Abstract

By using non-isostopic in situ hybridization we have demonstrated a transient increase of BDNF mRNA in the lateral subregion of the substantia nigra pars reticulata 1 week after intrastriatal application of 6-OH-DA. These changes correlate with a partial reduction of dopamine (DA) content in the striatum but with a normal tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in substantia nigra pars compacta. Our data suggest that non-DA, BDNF expressing cells in substantia nigra pars reticulata may play a role in neuronal protection after partial lesions of the DA nigrostriatal pathway. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.