Regional specialization of motor functions in the rat striatum: implications for the treatment of parkinsonism

Abstract

1. Behavioral studies of rats with ibotenic acid-induced lesions of distinctive regions of the rostral striatum demonstrated clearcut motoric impairments after lesions of the lateral striatum, but not after lesions of the medial striatum. 2. Differential effects of dorsolateral and ventrolateral lesions on segmental bodily movements indicated a somatomotor map in the lateral region. 3. Neurotoxic lesions of the lateral striatum produced deficits of motor energizing analogous to those of human parkinsonism. 4. These results support the hypothesis that neurodegenerative processes affecting the lateral striatum (putamen) in humans may specifically account for parkinsonian symptoms. 5. The implications of this hypothesis for the treatment of parkinsonism using the grafting technique are discussed.