Stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus may affect renal function by melanocortinergic signaling

Abstract Deep brain stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) has been reported to improve gait disturbance in animal models of Parkinsonism and among patients with Parkinson's disease. Evidence suggests that neurons in the PPTg are involved in the control of the sympathetic outflow to the kidneys, and sympathetic regulation is a major component of central melanocortin action. Our recent studies using transneuronal labeling pseudorabies virus (PRV)-614 and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice supported the melanocortinergic nature of the middle and caudal PPTg (mPPTg and cPPTg). Because PRV-614/MC4R-GFP double-labeled neurons in the mPPTg and cPPTg were detected, we propose a hypothesis that deep brain stimulation of the PPTg may influence renal function by the melanocortinergic pathway.