6-羟基多巴胺单侧两点注射法构建的帕金森病模型鼠

背景：帕金森病动物模型的建立对帕金森病的临床、基础实验研究中有重要作用,同时其稳定性也直接影响到研究的结果。 目的：评价6-羟基多巴胺单侧两点注射法构建的帕金森病模型大鼠行为及病理变化。 方法：SD大鼠62只随机分为实验组50只,正常组12只,采用脑内立体定向,将6-羟基多巴胺注入实验组大鼠右侧黑质致密部和中脑腹侧被盖区以建立帕金森病模型,观察大鼠行为变化、酪氨酸羟化酶及脑内多巴胺含量改变。 结果与结论：2周后实验组经阿朴吗啡诱导后,有22只向左侧旋转速度>7 r/min,2周与4周之间大鼠的旋转圈数差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。模型组中酪氨酸羟化酶及脑内多巴胺含量明显减少。说明应用6-羟基多巴胺单侧两点注射可成功建立行为及病理相似的帕金森病大鼠模型。     

基于局部场电位样本熵分析的麻醉深度监测

背景：目前的麻醉深度监测多以大脑皮质脑电信号分析为主,然而,大脑皮质脑电信号不能反映皮质下组织的功能状况、不包含高频信息并且易受外界环境干扰,从而导致基于大脑皮质脑电信号分析的麻醉深度监测在稳定性、精确性等方面有固有缺陷。 目的：分析局部场电位信号样本熵在麻醉深度监测中的效果,实现麻醉深度的实时监测。 方法：以大鼠为模型动物进行实验,对整个麻醉过程中的大鼠初级视觉皮质局部场电位信号进行快速样本熵计算,并对样本熵曲线动态变化进行分析,判定麻醉状态;然后将样本熵分别与大鼠尾部受热刺激时的甩尾延迟时间、局部场电位信号的中心频率和边缘频率做统计分析,验证基于局部场电位快速样本熵分析的麻醉状态判定方法。 结果与结论：局部场电位信号的样本熵可以快速、准确、稳定地反映大鼠的麻醉深度,用于麻醉深度实时监测。     

帕金森病模型大鼠中脑腹侧被盖区酪氨酸羟化酶免疫阳性神经元的改变

目的探讨帕金森病(PD)模型大鼠中脑腹侧被盖区(VTA)酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)免疫阳性神经元的改变。方法将6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA)分别注入实验组大鼠左侧黑质致密部和中脑被盖腹侧区以建立帕金森病模型,于术后4d、7d、14d、21d、28d腹腔注射阿扑吗啡(apomorphine,APO),观察并记录大鼠行为学变化情况,利用Nissl染色、酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)免疫细胞化学染色观察大鼠中脑腹侧被盖区神经组织及TH免疫阳性神经元的改变。结果APO诱发实验组PD大鼠均向健侧(右侧)旋转,旋转启动时间逐渐缩短,持续时间逐渐延长,旋转速度逐渐加快,至术后2周旋转行为趋于稳定;Nissl染色见实验组PD大鼠损毁侧(左侧)中脑VTA区神经元数目显著减少,尼氏体模糊,颗粒及密度均降低,伴有大量胶质细胞增生,术后2周、4周注射侧神经元数目较术后1周明显减少(P<0.05);实验组PD大鼠损毁侧(左侧)中脑VTA的TH阳性神经元明显减少,神经元胞体轮廓及突起不清晰,TH阳性纤维也明显减少,分布稀疏,术后2周、4周注射侧阳性神经元数目较术后1周明显减少(P<0.05)。结论PD大鼠损毁侧中脑VTA神经组织有明显破坏,TH阳性神经元显著减少,提示中脑腹侧被盖区TH免疫阳性神经元的改变参与了PD模型大鼠的病理学变化。     

偏侧帕金森病大鼠模型丘脑底核谷氨酸能神经元的免疫组织化学研究

为探讨丘脑底核中谷氨酸能神经元在帕金森病时的变化 ,本研究应用免疫组织化学和形态计量学技术对用 6-OHDA脑内注射制备的偏侧帕金森病大鼠模型丘脑底核谷氨酸能神经元的变化进行了观察和计数。结果发现 ,6-OHDA损毁侧丘脑底核中谷氨酸免疫反应阳性神经元的数量显著高于非损毁侧 (P<0 .0 1)。本研究结果提示 ,帕金森病时黑质多巴胺能神经元的减少可能导致丘脑底核过度兴奋 ,这很可能是产生帕金森病症状及其病情渐进发展的原因之一。     

中脑黑质多巴胺神经元对适当剂量鱼藤酮毒性损伤的特殊敏感性

目的:探索中脑黑质多巴胺神经元对适当剂量鱼藤酮毒性损伤是否具有特殊敏感性。方法:采用颈背部皮下注射鱼藤酮的方法建立大鼠中脑黑质多巴胺神经元损伤模型,进行中脑黑质和纹状体酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)免疫组织化学染色加尼氏染色;同时通过HE染色及尼氏染色方法分别观察心、肝、脾、肾等重要胸腹腔脏器及海马、顶叶皮质的形态学变化。结果:中脑黑质TH免疫染色和尼氏染色结果显示组间中脑黑质致密区以外部位尼氏小体数目无差异;大脑顶叶皮质和海马尼氏染色及胸腹腔重要脏器HE染色结果表明各组大鼠均未出现相应部位损伤。结论:低剂量颈部皮下注射鱼藤酮能选择性诱导中脑黑质多巴胺神经元损伤,说明中脑黑质多巴胺神经元对鱼藤酮具有高度敏感性。     

止颤汤干预神经干细胞移植帕金森病大鼠脑内多巴胺及其代谢产物的变化

背景：如何促进脑内多巴胺含量的增加以及减少多巴胺的代谢,是治疗帕金森病的热点所在。 目的：从多巴胺代谢途径角度观察止颤汤对神经干细胞移植帕金森病大鼠的脑黑质中多巴胺及其代谢产物含量的变化。 方法：以大鼠脑立体定位和1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶建立帕金森病大鼠模型。应用高效液相色谱法测定帕金森病大鼠中脑多巴胺及其代谢产物的含量。 结果与结论：止颤汤可以提高神经干细胞移植后帕金森病大鼠中脑多巴胺及其代谢产物双羟苯乙酸的含量,但对代谢产物高香草酸无明显影响。通过促进帕金森病大鼠干细胞移植后神经干细胞的存活,使之定向分化为多巴胺能神经元并分泌多巴胺,同时抑制多巴胺分解达到治疗作用。     

Lactacystin诱导黑质神经元变性死亡的帕金森病大鼠模型方法

目的:探讨脑内定位注射蛋白酶体抑制剂Lactacystin诱导大鼠黑质神经元变性及运动症状的帕金森病大鼠模型方法。方法:成年雄性SD大鼠16只随机分为Lactacystin组和对照组,将Lactacystin 8μg(溶于0.8μl生理盐水)定位注入左侧内侧前脑束,对照组注射等量生理盐水。于1、3、5周时间点观察其运动行为,处死动物后进行中脑酪氨酸羟化酶和Fluoro-Jade C染色,显示分析黑质多巴胺神经元生存和变性死亡。结果:Lactacys-tin组黑质致密部酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元急剧减少,伴有大量Fluoro-Jade C阳性的变性神经元出现。Lactacystin组动物出现自发活动减少、运动缓慢、震颤和自发旋转,并呈逐渐加重的运动行为改变。结论:Lactacystin能够高效诱导黑质多巴胺神经元变性和运动障碍的大鼠模型,是研究帕金森病发病机制和神经保护的优良方法。     

龟板促进帕金森病大鼠黑质神经生长因子信号分子的表达

目的:进一步探讨神经生长因子(NGF)/酪氨酸受体激酶A(TrkA)通路是否为龟板抗帕金森病(PD)大鼠多巴胺能神经元凋亡中的机制.方法:采用大鼠左侧黑质致密带注射6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA,0 2%)2μl造成PD模型,同时设立龟板组、模型组和正常对照组,用免疫组织化学显色方法观察PD大鼠中脑黑质NGF、 TrkA和磷酸化的糖原合成酶激酶-3β(p-GSK-3β)阳性神经元数目.免疫印迹法检测NGF、 TrkA、 p-GSK-3β蛋白表达水平的变化.结果:免疫组织化学显色显示龟板组PD大鼠中脑黑质致密部NGF、 TrkA的阳性细胞数明显多于模型组.免疫印迹法结果显示龟板组PD大鼠中脑黑质致密部NGF、 TrkA的蛋白表达水平高于模型组.结论:龟板能上调6-OHDA诱导的PD大鼠中脑黑质NGF、 TrkA和p-GSK-3β的表达,这可能是其抗PD大鼠多巴胺能神经元凋亡的分子机制.     

大鼠尾壳核对同侧黑质网状部神经元电活动的影响

研究大鼠尾壳核神经元对黑质网状部神经元电活动的影响。通过在尾壳核注射谷氨酸钠,同时利用Plexon多通道数据采集处理系统进行黑质网状部神经元放电的胞外记录,然后运用NeuroExplorer软件对所记录的电信号进行直观分析,通过SPSS 16.0对所采集信号数据进行统计分析。实验成功在6只大鼠的黑质网状部记录到11个神经元的放电情况,麻醉状态下大鼠黑质网状部神经元放电频率为12.20±6.60 Hz,当向尾壳核注射谷氨酸钠后降低至1.80±1.00 Hz,P〈0.01。化学刺激尾壳核后,黑质网状部神经元放电频率显著性降低,提示尾壳核对黑质网状部神经元有明显的抑制作用。     

帕金森病模型大鼠中脑腹侧被盖区多巴胺能神经元改变的实验研究

目的：探讨帕金森病（Parkinson’s disease，PD）大鼠模型中脑腹侧被盖区（ventral tegmentalarea，VTA）多巴胺能神经元的改变。方法：应用6-羟基多巴胺（6-hydroxydopamine，6-OHDA）注射右侧黑质致密区（substantia nigra compacta，SNc）制作PD大鼠模型，进行阿朴吗啡（apomorphine，APO）诱发行为学观察、电镜、尼氏染色观察中脑VTA神经元的改变、酪氨酸羟化酶（tyrosine hydroxylase，TH）免疫组织化学ABC观察其DA能神经元的改变并进行图像分析。结果：APO诱发PD大鼠模型异常旋转行为，尼氏染色见PD大鼠中脑VTA有神经细胞肿胀、坏死等变化，VTA TH阳性神经元数量减少，形态学改变。结论：中脑VTA DA能神经参与PD模型大鼠的改变；APO能诱导6-OHDAPD模型大鼠的旋转行为，其强弱可能与TH^＋神经元数量直接相关。     

Effect of high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on the neuronal activities of the substantia nigra pars reticulata and ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus in the rat

Electrophysiological recordings were made in anaesthetized rats to investigate the mode of function of high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus used as a therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease. High-frequency electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (130 Hz) induced a net decrease in activity of all cells recorded around the site of stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus. It also caused an inhibition of the majority of neurons recorded in the substantia nigra pars reticulata in normal rats (94%) and in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (90%) or with ibotenic acid lesions of the globus pallidus (79.5%). The majority of cells recorded in the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus responded with an increase in their activity (84%).These results show that high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus induces a reduction of the excitatory glutamatergic output from the subthalamic nucleus which results in deactivation of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons. The reduction in tonic inhibitory drive of nigral neurons induces a disinhibition of activity in the ventrolateral motor thalamic nucleus, which should result in activation of the motor cortical system.     

Morphological study of the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus, substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus, and their interconnections in rat organotypic culture

The morphological organization of the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus, midbrain extrapyramidal area, substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus and their interrelationships were studied in rat organotypic culture using immunohistochemistry and NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Three coronal sections, one containing the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus/midbrain extrapyramidal area, another with the substantia nigra and the third with the subthalamic nucleus, were obtained from postnatal 1-2-day-old rats. These sections were co-cultured for 3-4 weeks using the roller-tube technique. In the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus/midbrain extrapyramidal area, the distribution pattern of cholinergic neurons was similar to that found in the in vivo study. We could, therefore, identify the subdivisions of the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus (i.e., pars compacta and pars dissipata) and the midbrain extrapyramidal area. As in the in vivo situation, glutamate immunoreactive neurons were also located in these areas. Approximately 10% of NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons in the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus, were glutamate immunoreactive. In the substantia nigra, as in the in vivo, tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (putative dopaminergic) neurons were identified predominantly in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons (putative GABAergic) mainly in the substantia nigra pars reticulata. The subthalamic nucleus was ladened with glutamate immunoreactive neurons. NADPH-diaphorase stained axons originating from the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus were traced into the substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus. They were often in close apposition to tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra. Parvalbumin immunoreactive fibers from the substantia nigra projected heavily to the midbrain extrapyramidal area, but only sparsely to the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus and the subthalamic nucleus. These findings indicate that the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus/midbrain extrapyramidal area, substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus in the organotypic culture have retained a basic morphological organization and connectivity similar to those seen in the in vivo situation. Therefore, this preparation could be a useful model to conduct further studies to investigate functional circuits among the structures represented.     

小胶质细胞介导帕金森病小鼠的氧化应激损伤

背景：研究证实,小胶质细胞诱导型一氧化氮合酶可增加多巴胺能神经元对百草枯的摄取,造成百草枯对多巴胺能神经元的特异性杀伤作用。帕金森病的黑质纹状体存在小胶质细胞的激活,但其产生氧化应激作用机制尚不明确。 目的：建立帕金森病小鼠模型,观察小胶质细胞介导的氧化应激损伤在帕金森病中的作用。 方法：36只C57BL/6小鼠随机分为帕金森病模型组和对照组,每组18只。以腹腔注射百草枯10 mg/kg为模型组,等体积生理盐水为对照组,分别观察小鼠行为活动改变。采用高效液相法测定两组小鼠黑质纹状体多巴胺的含量及免疫组织化学方法检测两组小鼠黑质部位酪氨酸羟化酶、mac-1蛋白表达,同时应用化学比色法测定两组小鼠黑质部位超氧化物歧化酶、还原性谷胱甘肽、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性和丙二醛水平的变化。 结果与结论：模型组小鼠自发行为活动较对照组减少(P < 0.05)。高效液相法检测模型组小鼠黑质纹状体多巴胺含量及酪氨酸羟化酶蛋白的表达均显著低于对照组(P < 0.05),mac-1蛋白表达高于对照组(P < 0.05)。模型组超氧化物歧化酶、还原性谷胱甘肽、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性较对照组均显著下降(P < 0.05),丙二醛水平较对照组显著升高(P < 0.05)。提示中脑黑质部位小胶质细胞的激活致使氧化应激反应增强及抗氧化保护作用减弱可能是引起帕金森病发病的重要机制。     

Organization and efferent projections of nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta with special reference to its cholinergic aspects

In an attempt to evaluate the cellular organization and efferent projections of the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta, several experiments were performed in the rat. From measurements of neurons in the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta in Nissl-stained sections, the nucleus was observed to contain many large neurons which made it possible to demarcate this nucleus from surrounding pontomesencephalic reticular formation. Two other neuronal populations, medium and small neurons, were also seen in the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta. Detailed measurements showed that 90% by volume of all neurons in the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta were large and medium-sized neurons. After injections of [ ³H]leucine into the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta, transported label was observed in dorsally and ventrally coursing ascending fibers. The dorsally coursing fibers entered the centrolateral nucleus and centre median-parafascicular complex of the thalamus. The ventrally coursing fibers produced accumulation of silver grains in the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra pars compacta, subthalamic nucleus, zona incerta and lateral hypothalamus. Crossed fibers of the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta were observed sparsely at the levels of the thalamus and posterior commissure, and to a greater degree through the supraoptic commissure of Meynert. Much less anterograde labeling was seen in the equivalent terminal sites on the contralateral side of the brain. By electron microscopic autoradiography major terminal sites of axons of the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta were examined in rats injected with [ ³H]leucine in the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta and later injected with horseradish peroxidase in the striatum and pallidum. Statistical data showed preferential radiolabeling of terminals forming asymmetrical synaptic contact with dendrites in the centrolateral nucleus, centre median-parafascicular complex and subthalamic nucleus. Apparent terminations in the substantia nigra pars compacta proposed in earlier studies and shown in the present light microscopic autoradiograms were not supported by this ultrastructural analysis. Several radiolabeled terminals of the asymmetrical type contacting horseradish peroxidase labeled dendrites in the thalamus confirmed direct input from the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta to the thalamostriate projection neurons. [ ³H]choline injections into the thalamus and subthalamic nucleus produced retrograde perikaryal labeling of large neurons in the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta. These neurons were unlabeled after [ ³H]choline injections in the substantia nigra. Other findings suggested retrograde transport of [ ³H]choline through cholinergic terminals as well as cholinergic fibers of passage. These data suggested a selective uptake mechanism for cholinergic fibers of passage.The results emphasize the cholinergic nature of the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta innervation of the thalamus and subthalamic nucleus. Large neurons in the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta seem responsible for this cholinergic innervation and probably provide the axon terminals making asymmetrical synapses in the thalamus and subthalamic nucleus as described above. In addition, large neurons as well as medium and small ones in the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta whose transmitters and exact destinations remain unknown send a number of axons through the supraoptic commissure of Meynert to innervate the contralateral subthalamic nucleus.     

Ascending projections of presumed dopamine-containing neurons in the ventral tegmentum of the rat as demonstrated by horseradish peroxidase

The projections of presumed dopamine-containing neurons in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area were examined by stereotaxic injections of horseradish peroxidase into diverse cortical and subcortical regions which are known to include dopamine-containing terminals. Neurons in the lateral half of the substantia nigra pars compacta were labelled after injections into the caudolateral aspect of the caudate-putamen, while neurons in the medial part of the substantia nigra pars compacta and lateral aspect of the ventral tegmental area projected to the anteromedial portion of the caudate putamen. Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the amygdala resulted in the appearance of reactive neurons in the anterior portion of the ventral tegmental area, but the more caudally located entorhinal cortex received projections from the posterior half of the ventral tegmental area. Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the frontal cortex, anterior to the genu, produced scattered labelled cells in the rostral half of the ventral tegmental area, whereas more posterior injections into the cingulate cortex resulted in the appearance of reactive cells which were confined to the medial one-quarter of the substantia nigra pars compacta. The near-midline structure, the lateral septum, was innervated by neurons with cell bodies primarily in the medial half of the ventral tegmental area. Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the nucleus accumbens, which contains very high levels of dopamine, resulted in the appearance of many labelled neurons throughout the ventral tegmental area and some reactive neurons in the medial part of the substantia nigra pars compacta. A few labelled cells were also occasionally observed in the contralateral ventral tegmental area after accumbens injections.These results suggest that although there is considerable overlap, and that the same subdivisions within the substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area appear to innervate diverse regions of the forebrain, there also exists a general topographical organization with respect to the projections of these neurons.Injections of horseradish peroxidase into some of the forebrain regions also resulted in the appearance of reactive cells in mesencephalic nuclei not known to contain dopaminergic perikarya. For example, labelled cells were observed in the supramamillary nucleus after injections into the frontal cortex, entorhinal cortex, accumbens and lateral septum. Injections into the amygdala produced reactive cells in the suprageniculate nucleus, the peripeduncular nucleus, and the magnocellular nucleus of the medial geniculate. These latter results are discussed with reference to the possibility that such pathways may mediate the responsiveness of cells in the amygdala to a wide range of sensory stimuli.     

Functional changes of the basal ganglia circuitry in Parkinson's disease

The basal ganglia circuitry processes the signals that flow from the cortex, allowing the correct execution of voluntary movements. In Parkinson's disease, the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta triggers a cascade of functional changes affecting the whole basal ganglia network. The most relevant alterations affect the output nuclei of the circuit, the medial globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata, which become hyperactive. Such hyperactivity is sustained by the enhanced glutamatergic inputs that the output nuclei receive from the subthalamic nucleus. The mechanisms leading to the subthalamic disinhibition are still poorly understood. According to the current model of basal ganglia organization, the phenomenon is due to a decrease in the inhibitory control exerted over the subthalamic nucleus by the lateral globus pallidus. Recent data, however, suggest that additional if not alternative mechanisms may underlie subthalamic hyperactivity. In particular, given the reciprocal innervation of the substantia nigra pars compacta and the subthalamic nucleus, the dopaminergic deficit might influence the subthalamic activity, directly. In addition, the increased excitatory drive to the dopaminergic nigral neurons originating from the hyperactive subthalamic nucleus might sustain the progression of the degenerative process. The identification of the role of the subthalamic nucleus and, more in general, of the glutamatergic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease might lead to a new approach in the pharmacological treatment of the disease. Current therapeutic strategies rely on the use of L-DOPA and/or dopamine agonists to correct the dopaminergic deficit. Drugs capable of antagonizing the effects of glutamate might represent, in the next future, a valuable tool for the development of new symptomatic and neuroprotective strategies for therapy of Parkinson's disease.     

Innervation of substantia nigra neurons by cholinergic afferents from pedunculopontine nucleus in the rat: neuroanatomical and electrophysiological evidence

Dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta are excited by nicotine and acetylcholine, and possess both high-affinity nicotine binding sites and intense acetylcholinesterase activity, consistent with a cholinoceptive role. A probable source of cholinergic afferents is the pedunculopontine nucleus, which forms part of a prominent group of cholinergic perikarya located caudal to the substantia nigra in the tegmentum. Although pedunculopontine efferents, many of them cholinergic, project to the substantia nigra pars compacta, it has not been established whether they terminate in this structure. In the first experiment, which combined retrograde tracing with immunohistochemical visualization of cholinergic neurons, cholinergic cells in and around the pedunculopontine nucleus were found to send projections to the substantia nigra. This projection was almost completely ipsilateral. Subsequent experiments employed anaesthetized rats; kainate was microinfused into tegmental sites in order to stimulate local cholinergic perikarya, and concurrently, extracellular recordings were made of single dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Consistent with our anatomical findings, unilateral microinfusion of kainic acid in or near the pedunculopontine nucleus increased the firing rate of dopaminergic neurons situated remotely in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. The kainate-induced excitation of nigral dopaminergic neurons was dose-related and was prevented by intravenous administration of the centrally-acting nicotinic cholinergic antagonist mecamylamine. These results suggest that cholinergic perikarya in the vicinity of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus innervate dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta via nicotinic receptors.     

Coherent spike-wave oscillations in the cortex and subthalamic nucleus of the freely moving rat

The basal ganglia play a critical role in controlling seizures in animal models of idiopathic non-convulsive (absence) epilepsy. Inappropriate output from the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) is known to exacerbate seizures, but the precise neuronal mechanisms underlying abnormal activity in SNr remain unclear. To test the hypothesis that cortical spike-wave oscillations, often considered indicative of absence seizures, propagate to the subthalamic nucleus, an important afferent of SNr, we simultaneously recorded local field potentials from the frontal cortex and subthalamic nucleus of freely moving rats. Spontaneous spike-wave oscillations in cortex (mean dominant frequency of 7.4 Hz) were associated with similar oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (mean of 7.9 Hz). The power of oscillations at 5-9 Hz was significantly higher during spike-wave activity as compared with rest periods without this activity. Importantly, spike-wave oscillations in cortex and subthalamic nucleus were significantly coherent across a range of frequencies (3-40 Hz), and the dominant (7-8 Hz) oscillatory activity in the subthalamic nucleus typically followed that in cortex with a small time lag (mean of 2.7 ms). In conclusion, these data suggest that ensembles of subthalamic nucleus neurons are rapidly recruited into oscillations during cortical spike-wave activity, thus adding further weight to the importance of the subthalamic nucleus in absence epilepsy. An increase in synchronous oscillatory input from the subthalamic nucleus could thus partly underlie the expression of pathological activity in SNr that could, in turn, aggravate seizures. Finally, these findings also reiterate the importance of oscillations in these circuits in normal behaviour.     

Functional neuroimaging of the 6-OHDA lesion rat model of Parkinson's disease

We characterized the unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat, a well-known acute model of Parkinson's disease (PD), with [(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) small-animal positron emission tomography (PET), which we compared with a drug-induced rotation behavioral test. In the 6-OHDA model, significant glucose hypometabolism was present in the primary motor cortex, substantia nigra, and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus on the ipsilateral side. In contrast, neuronal activations were observed in the primary somatosensory cortex and ventral caudate-putamen area after lesioning. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the behavioral results and the degree of glucose metabolism impairment in the primary motor cortex, substantia nigra, and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus. In addition, the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus correlated significantly with the primary somatosensory cortex, the ventral caudate-putamen, the substantia nigra, and the primary motor cortex. Furthermore, the primary motor cortex also showed significant correlations with the substantia nigra. In conclusion, In vivo cerebral mapping of the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats using [(18)F]-FDG PET showed correspondence at the functional levels to the cortico-subcortical network impairment observed in PD patients.     

Time of neuron origin and gradients of neurogenesis in midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the mouse

Previous [³H]thymidine studies in Nisslstained sections in rats established that the substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area originate sequentially according to an anterolateral to posteromedial neurogenetic gradient. We investigated whether that same pattern is found in mice in the dopaminergic neurons in each of these structures. Using tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining combined with [³H]thymidine autoradiography, the time of origin of dopaminergic midbrain neurons in the retrorubral field, the substantia nigra pars compacta, the ventral tegmental area, and the interfascicular nucleus was determined in postnatal day 20 mice. The dams of the experimental animals were injected with [³H]thymidine on embryonic days (E) 11–E12, E12–E13, E13–E14, and E14–E15. The time of origin profiles for each group indicated significant differences between populations. The retrorubral field and the substantia nigra pars compacta arose nearly simultaneously and contained the highest proportion of neurons, 49 to 37%, generated on or before E11. Progressively fewer early-generated neurons were found in the ventral tegmental area (20%), and the interfascicular nucleus (8.5%). In addition, anterior dorsolateral neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area were more likely to be generated early than the posterior ventromedial neurons. These findings indicate that mouse and rat brains have nearly identical developmental patterns in the midbrain, and neurogenetic gradients in dopaminergic neurons are similar to those found in Nissl studies in rats.