Dopamine D-2 receptor-mediated excitation of caudate nucleus neurons from the substantia nigra

Microiontophoretic studies using cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose were performed to elucidate whether the excitatory response of caudate nucleus (CN) neurons upon stimulation of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SN) is mediated by the dopamine D-1 or D-2 receptor. There were rare convergent inputs from the SN and motor cortex (MC) in the CN neurons. Iontophoretic application of haloperidol and domperidone (dopamine D-2 receptor antagonist) produced dose-dependent inhibition of spikes elicited by SN stimulation in 25 of 42 and 50 of 82 CN neurons, respectively, however, no alterations of spikes elicited by MC stimulation occurred in any 11 neurons tested. Iontophoretically applied SCH 23390 (D-1 antagonist) did not inhibit the SN-induced spikes in any CN neurons, of which spikes were inhibited by domperidone. These results suggest that the SN-induced spikes are mediated by dopamine, which acts on postsynaptic D-2 receptors.     

Responses of cat cerebellar cortical neurons to stimulation of the caudate nucleus,globus pallidus,and substantia nigra

Stimulation of the head of the caudate nucleus in cats anesthetized with chloralose and pentobarbital evoked spike responses of the Purkinje cells and other cerebellar cortical neurons in the paramedian lobes, lobulus simplex, and the tuber of the vermis. Phasic responses in the form of simple discharges (on account of activation of the neurons through mossy fibers) appeared mainly after a latent period of 5–12 and 14–20 msec; the latent period of responses consisting of complex discharges (on account of activation of Purkinje cells through climbing fibers) was 5–6, 9–22 msec, or more. Depending on the latent period, the spike responses differed in their rhythm of generation. In response to stimulation of the caudate nucleus with a frequency of 4–6/sec recruiting responses were found. An inhibitory pause was an invariable component of the tonic responses. During stimulation of the globus pallidus responses of the same types (phasic and tonic) appeared as during stimulation of the caudate nucleus, but they differed in the distribution of the neurons by latent period of spike responses. The minimal latent period was 4 msec. Recruiting also was observed during repetitive stimulation of the globus pallidus. During stimulation of the substantia nigra Pukinje cells activated by climbing fibers responded. Evoked complex discharges appeared after a stable latent period of 8.5±0.3 msec. Arguments are put forward regarding the role of the substantia nigra, the globus pallidus, nuclei of the inferior olive, and also the thalamic nuclei in the mechanism of caudato-cerebellar oligosynaptic and polysynaptic connections.N. I. Pirogov Medical Institute, Vinnitsa. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 375–384, July–August, 1978.     

Immunohistochemical distribution of calbindin D-28k and parvalbumin in the head of the caudate nucleus and substantia nigra of the cat

The heterogeneous anatomy of both the dorsal striatum at the level of the head of the caudate nucleus and of the substantia nigra of cats was analyzed immunohistochemically using two calcium-binding proteins, namely, calbindin D-28k and parvalbumin. The striatal histochemical markers nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase and acetylcholinesterase were revealed in sections adjacent to those used for the immunohistochemical procedure. The distribution of both the calbindin D-28k and the parvalbumin immunoreactivities is heterogeneous in dorsal, ventral, lateral, and medial areas of the head of the caudate nucleus and is in register with the striosome/matrix pattern displayed by the histochemical markers. These calcium-binding proteins preferentially are located in the matrix compartment of the rostral caudate nucleus. Moreover, in some areas of the rostral two-thirds of the substantia nigra, calbindin D-28k and parvalbumin immunoreactivities appear to follow a complementary pattern that is quite different from the mesencephalic distribution of these two calcium-binding proteins. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

大鼠尾核多巴胺受体抑制对黑质升压作用的影响

黑质 纹状体多巴胺系统是中枢多巴胺系统的重要组成成分。资料表明 ,谷氨酸钠微量注入及电刺激黑质 (ｓｕｂｓｔａｎｔｉａｎｉ ｇｒａ,ＳＮ)均可使血压升高 ,幼年自发性高血压大鼠 (ｓｐｏｎｔａｎｅｏｕｓｌｙＨｙｐｅｒｔｅｎｓｉｖｅＲａｔ,ＳＨＲ)脑室注射 6 羟多巴胺使额皮质和尾状核中ＤＡ下降 ,并能削弱ＳＨＲ高血压的发展 ,电解损毁黑质使ＳＨＲ血压升高延迟 ,这提示黑质ＤＡ能神经元可能通过中枢机制发挥其升压作用 ,并可推测黑质 纹状体ＤＡ系统在高血压发展中起作用。本工作旨在在确定黑质升压反应的基础上检验尾核在黑质升压…     

Effect of stimulation of GABA-ergic structures of the substantia nigra and caudate nucleus on food-getting behavior in the cat

A study was made of the functional significance of GABA-ergic structures of the substantia nigra (SN) and the caudate nucleus (CN) and their role in food-procuring behaviour of cats. Analysis was made of behavioral and EEG-effects of local GABA and the GABA antagonist, picrotoxin, microinjections into the studied brain structures. Stimulation of the GABA-ergic structures of the SN produced a sedative effect and depression of the cat food-procuring behaviour. Effects of stimulation of the CN GABA-ergic structures were to a great degree reverse. The conclusion has been made that GABA-ergic structures of the SN and the CN play different roles in controlling the CN inhibitory influence upon food-procuring behaviour.     

Synaptic processes evoked in red nucleus neurons by stimulation of the substantia nigra in cats

Synaptic processes in red nucleus neurons evoked by stimulation of different parts of the substantia nigra and nucleus interpositus of the cerebellum were investigated by an intracellular recording method in acute experiments on cats. Stimulation of this sort was shown to induce mono- and polysynaptic activation of rubrospinal neurons. Monosynaptic cerebellar and nigral excitatory influences were found to be very similar. These influences were shown to converge on the same rubrospinal neurons. The functional significance of inputs from the substantia nigra to the red nucleus for movement performance is discussed.L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR, Erevan. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 149–158, March–April, 1981.     

Differential effect of psychotropic drugs on dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the rat substantia nigra and caudate nucleus

The effect of different psychotropic drugs on DOPAC levels in the caudate nucleus and in the substantia nigra was compared. While pargyline, haloperidol and damphetamine caused parallel changes in both areas, apomorphine and reserpine influenced DOPAC levels in the caudate nucleus and in the substantia nigra differently. In both areas pargyline caused a rapid fall in DOPAC concentrations, while haloperidol caused a marked increase. D-amphetamine was slightly more potent in decreasing DOPAC level in the substantia nigra than in the caudate nucleus. On the other hand, apomorphine was very potent in decreasing DOPAC level in the caudate nucleus but failed to influence it in the substantia nigra. Finally, reserpine, which depleted dopamine stores in both areas, increased DOPAC in the caudate nucleus but decreased it in the substantia nigra.     

Microelectrophoretic studies with 2-bromo-α-ergocriptine on dopaminergic neurons in the feline caudate nucleus

The influence of microelectrophoretically applied dopamine and pressure released 2-Bromo-α-ergocriptine (CB 154) on the spontaneous activity of single neurones in the feline caudate nucleus was studied. Two types of dopamine sensitive neurones were found: the spike-rate of the first type was reduced by dopamine, the firing of the other type was facilitated by dopamine. Both types of neurones were influenced by pressure released CB 154. Neurones which were excited by dopamine were excited by CB 154, while with the other type CB 154 resulted only in an amplification of the inhibition by dopamine.     

Differential effect of acute and chronic ethanol on dopamine metabolism in frontal cortex,caudate nucleus and substantia nigra

Acute oral administration of ethanol (3.2g/kg) to normal rats increased DOPAC levels and DOPA formation in the caudate nucleus but had no effect in the substantia nigra and frontal cortex and failed to modify dopamine (DA) levels in any of the above brain areas. Complete tolerance to the stimulant effect on DOPA formation developed after chronic ethanol administration (3.2g daily for 60 days). In chronically treated rats, 24 hrs after ethanol withdrawal, DA levels in the frontal cortex were 60% higher than in controls and were unchanged in the substantia nigra and caudate nucleus as were DOPAC levels in all areas studied. At this time, the administration of ethanol caused a long-lasting depletion of DA and a parallel increase of DOPAC levels in all areas analyzed. The results indicate that acute and chronic ethanol release DA stores but, in the acute condition, DA depletion is prevented by increased synthesis.     

Intranuclear ubiquitin-immunopositive structures in human substantia nigra neurons

Marinesco bodies were discovered in substantia nigra neurons of human brain in 1902. The relationships between these intranuclear inclusions and the other structures of the cellular nucleus are still obscure. The aim of this study is to elucidate the morphological and cytochemical peculiarities of intranuclear ubiquitin-immunopositive bodies in the substantia nigra neurons of human brain and to evaluate the interconnections of these peculiarities with nucleolus by means of light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and confocal laser microscopy. It is found that up to 20% of neurons in substantia nigra of human brain contain ubiquitin-immunopositive Marinesco bodies. These rounded structures are 1–8 μm—more often 2–4 μm—in diameter. Only one-third of them are tightly adjacent to the nucleolus. By a method of silver impregnation of argentophilic proteins associated with nucleolar organizer, the absence was shown of argentophilic proteins, which are characteristic for the nucleolus, in Marinesco bodies. Special ubiquitin-positive substantially smaller structures (less than 1 μm) are revealed in the neurons’ nuclei along with Marinesco bodies. These structures are probably the initial forms in the formation of Marinesco bodies. The existence of two types of ubiquitin-immunopositive intranuclear bodies is revealed by means of confocal microscopy: one has high intensity of immunofluorescence, and the other has low intensity. Heterogeneous distribution of immunopositive product is characteristic of the former. The presence of DNA in Marinesco bodies is detected by using SYTOX Green fluorescent dye. The absence of peripheral heterochromatin zone and weak susceptibility to toluidine blue together with the presence of DNA and the absence of argentophilic proteins suggests substantial structural and chemical differences between Marinesco bodies and nucleoli, which argues against the idea that the detected bodies are modified nucleoli.     

Distribution of neurons responding to sensory stimuli and organization of topic projections in the cat caudate nucleus

The distribution of neurons responding to presentation of different sensory stimuli was investigated during chronic experiments on cats. These showed that cells responding to somatic and visual stimulation were unevenly distributed and that areas with differing levels of activity within the same nucleus alternated. No single topic projection was identified within the structure reaching the entire nucleus. The findings were compared with those found during morphological research indicating heterogeneity in caudate nucleus structure, implying the existence of neuronal groupings (or striosomes) belonging to a topically organized projection from the animal's body.Institute for Research into Information Transmission, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 156–162, March–April, 1990.     

Dopaminergic neurons in explants of substantia nigra in culture

Explants of substantia nigra and corpus striatum obtained from newborn rats were maintained in tissue culture for up to six days. Explants of substantia nigra exhibited a net increase in the ability to take up H³-dopamine, a process associated with the dopaminergic neurons; in contrast, the explants of corpus striatum showed a rapid loss in this ability to accumulate H³-dopamine. After three days in culture, the specific activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase had decreased 50% in explants of substantia nigra. A medium including fetal calf serum and chick embryo extracts was necessary for the increase in H³-dopamine uptake, and nerve growth factor had an inhibitory effect. Histofluorescent examination of nigral explants cultured for three days indicated morphologically normal dopaminergic neurons.     

损毁或高频刺激丘脑底核对黑质神经元的保护作用

目的：探讨损毁或高频刺激丘脑底核（STN）对帕金森病（PD）大鼠黑质致密部神经元的保护作用及其可能的发生机制。方法：应用每羟基多巴胺（6-OHDA）制备偏侧PD大鼠模型,于丘脑底核（STN）区分别植入刺激电极给以高频电刺激,或注入鹅膏蕈氨酸（IA）进行损毁后,观察PD大鼠行为改变;运用尼氏（Nissl）染色、DNA原位末端标记技术（TUNEL）、免疫组化方法检测并分析黑质致密部（SNc）神经元存活及凋亡发生情况。结果：刺激组黑质致密部凋亡神经元的阳性率显著低于模型组与损毁组（P〈0．05）。与正常大鼠相比,刺激组Bel-2染色呈强阳性,Bel-2／Bax比值较高,模型组、损毁组SNc区的Bcl-2表达有所下调,Bax表达增加,Bcl-2／Bax比值降低（P〈0．05）,虽然损毁组SNc的凋亡阳性神经元少于模型组（P〈0．05）,但二者的Bel-2、Bax的表达及Bel-2／Bax比值无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论：损毁或高频刺激SIN对PD大鼠黑质SNc神经元存在保护作用,高频刺激的长期保护作用更为明显。     

大鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元的二型性

成年哺乳动物的某些脑区存在性别差异,即二型性,但中脑黑质是否存在性分化目前不清楚。本文旨在探讨成年大鼠中脑黑质是否存在二型性。将60只成年大鼠分成5组：（1）正常雌鼠对照组：（2）正常雄鼠对照组：（3）去卵巢组;（4）去睾丸组;（5）去卵巢后回补雌激素组,该组大鼠在去卵巢后的第7天开始连续3d给予生理剂量的雌激素回补。所有大鼠在右侧黑质埋置记录电极,在清醒和安静的生理状态下连续14d记录黑质的P50听觉诱发电位（P50）,之后作黑质酪氨酸羟化酶（tyrosine hydroxylase,TH）免疫组织化学染色,检查TH阳性（TH^＋）细胞数量和形态变化。结果表明,正常成年雄鼠黑质的TH^＋细胞数量较雌鼠少22．47％（P〈0．05）,P50的T／C值也低34．72％（P〈0．01）,提示正常成年大鼠黑质在结构和功能上存在二型性。与正常雄鼠相比,去睾丸大鼠黑质的TH^＋细胞数量、形态和P50的T／C值无显著性变化（P〉0．05）。与正常雌鼠相比,去卵巢大鼠黑质TH^＋细胞数量减少28．09％（P〈0．01）,P50的T／C值降低30．85％（P〈0．01）。在大鼠去卵巢后的短时间内给予3d生理剂量的雌激素,15-20d后可观察到其黑质TH^＋细胞数量、形态和P50的T／C值基本恢复到去卵巢前水平。结果提示,大鼠中脑黑质的多巴胺能神经元在数量、结构和功能活动上存在性别差异：内源性雌激素在维持黑质多巴胺系统完整性及调节其功能活动中起重要作用。     

Nature of mitochondrial DNA deletions in substantia nigra neurons

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions have been investigated in a number of neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of mtDNA deletions found in single substantia nigra neurons from three patient groups: controls, Parkinson disease patients, and a patient with Parkinsonism due to multiple mtDNA deletions. We have identified 89 deletions from these neurons and examined the breakpoint characteristics of them. There was no difference in the types of mtDNA deletions detected in these neurons. These results suggest that the mechanism leading to the formation of these deletions in these three distinct groups could be the same.     

The fine structure of the neurons in the rat substantia nigra

Three distinct neurons were identified in the substantia nigra of the rat using Golgi, light, and electron microscopic techniques. A large neuron, found in the pars reticulata, is characterized by well-developed RER, a tubular cytoplasmic inclusion, and somatic and dendritec thorns. A medium-sized neuron, found in the pars compacta, has an eccentric nucleus, distinct Nissl bodies, and an inclusion composed of whorls of concentric cisternae. A small neuron, found in both nigral regions, contains a highly invaginated nucleus, fibrous nuclear inclusion, and paucity of cytoplasmic organelles. Its axon synapses around other nigral dendrites. The presence of these neurons was correlated with the efferent projections and function of the substantia nigra.