SPECIFIC INFECTION AND DESTRUCTION OF DOPAMINERGIC-NEURONS IN THE SUBSTANTIA-NIGRA BY THEILERS VIRUS

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus was stereotaxically inoculate d unilaterally into the substantia nigra of the mouse brain. Virus spe cifically infected tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons and spread ro strocaudally throughout this subpopulation of neurons, resulting in im paired function and degeneration of the substantia nigra. The spread o f the virus to other areas of the brain was minimal and rare.