High frequency stimulation of the entopeduncular nucleus sets the cortico-basal ganglia network to a new functional state in the dystonic hamster

Neurobiol Dis. 2009 Sep;35(3):399-405. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2009.05.022. Epub 2009 Jun 6.

Abstract

High frequency stimulation (HFS) of the internal pallidum is effective for the treatment of dystonia. Only few studies have investigated the effects of stimulation on the activity of the cortex-basal ganglia network. We here assess within this network the effect of entopeduncular nucleus (EP) HFS on the expression of c-Fos and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) in the dt(sz)-hamster, a well-characterized model of paroxysmal dystonia. In dt(sz)-hamsters, we identified abnormal activity in motor cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. These structures have already been linked to the pathophysiology of human dystonia. EP-HFS (i) increased striatal c-Fos expression in controls and dystonic hamsters and (ii) reduced thalamic c-Fos expression in dt(sz)-hamsters. EP-HFS had no effect on COI expression. The present results suggest that EP-HFS induces a new network activity state which may improve information processing and finally reduces the severity of dystonic attacks in dt(sz)-hamsters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basal Ganglia / physiopathology*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Corpus Striatum / physiopathology
  • Cricetinae
  • Deep Brain Stimulation*
  • Dystonia / physiopathology
  • Dystonia / therapy*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Entopeduncular Nucleus / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Neural Pathways / physiopathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • Electron Transport Complex IV