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Innervation of the substantia nigra

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Abstract

This review describes inputs to neurons in the substantia nigra and contrasts them with the action of agonists for the putative receptors through which they act. Special emphasis is placed on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) afferents. Dopamine released from the somato-dendritic compartment of dopamine neurons and endocannabinoids released from dopamine and GABA neurons serve as retrograde signals to modulate GABA release. The release may be fostered by Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores, which in turn may be influenced by the inputs.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks Drs. S. Mades, G. Radnikow and Y. Yanovsky for access to some of their unpublished data. The excellent editorial assistance of A. Lewen is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Institut für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie und IZN, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 326, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Ulrich Misgeld

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  1. Ulrich Misgeld
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Correspondence to Ulrich Misgeld.

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The studies summarized in this review were supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FOR 302/TP-B1)

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Misgeld, U. Innervation of the substantia nigra. Cell Tissue Res 318, 107–114 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-004-0918-2

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