SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Putamen”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1985

Projection of the digit and wrist area of precentral gyrus to the putamen: relation between topography and physiological properties of neurons in the putamen.

The autoradiographic technique was used to examine the projection from the digit and wrist area of the precentral gyrus to the putamen in two macaque monkeys. Motor responses elicited by intracortical microstimulation were mapped to guide selection of the site of injection of isotope. Additionally, an electrophysiological study of the activity of putamen neurons during voluntary movements of the distal arm in an awake monkey was performed prior to the anatomical study in one of the animals. Two major findings resulted from this study. Firstly, the area of representation of the digits and wrist in area 4 gives rise to a substantial projection to the putamen. The distribution of terminals consisted of a simple pattern of clusters at anterior levels of the putamen. At caudal levels in the putamen, the clusters merged into a single diagonal band of label. This basic pattern was found to be virtually identical in the two monkeys. Secondly, the location of neurons in the putamen which were activated during voluntary movements of the distal arm was closely associated with the terminal distribution of fibers from the digit and wrist zone of area 4. These data provide strong evidence to support the idea that the putamen is concerned with motor function of distal muscles of the arm, and that the topographic characteristics of the corticoputamen projection are closely related to the physiological properties of individual neurons in the putamen.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Improved functional outcome in patients with hemorrhagic stroke in putamen and thalamus compared with those with stroke restricted to the putamen or thalamus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We analyzed the effect of late intensive inpatient rehabilitation on the functional outcome of patients with subcortical hemorrhagic stroke. METHODS: Patients who were nonambulatory with hemorrhagic stroke in the internal capsule and putamen (n=55), the thalamus (n=24), or all 3 regions (n=15) underwent intensive inpatient rehabilitation. Patients with surgical intervention or an episode of ventricular hemorrhage were excluded. Lesion location was evaluated by MRI 4 months after the ictus. RESULTS: Demographic data, initial disability, and impairment measures were comparable in the 3 groups. Functional outcome demonstrated significant differences in mobility subscores (P<0.05) of the Functional Independence Measure such that patients with injury in the 3 regions were more likely to ambulate independently than were patients in the other groups. Lesion location data demonstrated that the ventral anterior nucleus of the thalamus was always spared; the ventral posterior (lateral and medial) nucleus was always damaged, and the ventral lateral nucleus was frequently damaged. Putaminal damage always included the postcommissural area. In addition, the entire posterior half limb of the internal capsule was always damaged. CONCLUSIONS: Subcortical lesions to multiple structures in the basal ganglia-thalamocortical motor circuits permitted enhanced motor recovery. Lesion location predicted the level of independent ambulation and the rate of recovery in patients with stroke who were nonambulatory before neurorehabilitation therapy.

Aged↗

PubMed1983

The subcortical afferents to caudate nucleus and putamen in primate: a fluorescence retrograde double labeling study.

The cellular origin and degree of collateralization of the subcortical afferents to the caudate nucleus and the putamen in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were studied using the following combinations of fluorescent retrograde tracers: Evans blue and DAPI-Primuline, Fast blue and Nuclear yellow, True blue and Nuclear yellow. After the injections, cells containing the tracer delivered in caudate nucleus (caudate-labeled cells) and others labeled with the complementary tracer injected in putamen (putamen-labeled cells) occur in large number in intralaminar nuclei, substantia nigra pars compacta, midbrain raphe nuclei and central midbrain tegmentum. In addition, a small to moderate number of putamen-labeled cells is found in external pallidum, pulvinar and laterodorsal thalamic nuclei, and basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, whereas some caudate and putamen-labeled cells are scattered in ventral tegmental area and locus coeruleus. However, ver few double-labeled cells are present in all these structures. In rostral intralaminar nuclei, the labeled cells are not confined to the know cytoarchitectonic boundaries of the nuclei but impinge slightly upon ventrolateral and mediodorsal nuclei. At this level, the caudate-labeled cells lie more dorsally and medially relative to putamen-labeled cells, but a high degree of intermingling exists and some double-labeled cells occur particularly in nucleus centralis lateralis. In caudal intralaminar nuclei, caudate-labeled cells are strictly confined to parafascicular nucleus and putamen-labeled cells present only in centre median, without any overlap between the two neuronal populations. In substantia nigra pars compacta, clusters of caudate-labeled cells are closely intermingled with clusters of putamen-labeled cells according to a complex mosaic-like pattern that varies along the rostrocaudal extent of the structure. Overall, however, caudate-labeled cells predominate rostrodorsally and putamen-labeled cells are more abundant caudoventrally in substantia nigra pars compacta, with only a few double-labeled cells. Some caudate and putamen-labeled cells are also scattered in contralateral substantia nigra pars compacta. In dorsal raphe nucleus, putamen labeled cells tend to occupy a more lateral position relative to caudate-labeled cells, with again very few double-labeled neurons. The caudate and putamen-labeled cells are less numerous and more closely intermingled in nucleus centralis superior. Numerous striatal afferent cells are also found bilaterally in the peribrachial region of midbrain tegmentum, comprising the pedunculopontine nucleus area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed1998

Putamen volume in idiopathic focal dystonia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the volume of the putamen is abnormal in patients with idiopathic focal dystonia. BACKGROUND: The cause of adult-onset focal dystonia is unknown, but substantial evidence suggests that the putamen may be abnormal in this condition. Cell loss and gliosis have been suggested. We hypothesized that this might be reflected as abnormal putamen volume on MRI. DESIGN AND METHODS: A high-resolution MRI was acquired in 13 adults with cranial or hand dystonia and 13 normal individuals matched for age and sex. Putamen volume was measured using a stereologic method (Study 1). In a replication study, another rater measured putamen volume using manual tracing and direct voxel count (Study 2). Neither rater was aware of the diagnosis, and the order of measurement was random in each study. RESULTS: In Study 1, putamen measurements were reasonably accurate (coefficient of error, approximately 6%). The putamen was 13% larger in patients, both in absolute terms (p = 0.03) and after covarying total brain volume (p = 0.02). In Study 2, putamen volumes correlated with those measured in Study 1 (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.68 to 0.83). The putamen was 8% larger in patients (p = 0.06) and was larger in the patient than in the matched control subject in 10 of 13 pairs (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: We find no evidence of putaminal atrophy or degeneration in adult-onset idiopathic focal dystonia. In fact, in this group, the putamen is about 10% larger in patients than in matched control subjects. This finding may reflect a response to the dystonia or may relate to its cause.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Expression of dopamine D2 receptor and choline acetyltransferase mRNA in the dopamine deafferented rat caudate-putamen.

In situ hybridization was used to study dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA expression in neurons of the rat forebrain, both on control animals and after a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of midbrain dopamine neurons. D2R mRNA expressing neurons were seen in regions which are known to be heavily innervated by midbrain dopamine fibers such as caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle. ChAT mRNA expressing neurons were seen in caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens and septal regions including vertical limb of the diagonal band. In caudate-putamen, approximately 55% of the medium sized neurons, which is the predominating neuronal cell-size in this region, were specifically labeled with the D2R probe. In addition, approximately 95% of the large size neurons in caudate-putamen were specifically labeled with both the D2R and ChAT probes, suggesting that most cholinergic neurons in the caudate-putamen express D2R mRNA. After a unilateral lesion of midbrain dopamine neurons, no change in the level of either D2R or ChAT mRNA were seen in the large size intrinsic cholinergic neurons in caudate-putamen. Similarly, no evidence was obtained for altered levels of D2R mRNA in medium size neurons in medial caudate-putamen, or nucleus accumbens. However, an increase in the number of medium size neurons expressing D2R mRNA was observed in the lateral part of the dopamine deafferented caudate-putamen. Thus, it appears that midbrain dopamine deafferentation causes an increase in D2R mRNA expression in a subpopulation of medium size neurons in the lateral caudate-putamen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1987

Quantitative autoradiography of dopamine D2 sites in rat caudate-putamen: localization to intrinsic neurons and not to neocortical afferents.

Dopamine D2 receptors, labeled with [3H]spiroperidol or [3H]sulpiride, show a lateral-to-medial gradient in the caudate-putamen, with a more than two-fold greater density laterally than medially. It has been thought that D2 receptors are located on at least two neuronal elements of the caudate-putamen, neurons intrinsic to this structure and axons whose cell bodies reside in the cortex. As a first step in establishing what neuronal elements underlie this heterogeneous organization of D2 receptors, we took advantage of quantitative autoradiography to examine the association of these receptors with those elements. The present findings show that the D2 sites are almost exclusively located on neurons whose somata reside in the caudate-putamen and are not located on terminals of corticostriatal axons. A detailed comparison of the distribution of histochemically identified acetylcholinesterase neurons with that of D2 receptors in serially adjoining sections suggests a common organizational pattern. The density of [3H]spiroperidol sites in rat caudate-putamen was determined after unilateral injection of the neurotoxin quinolinic acid into this structure or after ablation of neocortical regions. Quantification of the tissue damage was achieved by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry (following diisopropylfluorophosphate treatment), as well as by thionin and luxol fast staining of sections adjacent to those used for [3H]spiroperidol autoradiography. In identically treated animals, biochemical determination of the extent of tissue damage was made utilizing assays for high-affinity [3H]choline and [3H]glutamate uptake in the caudate-putamen. In quinolinic acid-injected rats, the density of D2 sites was decreased by 90-95% at the site of complete loss of large acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons. Other animals, given ablations of specific neocortical fields (medial prefrontal, motor, somatosensory) or of the entire parietal-frontal cortex of one hemisphere, showed no loss of caudate-putamen D2 sites unless the cortical ablation caused accompanying damage of the caudate-putamen. In the caudate-putamen of all animals there was a close correspondence between the D2 sites and the striatal neurons (and processes) that show strong acetylcholinesterase reactivity. We suggest that the caudate-putamen topography of D2 sites is based largely on the internal organization of this structure and may preferentially involve acetylcholine-containing intrinsic neurons.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1983

[3H]corticosterone binding in the caudate-putamen.

Autoradiographic data indicate little specific binding of corticosterone in the caudate-putamen. However, chronic glucocorticoid treatment has been reported to alter certain biochemical parameters within the caudate-putamen, including high-affinity choline uptake. We asked whether glucocorticoid receptors in the caudate-putamen of adrenalectomized rats could be detected by a biochemical approach. We determined the amount of specific [3H]corticosterone binding in cytosols from the caudate-putamen and the ability of nuclei in this brain region to retain [3H]corticosterone in vivo. Results indicated that 72 h post-adrenalectomy, the caudate-putamen has 56% of the maximal binding capacity of the hippocampus (205 +/- 11 vs 361 +/- 19 fmol/mg protein). The apparent Kd of [3H]corticosterone in the two tissues did not differ substantially. The cytosolic binding capacity of the caudate-putamen was similar to that of the cerebellum, a brain region which also fails to demonstrate marked retention of glucocorticoids in autoradiographic studies. When cytosol binding was measured at a shorter time period after adrenalectomy (12 h), no differences were observed between the binding capacities of the hippocampus and the caudate-putamen. In competition experiments using [3H]corticosterone as ligand, no differences between the caudate-putamen and the hippocampus were found in the relative affinities of any of 8 steroids; the order of relative affinities obtained was in good agreement with those reported for the classical glucocorticoid receptor in other tissues. Rats were injected via the tail vein with [3H]corticosterone, 36 nmol/kg, an amount calculated to saturate more than half the nuclear sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and its competitive antagonist, 3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP), injected into caudate-putamen on kindled amygdaloid seizures in rats.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) is an agonist of NMDA receptors and 3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) is an NMDA receptor antagonist. NMDA (1 or 2 nmol per side) or CPP (2.5 or 10 nmol per side) was injected into the bilateral caudate-putamen of amygdaloid-kindled rats. In addition, CPP (10 nmol) was ipsilaterally or contralaterally injected into the unilateral caudate-putamen. Either 20 min after NMDA or 60 min after CPP, the kindled amygdala was stimulated at the generalized seizure triggering threshold. In a few animals tested, injection of NMDA into the bilateral caudate-putamen produced transient spiking activity, with no clinical manifestations. This feature began about 5 min after the injection and lasted about 10 s. When these animals were excluded from the statistical analysis, NMDA in the caudate-putamen showed a weak and non-significant anticonvulsant action. Injection of CPP into the bilateral caudate-putamen caused no ictal change, but markedly suppressed the kindled seizures. Injection of CPP into the unilateral caudate-putamen, regardless of the site, did not cause any ictal change, or affect the stimulation of the amygdala. These findings suggest that: (1) NMDA receptors in the caudate-putamen facilitate the development of kindled amygdaloid seizures; (2) activation of NMDA receptors in the bilateral, but not in the unilateral, caudate-putamen is required for the generalization and expression of kindled amygdaloid seizures.

Amygdala↗

PubMed2003

Atrophy of the putamen in dementia with Lewy bodies but not Alzheimer's disease: an MRI study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the volume of the putamen on MRI in subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and age-matched normal control subjects, along with the relationship between putamen volume and severity of both extrapyramidal signs and cognitive impairment. METHODS: MRI-based volumetric measurements at 1.5 T of total intracranial volume, total brain volume, and putamen volume were acquired in elderly patients with AD (n = 27; 77.6 years) and DLB (n = 14; 76.2 years) and normal control subjects (n = 37; 75.4 years). Patients and control subjects also underwent a standardized neuropsychiatric examination including the motor subsection of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS III) and the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Patients with DLB had smaller raw putamen volumes than control subjects (right 12.5% reduction, p = 0.007; left 13.7% reduction, p = 0.003). When putamen volume was normalized to total intracranial volume, patients with DLB had significantly smaller volume ratios than both controls and patients with AD. Patients with AD did not differ from control subjects on any measure of putamen volume. Putamen volume did not correlate with age or with scores on UPDRS III, CAMCOG, or MMSE in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Atrophy of the putamen is a feature of DLB. This may be important in understanding the etiology of parkinsonian features seen in DLB, though in this study, no direct correlation was found between degree of volume loss and severity of parkinsonism.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Putamen volume reduction on magnetic resonance imaging exceeds caudate changes in mild Huntington's disease.

The characteristic pathological features of Huntington's disease (HD) are neostriatal atrophy and neuronal loss. Although neuroradiological studies often show caudate atrophy in patients with moderate HD, frequently no caudate atrophy is found early in the illness. There have been no quantitative reports to date on in vivo putamen volume measures in mild HD, although the structure is known to be neuropathologically involved in the illness. We measured volumes of caudate nucleus and putamen and bicaudate ratios (BCR) from magnetic resonance images, blind to diagnosis, in 15 patients with mild HD and 19 age- and sex-matched control subjects using a computerized image analysis system. The region showing greatest atrophy was the putamen, which was reduced 50.1% in mean volume in HD patients compared with control subjects (p less than 0.000001). In contrast, caudate volume was reduced 27.7% (p = 0.004). BCR was increased 28.5% in HD patients (p = 0.0002). Discriminant function analysis was 94% effective in identifying the diagnostic group based on putamen volume alone, whereas caudate measures had considerable overlap. Correction of putamen volume for head size led to 100% separation by group. Putamen measures and BCR correlated with neurological examination scores but caudate volume did not. Volumetric measurement of putamen is a more sensitive indicator of brain abnormalities in mild HD than measures of caudate atrophy.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Microinjections of flupenthixol into the caudate-putamen but not the nucleus accumbens, amygdala or frontal cortex of rats produce intra-session declines in food-rewarded operant responding.

Results of recent studies suggest that dopamine (DA) transmission in the caudate-putamen may be involved in food reward-related learning. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate this hypothesis by injecting the DA antagonist cis-flupenthixol (25 micrograms in 0.5 microliters) into the dorsal caudate-putamen of rats (n = 19) trained to lever press for food presented according to a variable interval 30-s schedule. Additional groups received non-reward (n = 8), systemic cis-flupenthixol (0.01, 0.1 mg/kg i.p.; ns = 8), dorsal caudate-putamen injections of the inactive isomer trans-flupenthixol (n = 10), frontal cortical (dorsal to the caudate-putamen site) injections of cis-flupenthixol (n = 6), or cis- or trans-flupenthixol injected into the nucleus accumbens (ns = 9, 8) or amygdala (ns = 6, 5). Rats were tested in 30-min sessions and response rates were recorded every 5 min. As expected, non-reward produced a gradual decline in responding. A similar pattern was seen in the groups receiving systemic (0.1 mg/kg) or dorsal caudate-putamen injections of cis-flupenthixol. No significant effect was seen following systemic (0.01 mg/kg), cortical or amygdala cis-flupenthixol or dorsal caudate-putamen or amygdala trans-flupenthixol. Accumbens cis-flupenthixol reduced rates but did not produce a gradual decline in responding; however, accumbens trans-flupenthixol led to a time-dependent elevation in response rates making interpretation of the accumbens results difficult. It was concluded that dopaminergic projections to the dorsal caudate-putamen may play a critical role in mediating the effects of food-reward on operant responding.

Amygdala↗

PubMed1997

Increased dopamine turnover in the putamen after MPTP treatment in common marmosets.

The differences in dopamine turnover rate between the putamen and the caudate nucleus in the striatum lesioned by a neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were studied in the common marmoset, a small New World monkey. Systemic administration of MPTP damaged equally and dose-dependently nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons projecting both to the caudate nucleus and the putamen. The compensatory increase of dopamine turnover, however, occurred more prominently in the putamen than in the caudate. The neural connection and function of the caudate nucleus and the putamen have been differentiated anatomically or physiologically. The compensatory increase of dopamine turnover rate is another different aspect of functions between the caudate nucleus and the putamen. Dopaminergic neurons projecting to the putamen showed more prominent cell loss than those projecting to the caudate in Parkinson's disease or related disorders. The selective augmented turnover rate of lesioned dopaminergic neurons might be, at least partly, involved with selective degeneration of nigrostriatal neurons projecting to the putamen.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

PubMed1994

Iron and other metals in neuromelanin, substantia nigra, and putamen of human brain.

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis has been used to determine the concentration of 36 elements in neuromelanin, 22 elements in substantia nigra, and 32 elements in putamen of healthy subjects without signs of neurological disorders. Substantia nigra and putamen tissues were carefully dissected from the brain using special surgical instruments and tools as well as an adequate sampling procedure to avoid the risk of metal contamination during sampling. Neuromelanin was isolated from putamen by a multiple-step procedure (extraction with phosphate buffer, lipid and protein elimination by methanol extraction, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-proteinase). The isolated pigment as well as substantia nigra and putamen underwent neutron activation analysis involving irradiation in a high-neutron-flux reactor, radiochemical separations, and counting of the induced radionuclides by computer-based gamma-ray spectrometry. Iron was the element present in the highest concentration in all analyzed samples. The amount of iron was similar in substantia nigra and putamen (3,000 and 3,830 ng/mg wet weight, respectively) and 10 times higher in neuromelanin (30,800 ng/mg dry weight). Zinc was also present at high levels in three samples, ranging from 16.8 (substantia nigra) to 1,500 ng/mg (neuromelanin). Elements such as Zn, Cr, Se, Sr, Co, Sb, Ni, Hg, Ce, Au, Ag, Ta, and Sc were present in neuromelanin at much higher concentrations than in substantia nigra and putamen. These findings indicate that substantia nigra and putamen contain metals at higher concentrations than observed in blood and that neuromelanin has a particular affinity for metals.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Neuronal activity of primate putamen during categorical perception of somaesthetic stimuli.

We have studied neuronal activity in the putamen of two monkeys trained to discriminate the speed of moving tactile stimuli. Animals pressed one of two target switches to indicate whether the speed of the probe across the skin was low or high. The activity of single neurones was recorded in the putamen ipsilateral to the glabrous skin of the stimulated hand and contralateral to the responding arm. During the task, we recorded neurones in the putamen that showed responses confined exclusively to the stimulus period of all speeds. A second class of putamen neurones responded during the stimulus period but continued discharging during the reaction and movement time period. None of these two classes of putamen neurones discharged when the same set of stimuli were delivered passively. A third class of putamen neurones responded differentially in the discrimination task and predicted whether the speed of the stimulus was low or high. A number of these neurones, which responded differentially during the categorization task, were tested in a light instruction task. This tested the possibility that these differential responses were associated with the intention to move the arm to one of the two target switches. Few neurones responded in this situation. These results indicate that the putamen, in addition to its role in motor regulation, is also involved in higher order aspects of sensory-motor behaviour and in the sensory decision process in this learned somaesthetic task.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

[The projections of the ventral field of the tegmentum mesencephali, substantia nigra and amygdaloid nuclei to different segments of the putamen in the dog].

Organization of protections of the complex "substantia nigraventral tegmental field" (SN-VTA) to dorsal and ventral segments of rostral and caudal regions of putamen was studied in dog by method based on retrograde axonic transport of horseradish peroxidase. A difference is found in organization of projections of subcortical formations studied both in rostro-caudal and dorso-ventral directions. Only compact SN part projects to putamen rostral region dorsal segment and both compact and dorsal SN parts--to this region ventral segment. Apart from these two parts of lateral SN area also project to putamen caudal regions dorsal and ventral segments. Limbic system structures projections to putamen dorsal and ventral segments make a significant difference as well. VTA and amygdala were found to project only to putamen anterior and posterior regions ventral segments and not to dorsal. Putamen rostral region ventral segment receive projection from all fibres from neurons of macro- and mediocellular parts of amygdala basal nucleus to the same extent and same segment located more caudally--mostly from its macrocellular part. In putamen ventral segments SN projection fibres end too and thus on this area overlapping of functionally different subcortical formations projections occurs.

Amygdala↗

PubMed1995

A comparison of the behavioural effects of embryonic nigral grafts in the caudate nucleus and in the putamen of marmosets with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions.

The behaviour of marmosets with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigrostriatal bundle and grafts of embryonic mesencephalon in either the caudate nucleus or the putamen was compared with that of lesion-alone and unoperated controls. The grafts comprised injections of cell suspensions prepared from marmoset ventral mesencephalon (i.e. allografts) targeted at four sites either entirely within the caudate nucleus or entirely within the putamen. Behavioural tests, including measures of amphetamine-induced rotation, neglect and use of each arm to retrieve food from inside tubes, were given before and after the 6-hydroxydopamine lesion and at regular intervals for 6 months after transplantation surgery. Grafts in the caudate nucleus reduced the ipsilateral rotation induced by amphetamine, whereas grafts in the putamen did not. Despite the absence of an effect on rotation, the putamen grafts were effective in reducing lesion-induced deficits on the task in which the marmosets were required to reach into tubes. In this latter task, the caudate grafts were also effective when the monkeys were given a free choice of which hand to use. However, when constrained to use the hand contralateral to the lesion and graft, the performance of the marmosets with caudate grafts was not significantly improved compared with that of lesion-alone controls. Neither the grafts in the caudate nucleus nor the grafts in the putamen abolished the contralateral somatosensory neglect induced by the lesion, although there was a trend for the marmosets with putamen grafts to contact the label on the contralateral side more quickly than those with caudate grafts or the lesion-alone controls. These results demonstrate that the location of embryonic nigral grafts within the primate striatum influences the profile of functional recovery.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Reduced levels of 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites in the putamen of patients with Huntington's disease.

The present study assessed 5-HT3 receptor recognition site levels in homogenates of putamen derived from patients with clinically and neurochemically diagnosed Huntington's disease or Parkinson's disease and those from age-, sex- and post-mortem delay-matched neurologically and psychiatrically normal patients to investigate the cellular location of 5-HT3 receptors in the human putamen. Specific [3H]granisetron (0.91 nM) binding (defined by ondansetron, 10 microM) was significantly reduced in putamen homogenates from eight out of ten patients with Huntington's disease compared to similar homogenates from 'control' patients (72 +/- 6 and 39 +/- 8 fmol/g wet weight, mean +/- S.E.M., n = 10 and 8, tissue from 'control' and Huntington's disease patients, respectively, P = 0.004). In contrast, specific [3H]granisetron (1.04 nM) binding levels were similar in putamen homogenates from patients with Parkinson's disease when compared to homogenates from 'control' patients. The present results indicate that at least a proportion of the 5-HT3 receptor population in the human putamen is located on neurones that have their cell bodies within this brain region and that these receptors are not primarily located on dopamine neurone terminals in the human putamen.

Dopamine↗

PubMed1996

Differences in the reduced 18F-Dopa uptakes of the caudate and the putamen in Parkinson's disease: correlations with the three main symptoms.

It has been reported that the F-Dopa (FD) uptake in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) decreased significantly in the caudate and putamen when compared to controls. The FD uptake severely decreased in the putamen, while it was relatively spared in the caudate nucleus. We also previously reported that atypical parkinsonism with no or little tremor showed a homogeneously reduced FD uptake in both the caudate and the putamen. In this study we evaluated the caudate and the putaminal FD uptakes in relation to the three main symptoms in PD. The FD uptake was measured by PET with 6-L-[18F]fluorodopa in 17 patients with PD. The caudate and the putaminal FD uptake ratios to the cerebellum at 120 min were evaluated. The caudate and the putaminal FD uptake ratios in the patients with PD decreased as their clinical stages advanced. These decreases also correlated with the degree of rigidity and bradykinesia. However, such decreases did not correlate with the degree of tremor. The caudate-putamen index (CPI)(%), which was calculated by a formula based on the difference in the uptakes of the caudate and putamen divided by the caudate uptake, indicated 11.6 +/- 3.6, 16.5 +/- 5.5 and 18.3 +/- 4.1 in the group of no, mild and moderate tremor, respectively, and increased as the degree of tremor advanced. The CPI in the group of moderate tremor significantly increased from that in the group of no tremor (P < 0.04). However, the CPI did not correlate with the clinical stage, the degree of rigidity or the degree of bradykinesia. The FD/PET study therefore effectively demonstrated the severity of the clinical symptoms of rigidity and bradykinesia in patients with PD in correlation with a decrease in the FD uptakes in the caudate and the putamen, and it also demonstrated that the severity of tremor might have a different mechanism from that of such other symptoms as rigidity and bradykinesia.

Adult↗