Localisation of glutamate receptors in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the monkey
Ong, W.Y.; He, Y.; Garey, L.J.
Journal für Hirnforschung 38(3): 291-298
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-8359 PMID: 9350499 Document Number: 475787
The distribution of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits GluR1, GluR2/3 and NMDAR1, and meta-botropic receptor mGluR1 alpha was studied in the monkey substantia nigra. High levels of immunoreactivity to GluR1, GluR2/3 and NMDAR1, and moderate levels of immunoreactivity to mGluR1 alpha were observed in the substantia nigra pars compacta. GluR1 and GluR2/3 were mostly in cell bodies and larger stem dendrites, whilst NMDAR1 and mGluR1 alpha were present on medium sized and small dendrites, respectively. The substantia nigra receives glutamatergic afferents from the subthalamic nucleus and the frontal cortex. Overactivity of the subthalamic nucleus, coupled with high levels of glutamate receptors on the neurons in the pars compacta, could predispose these neurons to excitotoxic injury, and could contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease.