT) induces an inhibition of the spontaneous activity of prefrontal cortical cells and blocks the excitatory responses evoked by the stimulation of the medio-dorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD). This effect is mediated by the activation of the mesocortical dopaminergic (DA) system. In the present study, the influence of the systemic administration of several neuroleptics on the inhibition of prefrontal cortical cells induced by VMT stimulation has been analyzed in ketamine anaesthetised rats.

Effects of ventro-medial mesencephalic tegmentum (VMT) stimulation on the spontaneous activity of nucleus accumbens neurones: influence of the dopamine system.

The effects of VMT-stimulation (100-500 microA, 0.6 ms; 1 Hz) on the spontaneous activity of neurones in the nucleus accumbens were analyzed in ketamine-anaesthetized rats. On spontaneously active cells (firing greater than 0.

Vasopressin and angiotensin II receptors in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture.

Rat aortic smooth muscle cells were isolated and maintained in primary culture. After 2-3 days, cells recovered their contractile phenotype and could be induced to contract in response to vasopressin and angiotensin II. Vasopressin- and angiotensin-specific binding sites were detected on these cells, using tritiated Lys8-vasopressin, Asn1-Val5-angiotensin II, and Sarc1-Ile8-angiotensin II.

Adenylate cyclase from synchronized neuroblastoma cells: responsiveness to prostaglandin E1, adenosine, and dopamine during the cell cycle.

Neuroblastoma cells were synchronized by a combined isoleucine plus glutamine starvation. Adenylate cyclase activity [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.