NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN HUMAN SUBTHALAMIC NUCLEUS, STRIATUM AND GLOBUS-PALLIDUS - IMPLICATIONS FOR BASAL GANGLIA FUNCTION

The distribution of NOS mRNA within human basal ganglia was investigat ed using in situ hybridisation histochemistry (ISHH). Greater than 95% of subthalamic nucleus neurons were NOS mRNA-positive, between 1.5% a nd 2% of striatal neurons were positive and scattered NOS mRNA-positiv e 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.