Abstract
Unilateral lesions of the dopaminergic nigral neurons in rats are currently used as a model of Parkinson's disease. However, several neurochemical studies have questioned the possible influence of the lesioned side on the contralateral non-lesioned side. To address this question, electrophysiological recordings in the ipsilateral and contralateral subthalamic nucleus was performed on anaesthetized rats, 3, 7 and 14 days after induction of a unilateral dopaminergic lesion. At these three times, the mean discharge rate of the subthalamic neurons recorded ipsilateral to the lesion was increased by 85, 176 and 127%, respectively, whereas this rate was decreased by 16, 27 and 43%, respectively, in the opposite subthalamic nucleus. This result emphasizes the importance of interhemispheric regulation of this structure, contrasting with the unilateralized current model of the functional organization of the basal ganglia.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials / drug effects
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Action Potentials / physiology
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Animals
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Carrier Proteins / metabolism
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Denervation / adverse effects*
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Dopamine / metabolism*
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Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
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Functional Laterality / drug effects
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Functional Laterality / physiology*
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Male
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Membrane Glycoproteins*
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Membrane Transport Proteins*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins*
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Neural Pathways / drug effects
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Neural Pathways / pathology
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Neural Pathways / physiopathology*
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / metabolism
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Oxidopamine / adverse effects
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Parkinsonian Disorders / pathology*
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Parkinsonian Disorders / physiopathology*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Subthalamic Nucleus / pathology
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Subthalamic Nucleus / physiopathology*
Substances
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Carrier Proteins
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Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Membrane Transport Proteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Oxidopamine
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Dopamine