Li Guang-Ying, Zhuang Qian-Xing, Li Bin, Wang Jian-Jun, Zhu Jing-Ning
State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
Sheng Li Xue Bao. 2017 Oct 25;69(5):611-622.
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is the only excitatory glutamatergic nucleus in the basal ganglia circuitry. It not only is a key node in the classical indirect pathway, but also forms the "hyperdirect" pathway directly connecting the cortex, and even is implicated as a pacemaker for activity of whole basal ganglia. Due to the key position of STN in the basal ganglia circuitry, the STN is an optimal target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the neurosurgical treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the therapeutic mechanisms underlying the amelioration of parkinsonian motor dysfunctions induced by DBS on STN remain enigmatic. This paper reviews recent progresses in the studies on the input-output configurations and functions of STN in the basal ganglia circuitry, and summarizes the hypotheses for mechanisms of DBS for the treatment of motor dysfunctions in PD. Studying on the DBS mechanisms will not only help to develop strategies for treatment of PD, but also contribute to the understanding of functions of the basal ganglia circuitry.
丘脑底核（STN）是基底神经节回路中唯一的兴奋性谷氨酸能核团。它不仅是经典间接通路中的关键节点，还形成了直接连接皮层的“超直接”通路，甚至被认为是整个基底神经节活动的起搏器。由于STN在基底神经节回路中的关键位置，在帕金森病（PD）的神经外科治疗中，STN是深部脑刺激（DBS）的最佳靶点。然而，DBS改善STN诱导的帕金森运动功能障碍的治疗机制仍不清楚。本文综述了近期关于STN在基底神经节回路中的输入-输出结构和功能的研究进展，并总结了DBS治疗PD运动功能障碍的机制假说。对DBS机制的研究不仅有助于制定PD的治疗策略，也有助于理解基底神经节回路的功能。
