Interactions of trace amines with dopamine in rat striatum

Abstract

• 1.

  1. The ability of three ‘trace’ amines, namely 2-phenylethylamine (PEA), $\text{p}$-tyramine ($\text{p}$-TA) and tryptamine (T) to facilitate the release of radiolabelled dopamine (DA) from prisms of rat striatum was investigated. At concentrations of 1.0 μM and 10 μM, all three amines caused a significant increase in DA release when compared to controls. The order of strength for this effect was $\text{p}$-TA > PEA > T

• 2.

  2. The addition of an α-methyl group on T caused a significant increase in its ability to release DA.

• 3.

  3. The introduction of nomifensine, a drug which blocks carrier-mediated transport of DA, into the superfusion medium dramatically reduced the amount of DA released from the prisms by the trace amines.