Individual variability of dopamine release from nucleus accumbens induced by nicotine

Effects of subcutaneous administration of vehicle, amphetamine (1 mg/kg) or nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, injected twice, 90 min apart) on extracellular dopamine (DA) concentration in the nucleus accumbens (ACC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the Sprague-Dawley rat were studied using microdialysis. Experiments were conducted at least 10 days following implantation of guide cannulae, and at least 2 h following insertion of microdialysis probes into the guides on the morning of each experiment. Probes were perfused at 2.5 microl/min and several fractions were collected every 10 min before and after the two test injections. Samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for the major neurotransmitters and their metabolites. Significant DA release following nicotine administration was observed in ACC but not in VTA. By classifying ACC DA responses of individual rats, three major subgroups were identified which exhibited more robust responses. Nicotine appeared to be acting as a modulator of ACC DA, increasing DA output if baseline was <5 nM, but slowing release when the baseline exceeded 5 nM. These data are consistent with previous reports of modulation of arousal level by nicotine via DA.