Dopamine modulates evoked transmission at cholinergic synapses formed by rat retinal neurons with muscle cells

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dopamine on synaptic transmission mediated by cholinergic neurons derived from the rat retina. We used a cell culture system that permitted the physiological monitoring of acetylcholine released at synapses formed between retinal neurons and striated muscle cells. Dopamine was found to facilitate evoked transmission by a mechanism mediated by D1 dopamine receptors. The results support the hypothesis that dopamine may have a modulatory role in information processing by the mammalian retina.