Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) has neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on midbrain dopamine (DA) cells. Astrocytic expression of FGF-2 is increased in the cell body region of these neurons, ipsilateral to 6-OHDA lesions (Moroz & Stewart, SFN Abst 2000). Recently, Tillerson et al (2001) showed that forced use of the impaired limb after such lesions results in long-term protection of striatal DA tissue content and limb use. Here we examined the impact of forced use of the impaired forelimb after unilateral 6-OHDA nigrostriatal lesions on FGF-2 expression. At the time of lesioning rats were fitted with casts forcing them to rely on either the impaired (IPSI-cast) or non-impaired (CONTRA-cast) limb for 7 days, or were left uncasted (NO-cast); there were also two Sham lesion groups (Cast and NO-cast). Two days after cast removal, rats were tested for asymmetry of limb use. Sham and IPSI-casted rats showed no impairment or asymmetry, whereas Contra-cast and NO-cast lesioned rats did. Lesions reduced...