Pedunculopontine nucleus electric stimulation alleviates akinesia independently of dopaminergic mechanisms

Ned Jenkinson, Dipankar Nandi, Rebecca Oram, John F Stein, Tipu Z Aziz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The symptom of Parkinson's disease that is most disabling and difficult to treat is akinesia. We have previously shown that low-frequency stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus can alleviate such akinesia in a macaque rendered Parkinsonian using 1-methyl 4-phenyl 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Here, we have extended that study to show that adding stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus to levodopa treatment in this Parkinsonian monkey increased its motor activity significantly more than levodopa alone. This additivity suggests that pedunculopontine nucleus stimulation may improve movement by acting at a site downstream from where levodopa therapy affects the basal ganglia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)639-41
Number of pages3
JournalNeuroReport
Volume17
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 24 Apr 2006

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Dopamine
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Levodopa
  • MPTP Poisoning
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Motor Activity
  • Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus
  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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