Deficits in a lateralized associative learning task in dopamine-depleted rats with functional recovery by dopamine-rich transplants

The European Journal of Neuroscience
E Dowd, S B Dunnett

Abstract

Experimental therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) are commonly validated in unilateral animal models using simple tests of motor asymmetry such as rotation, stepping and cylinder tests. However, the human disorder is considerably more complex than this, and alternative tests that permit a more complete evaluation of the efficacy and mechanism of action of novel treatments are needed. In this study, an operant task that assesses the selection, initiation and execution of lateralized movements was used to investigate the effects of embryonic dopamine cell transplants in the unilateral medial forebrain bundle (MFB) lesion model of PD. Lesioned Lister Hooded rats had a pronounced contralateral selection and initiation deficit, as well as an impairment in execution of movements bilaterally. They also attempted fewer trials and made more procedural errors than unlesioned rats. Transplantation of fetal dopaminergic neurons to the striatum led to a marked improvement in specific parameters and a more modest improvement in others. The graft improved the contralateral selection deficit and the execution of movements bilaterally, but had no effect on the initiation of contralateral movements. Transplanted rats also attempted more trials...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 5, 2012·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·Claude ForniPascal Salin
Sep 29, 2011·Behavioural Brain Research·Gaynor A SmithEmma L Lane
Jun 20, 2012·The European Journal of Neuroscience·Hanna S Lindgren, Stephen B Dunnett
Nov 11, 2008·Neuroscience Letters·Xiao-Ping WangHong-Liu Ding
May 17, 2012·Brain Research Bulletin·Simon P Brooks, Stephen B Dunnett
Jun 23, 2005·Behavioural Brain Research·J M HendersonM Quinlivan
Apr 21, 2018·Nanomaterials·Adeel Afzal, Franz L Dickert
Jun 18, 2020·Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·Anders Björklund, Malin Parmar

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