Pedunculopontine nucleus: An integrative view with implications on Deep Brain Stimulation

Neurobiology of Disease

Salvatore Galati¹  Alain Kaelin²  Janine Ai-Schlaeppi³  Claudio Pollo³  Andreas Nowacki⁴  Claudio Bassetti⁴ 

[1] Corresponding author.;Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland;Department of Neurology, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland;Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland;

关键词: Deep Brain Stimulation;    Gait disorders;    Pedunculopontine;    Nucleus;    Review;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a reticular nucleus located in the mesencephalic and upper pontine tegmentum. Initially, characterized by its predominant cholinergic projection neurons, it was associated with the “mesencephalic locomotor region” and “reticular activating system”. Furthermore, based on histopathological studies, the PPN was hypothesized to play a role in the manifestation of symptoms in movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Since axial symptoms represent unmet needs of PD treatments, a series of pioneering experiments in Parkinsonian monkeys promoted the idea of a potential new target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) and much clinical interest was generated in the following years leading to a number of trials analysing the role of PPN for gait disorders. This review summarizes the historical background and more recent findings about the anatomy and function of the PPN and its implications in the basal ganglia network of the normal as well as diseased brain. Classical views on PPN function shall be challenged by more recent findings. Additionally, the current role and future perspectives of PPN DBS in PD patients shall be outlined.

【 授权许可】

Unknown