Changes in striatal neuropeptides and GAD67 expression following a minimal cortical lesion.
We have analyzed the effects of a small cortical infarct which is known to induce dramatic changes in gene expression in the entire cerebral cortex, on the gene expression in the striatum, a target structure of cortical neurons. Striatal glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and enkephalin expressions were increased in the striatum ipsilateral to the lesion. Conversely, neuropeptide Y- and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity were decreased in the ipsilateral striatum and this decrease was only related to a decrease in the labeling of processes with no changes in the number of labeled neurons. A minimal cortical lesion may therefore induce changes in gene expression in a subcortical structure through hyperactivity of glutamatergic synaptic inputs. One should therefore remember these extensive and long-lasting effects when surgical manipulations are performed on rat brain for stereotaxic surgery and placement of electrodes or probes.
Van Brée
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Brain Research Unit and Laboratory of Neuropathology and Neuropeptide Research, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Dassesse
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Schiffmann
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D000818:Animals; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000293:injuries*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004745:Enkephalins; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C029992:proenkephalin; D013004:Somatostatin; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase