Modulation of stress-induced dopamine release by excitotoxic damage of the entorhinal cortex in the rat

In the sham-operated rats, exposure to either footshock or psychological stress induced similar biphasic alterations of dopamine (DA) release (an initial increase followed by a decrease below baseline levels) in the amydala 4 weeks after the surgery. On the other hand, the left entorhinal cortex lesions abolished the late decrement phase of DA release below baseline levels. These results suggest that entorhinal cortex lesions modulate stress-induced dopaminergic transmissions in the lateral amydala. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.