We have previously shown that insulin and the insulin-like growth factors share some important neurotrophic properties with nerve growth factor (NGF), including the capacity to enhance neurite formation. In this study, we have examined the effects of these neuritogenic agents on the expression of genes coding for important cytoskeletal proteins of axons and dendrites. Insulin specifically and c...

It is currently accepted that cortical maps are dynamic constructions that are altered in response to external input. Experience-dependent structural changes in cortical microcircuits lead to changes of activity, i.e., changes in information encoded. Specific patterns of external stimulation can lead to creation of new synaptic connections between neurons. The calcium influxes controlled by neu...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive loss of motoneurons, motor weakness and death within 3-5 years after disease onset. Therapeutic options remain limited despite substantial number of approaches that have been tested clinically. Many neurotrophic growth factors are known to promote the survival of neurons and foster regener...

The regulation of filopodial dynamics by neurotrophins and other guidance cues plays an integral role in growth cone pathfinding. Filopodia are F-actin-based structures that explore the local environment, generate forces and play a role in growth cone translocation. Here, we review recent research showing that the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin family of proteins mediates changes in ...

Although "many roads lead to atheroma ", the prevailing hypothesis at present is the Russell Ross' response-to-injury hypothesis, which sates that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that involves several aspects of wound healing. It is noteworthy that, emphasized by the current studies of neurotrophic factors and nerve-immune cell interactions, neuroimmune mechanisms are increasingly im...

Developing neurons depend on neurotrophins supplied by the tissues they innervate. Before and after this period of target-dependent survival, brain-derived neurotrophic factor also has autocrine actions on some neurons.

BACKGROUND The cardiac autonomic nervous system plays an essential role in epicardial ganglionated plexi (GP) regulation of atrial fibrillation onset and progression. To date, the activity of GP and the function of the cardiac autonomic nervous system are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine alterations in epicardial GP cholinergic nerve, adrenergic nerve, and nerve growt...

Functional improvement after cortical injury can be stimulated by various factors including experience, psychomotor stimulants, gonadal hormones, and neurotrophic factors. The timing of the administration of these factors may be critical, however. For example, factors such as gonadal hormones, nerve growth factor, or psychomotor stimulants may act to either enhance or retard recovery, depending...

In previous experiments the activity-dependent secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) from native hippocampal slices and from NGF-cDNA transfected hippocampal neurons showed unusual characteristics [Blochl and Thoenen (1995) Eur J Neurosci 7:1220-1228; (1996) Mol Cell Neurosci 7:173-190]. In both hippocampal slices and cultured hippocampal neurons the activity-dependent secretion proved to be i...