Increase in glutamate sensitivity of subthalamic nucleus neurons following bilateral decortication: a microiontophoretic study in the rat.

Responses of subthalamic neurons (STN) to the iontophoretic application of glutamate (Glu), acetylcholine (ACh) and GABA were studied in rats 2 or 3 weeks following bilateral decortication, and were compared to those obtained in normal animals. All the cells recorded in lesioned rats showed a decrease in their spontaneous firing rate. They also proved to be significantly more sensitive to the excitatory action of Glu, although their responsiveness to ACh or GABA was not modified.