Experimental neurology

Blocking two types of glutamate receptors in the emotion system causes opposite changes in depression-like behavior in rats with Parkinson’s symptoms

Updated

Abstract

Unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta induced depressive-like behaviors in rat models of Parkinson's disease.

  • Depressive-like behaviors were associated with increased hyperactivity of lateral habenula (LHb) neurons.
  • Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) by 3,5-DHPG enhanced depressive-like behaviors and increased the firing rate of LHb neurons.
  • 3,5-DHPG treatment resulted in decreased dopamine and serotonin levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of both sham and lesioned rats.
  • Blockade of mGluR1 produced effects similar to those of mGluR activation, while blockade of mGluR5 led to opposite effects.
  • Lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta down-regulated the expression of mGluR1 and mGluR5 in the LHb.

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