Inhibitory effects of L-threo-DOPS, an L-noradrenaline precursor, on locus coeruleus-originating neurons in the caudate nucleus.

Electrophysiological studies using reserpine-treated cats were carried out to elucidate the effects of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-threo-DOPS) on the noradrenergic pathway from the locus coeruleus (LC) to the caudate nucleus (CN) neurons, which were activated by iontophoretically applied bromocriptine, a dopamine D-2 receptor agonist. In the CN neurons, glutamate-induced firing was inhibited by iontophoretic application of noradrenaline, but not by repetitive stimulation of the LC or iontophoretically applied L-threo-DOPS. After intraventricular administration of L-threo-DOPS, however, LC stimulation inhibited the glutamate-induced firing. These results suggest that L-noradrenaline that was produced from the conversion of L-threo-DOPS inhibited the CN neurons which possess dopamine D-2 receptors.