Unilateral ibotenic acid lesions of the prefrontal cortex reduce rotational behavior in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats.

Abstract

Rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced lesions of the substantia nigra are used as a model of Parkinson.s disease (PD), and these "lesioned" rats exhibit a rotational behavior when further injected with apomorphine (APO). We examined whether lesions in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) could modify the rotational behavior in PD model rats. Rats initially received unilateral lesions of the substantia nigra by 6-OHDA injection, and then their rotational behavior was measured. Two PFC lesions were achieved by intracerebral infusions of ibotenic acid, followed by measurement of APO-induced rotation. Rotation was reduced by approximately 30% after PFC injury. The PFC may have functional influence on the basal ganglia and may be involved in the pathophysiology of the rotational behavior of PD model rats.