Stimulation of the rat subthalamic nucleus is neuroprotective following significant nigral dopamine neuron loss

A.L. Spieles-Engemann; M.M. Behbehani; T.J. Collier; S.L. Wohlgenant; K. Steece-Collier; K. Paumier; B.F. Daley; S. Gombash; L. Madhavan; G.T. Mandybur; J.W. Lipton; B.T. Terpstra; C.E. Sortwell

Neurobiology of Disease (Jul 2010)

Stimulation of the rat subthalamic nucleus is neuroprotective following significant nigral dopamine neuron loss

A.L. Spieles-Engemann,
M.M. Behbehani,
T.J. Collier,
S.L. Wohlgenant,
K. Steece-Collier,
K. Paumier,
B.F. Daley,
S. Gombash,
L. Madhavan,
G.T. Mandybur,
J.W. Lipton,
B.T. Terpstra,
C.E. Sortwell

Affiliations

A.L. Spieles-Engemann: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; The Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
M.M. Behbehani: Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
T.J. Collier: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
S.L. Wohlgenant: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
K. Steece-Collier: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
K. Paumier: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; The Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
B.F. Daley: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
S. Gombash: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; The Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
L. Madhavan: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
G.T. Mandybur: Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
J.W. Lipton: Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
B.T. Terpstra: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; The Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
C.E. Sortwell: Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Corresponding author. Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Van Andel Institute, 4th Floor, 333 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. Fax: +1 616 234 0990.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 39, no. 1
pp. 105 – 115

Abstract

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Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is efficacious in treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the impact of STN-DBS on the progression of PD is unknown. Previous preclinical studies have demonstrated that STN-DBS can attenuate the degeneration of a relatively intact nigrostriatal system from dopamine (DA)-depleting neurotoxins. The present study examined whether STN-DBS can provide neuroprotection in the face of prior significant nigral DA neuron loss similar to PD patients at the time of diagnosis. STN-DBS between 2 and 4 weeks after intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) provided significant sparing of DA neurons in the SN of rats. This effect was not due to inadvertent lesioning of the STN and was dependent upon proper electrode placement. Since STN-DBS appears to have significant neuroprotective properties, initiation of STN-DBS earlier in the course of PD may provide added neuroprotective benefits in addition to its ability to provide symptomatic relief.

Published in Neurobiology of Disease

ISSN: 0969-9961 (Print); 1095-953X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurobiology-of-disease

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