Electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area and catecholamine metabolism in discrete regions of the rat brain.

Data are presented which show a different pattern of dopamine and noradrenaline utilization in terminal regions of the A9 and A10 dopaminergic systems and in terminal regions of the dorsal noradrenergic bundle after electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area and an adjacent area. At the sites of the electrodes an enhanced turnover of noradrenaline was found. These results are discussed relating the location of the electrode sites and the location of the dopaminergic cell bodies A9 and A10 and catecholaminergic fibers passing through the MFB innervating forebrain and limbic structures. It is concluded that activation of parts of the A10 dopaminergic system and the A6 noradrenergic system is correlated with intracranial self-stimulation.