Noradrenaline and dopamine elevations in the rat prefrontal cortex in spatial working memory.

The role of prefrontal cortical dopamine (DA) in the modulation of working memory functions is well documented, but substantial evidence indicates that the locus ceruleus noradrenergic system also modulates working memory via actions within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). This study shows that PFC noradrenaline (NA) and DA dialysate levels phasically increase when rats perform correctly in a delayed alternation task in a T-maze, a test of spatial working memory. However, NA levels were markedly enhanced in animals trained to alternate compared with rats that acquired the spatial information about the location of food in the maze but were untrained to make a choice to obtain the reward.

Inhibition of nitric oxide release in vivo by ethanol.

Objective: Previous studies indicate that the nitric oxide (NO(.)) pathway is involved in the acute or chronic effects of ethanol on the central nervous system. However, direct evidence for the effect of ethanol on NO(.

Pulse of nitric oxide release in response to activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the rat striatum: rapid desensitization, inhibition by receptor antagonists, and potentiation by glycine.

Increased activity of glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is the dominant mechanism by which nitric oxide (NO.) is generated. By using a selective direct-current amperometry method, we characterized real time NO* release in vivo in response to chemical stimulation of NMDA receptors in the rat striatum.

Biphasic effects of ethanol on acetylcholine release in the rat prefrontal cortex.

Low doses of ethanol (0.5 g/kg i.p.

Bidirectional modulation of spatial working memory by ethanol.

Background: It is common knowledge that ethanol causes cognitive and memory impairments. Although these deficits are attributed to its central depressant properties, ethanol has biphasic effects and at low doses can produce excitatory actions.

Methods: Here we examined whether ethanol could have biphasic effects on performance in a delayed alternation task in a T-maze, a behavioral test of working memory.