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Neuroscientists track nerve development

Article Abstract:

Some types of nerve injuries can be repaired spontaneously by the body, whereas others cannot. Physicians have long known that injuries to the peripheral nerves located in the arms and legs heal because these nerves grow back. Injuries to spinal cord nerves do not heal, and spinal cord injury often leads to permanent paralysis of the parts of the body served by these nerves. Researchers may have discovered why peripheral and spinal nerves react differently to injury. This information may enable them to someday stimulate nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury. The spinal nerve cells in rats cannot grow back because growth is blocked by two proteins that reside in the myelin sheath encasing the nerves. But myelin from peripheral nerves lacks these proteins that inhibit regeneration. Investigators were able to induce partial spinal nerve regeneration in rats by inactivating or removing these proteins. Unfortunately, the issue is more complex than this discovery implies; besides the two proteins that were successfully manipulated, additional factors in nerve cells also prevent regeneration. Other advances in neuroscience research are also discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Injuries, Nervous system, Spinal cord injuries, Nerves, Spinal, Nerves, Peripheral, Spinal nerves, Peripheral nerves

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The big easy serves up a feast to visiting neuroscientists

Article Abstract:

The annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in 1997 addressed a diverse range of topics. Presentations included: the effects of organophosphates on congnitive function, the protection of neurons by prion protein and a new treatment for stroke.

Diseases, Stroke (Disease), Stroke, Prions, Prions (Proteins), Persian Gulf War veterans, Persian Gulf syndrome

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Neuroscientists seek answers to brain function and disease

Article Abstract:

One of the experiments reported at the Society for Neuroscience meeting traced human brain activity during the process of learning a simple motor skill. Another discovered an abnormal protein linked to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Reports, Causes of, Learning, Brain research, Neurology, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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