However, the noradrenaline (NA) effects in the BLA have not been differentiated among medium- to large-sized GABAergic neurons and principal cells, and remain to be elucidated in terms of their underlying mechanisms. Glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) is a biosynthetic enzyme of GABA and is specifically expressed in GABAergic neurons.

PRN1371 To facilitate the study of the NA effects on GABAergic neurons in live preparations, we generated GAD67-green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in mice, in which GFP was expressed under the control of an endogenous GAD67 gene promoter. Here, we show that GFP was specifically expressed in GABAergic neurons in the BLA of this GAD67-GFP knock-in mouse. Under whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in vitro, we identified a certain subpopulation of GABAergic neurons in the BLA chiefly on

the basis of the electrophysiological Selleck BAY 73-4506 properties. When depolarized by a current injection, these neurons, which are referred to as type A, generated action potentials at relatively low frequency. We found that NA directly excited type-A cells via alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, whereas its effects on the other types of neurons were negligible. Two ionic mechanisms were involved in this excitability: the activation of nonselective cationic conductance and the suppression of the resting K(+) conductance. NA also increased the frequency of spontaneous IPSCs in the principal cells of the BLA. It is suggested that the NA-dependent excitation of type-A cells attenuates the BLA output for a certain period. (C) 2008 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Stereotactic surgical interventions for Parkinson’s disease (PD) can considerably improve appendicular motor signs, but their effect on axial motor signs-especially balance control under optimal drug therapy-remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation selleck chemicals on levodopa-resistant axial and appendicular postural impairment in PD.

Fourteen patients (11 with young-onset PD) and 18 age-matched controls

were included. Patients were tested after intake of a suprathreshold levodopa dose, ensuring optimal response to drug therapy, and with stimulators both turned on and off. Balance control was assessed using multidirectional dynamic posturography. Outcome measures included full body kinematics and surface electromyography of paraspinal and deltoid muscles.

Patients with stimulators turned off showed early decreased trunk roll with a loss of directional dependency, followed by increased and abnormally directed-i.e. destabilizing-trunk roll. Pelvis pitch motion showed decreased directional dependency in these patients. The abnormal trunk motion was not corrected by STN stimulation, but directional dependency of both trunk and pelvis motion partially improved, along with a general decrease in muscle activity.