The inferior colliculus (IC) is an important midbrain relay station for the integration of descending and ascending auditory information. Additionally, the IC has been implicated in processing sensorimotor responses. Glutamatergic and GABAergic manipulations in the IC can improve motor deficits as demonstrated by the animal model of haloperidol-induced catalepsy. However, how the IC influences motor function remains unclear. We investigated the effects of either intracollicular deep brain stimulation (DBS) or microinjection of the glutamatergic antagonist MK-801 or the agonist NMDA in C57BL/6J mice chronically treated with saline or 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). After DBS or microinjections, the mice were submitted to rotarod and open field tests, respectively. DBS in the IC was effective to increase the time spent on the rotarod in MPTP-treated mice. After unilateral microinjection of MK-801, but not NMDA, MPTP-treated mice increased the distance travelled in the open field (p < 0.05). In conclusion, intracollicular DBS or MK-801 microinjection can improve motor performance in parkinsonian mice suggesting the IC as a new and non-conventional therapeutic target in motor impairment.

下丘脑（IC）是重要的中脑中继站，用于整合听觉信息的下降和上升。另外，该IC还涉及处理感觉运动反应。如氟哌啶醇诱发的僵直症动物模型所证实的，IC中的谷氨酸能和GABA能操纵可改善运动功能障碍。但是，IC如何影响电机功能仍不清楚。我们研究了用盐水或1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3长期治疗的C57BL / 6J小鼠的关节内深部脑刺激（DBS）或显微注射谷氨酸能拮抗剂MK-801或激动剂NMDA的影响， 6-四氢吡啶（MPTP）。在进行DBS或显微注射后，分别对小鼠进行轮状试验和野外试验。IC中的DBS有效地增加了MPTP处理的小鼠在旋转脚架上花费的时间。在单侧显微注射MK-801而非NMDA后，经MPTP处理的小鼠增加了在旷野中的行进距离（p <0.05）。总之，关节腔内DBS或MK-801显微注射可以改善帕金森病小鼠的运动能力，提示IC是运动障碍的新的和非常规的治疗靶标。