Nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in human subthalamic nucleus, striatum and globus pallidus: implications for basal ganglia function.

The distribution of NOS mRNA within human basal ganglia was investigated using in situ hybridisation histochemistry (ISHH). Greater than 95% of subthalamic nucleus neurons were NOS mRNA-positive, between 1.5% and 2% of striatal neurons were positive and scattered NOS mRNA-positive neurons were detected in the medial, but not lateral globus pallidus. Levels of NOS mRNA expression per neuron were considerably higher in the striatum than in the pallidum or subthalamus. These findings have implications for basal ganglia function and disease states.