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Cholecystokinin is released from a crossed corticostriatal pathway
M Herrera-Marschitz1, J J Meana, T Hökfelt
1Department of Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Neuroreport
|October 1, 1992
Summary
This study investigated neurotransmitter release in rat brains after decortication. Results show crossed corticostriatal pathways release cholecystokinin and glutamate.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- Striatal neurotransmitter release is crucial for motor control and reward processing.
- Corticostriatal pathways play a significant role in modulating these functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of crossed corticostriatal projections in the release of cholecystokinin (CCK), glutamate, aspartate, and dopamine in the striatum.
- To determine the impact of unilateral decortication and callosotomy on in vivo striatal neurotransmitter release.
Main Methods:
- In vivo microdialysis was employed in rats.
- Experiments involved unlesioned rats, rats with unilateral decortication, and rats with unilateral decortication plus callosotomy.
Main Results:
- Unilateral decortication led to a unilateral decrease in K(+)-stimulated glutamate and aspartate, but not CCK or dopamine.
- Decortication combined with callosotomy significantly decreased basal and K(+)-stimulated CCK and glutamate in the ipsilateral striatum.
- Aspartate levels showed a bilateral decrease following decortication plus callosotomy.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide evidence for the existence of crossed corticostriatal projections.
- These projections contain releasable cholecystokinin and glutamate, suggesting their involvement in interhemispheric communication within the corticostriatal system.