Subthalamic Nucleus: Neuroanatomical Review

Abstract

Discovered in 1865 by Jules Bernard Luys, the subthalamic nucleus is a set of small nuclei located in the diencephalon, inferior to the thalamus and superior to the substantia nigra, that can be visualized in a posterior coronal section. Histologically, it consists of neurons compactly distributed and filled with a large number of blood vessels and sparse myelinated fibers. This review presents an analysis of this anatomical region, considering what is most recent in the literature. Subthalamic neurons are excitatory and use glutamate as the neurotransmitter. In healthy individuals, these neurons are inhibited by nerve cells located in the side globus pallidus. However, if the fibers that make up the afferent circuit are damaged, the neurons become highly excitable, thus causing motor disturbances that can be classified as hyperkinetic, for example ballism and chorea, or hypokinetic, for example Parkinson disease (PD). The advent of deep brain stimulation has given the subthalamic nucleus great visibility. Studies reveal that the stimulation of this nucleus improves the motor symptoms of PD.

Resumo

Descoberto em 1865 por Jules Bernard Luys, o núcleo subtalâmico (NST) é um conjunto de pequenos núcleos situados no diencéfalo, inferior ao tálamo e superior à substância negra, que pode ser visualizado em um corte coronal posterior. Histologicamente, consiste em neurônios distribuídos de forma compacta e preenchidos com um grande número de vasos sanguíneos e fibras mielinizadas dispersas. Esta revisão apresenta uma análise sobre essa região anatômica, considerando o que há na literatura a seu respeito. Os neurônios subtalâmicos são excitatórios e utilizam o glutamato como neurotransmissor. Em indivíduos saudáveis, esses neurônios são inibidos por células nervosas localizadas no globo pálido lateral. Contudo, se as fibras que compõem o circuito paleoestriado forem lesadas, os neurônios tornam-se altamente excitáveis, provocando assim distúrbios motores que podem ser classificados como: hipercinéticos, tais como balismo e coreia, ou hipocinéticos, por exemplo, doença de Parkinson (DP). O advento da estimulação cerebral profunda tem concedido grande visibilidade ao NST. Estudos destacam que a estimulação desse núcleo realmente ameniza os sintomas motores da DP.

Keywords

subthalamic nucleus - efferent pathways - chorea - Parkinson disease

Palavras-chave

núcleo subtalâmico - vias eferentes - coreia - doença de Parkinson

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 23. Juli 2017

Angenommen: 13. November 2017

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
18. Dezember 2017

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