Effect of long-term nicotine treatment on the levels of dopamine and its metabolites in nucleus accumbens Monkeys were administered nicotine in the drinking water for ∼1 year. Dopamine, DOPAC, and homovanillic acid were then measured in the nucleus accumbens using high-performance liquid chromatography. The turnover is defined as the ratio of dopamine/DOPAC + homovanillic acid. Each value represents the mean ± S.E.M. of the indicated number of animals.
Treatment | n | Dopamine | DOPAC | Homovanillic Acid | Turnover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ng / ml | |||||
| Control | 6 | 77.15 ± 4.59 | 20.30 ± 3.39 | 52.18 ± 2.05 | 1.10 ± 0.10 |
| Nicotine | 3 | 80.67 ± 7.99 | 12.08 ± 3.52 | 39.86 ± 2.52** | 1.63 ± 0.36 |
Significance of difference from control using Student's t test, **P < 0.01