Acute psychotropic effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation and levodopa in Parkinson's disease.

High-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improves the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Opposite changes in mood, such as mania or depression, have been reported after surgery, but it is not known whether these side effects are specifically related to STN DBS. To learn whether STN DBS also influences the limbic loop, we investigated acute subjective psychotropic effects related to levodopa or bilateral STN DBS. After a median postoperative follow-up of 12 months, 50 PD patients completed the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), assessing subjective psychotropic effects in four conditions: off-drug/on-stimulation; off-drug/off-stimulation; on-drug/off-stimulation; and on-drug/on-stimulation. Both levodopa and STN DBS improved all the ARCI subscales, indicating subjective feelings of well being, euphoria, increase in motivation, and decrease in fatigue, anxiety, and tension. A suprathreshold dose of levodopa was significantly more effective than STN DBS, using the same electrical parameters as for chronic stimulation, on four of the five ARCI subscales. We concluded that 1) both STN DBS and levodopa have synergistic acute beneficial psychotropic effects in PD, 2) the psychotropic effects of both treatments need to be considered in the long-term management of chronic STN DBS, and 3) the results indicate an involvement of the limbic STN in mood disorders of PD.     

高压氧下大鼠脑组织中氧化氮合酶阳性细胞的表达(论著)

目的：探讨高压氧（HBO）对视觉中枢的影响。方法：SD大鼠12只，随机分为3组：分别为常压对照组（NP组），高压空气对照组（HBA组），和HBO实验组（HBO组）。HBA组和HBO组动物分别给予0．25MPa高压空气和纯氧，升压20分钟，在0．25MPa下稳压4小时，然后经20分钟减至常压。动物出舱后立即灌注取脑，利用NADPH-黄递酶（NADPH-diaphorase）组织化学方法，观察氧化氮合酶（NOS）阳性细胞见脑组织外侧膝状体（LGN）、视皮层及大脑顶叶皮层的表达。结果：NOS阳性细胞存在于大鼠LGN、视皮层及大脑项叶皮层中。在0．25MPaHBO作用下，视皮层、大脑顶叶皮层中NOS阳性细胞明显增加（P＜0．05），而LGN与对照组相比无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。结论：HBO对视觉中枢的毒性作用与视皮层NOS阳性细胞增加密切相关。     

Excitatory amino acid receptor regulation after subthalamic nucleus lesions in the rat

The subthalamic nucleus plays a pivotal role in the regulation of basal ganglia output. Recent electrophysiologic, lesion and immunocytochemical studies suggest that the subthalamic nucleus uses an excitatory amino acid as a neurotransmitter. After complete ablation of the subthalamic nucleus, we have examined the NMDA, AMPA, kainate and metabotropic subtypes of excitatory amino acid receptors in two major subthalamic projection areas (globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata) with quantitative autoradiography. Two weeks after ablation, binding sites for [³H]AMPA and [³H]kainate increased in substantia nigra pars reticulata ipsilateral to the lesion. In globus pallidus on the lesioned side, [³H]glutamate binding to the NMDA recognition site decreased. The results suggest that glutamate receptors regulate after interruption of subthalamic nucleus output.     

胆红素对新生豚鼠蜗核损伤的动态研究

目的　探讨听性脑干反应 (ABR)在胆红素所致听力损伤中的监测价值。方法　 2 0只新生 5日豚鼠随机分为胆红素组和对照组 ,胆红素组腹腔注射胆红素 (2 0 0 μg/ g) ,对照组腹腔注射相应体积的生理盐水 (0 1ml/g) ,于腹腔注射前和后 4h、 8h分别记录ABR并观察神经行为状况 ,每组各取 5只于腹腔注射后 4h、 8h分别行蜗核形态学观察。结果　注射胆红素后 ,ABR波潜伏期、波间期呈逐渐延长趋势 ,振幅呈逐渐下降趋势 ,其中波Ⅱ改变出现最早且最明显。用药后 4h ,无明显神经系统症状和形态学改变时 ,Ⅰ -Ⅱ波间期延长及波Ⅱ振幅下降与对照组及用药前比较差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1) ;用药后 8hABR改变更明显 ,同时伴有神经症状和镜下形态学改变 ,蜗核体积及大椭圆细胞截面积显著性减小 (P <0 0 1)。结论　ABR是监测胆红素所致听力损害早期的敏感指标 ,优于耳蜗电图和耳声发射等主要反映周围听觉系统功能状态的电生理技术 ,加强高胆红素血症新生儿的ABR动态监测有非常重要的临床意义     

The relationship between monkey dentate cerebellar nucleus activity and kinematic parameters of wrist movement

Extracellular single-unit recordings were made from cerebellar dentate neurones in two conscious monkeys trained to perform wrist flexion and extension movement tasks that produced a range of static joint positions and dynamic velocities. The experiment was designed to establish whether there is a relationship between the discharge of dentate neurones and movement kinematics. The discharge patterns of 58 “wrist-related” neurones were correlated with joint position, duration of unidirectional movement (referred to as duration of velocity) and amplitude of velocity (peak velocity). Significant (P<0.05) correlations were found between the level of tonic discharge and static joint position in 21 of 58 (36%) neurones. Correlations between phasic discharge and at least one of the velocity variables were found in 17 of 43 (40%) neurones [7 of 43 (16%) showed a correlation between the duration of phasic excitation associated with movement and duration of velocity, 5 of 43 (12%) between the peak rate of phasic excitation and peak velocity and 10 of 43 (23%) between the number of discharges in the period of phasic excitation and peak velocity]. We conclude (for reasons outlined in the Discussion) that there is not a strong relationship between neuronal discharge and kinematic parameters of wrist movement in the dentate nucleus. Received: 21 October 1996 / Accepted: 14 August 1997     

Visual system of a naturally microphthalmic mammal: The blind mole rat,Spalax ehrenbergi

Retinal projections and visual thalamo-cortical connections were studied in the subterranean mole rat, belonging to the superspecies Spalax ehrenbergi, by anterograde and retrograde tracing techniques. Quantitative image analysis was used to estimate the relative density and distribution of retinal input to different primary visual nuclei. The visual system of Spalax presents a mosaic of both regressive and progressive morphological features. Following intraocular injections of horseradish peroxidase conjugates, the retina was found to project bilaterally to all visual structures described as receiving retinal afferents in non-fossorial rodents. Structures involved in form analysis and visually guided behaviors are reduced in size by more than 90%, receive a sparse retinal innervation, and are cytoarchitecturally poorly differentiated. The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, as defined by cyto- and myelo-architecture, cytochrome oxidase, and acetylcholinesterase distribution as well as by afferent and efferent connections, consists of a narrow sheet 3–5 neurons thick, in the dorsal thalamus. Connections with visual cortex are topographically organized but multiple cortical injections result in widespread and overlapping distributions of geniculate neurons, thus indicating that the cortical map of visual space is imprecise. The superficial layers of the superior colliculus are collapsed to a single layer, and the diffuse ipsilateral distribution of retinal afferents also suggests a lack of precise retinotopic relations. In the pretectum, both the olivary pretectal nucleus and the nucleus of the optic tract could be identified as receiving ipsilateral and contralateral retinal projections. The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus is also bilaterally innervated, but distinct subdivisions of this nucleus or the intergeniculate leaflet could not be distinguished. The retina sends a sparse projection to the dorsal and lateral terminal nuclei of the accessory optic system. The medial terminal nucleus is not present. In contrast to the above, structures of the “non-image forming” visual pathway involved in photoperiodic perception are well developed in Spalax. The suprachiasmatic nucleus receives a bilateral projection from the retina and the absolute size, cytoarchitecture, density, and distribution of retinal afferents in Spalax are comparable with those of other rodents. A relatively hypertrophied retinal projection is observed in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Other regions which receive sparse visual input include the lateral and anterior hypothalamic areas, the retrochiasmatic region, the sub-paraventricular zone, the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, the anteroventral and anterodorsal nuclei, the lateral habenula, the mediodorsal nucleus, and the basal telencephalon. These results indicate that the apparently global morphological regression of the visual system conceals a selective expansion of structures related to functions of photoperiodic perception and photo-neuroendocrine regulation. We suggest that the evolution of an atrophied eye and reduced visual system is an adaptively advantageous response to the unique subterranean environment. Factors favoring regression include mechanical aspects, metabolic constraints, and competition between sensory systems. The primary advantage of sensory atrophy is the metabolic economy gained by the reduction of visual structures which do not contribute significantly to the animal's fitness. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Morphology and distribution of serotoninergic and oculomotor internuclear neurons in the cat midbrain

Serotoninergic fibers have been reported in both the abducens and facial nuclei of the cat. Furthermore, serotoninergic dorsal raphe and oculomotor internuclear neurons occupy similar locations in the periaqueductal gray overlying the oculomotor and trochlear motor nuclei. To resolve the issue of whether these two populations of neurons overlap, serotoninergic fibers were assayed in the abducens and facial nucleus; then the morphologies and distributions of identified serotoninergic neurons and oculomotor internuclear neurons were determined. Both the abducens and facial nuclei contained varicosities labelled with antibody to serotonin, but a much higher density of immunoreactive fibers was present in the latter, especially in its medial aspect. Distinct synaptic profiles labelled with antibodies to serotonin were observed in both nuclei. In both cases, terminal profiles contained numerous small, predominantly spheroidal, synaptic vesicles as well as a few, large, dense-core vesicles. These profiles made synaptic contacts onto dendritic and, in the facial nucleus, somatic profiles that occasionally displayed asymmetric, postsynaptic, membrane densifications. Following injection of horseradish peroxidase into either the abducens or facial nuclei, double-label immunohistochemical techniques demonstrated that the serotoninergic and oculomotor internuclear neurons form two distinct cell populations. The immunoreactive serotoninergic cells were distributed within the dorsal raphe nucleus, predominantly caudal to the retrogradely labelled oculomotor internuclear neurons. The latter were located in the oculomotor nucleus along its dorsal border and in the adjacent supraoculomotor area. Intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase revealed that oculomotor internuclear neurons have multipolar somata with up to ten long, tapering dendrites that bifurcate approximately five times. Their dendritic fields were generally contained within the nucleus and adjacent supraoculomotor area. In contrast, putative serotoninergic neurons were often spindle-shaped and exhibited far fewer primary dendrites. Many of these long, narrow, sparsely branched dendrites crossed the midline and extended to the surface of the cerebral aqueduct. In the vicinity of the aqueduct they branched repeatedly to form a dendritic thicket. The axons of the intracellularly stained serotoninergic neurons emerged either from the somata or the end of a process with dendritic morphology, and in some cases they produced axon collaterals within the periaqueductal gray. Thus the oculomotor internuclear and serotoninergic populations differ in both distribution and morphology.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

脑内注射乙酰胆碱受体抗体IgG对大鼠隔-海马胆碱能系统的损害

目的　探讨乙酰胆碱受体抗体 ( Ach Rab) Ig G对大鼠隔 -海马胆碱能系统的损害及对认知功能的影响。方法　 Ach Rab阳性 Ig G或健康人 Ig G注入大鼠一侧隔 -斜角带核区 ,跳台试验测试大鼠的学习记忆功能 ,乙酰胆碱酯酶 ( Ach E)组织化学法测定颞叶、海马 Ach E阳性纤维 ,免疫组化测定隔 -斜角带核区胆碱乙酰转移酶( Ch AT)阳性神经元。结果　实验组大鼠错误次数 ( 7.8± 1..5 )较对照组 ( 3.6± 1.3)明显增加 ;实验组大鼠颞叶及海马各区 Ach E纤维面密度均明显低于对照组 ( P<0 .0 1) ;实验组注射侧 Ch AT阳性细胞数 ( 30 .4 5± 5 .4 1)明显少于实验组非注射侧 ( 5 4 .0 0± 7.5 9)和对照组注射侧 ( 6 3.5 3± 5 .12 ) ;实验组非注射侧明显少于对照组非注射侧 ( 6 8.35± 4 .72 )。结论　内侧隔 -斜角带核区定向注射 Ach Rab Ig G可使胆碱能神经元损害 ,进而导致胆碱能系统功能障碍。因而认为 MG认知功能障碍与中枢胆碱能系统损害有关     

Effect of portal infusion of hypertonic saline on neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the rat

Effects of hepatoportal osmo-receptive (or sodium-receptive) afferents on neurons within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) were investigated electrophysiologically in urethane-chloralose anesthetized rats. Responses of 56 spontaneously active neurons to antidromic stimulation of the ventral trunk of the subdiaphragmatic vagus were recorded in the left DMV. Among them, 35 neurons were inhibited by electrical stimulation of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve (inhibitory neurons), except two neurons that were slightly excited. Effects of portal infusion of 3.6% NaCl were examined on 26 inhibitory neurons. Sixteen neurons increased their discharge rates and one neuron decreased its discharge rate in response to portal infusion of hypertonic saline. Thirty-five DMV neurons responded to electrical stimulation of the dorsal trunk of the subdiaphragmatic vagus were inhibited by electrical stimulation of the hepatic branch of the vagus. Four neurons were excited by this stimulation. Relatively smaller number of neurons (5 out of 22 inhibitory neurons) increased their discharge rates in response to portal infusion of hypertonic saline. In conclusion, the response of DMV neuron observed in this experiment was characterized by increasing the frequency of spike discharges in response to portal infusion of hypertonic saline. However, these neurons were inhibited by electrical stimulation of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve. These results suggest that the hepatoportal osmoreceptive afferents may be conveyed to the DMV via inhibitory synapses.