Application of Reverse Microdialysis in Neuropharmacological Studies

A recently developed application of microdialysis is the introduction of a substance into the extracellular space via the microdialysis probe. The inclusion of a higher amount of a drug in the perfusate allows the drug to diffuse through the microdialysis membrane to the tissue. This technique, reverse microdialysis, not only allows the local administration of a substance but also permits the simultaneous sampling of the extracellular levels of endogenous compounds. In neuropharmacological studies, reverse microdialysis has been extensively used for the study of the effects of diverse pharmacological and toxicological agents on neurotransmission at different central nuclei, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiparkinsonians, hallucinogens, drugs of abuse, and experimental drugs. In addition, reverse microdialysis allows the simultaneous monitoring of effects of locally applied drugs on physiological parameters, including blood pressure, heart rate, thermoregulation, neuronal activity, and behavior of the experimental animal.