Ionotropic and metabotropic GABA and glutamate receptors in primate basal ganglia

The functions of glutamate and GABA in the CNS are mediated by ionotropic a nd metabotropic, G protein-coupled, receptors. Both receptor families are w idely expressed in basal ganglia structures in primates and nonprimates. Th e recent development of highly specific antibodies and/or cDNA probes allow ed the better characterization of the cellular localization of various GABA and glutamate receptor subtypes in the primate basal ganglia. Furthermore, the use of high resolution immunogold techniques at the electron microscop ic level led to major breakthroughs in our understanding of the subsynaptic and subcellular localization of these receptors in primates. In this revie w, we will provide a detailed account of the current knowledge of the local ization of these receptors in the basal ganglia of humans and monkeys. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.