Neurotensin effects on brain dopaminergic systems

Abstract Neurotensin administered into the rat brain lowered the concentration of dopamine in the corpus striatum and selectively blocked rearing induced by amphetamine. In addition, the peptide inhibited synaptosomal synthesis of dopamine in vitro, with an IC 50 of 5 μM. These results suggest that neurotensin may modulate dopaminergic function in a physiologically relevant manner.