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Striatal glutamate antagonism induces contralateral neglect
J J Schuller1, D D Tran, J F Marshall
1Department of Psychobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4550, USA.
Brain Research
|May 21, 1998
Summary
Glutamate receptor antagonists in the striatum disrupt sensorimotor orientation, causing rats to orient less to contralateral stimuli and increasing incorrect responses. This highlights the striatum's role in directed movement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- The striatum is crucial for sensorimotor control.
- Glutamatergic synapses in the striatum are implicated in motor functions.
- Understanding these pathways is key to deciphering complex behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of striatal glutamatergic synapses in sensorimotor orientation behavior.
- To determine the effects of specific glutamate receptor antagonists on orientation responses.
Main Methods:
- Infusion of AMPA-kainate antagonist (DNQX) and NMDA antagonist (CPP) into the rat striatum.
- Quantification of behavioral orientation to contralateral and ipsilateral stimuli.
- Assessment of Fos expression to evaluate drug diffusion.
Main Results:
- Both DNQX and CPP induced significant asymmetry in orientation behavior.
- Rats showed reduced orientation to contralateral stimuli after antagonist infusion.
- Intrastriatal antagonist infusions increased incorrect turning responses.
- DNQX blocked kainic acid-induced Fos expression specifically within the striatum.
Conclusions:
- Striatal glutamatergic synapses are essential for normal sensorimotor orientation.
- Disruption of AMPA and NMDA receptors impairs directed behavioral responses.
- Drug diffusion appears localized to the striatum, supporting targeted effects.