Regulation of subthalamic neuron activity by endocannabinoids

Cannabinoids differentially modulate cortical information transmission through the sensorimotor or medial prefrontal basal ganglia circuits

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In the sensorimotor (SM) and medial prefrontal (mPF) basal ganglia (BG) circuits, the cortical information is transferred to the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) through the hyperdirect trans-subthalamic pathway and through the direct and indirect trans-striatal pathways. The cannabinoid CB₁ receptor, which is highly expressed in both BG circuits, may participate in the regulation of motor and motivational behaviours. Here, we investigated the modulation of cortico-nigral information transmission through the BG circuits by cannabinoids.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We used single-unit recordings of SNr neurons along with simultaneous electrical stimulation of motor or mPF cortex in anaesthetized rats.

KEY RESULTS

Cortical stimulation elicited a triphasic response in the SNr neurons from both SM and mPF-BG circuits, which consisted of an early excitation (hyperdirect transmission pathway), an inhibition (direct transmission pathway), and a late excitation (indirect transmission pathway). In the SM circuit, after Δ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol or WIN 55,212-2 administration, the inhibition and the late excitation were decreased or completely lost, whereas the early excitation response remained unaltered. However, cannabinoid administration dramatically decreased all the responses in the mPF circuit. The CB₁ receptor antagonist AM251 (2 mg·kg^-1 , i.v.) did not modify the triphasic response, but blocked the effects induced by cannabinoid agonists.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

CB₁ receptor activation modulates the SM information transmission through the trans-striatal pathways and profoundly decreases the cortico-BG transmission through the mPF circuit. These results may be relevant for elucidating the involvement of the cannabinoid system in motor performance and in decision making or goal-directed behaviour.

Modulation of the subthalamic nucleus activity by serotonergic agents and fluoxetine administration

RATIONALE

Within the basal ganglia, the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is the only glutamatergic structure and occupies a central position in the indirect pathway. In rat, the STN receives serotonergic input from the dorsal raphe nucleus and expresses serotonergic receptors.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the consequences of serotonergic neurotransmission modulation on STN neuron activity.

METHODS

In vivo single-unit extracellular recordings, HPLC determination, and rotarod and bar test were performed in control, 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride- (pCPA, a serotonin synthesis inhibitor) and chronically fluoxetine-treated rats.

RESULTS

The pCPA treatment and the administration of serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonists increased number of bursting neurons in the STN. The systemic administration of the 5-HT(1A) agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, decreased the firing rate and increased the coefficient of variation of STN neurons in pCPA-treated rats but not in control animals. Additionally, microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT into the STN reduced the firing rate of STN neurons, while microinjection of the 5-HT(2C) agonist, Ro 60-0175, increased the firing rate in both control and fluoxetine-treated animals. Finally, the fluoxetine challenge increased the firing rate of STN neurons in fluoxetine-treated rats and induced catalepsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the depletion and the blockage of 5-HT modify STN neuron firing pattern. STN neuron activity is under the control of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors located both inside and outside the STN. Finally, fluoxetine increases STN neuron activity in chronically fluoxetine-treated rats, which may explain the role of this nucleus in fluoxetine-induced extrapyramidal side effects.

Nigrostriatal denervation changes the effect of cannabinoids on subthalamic neuronal activity in rats

RATIONALE

It is known that dopaminergic cell loss leads to increased endogenous cannabinoid levels and CB1 receptor density.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dopaminergic cell loss, induced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine, on the effects exerted by cannabinoid agonists on neuron activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of anesthetized rats.

RESULTS

We have previously shown that Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) and anandamide induce both stimulation and inhibition of STN neuron activity and that endocannabinoids mediate tonic control of STN activity. Here, we show that in intact rats, the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 stimulated all recorded STN neurons. Conversely, after dopaminergic depletion, WIN 55,212-2, Δ(9)-THC, or anandamide inhibited the STN firing rate without altering its discharge pattern, and stimulatory effects were not observed. Moreover, anandamide exerted a more intense inhibitory effect in lesioned rats in comparison to control rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabinoids induce different effects on the STN depending on the integrity of the nigrostriatal pathway. These findings advance our understanding of the role of cannabinoids in diseases involving dopamine deficits.