Optogenetic Stimulation of the M2 Cortex Reverts Motor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease.

ABSTRACT: Neuromodulation of deep brain structures (deep brain stimulation) is the current surgical procedure for treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Less studied is the stimulation of cortical motor areas to treat PD symptoms, although also known to alleviate motor disturbances in PD. We were able to show that optogenetic activation of secondary (M2) motor cortex improves motor functions in dopamine-depleted male mice. The stimulated M2 cortex harbors glutamatergic pyramidal neurons that project to subcortical structures, critically involved in motor control, and makes synaptic contacts with dopaminergic neurons. Strikingly, optogenetic activation of M2 neurons or axons into the dorsomedial striatum increases striatal levels of dopamine and evokes locomotor activity. We found that dopamine neuro

SUBMITTER: Magno LAV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6788829 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature