Multiple benzodiazepine receptors in the human basal ganglia: a detailed pharmacological and anatomical study

Identifying Neural Progenitor Cells in the Adult Human Brain

The discovery, in 1998, that the adult human brain contains at least two populations of progenitor cells and that progenitor cells are upregulated in response to a range of degenerative brain diseases has raised hopes for their use in replacing dying brain cells. Since these early findings, the race has been on to understand the biology of progenitor cells in the human brain, and they have now been isolated and studied in many major neurodegenerative diseases. Before these cells can be exploited for cell replacement purposes, it is important to understand how to (1) locate them, (2) label them, (3) determine what receptors they express, (4) isolate them, and (5) examine their electrophysiological properties when differentiated. In this chapter we have described the methods we use for studying progenitor cells in the adult human brain and in particular the tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, autoradiography, progenitor cell culture, and electrophysiology on brain cells. The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Human Brain Bank has been receiving human tissue for approximately 25 years during which time we have developed a number of unique ways to examine and isolate progenitor cells from resected surgical specimens as well as from postmortem brain tissue. There are ethical and technical considerations that are unique to working with human brain tissue, and these, as well as the processing of this tissue and the culturing of it for the purpose of studying progenitor cells, are the topic of this chapter.

Mapping the Synchronization Effect of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Inhibition on the Cerebral Cortex Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of spontaneous brain activity permits the identification of functional networks on the basis of region synchrony. The functional coupling between the elements of a neural system increases during brain activation. However, neural synchronization may also be the effect of inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in states of brain inhibition such as sleep or pharmacological sedation. We investigated the effects of an oral dose of alprazolam, a classical benzodiazepine known to enhance inhibitory neurotransmission, using recently developed measures of local functional connectivity. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 32 non-treatment-seeking individuals with social anxiety underwent two identical resting-state fMRI sessions on separate days after receiving 0.75 mg of alprazolam and placebo. Functional connectivity maps of the cerebral cortex were generated by using multidistance functional connectivity measures defined within iso-distant local areas. Results: Relative to placebo, increased intracortical functional connectivity was observed in the alprazolam condition in visual, auditory, and sensorimotor cortices, and in areas of sensory integration such as the posterior insula and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Alprazolam significantly reduced subjective arousal compared with placebo, and the change was associated with variations in multidistance functional connectivity measures in the OFC. Discussion: In conclusion, we report evidence that alprazolam significantly modifies neural activity coupling at rest in the form of functional connectivity enhancement within the cerebral cortex. The effect of alprazolam was particularly evident in the cortical sensory system, which would further suggest a differentiated effect of GABA inhibition on sensory processing.

GABAARα2 is Decreased in the Axon Initial Segment of Pyramidal Cells in Specific Areas of the Prefrontal Cortex in Autism

Some forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by impaired communication and social skills as well as repetitive behaviors, are purportedly associated with dysregulation of the excitation/inhibition balance in the cerebral cortex. Through human postmortem tissue analysis, we previously found a significant decrease in the number of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneuron subtype, the chandelier (Ch) cell, in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with autism. Ch cells exclusively target the axon initial segment (AIS) of excitatory pyramidal (Pyr) neurons, and a single Ch cell forms synapses on hundreds of Pyr cells, indicating a possible role in maintaining electrical balance. Thus, we herein investigated this crucial link between Ch and Pyr cells in the anatomy of autism neuropathology by examining GABA receptor protein expression in the Pyr cell AIS in subjects with autism. We collected tissue from the prefrontal cortex (Brodmann Areas (BA) 9, 46, and 47) of 20 subjects with autism and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against the GABA_A receptor subunit α2 (GABA_ARα2) - the subunit most prevalent in the Pyr cell AIS - revealed a significantly decreased GABA_ARα2 protein in the Pyr cell AIS in supragranular layers of prefrontal cortical areas BA9 and BA47 in autism. Downregulated GABA_ARα2 protein in the Pyr cell AIS may result from decreased GABA synthesis in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with autism, and thereby contribute to an excitation/inhibition imbalance. Our findings support the potential for GABA receptor agonists asa therapeutic tool for autism.

2-Aminoethyldiphenyl Borinate: A Multitarget Compound with Potential as a Drug Precursor

BACKGROUND

Boron is considered a trace element that induces various effects in systems of the human body. However, each boron-containing compound exerts different effects.

OBJECTIVE

To review the effects of 2-Aminoethyldiphenyl borinate (2-APB), an organoboron compound, on the human body, but also, its effects in animal models of human disease.

METHODS

In this review, the information to showcase the expansion of these reported effects through interactions with several ion channels and other receptors has been reported. These effects are relevant in the biomedical and chemical fields due to the application of the reported data in developing therapeutic tools to modulate the functions of the immune, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.

RESULTS

Accordingly, 2-APB acts as a modulator of adaptive and innate immunity, including the production of cytokines and the migration of leukocytes. Additionally, reports show that 2-APB exerts effects on neurons, smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, and it provides a cytoprotective effect by the modulation and attenuation of reactive oxygen species.

CONCLUSION

The molecular pharmacology of 2-APB supports both its potential to act as a drug and the desirable inclusion of its moieties in new drug development. Research evaluating its efficacy in treating pain and specific maladies, such as immune, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurodegenerative disorders, is scarce but interesting.

Cyto- and receptor architectonic mapping of the human brain

Mapping of the human brain is more than the generation of an atlas-based parcellation of brain regions using histologic or histochemical criteria. It is the attempt to provide a topographically informed model of the structural and functional organization of the brain. To achieve this goal a multimodal atlas of the detailed microscopic and neurochemical structure of the brain must be registered to a stereotaxic reference space or brain, which also serves as reference for topographic assignment of functional data, e.g., functional magnet resonance imaging, electroencephalography, or magnetoencephalography, as well as metabolic imaging, e.g., positron emission tomography. Although classic maps remain pioneering steps, they do not match recent concepts of the functional organization in many regions, and suffer from methodic drawbacks. This chapter provides a summary of the recent status of human brain mapping, which is based on multimodal approaches integrating results of quantitative cyto- and receptor architectonic studies with focus on the cerebral cortex in a widely used reference brain. Descriptions of the methods for observer-independent and statistically testable cytoarchitectonic parcellations, quantitative multireceptor mapping, and registration to the reference brain, including the concept of probability maps and a toolbox for using the maps in functional neuroimaging studies, are provided.

Oral alprazolam acutely increases nucleus accumbens perfusion

Benzodiazepines treat anxiety, but can also produce euphoric effects, contributing to abuse. Using perfusion magnetic resonance imaging, we provide the first direct evidence in humans that alprazolam (Xanax) acutely increases perfusion in the nucleus accumbens, a key reward-processing region linked to addiction.

Identifying neural progenitor cells in the adult human brain

The discovery, in 1998, that the adult human brain contains at least two populations of progenitor cells and that progenitor cells are upregulated in response to a range of degenerative brain diseases has raised hopes for their use in replacing dying brain cells. Since these early findings the race has been on to understand the biology of progenitor cells in the human brain and they have now been isolated and studied in many major neurodegenerative diseases. Before these cells can be exploited for cell replacement purposes it is important to understand how to: (1) find them, (2) label them, (3) determine what receptors they express, (4) isolate them, and (5) examine their electrophysiological properties when differentiated. In this chapter we have described the methods we use for studying progenitor cells in the adult human brain and in particular the tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, autoradiography, progenitor cell culture, and electrophysiology on brain cells. The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Human Brain Bank has been receiving human tissue for approximately 20 years during which time we have developed a number of unique ways to examine and isolate progenitor cells from resected surgical specimens as well as from postmortem brain tissue. There are ethical and technical considerations that are unique to working with human brain tissue and these, as well as the processing of this tissue and the culturing of it for the purpose of studying progenitor cells, are the topic of this chapter.

The localization of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors on dopaminergic neurons of the human substantia nigra

The substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is comprised mainly of dopaminergic pigmented neurons arranged in groups, with a small population of nonpigmented neurons scattered among these groups. These different types of neurons possess GABAA, GABAB, and glycine receptors. The SNc-pigmented dopaminergic neurons have postsynaptic GABAA receptors (GABAAR) with a subunit configuration containing alpha3 and gamma2 subunits, with a small population of pigmented neurons containing alpha1 beta2,3 gamma2 subunits. GABAB receptors comprised of R1 and R2 subunits and glycine receptors are also localized on pigmented neurons. In contrast, nonpigmented (mainly parvalbumin positive neurons) located in the SNc are morphologically and neurochemically similar to substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) neurons by showing immunoreactivity for parvalbumin and GABAARs containing immunoreactivity for alpha1, alpha3, beta2,3, and gamma2 subunits as well as GABAB R1 and R2 subunits and glycine receptors. Thus, these two neuronal types of the SNc, either pigmented dopaminergic neurons or nonpigmented parvalbumin positive neurons, have similar GABAB and glycine receptor combinations, but differ mainly in the subunit composition of the GABAARs located on their membranes. The different types of GABAARs suggest that GABAergic inputs to these neuronal types operate through GABAARs with different pharmacological and physiological profiles, whereas GABABR and glycine receptors of these cell types are likely to have similar properties.

The collection and processing of human brain tissue for research

To further understand the neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and neuropathology of the normal and diseased human brain, it is essential to have access to human brain tissue where the biological and chemical nature of the tissue is optimally preserved. We have established a human brain bank where brain tissue is optimally processed and stored in order to provide a resource to facilitate neuroscience research of the human brain in health and disease. A donor programme has been established in consultation with the community to provide for the post-mortem donation of brain tissue to the brain bank. We are using this resource of human brain tissue to further investigate the basis of normal neuronal functioning in the human brain as well as the mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in neurodegenerative diseases. We have established a protocol for the preservation of post-mortem adult human brain tissue firstly by snap-freezing unfixed brain tissue and secondly by chemical fixation and then storage of this tissue at -80 degrees C in a human brain bank. Several research techniques such as receptor autoradiography, DNA and RNA analysis, are carried out on the unfixed tissue and immunohistochemical and histological analysis is carried out on the fixed human tissue. Comparison of tissue from normal control cases and from cases with neurodegenerative disorders is carried out in order to document the changes that occur in the brain in these disorders and to further investigate the underlying pathogenesis of these devastating neurological diseases.

GABA(A) receptors: structure and function in the basal ganglia

gamma-Aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors responsible for fast inhibition in the basal ganglia, belong to the superfamily of "cys-cys loop" ligand-gated ion channels. GABA(A) receptors form as pentameric assemblies of subunits, with a central Cl(-) permeable pore. On binding of two GABA molecules to the extracellular receptor domain, a conformational change is induced in the oligomer and Cl(-), in most adult neurons, moves into the cell leading to an inhibitory hyperpolarization. Nineteen mammalian subunit genes have been identified, each showing distinct regional and cell-type-specific expression. The combinatorial assembly of the subunits generates considerable functional diversity. Here we place the focus on GABA(A) receptor expression in the basal ganglia: striatum, globus pallidus, substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus, where, in addition to the standard alpha1beta2/3gamma2 receptor subtype, significant levels of other subunits (alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, gamma1, gamma3 and delta) are expressed in some nuclei.

Striosomes are enriched in glutamic acid decarboxylase in primates

The compartmental distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in the striatum was investigated in squirrel monkeys and rats with antibodies raised against the two isoforms of this enzyme (GAD65 and GAD67) and with calbindin D-28k (CB) and/or micro-opiate receptor (MOR) as striosomal markers. In primates, immunostaining for both GAD65 and GAD67 was much more intense in striosomes than in the surrounding matrix. A thin immunoreactive strip of GAD labeling was also present in the dorsolateral part of both caudate nucleus and putamen. This narrow band appears to correspond to the so-called subcallosal streak (SS) found in rodent striatum. Although the immunostaining intensity for the two enzymes was similar at pallidal level, that for GAD65 was more intense than that for GAD67 at the striatal level. The GAD immunostaining was more uniformly distributed in the rat striatum, which did not display GAD-rich patches that corresponded to MOR-positive striosomes. Moreover, in contrast to the findings obtained in monkeys, the subcallosal streak in rats was less intensely stained for GAD than for the remaining regions of the striatum. These results reveal that GAD65 and GAD67 are faithful markers of striosomes in primates but not in rodents. They suggest the existence of a significant species difference between rodents and primates in respect to the chemical organization of the striatum, a difference that should be taken into account when using rodents as animal models to study the functional organization of the basal ganglia and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases that affect the striatum.

Distribution and binding parameters of GABAA receptors in the thalamic nuclei of Macaca mulatta and changes caused by lesioning in the globus pallidus and reticular thalamic nucleus

Ascending output from the basal ganglia to the primate motor thalamus is carried by GABAergic nigro- and pallido-thalamic pathways, which interact with intrinsic thalamic GABAergic systems represented in primates by local circuit neurons and axons of the reticular thalamic nucleus. Disease-triggered pathological processes in the basal ganglia can compromise any of these pathways either directly or indirectly, yet the effects of basal ganglia lesioning on its thalamic afferent-receiving territories has not been studied in primates. Two GABA(A) receptor ligands, [(3)H]muscimol and [(3)H]flunitrazepam, were used to study the distribution and binding properties of the receptor in intact monkeys, those with kainic acid lesions in the globus pallidus, and those with ibotenic acid lesions in the reticular nucleus using quantitative autoradiographic technique on cryostat sections of fresh frozen brain tissue. In control monkeys the binding affinities for [(3)H]muscimol averaged 50 nM in the thalamic nuclei and 86 nM in the basal ganglia while the binding densities varied (maximum density of binding sites [Bmax] range of 99.4-1000.1 fmol/mg of tissue). Binding affinities and Bmax values for [(3)H]flunitrazepam averaged 2.02 nM and 81-113 fmol/mg of tissue, respectively. Addition of 100-microM GABA increased average affinity to 1.35 nM whereas Bmax values increased anywhere from 1-50% in different nuclei. Zolpidem (100 nM) decreased binding by 68-80%. Bmax values for both ligands were decreased at the two survival times in both medial and lateral globus pallidus implying involvement of both nuclei in the lesion. Statistically significant, 40% decrease (P=0.055) of Bmax for [(3)H]muscimol was observed in the ventral anterior nucleus pars densicellularis (VAdc, the main pallidal projection territory in the thalamus) 1 week after globus pallidus lesioning and a 36% decrease (P=0.017) 4 months post-lesioning. In contrast, [(3)H]flunitrazepam Bmax values in the VAdc of the same animals were increased by 23% (P=0.021) at 1 week and 28% (P=0.005) 4 months postlesion, respectively. One week after the reticular nucleus lesioning, the binding densities of [(3)H]muscimol and [(3)H]flunitrazepam were decreased in the thalamic nuclei receiving projections from the lesioned reticular nucleus sector by approximately 50% (P<0.05) and 10-33% (P<0.05), respectively. The results suggest that different GABA(A) receptor subtypes are associated with different GABAergic systems in the thalamus which react differently to deafferentation.

Changes of GABA receptors and dopamine turnover in the postmortem brains of parkinsonians with levodopa-induced motor complications

Brain samples from 14 Parkinson's disease patients, 10 of whom developed motor complications (dyskinesias and/or wearing-off) on dopaminomimetic therapy, and 11 controls were analyzed. Striatal 3beta-(4-(125)I-iodophenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester ([(125)I]RTI-121) -specific binding to dopamine transporter and concentration of dopamine were markedly decreased, but no association between level of denervation and development of motor complications was observed. The homovanillic acid/dopamine ratio of concentrations was higher in putamen of patients with wearing-off compared to those without. Striatal (35)S-labeled t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([(35)S]TBPS) and [(3)H]flunitrazepam binding to GABA(A) receptors were unchanged in patients with Parkinson's disease, whereas [(125)I]CGP 64213 -specific binding to GABA(B) receptors was decreased in the putamen and external segment of the globus pallidus of parkinsonian patients compared with controls. [(3)H]Flunitrazepam binding was increased in the putamen of patients with wearing-off compared to those without. [(35)S]TBPS-specific binding was increased in the ventral internal globus pallidus of dyskinetic subjects. These data suggest altered dopamine metabolism and increased GABA(A) receptors in the putamen related to the pathophysiology of wearing-off. The present results also suggest that an up-regulation of GABA(A) receptors in the internal globus pallidus is linked to the pathogenesis of levodopa-induced dyskinesias.

Levodopa response motor complications--GABA receptors and preproenkephalin expression in human brain

Post-mortem studies in human brain of patients with Parkinson's disease have greatly contributed to our understanding of the disease. However, few human brain studies have focused on levodopa-induced dyskinesias, which considerably limit the beneficial effect of levodopa (LD) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. We have taken advantage of the fact that some patients develop dyskinesias and other do not to compare biochemical markers between them. In post-mortem samples from LD-treated parkinsonian patients, increased preproenkephalin expression in the putamen and increased GABA(A) receptors content in the internal globus pallidus (GPi) are found in dyskinetic parkinsonian patients compared to non-dyskinetic patients. These data are consistent with previous observations in MPTP monkeys developing dyskinesias following LD or dopamine agonist treatment. This combination of data in an animal model and in humans strongly suggests that increased enkephalinergic activity in the putamen and increased sensitivity of GABA(A) receptors in the GPi are implicated in the pathogenesis of LD-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease.

Ionotropic and metabotropic GABA and glutamate receptors in primate basal ganglia

The functions of glutamate and GABA in the CNS are mediated by ionotropic and metabotropic, G protein-coupled, receptors. Both receptor families are widely expressed in basal ganglia structures in primates and nonprimates. The recent development of highly specific antibodies and/or cDNA probes allowed the better characterization of the cellular localization of various GABA and glutamate receptor subtypes in the primate basal ganglia. Furthermore, the use of high resolution immunogold techniques at the electron microscopic level led to major breakthroughs in our understanding of the subsynaptic and subcellular localization of these receptors in primates. In this review, we will provide a detailed account of the current knowledge of the localization of these receptors in the basal ganglia of humans and monkeys.

Regional distribution of benzodiazepine binding sites in the human newborn and infant hypothalamus. A quantitative autoradiographic study

Using in vitro quantitative autoradiography and [3H]flunitrazepam we examined the rostrocaudal distribution of benzodiazepine binding sites in the human neonate/infant hypothalamus. The autoradiographic analysis shows the presence of a heterogeneous distribution throughout the rostrocaudal extent of this brain structure. High [3H]flunitrazepam binding corresponds primarily to the diagonal band of Broca and the preoptic region. The labelling in the preoptic region showed a rostrocaudal increase, contrasting in that with the other hypothalamic structures. Intermediate densities were present in the septohypothalamic, suprachiasmatic, periventricular and paraventricular nuclei as well as in the mammillary complex. Low binding was observed in the other hypothalamic structures. The benzodiazepine binding sites analyzed belong mostly to type II receptors. In an attempt to unravel possible differences related to age, we compared the autoradiographic distribution in three postnatal age ranges. The topographical distribution of these binding sites was almost identical in each period analyzed. We found, however, that benzodiazepine binding is generally low in the neonatal period and a tendency in increasing densities is observed during development. Taken together, these results provide evidence for a large distribution of benzodiazepine binding sites in neonate/infant hypothalamus, suggesting their implication in the development of this brain structure and the maintenance of its various functions.

The pattern of neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease: a comparative study of cannabinoid, dopamine, adenosine and GABA(A) receptor alterations in the human basal ganglia in Huntington's disease

In order to investigate the sequence and pattern of neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease, the distribution and density of cannabinoid CB(1), dopamine D(1) and D(2), adenosine A(2a) and GABA(A) receptor changes were studied in the basal ganglia in early (grade 0), intermediate (grades 1, 2) and advanced (grade 3) neuropathological grades of Huntington's disease. The results showed a sequential pattern of receptor changes in the basal ganglia with increasing neuropathological grades of Huntington's disease. First, the very early stages of the disease (grade 0) were characterized by a major loss of cannabinoid CB(1), dopamine D(2) and adenosine A(2a) receptor binding in the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus externus and an increase in GABA(A) receptor binding in the globus pallidus externus. Second, intermediate neuropathological grades (grades 1, 2) showed a further marked decrease of CB(1) receptor binding in the caudate nucleus and putamen; this was associated with a loss of D(1) receptors in the caudate nucleus and putamen and a loss of both CB(1) and D(1) receptors in the substantia nigra. Finally, advanced grades of Huntington's disease showed an almost total loss of CB(1) receptors and the further depletion of D(1) receptors in the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus internus, and an increase in GABA(A) receptor binding in the globus pallidus internus. These findings suggest that there is a sequential but overlapping pattern of neurodegeneration of GABAergic striatal efferent projection neurons in increasing neuropathological grades of Huntington's disease. First, GABA/enkephalin striatopallidal neurons projecting to the globus pallidus externus are affected in the very early grades of the disease. Second, GABA/substance P striatonigral neurons projecting to the substantia nigra are involved at intermediate neuropathological grades. Finally, GABA/substance P striatopallidal neurons projecting to the globus pallidus internus are affected in the late grades of the disease. In addition, the finding that cannabinoid receptors are dramatically reduced in all regions of the basal ganglia in advance of other receptor changes in Huntington's disease suggests a possible role for cannabinoids in the progression of neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease.

Regional and cellular localisation of GABA(A) receptor subunits in the human basal ganglia: An autoradiographic and immunohistochemical study

The regional and cellular localisation of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors was investigated in the human basal ganglia using receptor autoradiography and immunohistochemical staining for five GABA(A) receptor subunits (alpha(1), alpha(2), alpha(3), beta(2, 3), and gamma(2)) and other neurochemical markers. The results demonstrated that GABA(A) receptors in the striatum showed considerable subunit heterogeneity in their regional distribution and cellular localisation. High densities of GABA(A) receptors in the striosome compartment contained the alpha(2), alpha(3), beta(2, 3), and gamma(2) subunits, and lower densities of receptors in the matrix compartment contained the alpha(1), alpha(2), alpha(3), beta(2,3), and gamma(2) subunits. Also, six different types of neurons were identified in the striatum on the basis of GABA(A) receptor subunit configuration, cellular and dendritic morphology, and chemical neuroanatomy. Three types of alpha(1) subunit immunoreactive neurons were identified: type 1, the most numerous (60%), were medium-sized aspiny neurons that were immunoreactive for parvalbumin and alpha(1), beta(2,3), and gamma(2) subunits; type 2 (38%) were medium-sized to large aspiny neurons immunoreactive for calretinin and alpha(1), alpha(3), beta(2,3), and gamma(2) subunits; and type 3 (2%) were large sparsely spiny neurons immunoreactive for alpha(1), alpha(3), beta(2,3), and gamma(2) subunits. Type 4 neurons were calbindin-positive and immunoreactive for alpha(2), alpha(3), beta(2,3), and gamma(2) subunits. The remaining neurons were immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and alpha(3) subunit (type 5) or were neuropeptide Y-positive with no GABA(A) receptor subunit immunoreactivity (type 6). The globus pallidus contained three types of neurons: types 1 and 2 were large neurons and were immunoreactive for alpha(1), alpha(3), beta(2,3), and gamma(2) subunits and for parvalbumin alone (type 1) or for both parvalbumin and calretinin (type 2); type 3 neurons were medium-sized and immunoreactive for calretinin and alpha(1), beta(2, 3), and gamma(2) subunits. These results show that the subunit composition of GABA(A) receptors displays considerable regional and cellular variation in the human striatum but are more homogeneous in the globus pallidus.

Chemical and anatomical changes in the striatum and substantia nigra following quinolinic acid lesions in the striatum of the rat: a detailed time course of the cellular and GABA(A) receptor changes

The pattern and time-course of cellular, neurochemical and receptor changes in the striatum and substantia nigra were investigated following unilateral quinolinic acid lesions of the striatum in rats. The results showed that in the central region of the striatal lesion there was a major loss of Nissl staining of the small to medium sized cells within 2 h and a substantial loss of neuronal staining within 24 h after lesioning. Immunohistochemical studies showed a total loss of calbindin immunoreactivity, a known marker of GABAergic striatal projection neurons, throughout the full extent of the quinolinic acid lesion within 24 h. Similarly, within 24 h, there was a total loss of somatostatin/neuropeptide Y cells in the centre of the lesion but in the periphery of the lesion these cells remained unaltered at all survival times. Striatal GABA(A) receptors remained unchanged in the lesion for 7 days, and then declined in density over the remainder of the time course. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive astrocytes were present in the periphery of the lesion at 7 days, occupied the full extent of the lesion by 4 weeks, and remained elevated for up to 2 months. In the substantia nigra, following placement of a striatal quinolinic acid lesion, there was: a loss of substance P immunoreactivity within 24 h; a marked astrocytosis evident from 1-4 weeks postlesion; and, a major increase in GABA(A) receptors in the substantia nigra which occurred within 2 h postlesion and was sustained for the remainder of the time course (15 months). This study shows that following quinolinic acid lesions of the striatum there is a major loss of calbindin and somatostatin/neuropeptide Y immunoreactive cells in the striatum within 24 h, and a marked increase in GABA(A) receptors in the substantia nigra within 2 h. These findings are similar to the changes in the basal ganglia in Huntington's disease and provide further evidence supporting the use of the quinolinic acid lesioned rat as an animal model of Huntington's disease.

Role of accumbens and cortical dopamine receptors in the regulation of cortical acetylcholine release

Cortical acetylcholine, under resting and stimulated conditions, was measured in frontoparietal and prefrontal cortex using in vivo microdialysis in freely-moving rats. Cortical acetylcholine efflux was stimulated by systemic administration of the benzodiazepine receptor partial inverse agonist FG 7142. Administration of FG 7142 (8.0 mg/kg; i.p.) significantly elevated acetylcholine efflux in both cortical regions (150-250% relative to baseline) for 30 min after drug administration. The ability of endogenous dopamine to regulate cortical acetylcholine efflux under resting or stimulated conditions and the relative contributions of D1- and D2-like dopamine receptor activation was also assessed. In a first series of experiments, systemic administration of the antipsychotic drug haloperidol (0.15, 0.9 mg/kg, i.p.) blocked FG 7142-stimulated acetylcholine efflux in frontoparietal, cortex while the D1-like antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.1, 0.3 mg/kg), was less effective in attenuating stimulated acetylcholine efflux. In a second series of experiments, the effects of infusions of these antagonists and of the D2-like antagonist sulpiride (10, 100 microM) into the nucleus accumbens were assessed. Infusions of haloperidol and sulpiride significantly blocked FG 7142-stimulated acetylcholine efflux while SCH 23390 did not. By contrast, a third series of experiments demonstrated that perfusion of these antagonists (100 microM) locally into the cortex (through the probe) did not affect FG 7142-stimulated acetylcholine efflux. Moreover, none of these dopamine receptor antagonists, whether administered systemically or perfused into the nucleus accumbens or cortex, affected basal cortical acetylcholine efflux. These results reveal similarities in stimulated cortical acetylcholine release across frontal cortical regions and suggest a prominent role for D2-mediated accumbens dopamine transmission in the regulation of cortical acetylcholine release. The findings provide evidence in support of a neural substrate that links dysregulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission to changes in cortical cholinergic transmission. Dysregulation within this circuit is hypothesized to contribute to the etiology of disorders such as schizophrenia, dementia and drug abuse.

GABA(A) receptors in the primate basal ganglia: an autoradiographic and a light and electron microscopic immunohistochemical study of the alpha1 and beta2,3 subunits in the baboon brain

The distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors was investigated in the basal ganglia in the baboon brain by using receptor autoradiography and the immunohistochemical localisation of the alpha1 and beta2,3 subunits of the GABA(A) receptor by light and electron microscopy. In the caudate-putamen, the alpha1 subunit was distributed in high densities in the matrix compartment, and the beta2,3 subunits were more homogeneously distributed; the globus pallidus showed lower levels of the alpha1 and beta2,3 subunits. Four types of alpha1 subunit immunoreactive neurons were identified in the baboon striatum: the most numerous (75%) were type 1 medium-sized aspiny neurons; type 2 (2%) were large aspiny neurons with an indented nuclear membrane located in the ventral striatum; type 3 neurons were the least numerous (1%) and were comprised of large neurons in the ventromedial regions of the striatum; and type 4 (22%) neurons were medium to large aspiny neurons located in striosomes. At the ultrastructural level, alpha1 and beta2,3 subunit immunoreactivity was localised in the neuropil of the striatum in both symmetrical and asymmetrical synaptic contacts. In the globus pallidus, alpha1 and beta2,3 subunits were localised on large neurons and were found in three types of synaptic terminals: type 1 terminals were small and established symmetrical synapses; type 2 terminals were large; and type 3 terminals formed small synaptic terminals with subjunctional dense bodies. These results show that the subunit composition of GABA(A) receptors varies between the striosome and the matrix compartments in the striatum and that there is receptor subunit homogeneity in the globus pallidus.

Expression of 10 GABA(A) receptor subunit messenger RNAs in the motor-related thalamic nuclei and basal ganglia of Macaca mulatta studied with in situ hybridization histochemistry

In situ hybridization histochemistry technique with [35S]UTP-labelled riboprobes was used to study the expression pattern of 10 GABA(A) receptor subunit messenger RNAs in the basal ganglia and motor thalamic nuclei of rhesus monkey. Human transcripts were used for the synthesis of alpha2, alpha4, beta2, beta3, gamma1 and delta subunit messenger RNA probes. Rat complementary DNAs were used for generating alpha1, alpha3, beta1 and gamma2 subunit messenger RNA probes. Nigral, pallidal and cerebellar afferent territories in the ventral tier thalamic nuclei all expressed alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, beta1, beta2, beta3, delta and gamma2 subunit messenger RNAs but at different levels. Each intralaminar nucleus displayed its own unique expression pattern. In the thalamus, gamma1 subunit messenger RNA was detected only in the parafascicular nucleus. Comparison of the expression patterns with the known organization of GABA(A) connections in thalamic nuclei suggests that (i) the composition of the receptor associated with reticulothalamic synapses, except for those in the intralaminar nuclei, may be alpha1alpha4beta2delta, (ii) receptors of various other subunit compositions may operate in the local GABAergic circuits, and (iii) the composition of receptors at nigro- and pallidothalamic synapses may differ, with those at nigrothalamic probably containing beta1 and gamma2 subunits. In the medial and lateral parts of the globus pallidus, the subthalamic nucleus and the substantia nigra pars reticularis, the alpha1, beta2 and gamma2 messenger RNAs were co-expressed at a high level suggesting that this subunit composition was associated with all GABAergic synapses in the direct and indirect striatal output pathways. Various other subunit messenger RNAs were also expressed but at a lower level. In the substantia nigra pars compacta the most highly expressed messenger RNAs were alpha3, alpha4 and beta3; all other subunit messenger RNAs studied, except for gamma1, alpha1 and alpha2, were expressed at a moderate to high level. In the striatum, the following subunit messenger RNAs were expressed (listed in order of decreasing signal intensity): alpha4, beta3, alpha2, alpha3, beta2, delta, gamma2, alpha1. The expression patterns found in the monkey were similar to those described in comparable nuclei in the rat by Wisden et al. [J. Neurosci. (1992), 12, p. 1040]; however, the monkey nuclei displayed a much greater variety of GABA(A) receptor subunit messenger RNAs.

Action of zolpidem on responses to GABA in relation to mRNAs for GABA(A) receptor alpha subunits within single cells: evidence for multiple functional GABA(A) isoreceptors on individual neurons

The relationship between zolpidem sensitivity and GABA(A) receptor alpha subunits was studied in individual dissociated neurons from rat brain. Using whole-cell recording, similar EC50 values were demonstrated for the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on gated-chloride currents from substantia nigra reticulata (SNR) and lateral septal neurons. Subsequently, many neurons from both the SNR or lateral septum were found to exhibit enhanced GABA-gated chloride currents across concentrations of zolpidem ranging from 10 to 300 nM. Some neurons exhibited a greater than 20% increase in responsiveness to GABA at 30 nM of zolpidem without further increase at higher concentrations of zolpidem. Conversely, zolpidem enhancement of GABA from another group of neurons was not observed at 30 nM zolpidem, but between 100 and 300 nM the response to GABA increased greater than 20%. Finally, a third group of neurons reached both of these criteria for zolpidem enhancement of GABA. This latter spectrum of responses to GABA after varying concentrations of zolpidem was consistent with the presence of either two GABA(A) receptors or a single receptor with differing affinities for zolpidem on an individual neuron. Following determination of the sensitivity of neurons from SNR or lateral septum to zolpidem, cytoplasm was extracted from some individual cells to allow identification of cellular mRNAs for the alpha1, alpha2 and alpha3 GABA(A) receptor subunits with RT-PCR. Those neurons that responded to the 30 nM zolpidem concentration invariably expressed the alpha1-GABA(A) receptor subunit. This result is consistent with the GABA(A) alpha1-receptor subunit being an integral part of a functional high-affinity zolpidem type 1-BZD receptor complex on neurons in brain. Those neurons which showed enhancement of GABA from 100 to 300 nM zolpidem contained mRNAs for the alpha2 and/or the alpha3 receptor subunits, a finding consistent with these alpha subunits forming type 2-BZD receptors. Some individual dissociated SNR neurons were sensitive to both low and high concentrations of zolpidem and contained mRNAs for all three alpha-receptor subunits. These latter individual neurons are proposed to have at least two functional GABA(A) receptor subtypes. Thus, the present investigation emphasizes the importance of characterizing the relationship between endogenous GABA(A) receptor function and the presence of specific structural components forming GABA(A) receptor subtypes on neurons.

The morphological and chemical characteristics of striatal neurons immunoreactive for the alpha1-subunit of the GABA(A) receptor in the rat

The distribution, morphology and chemical characteristics of neurons immunoreactive for the alpha1-subunit of the GABA(A) receptor in the striatum of the basal ganglia in the rat brain were investigated at the light, confocal and electron microscope levels using single, double and triple immunohistochemical labelling techniques. The results showed that alpha1-subunit immunoreactive neurons were sparsely distributed throughout the rat striatum. Double and triple labelling results showed that all the alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons were positive for glutamate decarboxylase and immunoreactive for the beta2,3 and gamma2 subunits of the GABA(A) receptor. Three types of alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons were identified in the striatum on the basis of cellular morphology and chemical characteristics. The most numerous alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons were medium-sized, aspiny neurons with a widely branching dendritic tree. They were parvalbumin-negative and were located mainly in the dorsolateral regions of the striatum. Electron microscopy showed that these neurons had an indented nuclear membrane, typical of striatal interneurons, and were surrounded by small numbers of axon terminals which established alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive synaptic contacts with the soma and dendrites. These cells were classified as type 1 alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons and comprised 75% of the total population of alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons in the striatum. The remaining alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons comprised of a heterogeneous population of large-sized neurons localized in the ventral and medial regions of the striatum. The most numerous large-sized cells were parvalbumin-negative, had two to three relatively short branching dendrites and were designated type 2 alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons. Electron microscopy showed that the type 2 neurons were characterized by a highly convoluted nuclear membrane and were sparsely covered with small axon terminals. The type 2 neurons comprised 20% of the total population of alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons. The remaining large-sized alpha1-immunoreactive cells were designated type 3 cells; they were positive for parvalbumin and were distinguished by long branching dendrites extending dorsally for 600-800 microm into the striatum. These neurons comprised 5% of the total population of alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons and were surrounded by enkephalin-immunoreactive terminals. Electron microscopy showed that the alpha1-subunit type 3 neurons had an indented nuclear membrane and were densely covered with small axon terminals which established alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive symmetrical synaptic contacts with the soma and dendrites. These results provide a detailed characterization of the distribution, morphology and chemical characteristics of the alpha1-subunit-immunoreactive neurons in the rat striatum and suggest that the type 1 and type 2 neurons comprise of separate populations of striatal interneurons while the type 3 neurons may represent the large striatonigral projection neurons described by Bolam et al. [Bolam J. P., Somogyi P., Totterdell S. and Smith A. D. (1981) Neuroscience 6, 2141-2157.].

The autoradiographic perspective of central benzodiazepine receptors; a short review

1. We reviewed studies performed to characterize central benzodiazepine binding sites. 2. An overview of the different radioligands used to characterize BZ1 and BZ2 binding sites and a mapping of these central benzodiazepine sites are described. 3. Saturation studies carried out by autoradiogram quantification also are reviewed. 4. The specific use of the autoradiographic technique to carry out studies on ontogeny, development, and phylogeny is discussed, as well as studies performed using this technique on some diseases and experimental conditions, such as drug treatments or chemical and mechanical lesions.

Cannabinoid receptors in the human brain: a detailed anatomical and quantitative autoradiographic study in the fetal, neonatal and adult human brain

The anatomical distribution and density of cannabinoid receptors in the human brain was studied in one fetal (33 weeks gestation), two neonatal (aged three to six months) and eight adult (aged 21-81 years) human cases using quantitative receptor autoradiography following in vitro labelling of sections with the synthetic cannabinoid agonist [3H]CP55,940. Cannabinoid receptors were distributed in a heterogeneous fashion throughout the adult human brain and spinal cord. The allocortex contained very high concentrations of cannabinoid receptor binding sites in the dentate gyrus, Ammons's horn and subiculum of the hippocampal formation; high concentrations of receptors were also present in the entorhinal cortex and amygdaloid complex. Cannabinoid receptor binding sites were also present throughout all regions of the neocortex, where they showed a marked variation in density between the primary, secondary and associational cortical regions: the greatest densities of receptors were present in the associational cortical regions of the frontal and limbic lobes, with moderate densities in the secondary sensory and motor cortical regions, and with the lowest densities of receptors in the primary sensory and motor cortical regions. Relatively high concentrations of cannabinoid receptors were consistently seen in cortical regions of the left (dominant) hemisphere, known to be associated with verbal language functions. In all of the cortical regions, the pattern and density of receptor labelling followed the neocortical laminar organization, with the greatest density of receptors localized in two discrete bands--a clearly delineated narrow superficial band which coincided with lamina I and a deeper broader, conspicuous band of labelling which corresponded to laminae V and VI. Labelling in the intervening cortical laminae (II-IV) showed lower densities, with a well delineated narrow band of label in the middle of laminae IV in the associational cortical regions. The thalamus showed a distinctive heterogeneous distribution of cannabinoid receptors, with the highest concentration of receptors localized in the mediodorsal nucleus, anterior nuclear complex, and in the midline and intralaminar complex of nuclei, i.e. in thalamic nuclei which have connectional affiliations with the associational cortical areas. The basal ganglia showed a distinctive heterogeneous pattern of receptor binding, with the very highest concentrations in the globus pallidus internus, moderate concentrations in the globus pallidus externus and ventral pallidum, and moderately low levels of binding throughout the striatal complex. In the midbrain, some of the highest levels of cannabinoid receptor binding sites in the human brain were present in the substantia nigra pars reticulata, with very low levels of labelling in all other midbrain areas. The highest densities of cannabinoid receptor binding in the hindbrain were localized in the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, with moderate densities of receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tract. The spinal cord showed very low levels of receptor binding. Studies on the distribution of cannabinoid receptors in the fetal and neonatal human brain showed similar patterns of receptor distribution to that observed in the adult human brain, except that the density of receptor binding was generally markedly higher, especially in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra. The pattern of cannabinoid receptor labelling in the striatum showed a striking patchy pattern of organization which was especially conspicuous in the fetal brain. These results show that cannabinoid receptor binding sites in the human brain are localized mainly in: forebrain areas associated with higher cognitive functions; forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain areas associated with the control of movement; and in hindbrain areas associated with the control of motor and sensory functions of the autonomic nervous system. (AB

GABAA receptor subtype changes in the substantia nigra of the rat following quinolinate lesions in the striatum: a correlative in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical study

This study investigates the pattern of distribution of GABAA receptor subunit subtypes in the substantia nigra of the rat using in situ hybridization techniques and immunohistochemistry at the light microscopic level following unilateral quinolinate lesions in the striatum. The main purpose of this study was to first identify the variety and regional distribution of GABAA receptor subtype messenger RNAs in the normal substantia nigra and, second, to determine if this pattern and level of expression of GABAA receptor subtypes in the substantia nigra is affected following quinolinate-induced degeneration of the GABAergic striatonigral projection neurons. The study is based on a comparison of adjacent sections using: (i) in situ hybridization and oligonucleotide probes selective for 13 of the GABAA receptor subunits; and (ii) immunohistochemistry and antibodies specific to three protein subunits of the GABAA receptor complex. The results show that the GABAA receptor in the normal substantia nigra pars reticulata has a molecular configuration comprising of the alpha 1, beta 2, and gamma 2 subtypes and that following quinolinate lesions of the striatum the subtype configuration of the GABAA receptors remains unaltered, but that there is a marked increase in the level of expression of the alpha 1, beta 2 and gamma 2 subtypes. In confirmation of these findings, the immunohistochemical results show increased immunoreactivity for the alpha 1, beta 2,3 and gamma 2 GABAA receptor subtypes in the substantia nigra following degeneration of GABAergic striatonigral neurons. The details of these findings are discussed with reference to previous studies and with regard to the implications that these results may have for specific GABAergic neurodegenerative diseases of the human basal ganglia, such as Huntington's disease.

GABA and GABAA receptor changes in the substantia nigra of the rat following quinolinic acid lesions in the striatum closely resemble Huntington's disease

GABA and GABAA receptors have been studied in the substantia nigra of the rat following quinolinic acid lesions in the striatum. The regional distribution of GABA and GABAA receptors was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques with monoclonal antibodies to GABA and to the beta 2.3 subtypes of the GABAA receptor complex. The distribution, density and cellular localization of GABAA receptors were studied using quantitative receptor autoradiography and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of dopaminergic pars compacta neurons. The subunit configuration of GABAA receptors was investigated using in situ hybridization histochemistry and subunit subtype-specific oligonucleotide probes. The results showed that in the normal substantia nigra GABA and GABAA receptors were mainly localized within the pars reticulata. GABAA receptors were mainly of the BZI variety, had a subunit subtype configuration that included alpha 1 and beta 2.3 subtypes, and showed a rostrocaudal gradient in the density of receptors; the density of receptors in the caudal third was 56% higher than that in the rostral third of the pars reticulata. Following quinolinic acid-induced degeneration of the striatonigral pathway, there was a marked loss of GABA immunoreactivity and a 59% increase in the density of GABAA receptors in the substantia nigra pars reticulata. There was a corresponding regional topography in the pattern of loss of GABA immunoreactivity and in the pattern of increase in GABAA receptors in the pars reticulata; the topography varied with the size and placement of the lesion in the striatum and correlated with the known topographical organization of the striatonigral projection. The quantitative autoradiographic results showed that following quinolinic acid lesions in the striatum: (i) the greatest increase in the density of GABAA receptors occurred in the middle third (91% increase) of the pars reticulata; (ii) the receptors were mainly of the GABAA/BZI variety; and (iii) 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of the dopaminergic pars compacta neurons did not significantly affect the density of receptors, indicating that the increased receptor binding was mainly localized on non-dopaminergic pars reticulata neurons. The immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies showed that, as in the normal substantia nigra, GABAA receptors in the substantia nigra pars reticulata on the lesioned side contained the alpha 1 and beta 2.3 GABAA receptor subtypes; the alpha 1 and beta 2.3 subtypes (but not the alpha 2) were increased after quinolinic acid lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

GABA, muscarinic cholinergic, excitatory amino acid, neurotensin and opiate binding sites in the octavolateralis column and cerebellum of the skate Raja nasuta (Pisces: Rajidae)

As part of a study of signal processing in the electro- and mechanosensory systems we have screened the octavolateralis column of the skate for GABAA, muscarinic cholinergic, excitatory amino acid, neurotensin and opiate binding sites using autoradiography following in vitro labelling of cryostat sections with tritiated ligands. The presence and distribution of these binding sites is compared between the octavolateralis column and the corpus cerebellum. GABAA binding sites were located in high concentrations in the granule cell regions of the cerebellum and octaval columns, with much lower concentrations in the Purkinje cell layer of the corpus cerebellum. Little or no labelling was evident in all molecular layer areas. Displacement studies using the discriminating ligand CL218,872 indicated that the GABAA binding sites were predominantly of the GABAA/benzodiazepine Type II variety. M1 muscarinic cholinergic binding sites were found in high concentrations in all granule cell areas and in lower concentrations in the molecular layer of the octavolateralis column, with an absence of labelling in the molecular layer of the corpus cerebellum. Kainic acid and AMPA binding sites were present in very high concentrations in all molecular layer areas. Glutamate binding was present in the molecular layer of the octavolateralis column and in some restricted regions of the dorsal granular ridge, whereas phencyclidine binding sites were sparse or absent. Neurotensin binding sites were strongly present in all granule cell areas and evident in the molecular layer of the octavolateralis column. There was evidence for opiate binding sites in the molecular layer of both the dorsal and medial octavolateralis nucleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Human striatum: chemoarchitecture of the caudate nucleus, putamen and ventral striatum in health and Alzheimer's disease

The morphology and distribution of perikarya positive for choline acetyltransferase, somatostatin, calcium binding protein (calbindin D28K) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase were surveyed in the human striatum. Choline acetyltransferase and somatostatin antibodies labeled separate populations of large striatal interneurons. Somatostatin immunoreactivity and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (nitric oxide synthase) activity were completely co-localized. Calbindin antibody identified two distinct groups of striatal neurons: (1) numerous medium-sized, lightly stained neurons, probably analogous to striatopallidal projection neurons in the rat, and (2) much less numerous, large, darkly stained neurons. Half of the latter group, but none of the former, were also nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase-positive. Somatostatin-positive and medium-sized, calbindin-positive neurons were more numerous in the caudate nucleus than in the putamen or ventral striatum. By contrast, large calbindin-immunoreactive neurons were more frequently encountered in the putamen. Choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons were evenly distributed across striatal components. In aged control subjects, the size of large, darkly stained calbindin-positive neurons was reduced relative to young subjects. Aging had no effect on somatostatin-, medium-sized calbindin-, or choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons. However, in histologically confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease, there was a selective, 75% loss of choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive perikarya from the ventral striatum, but not from the dorsal striatum, compared to aged controls. Furthermore, the remaining cholinergic neurons in the ventral striatum of Alzheimer's disease cases were significantly smaller than similar neurons in controls. These results indicate that various striatal components which have been shown to differ in their anatomical connectivity and functional specialization, also differ in their neurochemical signatures. The specific and marked loss of choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons from the ventral striatum in Alzheimer's disease is consistent with the characteristic cholinergic and 'limbic' pathology in this disease.

The septum and amygdala differentially mediate the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines

Microinfusions of a benzodiazepine anxiolytic (midazolam) into the septum or the amygdala suppressed different fear reactions in two tests of rat "anxiety". Septal infusions increased open-arm activity in the plus-maze test and decreased burying behavior in the shock-probe test whereas amygdaloid infusions produced neither of these antianxiety effects. Amygdaloid infusions, however, dramatically impaired shock-probe avoidance, an antianxiety effect not produced by the septal infusions. Infusions of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788 (flumazenil) blocked each of these specific, anti-fear effects of midazolam without producing intrinsic effects by itself. These results suggest that benzodiazepine receptor systems within the amygdala and the septum differentially mediate specific fear reactions.

Islands and striosomes in the neostriatum of the rhesus monkey: non-equivalent compartments

Cytoarchitectonically defined cell-dense islands and regions of low acetylcholinesterase reactivity referred to as striosomes have been regarded as equivalent markers of the non-matrix compartment in the neostriatum. We examined islands and striosomes in adjacent sections to determine the degree of correspondence between the two neostriatal compartmental markers. Islands are aggregated centrally within the caudate, whereas striosomes are located throughout the entire nucleus, including the dorsolateral and ventromedial sectors. Moreover, even within the central sector, striosomes are more prevalent than islands. The present quantitative analysis suggests that islands may be further characterized as acetylcholinesterase-poor since the vast majority of islands co-localize with striosomes. However, due to the fact that striosomes are more numerous and more widely distributed throughout the neostriatum, less than a third of all striosomes are coincident with islands in adjacent sections. Comparison of each of these compartmental markers with the patterned terminal field of the prefrontal cortical projection revealed a near one-to-one correspondence between islands and terminal-free zones in the prefrontal projection. The percentage of striosomes which are aligned with fenestrations in the prefrontal projection is also quite high; however, because more striosomes than islands are found within the prefrontal terminal domain, some striosomes that fit within terminal-free zones do not have corresponding islands. These results indicate that islands and striosomes are not entirely equivalent compartmental markers and further suggest that contemporary, two-compartment models may not adequately represent the heterogeneity of the neostriatum.

Compartmentalization of parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the human striatum

The distribution of parvalbumin in the basal ganglia was studied in eight human brains using immunohistochemical techniques and the pattern of staining was compared to the distribution of enkephalin immunoreactivity in adjacent sections. The results showed a heterogeneous pattern of parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the caudate nucleus and putamen; this pattern of staining was characterized by irregularly shaped patches of low parvalbumin immunoreactivity dispersed against a background matrix of moderate-to-high immunoreactive staining. These parvalbumin-poor patches in the caudate nucleus and putamen aligned with the enkephalin-rich striosomes. These results show that parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the human striatum has the same compartmental mosaic organization as other neurochemical markers in the mammalian striatum.

Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of muscarinic cholinergic and GABAA (benzodiazepine) receptors in the forebrain of rats flown on the Soviet Biosatellite COSMOS 2044

The quantitative autoradiographic analysis of muscarinic cholinergic and GABAA (benzodiazepine) receptors was performed on selected regions of the cerebral cortex and striatum of rats flown in the Soviet Biosatellite COSMOS 2044. An age- and strain-matched synchronous ground-based control group was employed for comparison. Muscarinic cholinergic receptor density was found to be significantly lower in the striatum of the flight animals as compared with that in the synchronous control group. No significant differences between flight and synchronous control groups were found in the other regions examined. GABAA (benzodiazepine) receptors showed no significant differences between the flight and control groups in any of the regions sampled. Although additional studies are needed to reach definitive conclusions, the decrease in muscarinic cholinergic receptors observed in the striatum suggests spaceflight-related alterations in motor activity.

The regional, cellular and subcellular localization of GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors in the substantia nigra of the rat

The regional, cellular and subcellular distribution of GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors was investigated by light and electron microscopy in the rat substantia nigra. The regional distribution and density of GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor subtypes (Type I and II) was studied using quantitative receptor autoradiography following in vitro labelling of cryostat sections with tritiated ligands. This was followed by a detailed study of the cellular and subcellular distribution and localization of GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors by light and electron microscopy using immunohistochemical techniques with a monoclonal antibody (bd-17) to the beta 2,3 subunits of the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex. Finally, in situ hybridization histochemistry using 35S-labelled oligonucleotide probes was used to demonstrate the cellular distribution of mRNA for the alpha 1 and alpha 2 GABAA receptor subunits in the substantia nigra. The results of the autoradiographic and immunohistochemical studies showed a close correspondence in the regional distribution of GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors in the substantia nigra. A moderate-to-high density of receptors was present throughout the full extent of the substantia nigra pars reticulata with a very low density of receptors in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Quantitative autoradiographic studies showed that: (i) the pars reticulata contained mainly central Type I receptors; (ii) the highest density of receptors was present in the caudal pars reticulata (200 +/- 38 fmol/mg) with successively lower densities of receptors in the middle (176 +/- 31 fmol/mg) and rostral (150 +/- 26 fmol/mg) levels of the pars reticulata; and (iii) the density of receptors in the pars reticulata was reduced by 34% following 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of dopaminergic pars compacta neurons. At the cellular level, GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor immunoreactivity was localized in a punctate fashion on dendrites and neuronal cell bodies in the pars reticulata. At the subcellular level, GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor immunoreactivity was associated with the pre- and postsynaptic membranes of axodendritic synaptic complexes along the length of small-to-large sized smooth dendrites in the pars reticulata. Two types of immunoreactive axodendritic synaptic complexes were identified: most (about 80%) immunopositive synapses showed equal staining of the pre- and postsynaptic membranes and were associated with small (less than 1.0 micron) axon terminals containing few mitochondria and small, round-to-pleomorphic vesicles in synaptic contact with small, peripheral dendrites; less frequently (about 20%) immunopositive synapses showed a marked immunoreactive thickening of the postsynaptic membrane and were associated with large (greater than 1.0 micron) axon terminals containing numerous mitochondria and mainly pleomorphic vesicles in synaptic contact with large mainstem dendrites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Distribution of excitatory and inhibitory amino acid, sigma, monoamine, catecholamine, acetylcholine, opioid, neurotensin, substance P, adenosine and neuropeptide Y receptors in human motor and somatosensory cortex

Autoradiography was used to visualise N-methyl-D-aspartate, phencyclidine, strychnine-insensitive glycine, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid, kainic acid, benzodiazepine, gamma-aminobutyric acid type A, sigma, serotonergic, dopaminergic, alpha 2-adrenergic, beta-adrenergic, muscarinic cholinergic, nicotinic, opioid, neurotensin, substance P, adenosine A1 and neuropeptide Y receptors in the human primary motor (Brodmann's area 4) and somatosensory cortex (Brodmann's areas 3, 2 and 1). With the exception of serotonin type 2 receptors, all receptor types examined had a similar distribution in area 4 which showed little dependence on the underlying distribution of cell somata, often continuing unaltered through the somatosensory cortex despite marked cytoarchitectural changes. The highest densities occurred in the outer (most superficial) 30-40% of the cortical grey matter, followed by a band of relatively low binding and then moderate levels in the inner (deeper) region. In many instances, an additional band of dense binding could be discerned in the region of laminae IV/Va running unbroken through both gyri. The distribution of most receptor types in the somatosensory cortex also followed this pattern, except for opioid and kainic acid receptors which showed higher levels in the inner rather than the outer third of this region. At the edge of area 4, a change occurred such that a high density outer band appeared, giving these receptor types the same pattern in area 4 as the majority. Serotonin type 2 receptor levels were quite low in the outermost region of area 4, although the pattern was otherwise similar to that of the other receptors. Thus, with the exception of serotonin receptors, the similarity in many binding site distributions recently noted in area 4 of the rhesus monkey also tends to occur in the human area 4, to the extent that 2 ligands will reverse their usual cortical binding pattern to conform with the common area 4 pattern.

Comparative development of D1-dopamine and mu opiate receptors in normal and in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned neonatal rat striatum: dopaminergic fibers regulate mu but not D1 receptor distribution

The postnatal development of D1 dopaminergic receptors (D1 receptors) was investigated in the rat striatum in relation to distribution of mu opiate receptor patches and islandic tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive fibers. The possible influence of dopaminergic (DA) fibers originating from the substantia nigra on the postnatal distribution of striatal D1 and mu receptors was also examined by producing an early 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of DA fibers. D1 and mu receptors were labeled with selective ligands: [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]DAGO, respectively. During the first postnatal week, control rats showed patches of dense D1 binding sites in the entire rostro-caudal extension of the striatum. The localization of D1 receptor patches corresponded to striosomes identified by TH-immunoreactive islands. The striatal distribution of mu receptors was relatively homogeneous at postnatal day 0 (P0) but was clearly patchy at P3-P4. During the second postnatal week the striosomal pattern of D1 binding sites disappeared along a dorso-ventral gradient whereas mu binding sites remained distributed in patches. Densitometric measurements showed that there was a parallel increase of D1 binding sites in both striosomes and the surrounding matrix from P0 to P4. The disappearance of D1 receptor patches observed in the dorsal striatum at P9 was due to a faster increase of D1 binding sites in the matrix than in striosomes between P4 and P9 whereas a significant difference was still observed between these two compartments in the ventral striatum of P9 rats. During the third postnatal week, the density of D1 binding sites still increased but became progressively uniform in the whole striatum. The intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA in 2-day-old rats produced a local disappearance of TH-immunoreactive fibers in the striatum and a distal degeneration of TH-immunoreactive cell bodies in the substantia nigra. However an early lesion of striatal DA fibers did not modify the pattern of development or the density of D1 binding sites during the postnatal period examined (1 and 3 weeks after the lesion). The distribution of mu receptors was unchanged 1 week after the lesion but showed a clear disorganization 3 weeks after the lesion. We discuss the differential influence of DA fibers on the distribution of D1 and mu receptors in the rat striatum and the possible role of DA in the regulation of the expression of mu receptors.

Dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptor antagonists decrease prosomatostatin mRNA expression in rat striatum

The effect of acute dopamine receptor antagonist treatment on cellular prosomatostatin mRNA expression was investigated in the adult rat striatum using the technique of non-radioactive in situ hybridization. Adult female Wistar rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of either raclopride (D2 antagonist), SCH 23390 (D1 antagonist) or the D1 (S) enantiomer SCH 23388. Animals were killed either 1, 3 or 9 h following the single i.p. injection and their brains rapidly removed. Striatal sections were then processed for in situ hybridization using an alkaline phosphatase-labelled oligonucleotide probe complementary to a portion of the rat somatostatin cDNA. Blockade of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors resulted in a significant decrease in the cellular content of prosomatostatin mRNA. However, no change in the number of prosomatostatin mRNA containing striatal cells was observed following any of the treatments at any time point. These findings demonstrate that the cellular content of prosomatostatin mRNA in the adult rat striatum is influenced by selective dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists. Further, these findings are consistent with a functional interaction between dopamine and somatostatin in the rat striatum.

Interrelationship of the distribution of neuropeptides and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the human substantia Nigra

The relationship in the human substantia nigra of peptidergic fibers with intrinsic dopaminergic neurons was studied in adjacent coronal sections of the mesencephalon immunohistochemically stained for enkephalin (ENK), substance P (SP), and tyrosine (TH) hydroxylase immunoreactivity. TH-positive elements are present in the substantia nigra in at least two different arrangements: 1) a dorsal tier of rather loosely arranged neurons, which is continuous medially with the ventral tegmental area and laterally with the retrorubral area, 2) a ventral tier of more closely packed neurons, clusters of which frequently form finger-like extensions deep into the pars reticulata. This ventral region contains TH-positive dendrites extending ventrally into the pars reticulata. The distribution of ENK is mainly restricted to the medial half of the ventral aspect of the substantia nigra, while SP occupies its entire rostral-caudal and medial-lateral extents. Peptide-positive fibers vary in density from dense to light. There is very little overlap between the dorsal tier of the TH-positive neurons and the ENK or SP staining. The dorsal part of the peptide-immunoreactive area extensively overlaps with the TH-positive neurons of the ventral tier of cells. The ventral part of the peptide-positive area overlaps with the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra in which the TH-positive dendrites extend. The overlap between the neuropeptide fibers and the TH-positive cells of the ventral tier is not complete, with cells found both within and outside peptide-positive fiber networks. Three patterns of overlap emerge. In dorsal regions elongated cell clusters lie partially within and partially outside the dense peptide-positive fiber networks. In the ventral regions TH-positive cells are either completely embedded within peptide fibers or clusters of cells are present in peptide-free zones. These data suggest that specific peptidergic pathways differentially innervate the substantia nigra. TH cells which lie within or outside these fibers may reflect functionally different subsystems in the striatonigral pathways in the human.

The distribution of neurotensin receptors and acetylcholinesterase in the human caudate nucleus: evidence for the existence of a third neurochemical compartment

The distribution of neurotensin receptors in the human caudate nucleus was studied using autoradiographic methods following in vitro labelling of cryostat sections with [3H]neurotensin, and the pattern of receptor labelling was compared to the distribution of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining in adjacent sections. A heterogeneous pattern of neurotensin receptors was found in the caudate nucleus. Patches of low receptor density aligned with the AChE-poor striosomes, regions of moderate receptor density corresponded with the AChE-rich matrix zone, and annular regions of high receptor density aligned with the AChE-negative border zone lying between the AChE-poor striosome and the AChE-rich matrix compartments. These results suggest the existence of 3 neurochemical compartments within the human caudate nucleus.

[3H]glycine binding sites, NMDA and PCP receptors have similar distributions in the human hippocampus: an autoradiographic study

The distribution of [3H]glycine binding sites was compared with that of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors labelled with L-[3H]glutamate, and with that of phencyclidine (PCP) receptors labelled with [3H]1-(1-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexyl)piperidine ([3H]TCP) in sections from 7 normal human hippocampi. The results indicate that strychnine-insensitive glycine binding sites are present in high concentrations in CA1 and the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. This distribution is very similar to the distributions of NMDA and PCP receptors in the human hippocampus.

Excitatory amino acid receptors in the human cerebral cortex: a quantitative autoradiographic study comparing the distributions of [3H]TCP, [3H]glycine, L-[3H]glutamate, [3H]AMPA and [3H]kainic acid binding sites

The excitatory amino acids are probably the major neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex, and they act through at least three receptors: the N-methyl-D-aspartate, the quisqualate and the kainic acid receptors. Under the appropriate conditions, [3H]1-(1-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexyl)piperidine [( 3H]TCP), [3H]glycine and L-[3H]glutamate label different sites on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, [3H]-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid [( 3H]AMPA) labels the quisqualate receptor and [3H]kainic acid the kainic acid receptor. The anatomical localizations of these binding sites were studied in sections of blocks removed from the cerebral cortices of eight post-mortem human brains. The results showed that, in the human cerebral cortex, [3H]TCP, [3H]glycine and L-[3H]glutamate binding sites had congruent distributions, with [3H]AMPA binding sites showing a similar distribution. In the hippocampus, these four ligands had high binding site densities in the CA1 region and the dentate gyrus molecular layer. With the exception of the striate cortex, in the neocortex, a tri-laminar pattern was seen consisting of a high density across laminae I-III, a layer of low density corresponding to the region of lamina IV, and a band of moderate density across laminae V and VI, except for [3H]AMPA where the middle zone of low density was usually wider. [3H]Kainic acid showed a binding pattern which was generally complementary to that of the other four ligands. There were low levels of [3H]kainic acid binding sites in the CA1 region of the hippocampus with higher levels in the CA3 region, the hilus, and the inner third of the dentate gyrus molecular layer. In the neocortex there was a band of high density corresponding to laminae V and VI, with a thin band of moderate binding corresponding to lamina I and the outer region of lamina II. An exception was the motor cortex where the highest level of [3H]kainic acid binding was in laminae I and II. The high degree of congruence between the binding patterns of [3H]TCP, [3H]glycine and L-[3H]glutamate (using conditions appropriate for the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor) supports data indicating that these ligands bind to different regions of the same receptor complex. The similar distribution of [3H]AMPA binding sites, with the exception of the striate cortex, supports observations made in rodents that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and quisqualate receptors have similar distributions and perform different but related functions in excitatory transmission.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Benzodiazepine receptors in the human hippocampal formation: a pharmacological and quantitative autoradiographic study

The pharmacological characteristics and anatomical distribution of benzodiazepine receptors in the human hippocampal formation were studied in seven cases aged 4-68 years. The pharmacology of the receptors was studied by computerized, non-linear least squares regression analysis of [3H]flunitrazepam displacement by flunitrazepam, CL218,872 and ethyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate binding to membranes and the anatomical localization of these receptors was demonstrated using quantitative autoradiography following in vitro labelling of cryostat sections with [3H]flunitrazepam. The pharmacological studies indicated that the human hippocampal formation contained equal numbers of benzodiazepine receptors with high affinity (Type I) and low affinity (Type II) for CL218,872 and ethyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate. The autoradiograms demonstrated that the benzodiazepine receptors were distributed in a heterogeneous fashion throughout the major regions of the human hippocampal formation; the highest concentrations of receptors were present in the dentate gyrus (molecular layer) and field CA1 of Ammon's horn (strata pyramidale, oriens, lacunosum), with moderate concentrations in field CA2 of Ammon's horn (stratum pyramidale) and in regions of the subicular complex and entorhinal cortex, and with considerably lower densities in fields CA3 and CA4. Quantitative analyses of the autoradiograms showed that the regions containing the highest densities of receptors (molecular layer of dentate gyrus and the strata oriens, pyramidale and lacunosum of CA1) were enriched with Type 1 receptors whereas other regions of lower receptor densities were enriched with either Type I or Type II receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)