Oxidative stress plays an important role in neuronal cell death associated with many different neurodegenerative conditions such as cerebral ischemia and Parkinson's disease. Elevated levels of glutamate are thought to be responsible for CNS disorders through various mechanisms causing oxidative stress induced by a nonreceptor-mediated oxidative pathway which blocks cystine uptake and results i...

We established a methodology to analyze radioligand binding to the recombinant type la metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluRla). A full-length cDNA encoding mGluR1a, which was isolated from a lambda gt 11 cDNA library of human cerebellar origin, was expressed in a baculovirus/Sf9 insect cell system. Membrane fractions with recombinant receptor expression were analyzed for the binding of [3H]L-...

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is known to be a major center regulating sympathetic and cardiovascular activities. A possible association between neurovascular compression of the RVLM and essential hypertension has been indicated. The present study was performed to determine the role of angiotensin II (AngII) in the pressor and sympathetic responses to pulsatile compression of the RVL...

The neurobiological mechanisms by which high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN–HFS) alleviates the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of STN–HFS on motor behavior in intact or hemiparkinsonian rats (6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the substantia nigra pars compacta) and investigated the correlation between these effe...

The neurobiological mechanisms by which high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-HFS) alleviates the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of STN-HFS on motor behavior in intact or hemiparkinsonian rats (6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the substantia nigra pars compacta) and investigated the correlation between these effe...

Changes in the structure and function of the hippocampus contribute to epilepsy, schizophrenia and other neurological or mental disorders of the brain. Since the function of the hippocampus depends heavily on the glutamate (Glu) signaling pathways, in situ real-time detection of Glu neurotransmitter release and electrophysiological signals in hippocampus is of great significance. To achieve the...

The recent demonstration in bone cells of receptors for glutamate (Glu), a major neuromediator, suggests that Glu may also act as a signaling molecule in bone and regulate bone cell metabolism. Although bone is known to be innervated, the distribution and characteristics of nerve fibers in this tissue have not been well documented. We have studied the anatomical distribution of nerve fibers and...

Methamphetamine (METH) has been shown to increase the extracellular concentrations of both dopamine (DA) and glutamate (GLU) in the striatum. Dopamine, glutamate, or their combined effects have been hypothesized to mediate striatal DA nerve terminal damage. Although it is known that METH releases DA via reverse transport, it is not known how METH increases the release of GLU. We hypothesized th...

BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms that may underlie the sensitization of trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) and upper cervical spinal cord (C1-C2) neurons to heat or cold stimulation of the orofacial region following glutamate (Glu) injection. RESULTS Glu application to the tongue or whisker pad skin caused an enhancement of head-withdrawal re...

Consistent brain imaging findings demonstrate that neurobiological factors may contribute to the pathology of 'central' pain states such as fibromyalgia (FM). Studies using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggest that glutamate (Glu), a key excitatory neurotransmitter, may be present in higher concentrations within the brains of FM patients. This neurotransmitter imbalance is present in ...