Effects of pedunculopontine nucleus cholinergic lesion on gait and dyskinesia in hemiparkinsonian rats

Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) cholinergic neurons are implicated in freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease (PD) and motor stereotypy in normal animals, but the causal role of these neurons on specific gait parameters and treatment‐induced dyskinesia remains speculative. Therefore, we examined whether selective cholinergic lesion of the rostral PPN affects PD motor and gait deficits, L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia and motor improvement, and DA‐agonist‐induced dyskinesia. Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to one unilaterally lesioned group: Sham lesion, PPN cholinergic lesion with diphtheria urotensin II fusion toxin, medial forebrain bundle dopamine lesion with 6‐hydroxydopamine, or dual acetylcholine and dopamine lesion. We used gait analysis and forepaw adjusting steps to examine PD gait and motor deficits. Forepaw adjusting steps were also used to assess motor improvement with L‐DOPA treatment. The abnormal involuntary movements scale measured L‐DOPA and dopamine D1‐ and D2‐receptor agonist‐induced dyskinesia. Lesions, verified via tyrosine hydroxylase and choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry reduced an average of 95% of nigral dopamine neurons and 80% of PPN cholinergic neurons, respectively. Rats receiving acetylcholine and dual lesion demonstrated enhanced freezing, and acetylcholine lesioned rats exhibited increased print area and stand index. Dopamine and dual lesion produced similar forepaw adjusting steps task on and off L‐DOPA. Relative to DA lesioned rats, dual lesioned rats displayed reduced L‐DOPA and DA agonist‐induced dyskinesia at specific time points. Our results indicate that PPN cholinergic neurons affect gait parameters related to postural stability. Therefore, therapeutically targeting PPN cholinergic neurons could reduce intractable postural instability in PD without affecting motor benefits or side effects of L‐DOPA treatment. We investigated pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) lesion effects on gait, akinesia, and dyskinesia in rats. ACh (acetylcholine) lesion produced freezing and postural instability‐related gait deficits but did not affect akinesia; dopamine (DA) lesion induced akinesia which improved on L‐DOPA. Dual lesion did not affect L‐DOPA and D1R dyskinesia but it reduced D2R dyskinesia versus DA lesion. Overall, PPN cholinergic neurons may be promising therapeutic targets for treating Parkinsonian gait deficits.