Summary
Interference with the neuronal connection between the substantia nigra and striatum of rat by hemitransection at the subthalamic level or lesion of left side of striatum by a simple suction method was studied in relation to the concentration of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in both regions. Time interval studies, at two, six, and twelve days after hemitransection, showed that the GABA concentration in substantia nigra had markedly decreased, whereas only a slight change was shown on the striatum of the operated side. Destruction of the striatum by suction caused a significant fall of the GABA content in the ipsilateral side of substantia nigra. However, destruction of the frontal cortex alone did not cause any marked change in the GABA content of the substantia nigra. In addition, electron microscopic studies disclosed that within the synaptic organization of the substantia nigra approximately 20 % of the boutons contained elongated synaptic vesicles, and that, following coagulation of the striatum, some large axosomatic terminals containing elongated synaptic vesicles also underwent degeneration.
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Kim, J.S., Bak, I.J., Hassler, R. et al. Role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the extrapyramidal motor system. Exp Brain Res 14, 95–104 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234913
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234913