Nucleus Parafascicularis Thalami


The effects of systemically administered morphine on the release and metabolism of serotonin (5-HT) in Nucleus parafascicularis thalami were evaluated using in vivo microdialysis.  

The antinociceptive action of morphine microinjected into the Nucleus parafascicularis thalami (nPf) on pain behaviors organized at different levels of the neuraxis was examined in the rat.  

The bilateral administration of the serotonin receptor antagonist methysergide (2.5 microg, 5 microg, and 10 microg) into either the central nucleus of the amygdala (ACe) or Nucleus parafascicularis thalami (nPf) produced dose-dependent inhibition of the antinociceptive action of ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vPAG)-administered morphine.  

The relative contribution of serotonin (5HT) neurotransmission within the medulla (rostral ventromedial medulla) and forebrain (amygdaloid central nucleus and Nucleus parafascicularis thalami) to the antinociceptive action of morphine microinjected into the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vPAG) was evaluated.  

The effects of GABA and 5-HT on the electric activities of neurons of Nucleus parafascicularis thalami (Pf) were observed in anesthetized rats with multimicropipete and iontophoresis and technique.  

The effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and atropine on the electric activities of neurons of Nucleus parafascicularis thalami (Pf) were observed in anesthetized rats with multimicropipette technique and iontophoresis.  

Such movements can be induced by chronic treatment with neuroleptics or by lesions placed in the habenular interpeduncular tract or Nucleus parafascicularis thalami.  

In contrast, only GABA-induced circling was reduced by the electrolesion of the ipsilateral Nucleus parafascicularis thalami (PF).  

Numerous NT-IR perikarya were found in the nuclei amygdaloidei, nuclei septi interventriculare, hypothalamus, Nucleus parafascicularis thalami, substantia grisea centralis mesencephali, ventral medulla oblongata, nucleus solitarius and spinal cord.  

Histological analysis of the brain of one of the monkeys revealed a dorsal lesion involving the region of the Nucleus parafascicularis thalami.  

In the thalamus, morphine also induced significant increases of GABA content and GAD activity in the vicinity of the ventrolateral part of the ventral nucleus (VM), entopeduncular nucleus (EP), nucleus reuniens thalami (RE), Nucleus parafascicularis thalami (PF) and interpeduncular nucleus (IP), respectively.  


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