Hyperactivity of Remaining Dopaminergic Neurones after Partial Destruction of the Nigro-striatal Dopaminergic System in the Rat

INJECTION of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the cell bodies of the substantia nigra of the rat has been found to produce a selective degeneration of the nigro-striatal dopaminergic pathway1. Electron microscopic2 and biochemical3 investigations have determined the specificity and extent of the nigral 6-OHDA induced damage. This model has been used in the present work to study the metabolism of dopamine (DA) in striatal nerve terminals of still undamaged neurones after different partial destructions of the nigro-striatal dopaminergic system.