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Forebrain dopamine depletion impairs motor behavior in lamprey
R H Thompson1, A Ménard, M Pombal
1Nobel institute for Neurophysiology, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE 17177, Sweden.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|March 14, 2008
Summary
Striatal dopamine depletion in lampreys caused motor deficits, similar to mammals. This suggests the basal ganglia
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Biology
- Comparative Neurology
Background:
- The basal ganglia's structure and function in motor control are conserved across vertebrates.
- Striatal dopamine depletion causes motor deficits in mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the basal ganglia in motor control in early vertebrates.
- To explore the evolutionary conservation of striatal dopamine function.
Main Methods:
- Administered MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) to lampreys to deplete dopamine.
- Assessed motor performance including swimming and movement initiation.
- Administered apomorphine to observe effects on motor deficits.
Main Results:
- MPTP significantly reduced dopamine levels in lamprey forebrain and striatum.
- Lampreys showed reduced spontaneous swimming, impaired movement initiation, and poor motor coordination.
- Apomorphine treatment ameliorated the observed motor deficits.
Conclusions:
- Motor deficits from striatal dopamine depletion are similar in cyclostomes (lampreys) and mammals.
- The role of the striatum's dopamine innervation in motor control is conserved throughout vertebrate evolution.
