312 research outputs found
Calibrated forceps model of spinal cord compression injury.
Compression injuries of the murine spinal cord are valuable animal models for the study of spinal cord injury (SCI) and spinal regenerative therapy. The calibrated forceps model of compression injury is a convenient, low cost, and very reproducible animal model for SCI. We used a pair of modified forceps in accordance with the method published by Plemel et al. (2008) to laterally compress the spinal cord to a distance of 0.35 mm. In this video, we will demonstrate a dorsal laminectomy to expose the spinal cord, followed by compression of the spinal cord with the modified forceps. In the video, we will also address issues related to the care of paraplegic laboratory animals. This injury model produces mice that exhibit impairment in sensation, as well as impaired hindlimb locomotor function. Furthermore, this method of injury produces consistent aberrations in the pathology of the SCI, as determined by immunohistochemical methods. After watching this video, viewers should be able to determine the necessary supplies and methods for producing SCI of various severities in the mouse for studies on SCI and/or treatments designed to mitigate impairment after injury
Endogenous Proliferation after Spinal Cord Injury in Animal Models
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in motor and sensory deficits, the severity of which depends on the level and extent of the injury. Animal models for SCI research include transection, contusion, and compression mouse models. In this paper we will discuss the endogenous stem cell response to SCI in animal models. All SCI animal models experience a similar peak of cell proliferation three days after injury; however, each specific type of injury promotes a specific and distinct stem cell response. For example, the transection model results in a strong and localized initial increase of proliferation, while in contusion and compression models, the initial level of proliferation is lower but encompasses the entire rostrocaudal extent of the spinal cord. All injury types result in an increased ependymal proliferation, but only in contusion and compression models is there a significant level of proliferation in the lateral regions of the spinal cord. Finally, the fate of newly generated cells varies from a mainly oligodendrocyte fate in contusion and compression to a mostly astrocyte fate in the transection model. Here we will discuss the potential of endogenous stem/progenitor cell manipulation as a therapeutic tool to treat SCI
Abnormal white matter tracts resembling pencil fibers involving prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 47) in autism: a case report.
BackgroundAutism is not correlated with any neuropathological hallmark as the brain of autistic individuals lack defined lesions. However, previous investigations have reported cortical heterotopias and local distortion of the cytoarchitecture of the neocortex in some cases of autism.Case presentationOur patient was a 40-year-old white woman diagnosed at an early age with autism and mental retardation. Pencil fibers were present within the prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 47) and its composition resembled that of the underlying white matter region. Pencil fibers encompassed most of the extent of the cortical grey matter and were populated by oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglial cells, but not by neurons.ConclusionsHere we report a new cytoarchitectural abnormality that has not been previously described in autism. Future pathological examinations should keep in mind the potential presence of pencil fibers within the prefrontal cortex of cases with autism
Radial glia in the proliferative ventricular zone of the embryonic and adult turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans.
To better understand the role of radial glial (RG) cells in the evolution of the mammalian cerebral cortex, we investigated the role of RG cells in the dorsal cortex and dorsal ventricular ridge of the turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans. Unlike mammals, the glial architecture of adult reptile consists mainly of ependymoradial glia, which share features with mammalian RG cells, and which may contribute to neurogenesis that continues throughout the lifespan of the turtle. To evaluate the morphology and proliferative capacity of ependymoradial glia (here referred to as RG cells) in the dorsal cortex of embryonic and adult turtle, we adapted the cortical electroporation technique, commonly used in rodents, to the turtle telencephalon. Here, we demonstrate the morphological and functional characteristics of RG cells in the developing turtle dorsal cortex. We show that cell division occurs both at the ventricle and away from the ventricle, that RG cells undergo division at the ventricle during neurogenic stages of development, and that mitotic Tbr2+ precursor cells, a hallmark of the mammalian SVZ, are present in the turtle cortex. In the adult turtle, we show that RG cells encompass a morphologically heterogeneous population, particularly in the subpallium where proliferation is most prevalent. One RG subtype is similar to RG cells in the developing mammalian cortex, while 2 other RG subtypes appear to be distinct from those seen in mammal. We propose that the different subtypes of RG cells in the adult turtle perform distinct functions
Neural Progenitor Cell Terminology
Since descriptions of neural precursor cells (NPCs) were published in the late 19th century, neuroanatomists have used a variety of terms to describe these cells, each term reflecting contemporary understanding of cellular characteristics and function. As the field gained knowledge through a combination of technical advance and individual insight, the terminology describing NPCs changed to incorporate new information. While there is a trend toward consensus and streamlining of terminology over time, to this day scientists use different terms for NPCs that reflect their field and perspective, i.e., terms arising from molecular, cellular, or anatomical sciences. Here we review past and current terminology used to refer to NPCs, including embryonic and adult precursor cells of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus
Editorial: Transcription regulation — Brain development and homeostasis — A finely tuned and orchestrated scenario in physiology and pathology, volume II
La fauna villafranquiense de El Rincón-1 (Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha)
25 páginas, 7 figuras, 5 láminas, 23 tablas.[ES] El yacimiento de El Rincón-l situado a techo de la serie continental de Casas del Rincón
(Albacete, cuenca del Júcar), cuenta con una diversidad faunÃstica de 13 especies de
micro y macromamÃferos. Sus caracterÃsticas tafonómicas indican que el proceso de acumulación
de los restos de mamÃferos fósiles debió de ser un proceso catastrófico relativamente
rápido de muerte y enterramiento. Los micromamÃferos Mimomys cf. medasensis
y Castillomys crusafonti crusafonti permiten situar el yacimiento en el Villafranquiense
inferior. El caballo, Equus livenzovensis, serÃa uno de los más antiguos registrados en
Europa Occidental, anterior al lÃmite Gauss-Matuyama (2,48 Ma, recalibrado en 2,6 y
2,58 Ma). La aparición del caballo se sitúa por tanto en la parte más reciente de esta edad
de mamÃferos, como se habÃa definido clásicamente.[EN] The El Rincón-l locality is located at the top of the Casas del Rincón series (Albacete,
Júcar basin) with 13 micro- and macromammal species. The taphonomical features
indicate a relatively rapid accumulation process of death and burial of the mammal
remains, interpreted as a catastrophic evento The micromammals, Mimomys cf. medasensis
and Castillomys crusafonti crusafonti, permit us to assign this locality to the Early
Villafranchian. The horse, Equus livenzovensis, would be among the oldest ones recorded
from Western Europe before the Gauss-Matuyama paleomagnetic boundary
(2.48 Ma, revised calibration as 2.6 and 2.58 Ma). Therefore, the horse appears in the
most recent part of this mammal age, as it was classically defined.Peer reviewe
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Rapidly Progressing Neurocognitive Disorder in a Male with FXTAS and Alzheimer's Disease.
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that usually begins in the early 60s and affects carriers of premutation expansion (55-200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Additional disorders can co-occur with FXTAS including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we discuss a case report of a male with 67 CGG repeats in FMR1 who had mild late-onset FXTAS symptoms followed by neurocognitive disorder symptoms consistent with AD. The patient has developed tremor and ataxia that are the two characteristic symptoms of FXTAS. In addition, he shows rapid cognitive decline, brain atrophy most substantial in the medial temporal lobe, and decreased metabolism in the brain regions that are the characteristic findings of AD. The purpose of this study is to describe a patient profile with both diseases and review the details of an overlap between these two diseases
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