CEREBROVASCULAR AND METABOLIC UNCOUPLING IN THE CAUDATE-PUTAMEN FOLLOWING UNILATERAL LESION OF THE MESENCEPHALIC DOPAMINERGIC-NEURONS IN THE RAT

Changes in local cerebral blood flow (ICBF) and local cerebral glucose utilization (lCGU) were assessed in dopaminergic primary target areas in the rat 6 weeks after unilateral lesion of dopaminergic neurons wi thin the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and adjacent ventrotegme ntal area (VTA) using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). lCBF and lCGU were d etermined using the autoradiographic [C-14]iodoantipyrine and [C-14]2- deoxyglucose method. Dopaminergic deafferentation provoked a marked un ilateral lCBF decrease in the dorso-lateral portion of the rostral cau date-putamen. The decrease in lCBF was not associated with significant changes in glucose metabolism. Thus, lesions of dopaminergic afferent s to the caudate-putamen appear to provoke a sustained decrease in bas al blood flow with unchanged local metabolic activity.