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Locomotor behavior changes induced by E-17 striatal transplants in normal rats.
S H Hagenmeyer-Houser1, P R Sanberg
1Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens 45701.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|July 1, 1987
Summary
Transplanting embryonic striatal tissue into adult rat brains caused hyperactivity and other lesion-like behaviors. This suggests physical disruption of brain systems, not just graft integration, may cause behavioral changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Embryonic tissue transplantation can improve symptoms in lesioned brains.
- Transplants in lesioned striatal rats promote behavioral recovery.
- The impact of transplants on normal host brains is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of embryonic striatal tissue transplantation into a normal adult rat striatum.
- To assess behavioral and physiological changes following transplantation.
Main Methods:
- E-17 striatal tissue was transplanted into the adult rat striatum.
- Locomotor activity was measured using Digiscan.
- Body weight, food consumption, and brain morphology were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Implanted rats exhibited significant nocturnal hyperactivity, increased ambulatory, vertical, and stereotypic behaviors.
- Implanted rats showed reduced body weight gain but increased food consumption.
- Transplants survived with functional neurons, but later-stage implants were smaller and associated with enlarged ventricles, resembling a lesioned brain.
Conclusions:
- Transplantation of embryonic striatal tissue into a normal adult striatum induces lesion-like behaviors.
- Physical disruption of host striatal systems by the transplant may cause these behavioral alterations.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these effects.