Measuring extracellular dopamine in the brain of living animals by means of microdialysis and/or voltammetry is a route towards understanding both normal brain function and pathology. Previous reports, however, suggest that the tissue response to implantation of devices may affect the outcome of the measurements. To address the source of the tissue response and its impact on striatal dopamine systems microdialysis probes were placed in the striatum of anesthetized rats. Images obtained by dual-label fluorescence microscopy show signs of ischemia, or reduced blood flow, and opening of the blood-brain barrier near the probe tracks. Opening of the blood-brain barrier was further examined by determining dialysate concentrations of carbi-DOPA, a drug that normally does not penetrate the brain. Although carbi-DOPA was recovered in brain dialysate, it did not alter dialysate dopamine levels or evoked dopamine release as measured by voltammetry near the probes. Microdialysis probes also significantly diminished the effect of intrastriatal infusion of kynurenate on extracellular dopamine levels as measured by voltammetry near the probes.

Glutamate is a very important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It is implicated in diseases such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, and stroke. Obtaining accurate information on glutamate concentrations is important in order to understand brain functioning. Glutamate is also of primary focus in terms of understanding the effects of hypoxia on the brain. It is believed that the large release of glutamate in the absence of oxygen is what is causing the toxic effects of hypoxia. To date, sensors used to monitor glutamate required oxygen to be present. Here, the design and optimization of a glutamate sensor to be used under hypoxic conditions is presented.