Unilateral lesions of the Nigrostriatal pathway

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document in English

biology

research papers

published 25/07/2008

review : Completed

level : Advanced

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Summary

The nigrostriatal system through the basal ganglia is essential for regulating motor movement. Normal motor behavior requires a delicate balance between the excitatory direct pathway and the inhibitory indirect pathway modulated by the D1 and D2 receptors, respectively. Unilateral destruction of the striatum or its dopaminergic inputs changes unidirectional behavior in animals. The most common method of inducing a unilateral lesion is through the injection of the neurotoxin 6-OHDA in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). This lesion causes a lateralized destruction of dopamine neurons as well as a loss of striatal dopamine innervation. The anatomical and behavioral effects of amphetamine and apomorphine were examined to investigate the role of dopamine neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway. Amphetamine induced net ipsiversive rotations while apomorphine induced net contraversive rotation with increasing time after 6-OHDA lesions. The role of lesion size has contributed substantially to the rotational behavior of both drugs. Furthermore, behavioral effects of this lesion are similar to motor symptoms and neuropathology seen in patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Hence, the 6-OHDA lesion may be a relevant model for finding the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Abstract.
Introduction.
Materials and methods.
1. Animals.
2. Surgery.
Behavioral testing.
1. Preoperative testing.
2. Postoperative testing.
Histology.
1. Intracardial perfusion.
2. Sectioning and staining.
3. Anatomical analysis.
Statistical analysis.
1. Behavioral analysis.
2. Anatomical analysis.
Pargyline versus no Pargyline-injected group.
Correlation between percentage of cell loss and rotational behavior.
Discussion.
Role of lesion size.
Conclusion.