Dyskinesia is Closely Associated with Synchronization of Theta Oscillatory Activity Between the Substantia Nigra Pars Reticulata and Motor Cortex in the Off L-dopa State in Rats / 神经科学通报·英文版

Excessive theta (θ) frequency oscillation and synchronization in the basal ganglia (BG) has been reported in elderly parkinsonian patients and animal models of levodopa (L-dopa)-induced dyskinesia (LID), particularly the θ oscillation recorded during periods when L-dopa is withdrawn (the off L-dopa state). To gain insight into processes underlying this activity, we explored the relationship between primary motor cortex (M1) oscillatory activity and BG output in LID. We recorded local field potentials in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) and M1 of awake, inattentive resting rats before and after L-dopa priming in Sham control, Parkinson disease model, and LID model groups. We found that chronic L-dopa increased θ synchronization and information flow between the SNr and M1 in off L-dopa state LID rats, with a SNr-to-M1 flow directionality. Compared with the on state, θ oscillational activity (θ synchronization and information flow) during the off state were more closely associated with abnormal involuntary movements. Our findings indicate that θ oscillation in M1 may be consequent to abnormal synchronous discharges in the BG and support the notion that M1 θ oscillation may participate in the induction of dyskinesia.

Impaired Voluntary Wheel Running Behavior in the Unilateral 6-Hydroxydopamine Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate voluntary wheel running behavior in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 2 groups : 6-OHDA group (n=17) and control group (n=8). The unilateral 6-OHDA rat model was induced by injection of 6-OHDA into unilateral medial forebrain bundle using a stereotaxic instrument. Voluntary wheel running activity was assessed per day in successfully lesioned rats (n=10) and control rats. Each behavioral test lasted an hour. The following parameters were investigated during behavioral tests : the number of running bouts, the distance moved in the wheel, average peak speed in running bouts and average duration from the running start to the peak speed. RESULTS: The number of running bouts and the distance moved in the wheel were significantly decreased in successfully lesioned rats compared with control rats. In addition, average peak speed in running bouts was decreased, and average duration from the running start to the peak speed was increased in lesioned animals, which might indicate motor deficits in these rats. These behavioral changes were still observed 42 days after lesion. CONCLUSION: Voluntary wheel running behavior is impaired in the unilateral 6-OHDA rat model and may represent a useful tool to quantify motor deficits in this model.

Migration and nerve net building of neural stem cells / 中国组织工程研究

OBJECTIVE: A series of recent studies have demonstrated the mechanism of migration and nerve net of neural stem cells. These theories have further substantiated neural stem cell transplantation. In view of these new findings, this paper reviewed the mode of migration and information of network. The significance of these theories was discussed.DATA SOURCE: We search on Pubmed with the key words "neural stem cell", "migration", and "nerve net", limiting the language to English and publication date from 1970 to 2004. At the same time we searched on CNKI.STUDY SELECTION: We selected the randomized and non-randomized controlled studies related to migration and nerve net building of neural stem cells. Review articles and articles with repetitive studies were excluded.DATA EXTRACTION: Among 39 papers selected, 16 papers concerning the development of this topic were selected, and the others were excluded.DATA SYNTHESIS: For retrograde lesions and severe injury of nervous system, transplantation of nerve stem cells may replace aging degenerative and dead nerve cells and rebuild neural network for the recovery of cerebral function. Migration of nerve cell and network principle can solve the survival, differentiation, migration and creation of nerve network after transplantation of nerve stem cells so as to realize the recovery and reconstruction of cerebral function.CONCLUSION: Neural stem cells can migrate to intended places and can build nerve net under some conditions, which will be useful for medicine deyelopment.

CHANGES OF DOPAMINE RECEPTOR ACTIVITY IN CAUDALPUTAMEN OF PARKINSON DISEASE RAT MODEL / 解放军医学杂志

To explore the role and changes of dopamine receptor activity and their subtypes during the onset process of Parkinson disease( PD ), on the basis of 6 hydroxydopamine lesioned PD rat model, radioligand binding assay (RLBA) and Scanchard drawing were used to measure the maximal binding capacity of receptor (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of D 1 and D 2 dopamine receptors in caudal putamen of the model and control rats at different time point. The results of RLBA study revealed D 2 dopamine receptor Bmax was significantly increased and KD was significantly decreased in the caudal putamen ipsilateral to the lesion in rat model, and the changes reached the peak in one month rat model group. In contrast, the caudal putamen D 1 receptors were far less affected, with no consistent changes in the same model groups as compared with the control, except that 2 weeks model group showed Bmax was slightly decreased while KD was slightly increased. The study confirms that D 2 dopamine receptor is upregulated in the caudal putamen ipsilateral to the lesion in PD rat model, and the affinity of the receptors is increased, but the activity of D 1 dopamine receptor is not significantly changed.