Monitoring Fast Synaptic Transmission of Neuromodulatory Transmitters To Define Drug Effects in the Brain

Abstract

Catecholaminergic systems are involved in a range of psychiatric disorders and are central mediators of the effects of stimulants on the brain and behavior. Advances in analytical detection methods paired with creative application of these approaches allow for recording noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems in the brain in isolation with subsecond resolution. Pauly et al. (ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2023, 10.1021 define the distinct and differential mechanisms of methamphetamine enantiomers on dopamine and norepinephrine release, giving critical insights into the pharmacodynamic properties of a stimulant that is both abused and used clinically.