0:00
The topic of this
lecture will be the role
of synaptic plasticity
in striatal function.
This topic is of great importance
both for the physiology
of basal ganglia as well
as for the understanding
of the pathophysiology
of movement disorders
such as Parkinson's disease.
0:23
This presentation will
summarize some critical aspects
of striatal synaptic plasticity in
both physiological and autological
conditions.
We will present data dealing
with the role of dopamine
in basil ganglia and
Parkinson's disease.
We will discuss how synaptic
plasticity plays a key role
in the regulation of physiological
activity of the striatum
and in pathogenetic conditions
such as Parkinson's disease,
and we will also discuss the
interaction between dopamine
and other neurotransmitter
systems in
both physiological and
pathological condition.
Finally, we will show a few
experiments in which the role
of synaptic plasticity
will also be presented
from clinical data in
Parkinson's disease patients.
1:23
The first aspect presented
here will be the critical role
of basal ganglia and dopamine
in motor and nonmotor functions
involving selection processes.
1:38
The complex circuitry
of the basal ganglia
and the dopaminergic
transmission are
involved in a wide
range of functions.
They have been implicated
not only in motor function
but also in reward, perception,
learning, and memory.
All these functions require
selection processes,
and striatal synaptic
plasticity plays
a critical role in these selections.