Dopamine D2 Receptors in the Paraventricular Thalamus Attenuate Cocaine Locomotor Sensitization.

Alterations in thalamic dopamine (DA) or DA D2 receptors (D2Rs) have been measured in drug addiction and schizophrenia, but the relevance of thalamic D2Rs for behavior is largely unknown. Using hybridization and mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the promoter, we found that D2R expression within the thalamus is enriched in the paraventricular nucleus (PVT) as well as in more ventral midline thalamic nuclei. Within the PVT, D2Rs are inhibitory as their activation inhibits neuronal action potentials in brain slices.

Enhanced left-finger deftness following dominant upper- and lower-limb amputation.

Background: After amputation, the sensorimotor cortex reorganizes, and these alterations might influence motor functions of the remaining extremities.

Objective: The authors examined how amputation of the dominant or nondominant upper or lower extremity alters deftness in the intact limbs.

Methods: The participants were 32 unilateral upper- or lower-extremity amputees and 6 controls.

Normalization of horizontal pseudoneglect following right, but not left, upper limb amputation.

Objectives: Subjects who have suffered limb amputations are known to have physiological alterations of their body's representation, or schema. Such changes of brain function might alter the right-left spatial allocation of attention. The goal of this study was to learn if, compared to normal subjects, limb amputees had alterations of right-left spatial attention.