Dopaminergic mRNA expression in the intact substantia nigra of unilaterally 6-OHDA-lesioned and grafted rats: an in situ hybridization study.

The present study was performed to investigate the influence of intrastriatal fetal mesencephalic grafts on dopaminergic mRNA expression in the non-lesioned substantia nigra pars compacta of unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. The expression of dopamine transporter mRNA, synaptic vesicular monoamine transporter mRNA and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA was assessed in adjacent cryostat sections using in situ hybridization. Rotational behavior induced by apomorphine and amphetamine as well as hybridization of striatal sections cut at the grafting coordinates were used to prove the functional recovery and the presence of grafted cells, respectively.

Unilateral fetal mesencephalic grafts in intact rats reduce amphetamine-induced dopamine release in both striata. An in vivo voltammetric study.

This study investigated amphetamine-induced striatal dopamine release after intraventricular unilateral fetal mesencephalic grafts in otherwise intact rats. Dopamine was monitored in vivo by differential pulse voltammetry. In grafted animals, amphetamine-induced dopamine release was decreased compared to sham-grafted, age-matched controls.

Fetal mesencephalic grafts decrease the rate of dopamine uptake in the non-lesioned striatum of unilaterally 6-OHDA lesioned rats: an in vivo voltammetric study.

In the present study the influence of intraventricular fetal mesencephalic grafts on the elimination rate of extracellular dopamine (DA) in the non-lesioned striatum of previously unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats was investigated. The elimination of DA was measured after electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle in vivo before and after treatment with the high affinity uptake inhibitor GBR 12909 (20 mg/kg i.p.