Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience - Volume 7, issue 4

Authors: Jovanova-Nešić, K. | Savić, V.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effect of peripheral nerve axotomy on cellular and humoral immunity after bovine serum albumin (BSA) sensitization was examined. Arthus and delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions and anti-BSA antibody production in 7, 14 and 21 days after immunization were significantly increased after axotomy of n. saphenus, n. tibialis and n. fibularis. The results indicate that peripheral nerves are also involved in the regulation of immune homeostasis from the place of peripheral immunization to or out the central nervous system (CNS).

Keywords: Axotomy of rat peripheral nerves, Peripheral sensitization to BSA, Arthus reaction, Delayed type hypersensitivity, Antibody production

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1995-7401

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 193-198, 1995

Authors: van Roon, W.M.C. | Copray, J.C.V.M. | Hogenesch, R.I. | Kema, I. | Meyer, E.M. | Molenaar, G. | Lugard, C. | Staal, M.J. | Go, K.G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop an optimal dissection procedure for fetal porcine ventral mesencephalon (VM) grafts and to characterize the cellular composition of such an explant, in particular with respect to the dopaminergic and GABAergic components. We have used a monolayer cell culture system to study and identify the various VM cell types. The in vitro development of the fetal VM cells and the effect of the addition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was investigated during a culture period of 5 days. Extracellular dopamine levels were measured by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical …detection (LCEC). Our results indicate that the ratio of dopaminergic to GABAergic neurons changed in favour of the dopaminergic component when a more selective dissection technique was used. Although addition of BDNF to the cultures appeared to exert trophic influences on all the cellular components of pig fetal VM, this effect was most pronounced on the TH-positive cells. Highest extracellular DA levels were found in the VM culture with the addition of BDNF and when a more selective dissection method was used. Our in vitro findings suggest that porcine fetal dopaminergic cells retain their potential for development and outgrowth after proper explantation and dissociation. Anticipating on the results of ongoing transplantation studies in rat, they suggest that pig fetal VM can be a suitable alternative for the use of fetal human VM as a graft for Parkinson's disease. Show more

Keywords: Pig, Ventral mesencephalon, Culture, Dopamine, GABA, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Fetal, Electrochemical detection (LCEC)

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1995-7402

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 199-205, 1995

Authors: Sharma, H.S. | Olsson, Y. | Persson, S. | Nyberg, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The possibility that prostaglandins participate in opening of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) after trauma was investigated by comparing rats given indomethacin (an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis) before trauma with untreated animals. The trauma was produced by making an incision into the right dorsal horn of the T10–11 segment. The BSCB was examined after 5 h using Evans blue, [131 I]-sodium and lanthanum as tracers. A focal trauma to the cord resulted in widespread opening of the BSCB to [l3l I]-sodium in the C5 to L5 segments of the untreated rats. Evans blue extravasation was limited to the T9–T12 segments. …Electron microscopy of microvessels in the T9 and T12 segments showed lanthanum diffusely in some endothelial cells, in vesicular profiles and basal lamina. On the other hand, indomethacin pretreatment prevented the extravasation of [131 I]-sodium in segments located far away from the trauma. In segments closer to the trauma, the extravasation of radiotracer was markedly reduced. Extravasation of Evans blue was less pronounced. Spread of lanthanum into the basal lamina of microvessels was not present. The diffuse passage into the capillary endothelium was reduced and the incidence of cytoplasmic vesicles loaded with lanthanum was lower. Our results for the first time provide direct morphological evidence that prostaglandins are involved in the early, widespread opening of the BSCB after trauma to the cord. Show more

Keywords: Blood-spinal cord barrier, Evans blue, Indomethacin, Prostaglandins, Spinal cord trauma

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1995-7403

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 207-215, 1995

Authors: Dong, J.F. | Detta, A. | Birch, N.J. | Hitchcock, E.R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Since long-term cryopreservation can cause losses in neural tissue viability and function a prerequisite would be the ability to monitor and promote functional recovery in donor tissue intended for neural transplantation. Rapid assessment of cryopreserved tissue's functional status prior to grafting is presently difficult in a clinical setting. A convenient indicator of functional status may be the level of DNA synthesis activity taking place in the tissue. Using immunocytochemical detection of incorporated bromodeox-yuridine we have quantified and compared DNA synthesis activity (expressed as proliferative capacity (PC)) in human foetal mesencephalic, striatal, cortical and cerebellar tissue before and after a 275–376 …day storage in liquid nitrogen. There was a post-storage reduction in viability of 48–73% and in PC of 26–59%; the higher the PC before storage the greater the reduction after. Incubation of cryopreserved tissue with fetal calf serum resulted in 2–4-fold higher PC levels than serum-untreated controls and reached 80% of fresh tissue levels in mesencephalic cells after 3–4 h incubation. Assuming that quantification of proliferative activity is a practical indicator of the tissue's functional status, these findings suggest that treatment of the tissue with serum can largely restore the lost function caused by cryopreservation. Show more

Keywords: Cell proliferation, Cell viability, Bromodeoxyuridine, Tissue culture, Mesencephalon

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1995-7404

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 217-224, 1995

Authors: Lewko, J.P. | Tarkka, I.M. | Dimitrijevic, M.R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Introduction of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has provided means to study non-invasively corticospinal functions in humans. The purpose of the present study was to obtain an objective evaluation of spinal cord functions in spinal cord injury (SCI) subjects using TMS, multichannel surface EMG and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP). Multichannel surface EMG recording was performed during reinforcement manoeuvres and during vibratory tonic reflex. Twenty-five post-traumatic clinically incomplete (ambulatory, AMB, and non-ambulatory, nAMB) SCI subjects were studied and compared to a control group of seven subjects. After preliminary analysis of neurophysiological studies they were divided into four groups according to presence or absence …of motor-evoked potentials (MEP) in response to TMS in muscles below the level of the lesion and according to their ability to ambulate. TMS was delivered at vertex at 100% intensity and recorded from the large muscles of the upper and lower limbs. Surface EMG was recorded during reinforcement manoeuvres (RM) in the leg muscles and EMG activity was scored. SSEP were recorded at T12, L2, L4 and SI spinous processes and at Cz' on the scalp following tibial nerve stimulation at popliteal fossa. The prevalence of EMG responses during RM was higher in group with present MEPs (AMB/MEP+ and nAMB/MEP+) than in the group without MEPs. The group with present MEPs also showed better preserved functions of the ascending tracts compared to subjects without MEPs. Groups with present MEPs had 5/10 normal, 2/10 abnormal and 3/10 absent cortical SSEPs, whereas groups without MEPs showed 1/11 normal, 4/11 abnormal and 6/11 absent cortical SSEPs. Sustained function of ascending tracts was also positively correlated with preserved ability to ambulate. It was concluded that TMS in combination with multichannel surface EMG monitoring and sensory evoked potentials may prove feasible in assessing the functional capacity of the spinal cord after spinal cord lesion. Show more

Keywords: Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Somatosensory evoked potentials, Surface EMG, Spinal cord injury

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1995-7405

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 225-234, 1995

Authors: Zennou-Azogui, Y. | Xerri, C. | Harlay, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In a previous study [31], we showed that Deiters' neurons ipsilateral to a vestibular neurectomy temporarily exhibit increased sensitivity to visual cues about fast movement. It was proposed that this change in the deafferented vestibular neuron response observed only during the first 3 weeks post-lesion plays an important role in the vestibular compensation process. The present study was aimed at analyzing the potential influence over the first 2 weeks post-lesion of visual motion cue deprivation (cats housed in stroboscopic light) and passive visual experience (visual information not correlated to head or body movement) on the visually induced activity of Deiters' …cells. The extra-cellular response of single units was recorded during sinusoidal translation of a whole field optokinetic stimulus in six alert cats. Following the deprivation of visual motion cues, vestibular unit responses were found to be tuned to low frequencies of visual stimulation, as in intact cats, and to display a phase lag re. velocity during rapid visual stimulation. Passive visual stimulation was also found to impede the increase in neuronal sensitivity to visual input, although the cats had benefited from normal vision from the 15th day post-lesion. These results are discussed in relation to the functional implication of interactive visual experience within the early stages (sensitive period) of the vestibular compensation process. Show more

Keywords: Alert cat, Vestibular compensation, Visual substitution, Deiters' neurons, Visuomotor decorrelation, Stroboscopic illumination, Sensitive period

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1995-7406

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 235-246, 1995

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1995-7407

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 247-249, 1995