Analysis of extracellular DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA in rat striatum in vivo by differential pulse voltammetry: effect of phencyclidine, haloperidol and their coadministration.

Phencyclidine (PCP, 10 mg/kg s.c.) produced a marked reduction in the extracellular concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in the rat striatum in vivo, as measured by differential pulse voltammetry. In contrast, extracellular 5-HIAA levels were significantly elevated. Haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.) increased DOPAC and HVA, and reduced 5-HIAA, in agreement with previous studies. When PCP and haloperidol were injected together, the effects of PCP were abolished. These results suggest that PCP administration leads to increased activation of dopamine receptors, which results in a decrease in striatal dopamine turnover and an increase in striatal serotonin turnover.