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GABAergic neurotransmission in globus pallidus and its involvement inneurologic disorders

Ma Aiqun

Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University. Xi'an 710061, China

Abstract

The globus pallidus occupies a critical position in the ‘indirect' pathway of the basal ganglia and, as such, plays an important role in the modulation of movement. In recent years, the importance of the globus pallidus in the normal and malfunctioned basal ganglia is emerging. However, the function and operation of various transmitter systems in this nucleus are largely unknown. GABA is the major neurotransmitter involved in the globus pallidus. By means of electrophysiological recording, immunohistochemistry and behavioral studies, new information on the distribution and functions of the GABAergic neurotransmission in the rat globus pallidus has been generated. Morphological studies revealed the existence of GABAA receptor, including its benzodiazepine binding site, and GABAB receptor in globus pallidus. At subcellular level, GABAA receptors are located at the postsynaptic sites of symmetric synapses (putative GABAergic synapses).

Key words: Globus pallidus;GABA;Parkinson's disease;Seizure

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Citing This Article：

Ma Aiqun. GABAergic neurotransmission in globus pallidus and its involvement inneurologic disorders. Acta Physiol Sin 2004; 56 (4): (in Chinese with English abstract).