Do neurotransmitters sampled by brain microdialysis reflect functional release? Original Research Article

Brain microdialysis is an invasive sampling technique and will always cause damage to nervous tissue. For proper interpretation of the results, possible sources of interference need to be identified. The present review discusses the possible artefacts of the microdialysis technique and evaluates methods used to investigate the possible neuronal origin of the sampled transmitters. Various neurotransmitter systems that are currently sampled by brain microdialysis are critically evaluated here. Three criteria to validate the neuronal origin of transmitters are discussed: