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Nigrostriatal pathway modulates striatum vulnerability to quinolinic acid
A Buisson1, V Pateau, M Plotkine
1Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université René Descartes, Paris, France.
Neuroscience Letters
|October 14, 1991
Summary
The nigrostriatal pathway influences striatum vulnerability to excitotoxic damage. Lesioning the substantia nigra reduced quinolinic acid-induced striatal necrosis, indicating this pathway
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Neuropharmacology
Background:
- The striatum is vulnerable to excitotoxic damage.
- The nigrostriatal pathway plays a role in modulating this vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the nigrostriatal projection in modulating striatal vulnerability to quinolinic acid (QA).
Main Methods:
- Unilateral lesioning of the substantia nigra using 6-hydroxydopamine.
- Local injection of quinolinic acid (QA) into the striatum.
- Assessment of striatal necrosis volume 3 days post-injection.
Main Results:
- Lesioning the substantia nigra significantly reduced the volume of striatal necrosis caused by quinolinic acid.
- This indicates that the nigrostriatal pathway potentiates excitotoxic damage in the striatum.
Conclusions:
- The nigrostriatal pathway is a key modulator of striatal vulnerability to excitotoxic injury.
- Targeting the nigrostriatal pathway may offer therapeutic strategies for conditions involving excitotoxicity.