Gamma-butyrolactone-induced dopamine accumulation in prefrontal cortex is affected by tyrosine availability

Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) elevates striatal and prefrontal cortex dopamine levels; only the striatal dopamine levels are elevated by increased dopamine synthesis. If increased dopamine synthesis is necessary in order for dopamine levels to be affected by tyrosine availability, then GBL-induced prefrontal cortex dopamine levels should be tyrosine insensitive. Rats received either vehicle, tyrosine (50 or 200 mg/kg i.p.) or a tyrosine-depleting mixture prior to GBL 750 mg/kg i.p.. GBL-induced dopamine levels in prefrontal cortex were lowered by tyrosine depletion. GBL-induced striatal dopamine levels were not affected. Hence, increased dopamine synthesis may not be necessary in order for tyrosine availability to affect pharmacologically elevated prefrontal cortex dopamine levels.