Increase of catecholamine content in the extracellular space of the rat's brain cortex during spreading depression wave as determined by voltammetry.

The effect of chemically initiated (KCl) spreading cortical depression on catecholamine content in the extracellular cortical space was examined using voltammetry technique in chloralhydrate-anaesthetized rats. Correlation between alterations in catechol-oxidative current (CA.OC) and the time-course of the slow potential (SP) change (one of the chief features of the spreading depression) showed that spreading depression wave was accompanied by the significant increase in CA.OC content (up to 158 +/- 43%, mean +/- S.D., P < 0.001). The rise of the negative SP preceded significant CA.OC increase by 20 +/- 8 s. This fact provides the evidence that catecholamine overflow cannot participate in triggering spreading depression wave; nevertheless it can be an important link of the spreading depression mechanism.