Abstract
The subthalamic nucleus and the striatum are input regions of the basal ganglia. This study used the unilateral 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease to examine effects of l-DOPA on the expression of c-fos and BDNF mRNAs in these nuclei. Dopamine depletion per se did not affect c-fos or BDNF. Both a single and repeated injections of l-DOPA induced c-fos, but not BDNF, in the dopamine-depleted striatum. However, repeated l-DOPA treatment increased c-fos and BDNF in the dopamine-depleted subthalamic nucleus. These molecular adaptations may reflect changes in neuronal plasticity that underlie some therapeutic actions and/or side effects of l-DOPA in Parkinson's disease.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adrenergic Agents / toxicity
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Animals
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Antiparkinson Agents / administration & dosage*
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism*
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Cocaine / analogs & derivatives
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Cocaine / pharmacokinetics
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Disease Models, Animal
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Levodopa / administration & dosage*
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Male
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Oxidopamine / toxicity
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Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
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Parkinson Disease / etiology
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Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
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Protein Binding / drug effects
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Subthalamic Nucleus / drug effects*
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Subthalamic Nucleus / metabolism
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Tritium / pharmacokinetics
Substances
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Adrenergic Agents
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Antiparkinson Agents
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
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RNA, Messenger
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Tritium
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Levodopa
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(1R-(exo,exo))-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-8-methyl-8- azabicyclo(3.2.1)octane-2-carboxylic acid, methyl ester
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Oxidopamine
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Cocaine