Localization and role of cholecystokinin and its receptors in the functional organization of the basal ganglia
Schiffmann, S.
Bulletin et Memoires de l'Academie Royale de Medecine de Belgique 148(10): 370-379
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-8231 PMID: 7987278 Document Number: 418657
In human, cholecystokinin-immunoreactive nerve fibres are abundantly distributed in the ventral striatum and in other regions of the basal ganglia interconnected with the limbic system. This suggests that this neuropeptide is involved in the initiation of movements following emotional stimuli. The demonstration of an extended cholecystokinin expression in cortico-, thalamo-, and nigrostriatal pathways using in situ hybridization indicates that this neuromodulator may have some important functions either in motor, cognitive or limbic systems. In addition, disruption of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway induces the expression of cholecystokinin in the striatal neurons. This new example of functional plasticity suggests that dopamine exerts a negative tonus on cholecystokinin expression. Finally, cholecystokinin expression is increased in meso-limbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons of schizophrenic patients.