Dopamine, nitric oxide and their interactions in models for the study of schizophrenia

Experimental models based on the increase of dopaminergic neurotransmission mimic behavioral and neurochemical schizophrenia-like aspects. Psychostimulants, as amphetamine, are used with this purpose because they increase extracellular dopamine levels in mesocorticolimbic and mesostriatal pathways. The limitations of direct manipulation uniquely based on the dopamine system in animal models have encouraged the use of new approaches. Nitric oxide (NO), an atypical neurotransmitter which inhibits dopamine reuptake and stimulates its release, seems to modulate dopamine-controlled behaviors. The prepulse inhibition test reveals deficits on the sensorimotor filter found in schizophrenics or after psichotomimetic treatments. This review presents evidences for the interaction between NO and DA systems on schizophrenia models as a new tool for the investigation of this pathology.