Journal
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS
Volume 11, Issue 1-2, Pages 83-90Publisher
INFORMA HEALTHCARE
DOI: 10.3109/17482960902977954
Keywords
ALS; CB1 receptors; endocannabinoids; EPSC; IPSC
Categories
Funding
- Italian National Ministero dell'Universita e della Ricerca
- Italian National Ministero della Salute
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects motor neurons. However, additional neuronal systems are also involved, and the aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of the nucleus striatum. By means of neurophysiological recordings in slices, we have investigated both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the striatum of G93A-SOD1 ALS mice, along with the sensitivity of these synapses to cannabinoid CB1 receptor stimulation. We have observed reduced frequency of glutamate-mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and increased frequency of GABA-mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) recorded from striatal neurons of ALS mice, possibly due to presynaptic defects in transmitter release. The sensitivity of cannabinoid CB1 receptors controlling both glutamate and GABA transmission was remarkably potentiated in ALS mice, indicating that adaptations of the endocannabinoid system might be involved in the pathophysiology of ALS. In conclusion, our data identify possible physiological correlates of striatal dysfunction in ALS mice, and suggest that cannabinoid CB1 receptors might be potential therapeutic targets for this dramatic disease.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available
© Peeref 2019-2024. All rights reserved.