Response characteristics of subthalamic neurons to the stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex in the rat

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 609; no. 1; pp. 185 - 192
• Main Authors: Fujimoto, K., Kita, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 23.04.1993; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Stem - cytology; Brain Stem - physiology; Corpus Callosum - cytology; Corpus Callosum - physiology; Corpus Striatum - cytology; Corpus Striatum - physiology; Electric Stimulation; Evoked Potentials - drug effects; Evoked Potentials - physiology; Experimental brain lesion; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Globus Pallidus - cytology; Globus Pallidus - physiology; Ibotenic Acid - pharmacology; Male; Motor control and motor pathways. Reflexes. Control centers of vegetative functions. Vestibular system and equilibration; Motor Cortex - physiology; Neurons - physiology; Quinolinic Acid - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sensorimotor cortex; Somatosensory Cortex - physiology; Subthalamic nucleus; Thalamic Nuclei - physiology; Unit and intracellular recording; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Unit and intracellular recording; Experimental brain lesion; Sensorimotor cortex; Subthalamic nucleus; Motor pathway; Rat; Rodentia; Central nervous system; Discharge pattern; Electrophysiology; Somatosensory cortex; Vertebrata; Sensorimotor coordination; Mammalia; Synaptic transmission; Afferent projection; Postsynaptic potential; Brain (vertebrata)
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(93)90872-K
• ISSN: 0006-8993

Responses of the subthalamic nucleus (STH) neurons to the stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex (Cx) were recorded in intact rats and in those which received lesions in the pallidum, the neostriatum, the brainstem, or the corpus callosum. Most of the STH units (78%) exhibited two excitatory peaks which were interrupted by a brief period of inhibition. Some of units which were located in the peripheral part of the STH tended to lack the brief inhibitory component and exhibited a long period of excitation. These excitations were followed by a long-lasting inhibitory period. Intracellular recording indicated that these responses were EPSPs interrupted by a short IPSP and a long period of disfacilitation of Cx inputs. A quinolinic acid lesion of the neostriatum and a knife cut of the brainstem failed to alter these responses, while an ibotenic acid lesion of the globus pallidus abolished the short inhibition seen in the midst on the excitation. Stimulation of contralateral Cx also evoked excitatory responses in the STH. The responses were completely eliminated by a parasagittal knife cut of the rostral part of the corpus callosum.