1
|
Ostapiuk A, Urbanska EM. Kynurenic acid in neurodegenerative disorders-unique neuroprotection or double-edged sword? CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:19-35. [PMID: 34862742 PMCID: PMC8673711 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The family of kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites includes compounds produced along two arms of the path and acting in clearly opposite ways. The equilibrium between neurotoxic kynurenines, such as 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) or quinolinic acid (QUIN), and neuroprotective kynurenic acid (KYNA) profoundly impacts the function and survival of neurons. This comprehensive review summarizes accumulated evidence on the role of KYNA in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, and discusses future directions of potential pharmacological manipulations aimed to modulate brain KYNA. DISCUSSION The synthesis of specific KP metabolites is tightly regulated and may considerably vary under physiological and pathological conditions. Experimental data consistently imply that shift of the KP to neurotoxic branch producing 3-HK and QUIN formation, with a relative or absolute deficiency of KYNA, is an important factor contributing to neurodegeneration. Targeting specific brain regions to maintain adequate KYNA levels seems vital; however, it requires the development of precise pharmacological tools, allowing to avoid the potential cognitive adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS Boosting KYNA levels, through interference with the KP enzymes or through application of prodrugs/analogs with high bioavailability and potency, is a promising clinical approach. The use of KYNA, alone or in combination with other compounds precisely influencing specific populations of neurons, is awaiting to become a significant therapy for neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Ostapiuk
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular PharmacologyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of LublinLublinPoland
- Present address:
Department of Clinical Digestive OncologyKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Ewa M. Urbanska
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular PharmacologyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of LublinLublinPoland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Behl T, Kaur I, Sehgal A, Singh S, Bhatia S, Al-Harrasi A, Zengin G, Bumbu AG, Andronie-Cioara FL, Nechifor AC, Gitea D, Bungau AF, Toma MM, Bungau SG. The Footprint of Kynurenine Pathway in Neurodegeneration: Janus-Faced Role in Parkinson's Disorder and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6737. [PMID: 34201647 PMCID: PMC8268239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive degeneration of neurons and aggravation of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta results in the loss of dopamine in the brain of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Numerous therapies, exhibiting transient efficacy have been developed; however, they are mostly accompanied by side effects and limited reliability, therefore instigating the need to develop novel optimistic treatment targets. Significant therapeutic targets have been identified, namely: chaperones, protein Abelson, glucocerebrosidase-1, calcium, neuromelanin, ubiquitin-proteasome system, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the kynurenine pathway (KP). The role of KP and its metabolites and enzymes in PD, namely quinolinic acid (QUIN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), 3-hydroxyanthranillic acid (3-HAA), kunurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), etc. has been reported. The neurotoxic QUIN, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist, and neuroprotective KYNA-which antagonizes QUIN actions-primarily justify the Janus-faced role of KP in PD. Moreover, KP has been reported to play a biomarker role in PD detection. Therefore, the authors detail the neurotoxic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory neuroactive components, alongside the upstream and downstream metabolic pathways of KP, forming a basis for a therapeutic paradigm of the disease while recognizing KP as a potential biomarker in PD, thus facilitating the development of a suitable target in PD management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Behl
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ishnoor Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Saurabh Bhatia
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Gurugram, Haryana 122412, India;
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, P.O. Box 33, PC 616 Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa 611, Oman;
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, P.O. Box 33, PC 616 Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa 611, Oman;
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Selcuk University Campus, Konya 42130, Turkey;
| | - Adrian Gheorghe Bumbu
- Department of Surgical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Felicia Liana Andronie-Cioara
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Recovery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Aurelia Cristina Nechifor
- Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Daniela Gitea
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (D.G.); (M.M.T.)
| | | | - Mirela Marioara Toma
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (D.G.); (M.M.T.)
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Simona Gabriela Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (D.G.); (M.M.T.)
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Involvement of the kynurenine pathway in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 155:76-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
4
|
The Genetic Link between Parkinson's Disease and the Kynurenine Pathway Is Still Missing. PARKINSONS DISEASE 2015; 2015:474135. [PMID: 25785227 PMCID: PMC4346699 DOI: 10.1155/2015/474135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background. There is substantial evidence that the kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a role in the normal physiology of the brain and is involved in the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease (PD). Objective. We set out to investigate the potential roles in PD of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from one of the key enzymes of the KP, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO). Methods. 105 unrelated, clinically definitive PD patients and 131 healthy controls were enrolled to investigate the possible effects of the different alleles of KMO. Fluorescently labeled TaqMan probes were used for allele discrimination. Results. None of the four investigated SNPs proved to be associated with PD or influenced the age at onset of the disease. Conclusions. The genetic link between the KP and PD is still missing. The investigated SNPs presumably do not appear to influence the function of KMO and probably do not contain binding sites for regulatory proteins of relevance in PD. This is the first study to assess the genetic background behind the biochemical alterations of the kynurenine pathway in PD, directing the attention to this previously unexamined field.
Collapse
|
5
|
Jourdain VA, Schechtmann G, Di Paolo T. Subthalamotomy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease: clinical aspects and mechanisms of action. J Neurosurg 2014; 120:140-51. [DOI: 10.3171/2013.10.jns13332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that can be pharmacologically treated with levodopa. However, important motor and nonmotor symptoms appear with its long-term use. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is known to be involved in the pathophysiology of PD and to contribute to levodopa-induced complications. Surgery is considered in patients who have advanced PD that is refractory to pharmacotherapy and who display disabling dyskinesia. Deep brain stimulation of the STN is currently the main surgical procedure for PD, but lesioning is still performed. This review covers the clinical aspects and complications of subthalamotomy as one of the lesion-based options for PD patients with levodopa-induced dyskinesias. Moreover, the authors discuss the possible effects of subthalamic lesioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent A. Jourdain
- 1Neurosciences Research Center, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec
- 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, and
| | - Gastón Schechtmann
- 3Department of Neurosurgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thérèse Di Paolo
- 1Neurosciences Research Center, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec
- 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, and
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jourdain VA, Grégoire L, Morissette M, Morin N, Parent M, Di Paolo T. Potentiation of response to low doses of levodopa in MPTP-injected monkeys by chemical unilateral subthalamotomy. J Neurosurg 2013; 118:180-91. [DOI: 10.3171/2012.9.jns12295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Object
Subthalamotomy is a stereotactic surgery performed in patients with disabling dyskinesias due to Parkinson disease. The authors set out to model this human condition in MPTP monkeys and determine if subthalamotomy allowed a reduction of levodopa for similar benefit.
Methods
The authors performed unilateral subthalamotomy in 4 parkinsonian dyskinetic monkeys by stereotactic injection of ibotenic acid. An optimal dose, defined as the highest dose of levodopa improving parkinsonian motor symptoms while inducing low or no dyskinesias, was established in these animals. Each monkey was scored for the antiparkinsonian and dyskinetic effects of the optimal dose of levodopa, as well as suboptimal and dyskinesia-inducing doses (60% and 140% of the optimal dose, respectively), and these scores were compared with those obtained at baseline before and after subthalamotomy. Bradykinesia was assessed by a prehension task.
Results
Unilateral subthalamotomy had a positive effect on the antiparkinsonian response for all doses of levodopa as well as the baseline. There were no differences in the antiparkinsonian response between the suboptimal dose postsurgery and the optimal dose presurgery. Dyskinesias were increased at the suboptimal and the optimal doses. After surgery, the duration of response to levodopa increased between 20% and 25% in the suboptimal dose, whereas it remained unchanged with higher doses. Bradykinesia was significantly reduced after surgery only at the suboptimal dose.
Conclusions
Subthalamotomy potentiated the response to suboptimal doses of levodopa. Thus, levodopa can be reduced by 40% after surgery for similar beneficial antiparkinsonian response and less dyskinesia than with an optimal dose before surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent A. Jourdain
- 1Molecular Endocrinology and Genomic Research Center, CHUQ Research Center (CHUL)
- 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University; and
| | - Laurent Grégoire
- 1Molecular Endocrinology and Genomic Research Center, CHUQ Research Center (CHUL)
| | - Marc Morissette
- 1Molecular Endocrinology and Genomic Research Center, CHUQ Research Center (CHUL)
| | - Nicolas Morin
- 1Molecular Endocrinology and Genomic Research Center, CHUQ Research Center (CHUL)
- 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University; and
| | - Martin Parent
- 3Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thérèse Di Paolo
- 1Molecular Endocrinology and Genomic Research Center, CHUQ Research Center (CHUL)
- 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University; and
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zádori D, Klivényi P, Plangár I, Toldi J, Vécsei L. Endogenous neuroprotection in chronic neurodegenerative disorders: with particular regard to the kynurenines. J Cell Mol Med 2011; 15:701-17. [PMID: 21155972 PMCID: PMC3922661 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2010.01237.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are progressive chronic neurodegenerative disorders that are accompanied by a considerable impairment of the motor functions. PD may develop for familial or sporadic reasons, whereas HD is based on a definite genetic mutation. Nevertheless, the pathological processes involve oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity in both cases. A number of metabolic routes are affected in these disorders. The decrease in antioxidant capacity and alterations in the kynurenine pathway, the main pathway of the tryptophan metabolism, are features that deserve particular interest, because the changes in levels of neuroactive kynurenine pathway compounds appear to be strongly related to the oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity involved in the disease pathogenesis. Increase of the antioxidant capacity and pharmacological manipulation of the kynurenine pathway are therefore promising therapeutic targets in these devastating disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dénes Zádori
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zádori D, Klivényi P, Toldi J, Fülöp F, Vécsei L. Kynurenines in Parkinson's disease: therapeutic perspectives. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2011; 119:275-83. [PMID: 21858430 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-011-0697-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder the pathomechanism of which is not yet fully known. With regard to the molecular mechanism of development of the disease, oxidative stress/mitochondrial impairment, glutamate excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation are certainly involved. Alterations in the kynurenine pathway, the main pathway of the tryptophan metabolism, can contribute to the complex pathomechanism. There are several possibilities for therapeutic intervention involving targeting of this altered metabolic route. The development of synthetic molecules that would shift the altered balance towards the achievement of neuroprotective effects would be of great promise for future clinical studies on PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dénes Zádori
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Henderson JM, Stanic D, Tomas D, Patch J, Horne MK, Bourke D, Finkelstein DI. Postural changes after lesions of the substantia nigra pars reticulata in hemiparkinsonian monkeys. Behav Brain Res 2005; 160:267-76. [PMID: 15863223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2004.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2004] [Revised: 12/13/2004] [Accepted: 12/15/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Current neurosurgical strategies target overactive brain regions including the subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus and thalamus to control various symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Subthalamotomy improves akinesia and can induce postural deficits in both parkinsonian humans and animals, pallidotomy improves limb dyskinesia and more variably, distal bradykinesia whilst thalamotomy improves tremor. Because the SNr also becomes overactive in PD and there are few surgical studies in parkinsonian primates, we therefore evaluated the effects of lesioning the SNr in hemiparkinsonian marmosets to establish the effects on symptomatology. Nine monkeys received unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. Seven weeks later, four received kainic acid lesions of the SNr. Behavioural tests were performed prior to 6-OHDA surgery and then fortnightly for 14 weeks. Unilateral 6-OHDA lesions induced ipsilateral postural bias, ipsilateral rotation after amphetamine injection and bradykinesia. Whilst, SNr lesions significantly altered the direction of head position and amphetamine-induced rotation relative to 6-OHDA lesions, there was no improvement in 6-OHDA-induced reaching deficits or sensorimotor neglect. Unbiased quantitation of the nigral lesions showed on average 88% loss of dopaminergic neurons after 6-OHDA lesions and 77% loss of non-dopaminergic neurons after SNr lesions. Our results demonstrate that the SNr is important in body orientation changes in parkinsonism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M Henderson
- Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Henderson JM, Watson SH. Convulsive and postural effects of lesioning the mid-substantia nigra pars reticulata in naïve and 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats. Brain Res Bull 2003; 60:179-85. [PMID: 12725906 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(03)00032-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The subthalamic nucleus is targeted for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Unilateral lesions improve some aspects of parkinsonism but produce postural abnormalities in animal models but the exact pathways producing these effects remain to be defined. Using a battery of tests we evaluated the effects of lesioning one of the two major subthalamic targets, the substantia nigra pars reticulata in naïve and 6-OHDA lesioned rats. Lesions targeting the mid-substantia nigra pars reticulata resulted in acute tonic-clonic seizures and intense contralateral rotational asymmetry. During the first month after substantia nigra pars reticulata lesions there was normalisation of the ipsilateral head position bias induced by unilateral 6-OHDA lesions, significant contralateral body axis bias but no significant alteration of apomorphine induced rotation and sensorimotor neglect in 6-OHDA lesioned rats. Combined with our previous data, this suggests that subthalamic projections via the substantia nigra pars reticulata are important in seizures and postural behaviours. Therefore unilateral subthalamotomy probably induces postural deficits in hemiparkinsonian animals via projections involving the substantia nigra pars reticulata. This has implications for patients undergoing subthalamotomy for treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M Henderson
- Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute and University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Eve DJ, Nisbet AP, Kingsbury AE, Hewson EL, Daniel SE, Lees AJ, Marsden CD, Foster OJ. Basal ganglia neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in Parkinson's disease. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 1998; 63:62-71. [PMID: 9838046 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(98)00259-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA in post mortem brain was studied in putamen, globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus (STN) of neurologically normal control subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using in situ hybridization histochemistry. In PD, a significant increase in NOS mRNA expression was observed in the dorsal two-thirds of the STN with respect to the ventral one-third of the STN. A significant increase in NOS mRNA expression per cell in the medial medullary lamina of the globus pallidus was also observed in PD. NOS mRNA expression was significantly reduced in PD putamen. These findings provide evidence of increased activity of STN neurotransmitter systems in PD and demonstrate for the first time in any species that basal ganglia nitric oxide systems can be selectively regulated in response to changes in dopaminergic input.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D J Eve
- Parkinson's Disease Society, Brain Research Centre (Brain Bank), 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
As more is learnt about the functional implications of basal ganglia connectivity, the role of the subthalamic nucleus as a target site for stereotactic procedures in the amelioration of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease is becoming clearer. A comparison of various neurosurgical procedures in the disease is discussed in relation to current thinking about circuitry. Experimental investigations involving lesioning or stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in nonhuman primate models and in clinical studies of Parkinson's disease are compared. Neurosurgical procedures that lesion structures bilaterally are more likely to induce side effects than is deep-brain stimulation, which has the added advantage of reversibility and which is more amenable to titration in relation to medication and dosage. A small but growing number of parkinsonian patients have received subthalamic stimulation either unilaterally or bilaterally. Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus ameliorates tremor, rigidity and hypokinesia, as opposed to thalamic stimulation which is probably best reserved for tremor-dominant patients. Such procedures also do not involve the same complex technical and ethical issues that are associated with foetal mesencephalic grafting. Although subthalamic stimulation shows great promise, it has not been developed to the point where it can be used as more than an experimental treatment. Further experimental research is required before the new strategies can be used on a larger scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J M Henderson
- MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Henderson JM, Annett LE, Torres EM, Dunnett SB. Behavioural effects of subthalamic nucleus lesions in the hemiparkinsonian marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Eur J Neurosci 1998; 10:689-98. [PMID: 9749730 DOI: 10.1046/j.1460-9568.1998.00077.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies in non-human primates support a role for the subthalamic nucleus in the expression of parkinsonian symptomatology, and it has been proposed that subthalamic lesions may provide a surgical treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in humans. We have applied a broad range of behavioural tests to characterize the effects of lesions of the subthalamic nucleus on parkinsonian symptoms in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Thirteen marmosets were trained on a battery of behavioural tasks that were conducted at regular intervals before and after surgery. All received unilateral 6-OHDA lesions to the medial forebrain bundle. Seven animals were then given an additional N-methyl-D-aspartate lesion of the ipsilateral subthalamic nucleus, whereas the remaining six animals received a variety of control or sham lesions to the nucleus. The 6-OHDA lesions induced a strong ipsilateral bias in head position; mild-moderate ipsilateral rotation spontaneously and after injection of saline or amphetamine; and contralateral rotation after injection of apomorphine. Hemineglect was evident as delayed initiation of reaches on the contralateral side on the staircase reaching task. Additional subthalamic lesions significantly reversed the bias in head position from ipsilateral to contralateral and decreased neglect as evidenced by improved latencies to initiate reaching on the contralateral side at the staircase. However, deficits in skilled movements persisted in the subthalamic nucleus lesion group in that they did not complete the staircase task any faster than the control group and remained impaired on another task which required reaching into tubes. These behavioural effects demonstrate that excitotoxic lesioning of the subthalamic nucleus can ameliorate some, but not all, parkinsonian-like deficits in the unilateral 6-OHDA lesioned marmoset.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J M Henderson
- Department of Experimental Psychology and the MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|