Núcleo subtalâmico: revisão neuroanatômica

What is it about?

Discovered in 1865 by 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 large numbers 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 causingmotor disturbances that can be classified as hyperkinetic, for example ballism and chorea, or hypokinetic, for example Parkinson disease. The advent of deep brain stimulation has given the subthalamic nucleus great visibility. Studies reveal that the stimulation of this nucleus actually improves the motor symptoms of Parkinson disease.

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Why is it important?

A importância do NST se explica pelas conexões deste com regiões de grande importância motora e nãomotora, como o córtex cerebral, o tálamo, o globo pálido, a substância negra, o estriado e o tronco encefálico. Descoberto em 1865 por Luys, o NST é um conjunto de pequenos núcleos situados no diencéfalo, inferior ao tálamo e superior à substância negra, que pode ser visualizado em uma corte coronal posterior. Histologicamente, consiste em neurônios distribuídos de forma compacta e preenchidos com grande número de vasos sanguíneos e fibras mielinizadas dispersas. O advento da estimulação cerebral profunda concedeu ao NST grande visibilidade. Estudos destacam que a estimulação desse núcleo realmente ameniza os sintomas motores da DP.