Serotonergic projections from the midbrain periaqueductal gray and nucleus raphe dorsalis to the nucleus parafasccicularis of the thalamus

By a double-labeling method combining the retrograde tracing of horseradish peroxidase and the immunocytochemical technique, serotonin-like immunoreactive neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) and nucleus raphe dorsalis (DR) of the rat were observed to send projection fibers to the nucleus parafascicularis of the thalamus bilaterally with an ipsilateral dominance. These serotonin-containing projecting neurons were observed mainly at the middle-caudal levels of the ventrolateral subdivision of the PAG and less at the middle-rostral levels of the DR.     

Generation and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in weaver mice

Generation and survival of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons were investigated using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry combined with tritiated thymidine autoradiography at appropriate anatomical levels throughout the anteroposterior (A/P) axes of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The wild-type (+/+) and homozygous weaver (wv/wv) mice used here were the offspring of pregnant dams injected with the radioactive precursor when the mesencephalic neurons were being produced (gestational days 11-15). Data reveal that, at postnatal day 90, depletion of TH-stained cells in the wv/wv presented an A/P pattern of increasing severity and, therefore, the DA cells located in posterior parts of the SNc or the VTA appear to be more vulnerable than the settled anterior neurons. When the time of neuron origin is inferred for each level of these cell groups, it is found that the neurogenesis span is similar for both experimental groups, although significant deficits in the frequency of wv/wv late-generated neurons were observed in any level considered. On the other hand, it has been found that TH-positive neurons were settled along the extent of the SNc and the VTA following precise and differential neurogenetic gradients. Thus, the acute rostrocaudal increase in the proportion of late-generated neurons detected in both+/+DA-cell groups is disturbed in the weaver homozygotes due to the indicated A/P depletion.     

Rostral midbrain lesions and copulatory behavior in male rats

Discrete electrolytic lesions were placed in the mesencephalic dorsal noradrenergic (DNE) bundle of 22 male Sprague-Dawley rats, and sham operations were performed on 14 control animals. Eight components of copulatory behavior were compared in 2 preoperative and 2 postoperative heterosexual mating tests. A significant postlesion decrease in the postejaculatory interval (PEI), number of intromissions, number of incomplete mounts and the ejaculation latency from the first intromission (ELI) occurred. Norepinephrine levels were significantly reduced in the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus, but not in the preoptic area. The only statistically significant correlations between NE concentrations and behavior in the lesioned animals were negative (hippocampal NE with PEI and ELI). The results support the hypothesis that rostral midbrain lesions disinhibit some components of male rodent copulatory behavior, but suggest that a system or systems other than the DNE bundle may be responsible for this disinhibition.     

Antinociceptive action of quipazine: Relation to central serotonergic receptor stimulation

Quipazine, a serotonin receptor stimulant, inhibited the response of rats to painful stimuli in two methods currently used to measure antinociception in these animals: the hot plate and tail compression test. The antinociceptive action was observed with doses ranging from 5 to 20 mg/kg i.p. according to the test situation.The effect was significantly antagonized by a pretreatment with methergoline, a potent serotonin antagonist. An electrolytic lesion placed in the nucleus raphe medianus, which produced a marked decrease of serotonin in the forebrain did not, or only slightly, affected the effect of quipazine, depending on the method used to measure antinociception.It is suggested that quipazine can produce antinociceptive action in rats by interacting with a serotonergic mechanism. The action appears to be due mainly to a direct action on postsynaptic serotonin receptors, although a presynaptic component can also contribute to the effect of quipazine.Visiting scientist from Clinica Neurologica, UniversitàVisiting scientist from Clinica Neurologica, Università     

Cavernous dilatation of mesencephalic Virchow-Robin spaces with obstructive hydrocephalus

We describe two patients with mild ventricular dilatation, shown to have cystic spaces in the midbrain, which we interpreted as greatly enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces. We discuss the pathophysiology and the possible relations to the mild hydrocephalus. Received: 1 September 1999/Accepted: 22 October 1999     

Pupil-sparing third nerve palsies and hemiataxia: Claude’s and reverse Claude’s syndrome

We report two patients with midbrain infarction with pupil-sparing third nerve palsies and hemiataxia: one with contralateral ataxia (Claude’s syndrome) and one with ipsilateral ataxia (which we refer to as reverse Claude’s syndrome). We highlight the importance of a thorough neurologic evaluation with partial oculomotor palsies and describe, to our knowledge, the fourth account in the literature of a pupil-sparing third nerve palsy with ipsilateral cerebellar ataxia.     

Leptin action in the midbrain: From reward to stress

The midbrain is a heterogenous brain structure that serves important roles in feeding regulation, motivation and reward, movement and stress adaptation. One common feature of different midbrain regions is that they all express the long form of leptin receptor (LepRb). Leptin is mainly produced and secreted by white adipose tissue, informing the brain centers via LepRb about the amount of fat storage in the body. In this way, leptin exerts its action in the midbrain to regulate different functions. First, this review deals with the basic information of leptin and its signaling. Then, attention is given to various interactions of leptin with the midbrain regions, including ventral tegmental area (VTA), substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), rostral linear raphe (RLi) and centrally-projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus (EWcp). Also, the projection areas of these midbrain regions are discussed. Finally, the possible function of leptin in the midbrain is suggested.     

Immunohistochemical localization of TRPC6 in the rat substantia nigra

Transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) are plasma membrane, nonselective cationic channels and have been proposed as candidates involved in the regulation of cellular Ca2+ influx [D.E. Clapham, L.W. Runnels, C., Strubing, The TRP ion channel family, Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 2 (2001) 387-396; A. Martorana, C. Giampa, Z. DeMarch, M.T. Viscomi, S. Patassini, G. Sancesario, G. Bernardi, F.R. Fusco, Distribution of TRPC1 receptors in dendrites of rat substantia nigra: a confocal and electron microscopy study, Eur. J. Neurosci. 24 (2006) 732-738]. Studies on regional localization patterns of TRPCs are necessary to provide helpful guidelines for correlating current types with particular channels. In this study, we examined the distribution of one particular member of TRPC superfamily, namely, TRPC6, in the substantia nigra of normal rat brain. Single and double label immunohistochemistry were employed to perform both light and confocal microscopy observations. Our single label studies showed that, in the substantia nigra, TRPC6 labeled the perikarya with a diffuse and intense immunoreaction product distributed throughout cell cytoplasm whereas only a light immunostaining was observed in the cell nuclei. No labeling of axon or terminals was observed, although TRPC6 was evenly distributed in the neuropil. Our dual label studies showed a TRPC6 immunoreactivity pattern that was localized into the proximal dendrites and axon hillock of the large dopaminergic neurons identified by TH immunoreaction. Furthermore, our double label immunofluorescence study for TRPC6 and mGluR1 showed a complete co-localization of the two markers in the substantia nigra. Moreover, TRPC6 did not co-localize with synaptophysin. Thus, our study shows the postsynaptic localization of TRPC6 and its association with mGluR1 in the midbrain dopamine neurons.     

中脑导水管周围灰质NO对大鼠血压的影响及其机制探讨

目的 探讨大鼠中脑导水管周围灰质(PAG)NO对血压的影响及作用机制。方法 采用微量注射法，观察大鼠血压的变化，放免法检测Ach含量。结果 PAG内微量注射L-NNA后，大鼠平均动脉压升高，延髓头端腹外侧区(RVLM)内Ach含量增多，且这一升压效应可被PALG内预注L-Arg或RVLM内预注东莨菪碱所阻断。结论PAG内NO可能经RVLM内Ach介导对血压有紧张性抑制作用。