ABSTRACT
In our laboratory, we use intact brain slices (thin slabs of brain tissue) to study DA neurotransmission. Approximately 400 µm thick slices of brain tissue containing the desired dopaminergic region are prepared. Some of the major dopaminergic regions in the brain include the caudate-putamen (CP), prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and the olfactory tubercle [1]. The slices are bathed with an artificial cerebral-spinal fluid that is preheated to 32°C and saturated with 95% O2, 5% CO2. The slices retain structural and metabolic integrity and are viable for up to 10 hours after the animal is sacrificed. The use of brain slices to investigate neurotransmission has many advantages. The brain slice preparation allows physiological and pharmacological
manipulation of the neuron terminals while maintaining system integrity-i.e., all the physiological mechanisms are still functioning.
