Restorative Dopamine Treatment In Hemiparkinsonian Rats

This week, Van Kampen and Eckman take a new angle on dopamine therapy: restoration rather than the usual chemical replacement approach. The authors examined the neurogenic effects of dopamine D3 receptor activation in hemiparkinsonian adult rats. The number of dopamine neurons in the SNC were greatly reduced 2 weeks after unilateral treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine. Subsequent intraventricular infusion of the D3 receptor agonist 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT) led to proliferation of cells, some of which matured into dopaminergic neurons. After 8 weeks of treatment, the number of dopamine neurons and their nigrostriatal projections had recovered to ∼75% of those on the contralateral side. The rats displayed substantial behavioral recovery as well, as tested after a 3 d drug washout to prevent acute effects of the agonist. Using drug-induced rotational analysis, the authors observed improved locomotor asymmetry after 4-8 weeks of treatment with 7-OH-DPAT. Treated rats also improved their performance on a skilled reaching task.

Jackalina M. Van Kampen and Christopher B. Eckman

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Restorative Dopamine Treatment In Hemiparkinsonian Rats