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Unilateral striatal dopamine depletion: time-dependent effects on cortical function and behavioural correlates
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. steinerh@finchcms.edu
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|November 13, 2001
Summary
Dopamine depletion in rats reduces cortical gene expression and spontaneous behaviors. However, these functions recover over time, suggesting neuroplasticity in dopamine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Dopamine signaling
- Cortical function
Background:
- Dopamine's role in striatal and cortical function is complex.
- Previous work indicated D1 dopamine receptor blockade affects cortical gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dopamine depletion effects on cortical gene regulation.
- To examine behavioral correlates of dopamine depletion.
- To explore the time course and neuroplasticity of these effects.
Main Methods:
- Unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine infusion to deplete dopamine in rats.
- Measurement of immediate-early gene expression (c-fos, zif 268) in cortical regions.
- Behavioral assessment using open-field tests and sensory-guided behaviors.
Main Results:
- Acute dopamine depletion caused bilateral reductions in cortical gene expression, particularly ipsilateral to the lesion.
- Sensory-evoked cortical activity was attenuated following dopamine depletion.
- Behavioral deficits in spontaneous activity were observed.
- Cortical gene expression and locomotion largely recovered by 21 days post-lesion.
- Behavioral recovery was hemisphere-dependent, with deficits persisting in the dopamine-depleted hemisphere's sensory-guided behavior.
Conclusions:
- Striatal dopamine exerts a widespread facilitatory influence on cortical function.
- This dopaminergic influence is necessary but not sufficient for normal behavior.
- Mechanisms underlying cortical facilitation exhibit significant neuroplasticity following dopamine perturbation.