Background and Objective: Sensory neurons have critical role in improvement of functional outcome of any neuroprotective strategy. The herbal medicine Nepeta menthoides has been reported to have anti-apoptotic effect on axotomized spinal motoneurons. In the present study, the putative neuroprotective effect of Nepeta menthoides on the axotomized dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons in neonate r...

Background & Aims: Since apoptotic cell death plays a crucial role in many neurodegenerative diseases, control of apoptosis can be taken into account as a putative neuroprotective strategy. Due to the reported neuroprotective effect of the herbal medicine Nepeta Menthoides (Ostokhodus) on the axotomy-induced apoptosis in the spinal motoneurons, in the present study we have investigated its prop...

In many neurons, axotomy triggers long-lasting alterations in excitability as well as regenerative growth. We have investigated mechanisms contributing to the expression of axotomy-induced, long-term hyperexcitability (LTH) of mechanosensory neurons in Aplysia californica. Electrophysiological tests were applied to pleural sensory neurons 5-10 days after unilateral crush of pedal nerves. Two-el...

We studied the effects of G-CSF on microglial reactions in mutant SOD1 (mSOD1)-Tg (G93A) ALS model mice. Following hypoglossal axotomy, the numbers of neurons and microglia expressing GDNF were significantly lower in mSOD1-Tg mice than in non-transgenic (NTG) littermates. This decrease in the number of neurons after axotomy and a decrease in the number of large myelinated axons in mSOD1-Tg mice...

Experimental models such as the facial nerve axotomy paradigm in rodents allow the systematic and detailed study of the response of neurones and their microenvironment to various types of challenges. Well-studied experimental examples include peripheral nerve trauma, the retrograde axonal transport of neurotoxins and locally enhanced inflammation following the induction of experimental autoimmu...

The ability of mammalian CNS neurons to regrow their lesioned axons declines during late embryonic and postnatal development. Consequently, adult retinal ganglion cells of mammals respond to injuries with rapid anterograde and protracted retrograde (Wallerian) degeneration. To monitor the cascade of events initiated by neuronal injuries, and to explore whether the regressive events of this casc...

Within the wide spectrum of axonal diameters occurring in mammalian nerve fibers, each class of neurons has a relatively restricted range of axonal calibers. The control of caliber has functional significance because diameter is the principal determinant of conduction velocity in myelinated nerve fibers. Previous observations support the hypothesis that neurofilaments (NF) are major intrinsic d...

The expression of major cytoskeletal protein mRNAs was studied in adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after crushing either their central or peripheral branch axons. mRNA levels in DRG neurons were examined by quantitative in situ hybridization with radiolabeled cDNA probes specific for the low-molecular-weight neurofilament protein (NF-L) and beta-tubulin. The large-sized (greater tha...