Behavioural pharmacology of glutamate in the basal ganglia.
In Parkinson's disease the dopaminergic inhibition--mediated by DA2 receptors in the striatum--is reduced. Therefore glutamatergic excitation predominates in the antero-dorsal striatum. In turn the glutamatergic neurons of the subthalamic nucleus become disinhibited. Antagonists of the NMDA-subtype of glutamate receptors injected locally into the glutamatergically innervated nuclei or competitive and non-competitive NMDA-antagonists administered systemically, counteract parkinsonian symptoms in animals.
Schmidt
W J
WJ
Neuropharmacology Division, University of Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
Bubser
M
M
Hauber
W
W
D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D005971:Glutamates; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D016202:N-Methylaspartate