Fetal dopamine neuron transplants prevent behavioral supersensitivity induced by repeated administration of L-dopa in the rat

Brain Res. 1990 Jan 1;506(1):166-8. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(90)91215-3.

Abstract

We have studied in adult rats bearing a unilateral nigral lesion the effect of nigral grafts into the striatum on behavioral supersensitivity induced by chronic treatment of L-DOPA (100 mg/kg i.p.) plus benserazide (50 mg/kg i.p.). Repeated administration of L-DOPA increases contraversive circling. In rats without graft the contraversive circling was significantly increased after 8 and 14 daily injections of L-DOPA. On the other hand, the animals with transplants showed no such increase. Behavioral supersensitivity induced by repeated treatment of L-DOPA is often correlated with dyskinesia observed in the Parkinsonian patients. This suggests that the graft might be able to prevent this secondary effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / pharmacology*
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Hydroxydopamines
  • Oxidopamine
  • Rats
  • Stereotyped Behavior / drug effects*
  • Substantia Nigra / metabolism
  • Substantia Nigra / physiology
  • Substantia Nigra / transplantation*

Substances

  • Hydroxydopamines
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • Oxidopamine
  • Dopamine