Post-feeding increases in accumbal dialysate dopamine reflect persisting increases in dopamine release

To determine whether post-feeding increases in dialysate dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens are associated with persisting increases in DA release, we examined the effect of Ca++-free perfusion on post-feeding dialysate concentrations of DA. Post-feeding dialysate DA is entirely Ca++-dependent, suggesting the existence of post-feeding increases in exocytotic DA release and the ability of microdialysis to monitor dynamic changes in DA release through behaviour.