Functional impairment of nigrostriatal neurons progresses following withdrawal of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
Abstract
C57 BL/6 mice were rendered severely parkinsonian by exposure to high doses of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. The fluorescent retrograde tracer Fast Blue was injected into the neostriatum one (group A) or five weeks (group B) following exposure to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Neurons located in the substantia nigra pars compacta and in the centre median-parafascicular complex were analysed. There was no variation in the number and distribution of Fast Blue-labelled perikarya located in the centre median-parafascicular complex, which are insensitive to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. No variation was seen in the number of Nissl-stained perikarya located in the substantia nigra pars compacta, indicating that neurons had not degenerated. The number and the density of Fast Blue retrogradely-labelled neurons located in the same region were decreased in group A by 41% and in group B by 55%. Fast Blue labelling provided a measure of functional impairment in viable neurons. The Fast Blue-to-Nissl cell ratio was 55% in controls and declined to 20% in group A and to 17% in group B mice. The present study shows that (1) functional inactivation of viable neurons can be measured by using a fluor...Continue Reading
References
Fetal nondopaminergic neural implants in parkinsonian primates. Histochemical and behavioral studies
Effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in the dog: effect of pargyline pretreatment
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Basal Ganglia
Basal Ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei in the brain associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural and habit learning, emotion, and cognition. Here is the latest research.