The midbrain slice preparation. An in vitro model to select potential anti-parkinsonian drugs?
Most anti-parkinsonian drugs produce a dopamine-like effect on single dopaminergic neurons. Using electrophysiological recordings, this effect is observed as an inhibition of the spontaneous firing activity. The firing activity of dopaminergic cells throughout dopamine-mediated mechanisms is inhibited not only by dopamine direct agonists but also by substances that increase the release or synthesis, or block the uptake or reduce degradation of dopamine in the brain. Here we propose the electrophysiological approach on dopaminergic neurons in in vitro slice preparation as a preliminary tool for selecting new potential anti-parkinsonian agents, before they are tested in more complex animal models.
Guatteo
Ezia
E
Experimental Neurology Laboratory, C.E.R.C., Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome, Italy. e.guatteo@hsantalucia.it
Cucchiaroni
Maria Letizia
ML
Sebastianelli
Luca
L
Bernardi
Giorgio
G
Mercuri
Nicola Biagio
NB
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D004298:Dopamine