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Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...

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Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area

Published on: August 10, 2012

Investigations into Potential Extrasynaptic Communication between the Dopaminergic and Nitrergic Systems.

M Mitkovski¹, F E Padovan-Neto, R Raisman-Vozari

¹Light Microscopy Facility, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine Göttingen, Germany.

Frontiers in Physiology

|October 12, 2012

Summary

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) show overlapping localization in the rat nigrostriatal pathway. This suggests a close anatomical link between nitric oxide and dopamine systems, potentially impacting neurodegeneration.

Keywords:

Parkinson disease dopamine neurotransmitter spillover nitric oxide synthase plasticity synapse tyrosine hydroxylase volume transmission

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Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area

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Published on: August 10, 2012

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

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Published on: August 11, 2021

Assessment of Dopaminergic Homeostasis in Mice by Use of High-performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis and Synaptosomal Dopamine Uptake

Assessment of Dopaminergic Homeostasis in Mice by Use of High-performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis and Synaptosomal Dopamine Uptake

Published on: September 21, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Neurochemistry

Background:

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a volume transmitter due to its ability to cross cell membranes.
NO spillover between neurons is implicated in central nervous system diseases, especially neurodegeneration.
Communication between nitrergic and dopaminergic systems is crucial for nigrostriatal pathway control.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the coexistence and overlap of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the rat nigrostriatal pathway.
To determine the anatomical relationship between NO and dopamine synthesizing enzymes at a high resolution.

Main Methods:

Utilized a double-immunohistochemical method on rat brain tissue.
Employed confocal laser scanning microscopy for high-resolution imaging.
Performed proximity analysis using binary masks of NOS and TH immunoreactivity.

Main Results:

Identified dual localization of NOS and TH in neuronal cell bodies and fibers within the nigrostriatal pathway.
Observed overlapping immunoreactivity for both enzymes within a 2μm margin.
Demonstrated interconnected localization of nNOS(+) and TH(+) structures.

Conclusions:

The findings reveal a close anatomical association between nitric oxide and dopamine synthesizing neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway.
This interconnectedness suggests a potential functional link influencing nigrostriatal pathway function and neurodegenerative processes.