S. Karger AG, Basel Developmental Neuroscience, Vol. Examines functional aspects from a number of different perspectives Developmental Neuroscience, Vol. This special issue examines facets of glutamate and dopamine function in the developing and adult neostriatum from a number of different perspectives. Glutamate is the transmitter mediating the neocortical and most likely the thalamic inputs to the neostriatum.
Dopamine is the transmitter mediating nigrostriatal inputs.
The initial responses of the great majority of neostriatal cells to their external afferents are controlled primarily by the confluence of these inputs, and consequently a tight interaction exists between these two neurotransmitter systems. This interaction has received considerable attention in the adult. Much less is known about its developmental properties. This publication aims to fill this information gap and is primarily aimed at neuroscientists who study the basal ganglia. It will also be of considerable interest to researchers of Parkinson's and Huntington's Disease.