[Effect of beta-phenylethylamine on the dopaminergic system of rat brain]

Using a quantitative fluorescence-histochemical analysis the dynamics of changes of the dopamine level in dopaminergic neurons of the nigro-neostriatal and mesolimbic systems of the rat brain was studied during an hour after intraperitoneal injection of beta-phenylethylamine (100 mg/kg). The temporary increase in the dopamine level in the terminals coincided with a sharp decrease in the dopamine level in the neuron bodies, and conversely, the depletion of dopamine in the terminals after 30 min was accompanied by an increase in the dopamine level in the neuron bodies. The obtained results enable a suggestion that the increase in locomotor activity of animals after injection of beta-phenylethylamine described in the literature is due to the effect of phenylethylamine on catecholaminergic brain systems, the dopaminergic systems in particular.