Neurotensin (NT), a tridecapeptide, induced a concentration-dependent release of dopamine (DA) from the striatum. In addition, NT8-13 and Nacetyl-NT8-13, the carboxy-terminal-containing hexapeptides, were much more effective as DA releasers than the amino-terminal, NT1-6 peptide. The potency and efficacy of NT in inducing DA release was markedly enhanced by increases in the extracellular concentration of potassium (K+). Similar to electrical stimulation and to elevated extracellular K+, NT-induced DA release was inhibited by 70% in the presence of 0.13 mM calcium. Desensitization to NT was observed after a first exposure to NT for 2.5 to 10 min, despite a 20- to 85-min washout period between exposures, with NT-free medium. The loss of response was not due to degradation or inactivation of the peptide, nor it was due to activation of DA autoreceptors or the DA transporter. NT-induced desensitization was not associated to a loss of responsiveness to DA release elicited by electrical stimulation or by high K+. In addition, desensitization occurred even if NT-induced DA release was markedly enhanced by high extracellular K+ (10 and 15 mM). Inhibition of NT-induced DA release by low calcium (on the first exposure) did not prevent the development of desensitization. Similar to the parent peptide, desensitization was observed with the active carboxy-terminal NT fragments. However, a first exposure to NT1-6 did not induce desensitization to NT8-13. These results are compatible with the view that NT-induced DA release and the development of desensitization are mediated through an action of NT on NT receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)