Activation of ATP receptor increases the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in ventral tegmental area neurons of rat brain

Abstract ATP increased the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca] i ) in neurons of ventral tegmental area acutely dissociated from rat brain. The ATP response was dependent on external Ca 2+ and Na + , and was blocked by voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channel blockers. The results suggest that the ATP-induced depolarization increases Ca 2+ influx via voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels resulting in the increase in [Ca] i .