Accession Number:

ADA450576

Title:

Kainate Receptors in the Striatum: Implications for Excitotoxicity in Huntington's Disease

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 15 Jul 1999-14 Jul 2005

Corporate Author:

EMORY UNIV ATLANTA GA

Personal Author(s):

• Smith, Yoland

Report Date:

2005-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

145.0

Abstract:

The goal of the work presented in this report was to understand the localization and functior of kainate receptors KARs in the basal ganglia, a group of brain structures affected in Huntingtons and Parkinsons diseases. KARs are part of a family called ionotropic glutamate receptors. Using specific antibodies and glutamate-related compounds, we have achieved successfully a series of studies of the localization and function of these receptors in the striatum and globus pallidus, two key structures of the basal ganglia circuitry. Our findingC reveal three main features about KARs 1 They have a pattern of distribution strikingly different from other ionotropic glutamate receptors, 2 They mediate slow and long-lasting excitation and 3 They are often expressed pre-synaptically where they act as auto- or heteroreceptors to modulate glutamatergic or GABAergic transmission. These findings pave the way for a better understanding of KARs function in the basal ganglia and provide novel targets for therapeutic approaches in movement disorders.

Descriptors:

• *GLUTAMIC ACID
• *NERVE CELLS
• *PATHOGENESIS
• *ANTIBODIES
• *PARKINSONS DISEASE
• *GENETIC DISEASES
• BRAIN
• MOTOR NEURONS
• GANGLIA
• NEUROTOXINS
• RECEPTOR SITES(PHYSIOLOGY)
• THERAPY
• CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
• TOXICITY

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medicine and Medical Research
• Toxicology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE