Bidirectional regulation of levodopa-induced dyskinesia by a specific neural ensemble in globus pallidus external segment

Cell Rep Med. 2024 Jun 18;5(6):101566. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101566. Epub 2024 May 16.

Abstract

Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) is an intractable motor complication arising in Parkinson's disease with the progression of disease and chronic treatment of levodopa. However, the specific cell assemblies mediating dyskinesia have not been fully elucidated. Here, we utilize the activity-dependent tool to identify three brain regions (globus pallidus external segment [GPe], parafascicular thalamic nucleus, and subthalamic nucleus) that specifically contain dyskinesia-activated ensembles. An intensity-dependent hyperactivity in the dyskinesia-activated subpopulation in GPe (GPeTRAPed in LID) is observed during dyskinesia. Optogenetic inhibition of GPeTRAPed in LID significantly ameliorates LID, whereas reactivation of GPeTRAPed in LID evokes dyskinetic behavior in the levodopa-off state. Simultaneous chemogenetic reactivation of GPeTRAPed in LID and another previously reported ensemble in striatum fully reproduces the dyskinesia induced by high-dose levodopa. Finally, we characterize GPeTRAPed in LID as a subset of prototypic neurons in GPe. These findings provide theoretical foundations for precision medication and modulation of LID in the future.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; activity-dependent tools; globus pallidus external segment; levodopa-induced dyskinesia; optogenetics.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced* / pathology
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced* / physiopathology
  • Globus Pallidus* / drug effects
  • Globus Pallidus* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Levodopa* / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Optogenetics
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Subthalamic Nucleus / drug effects
  • Subthalamic Nucleus / physiopathology

Substances

  • Levodopa