Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor rescues spinal motor neurons from axotomy-induced cell death

Article Abstract:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), when applied to transected sciatic nerve, prevents motor neurons from dying on a large scale as they usually do when axotomy is performed in the neonatal period. In experiments with rats, the BDNF is transported retrogradely by motor neurons. These results indicate that BDNF promotes the survival of motor neurons in vivo, and may regulate such survival during development. This may have clinical applications in the treatment of human disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

---

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor rescues developing avian motoneurons from cell death

Article Abstract:

Neurotrophic factor derived from the brain or spinal cord can prevent the death of motor neurons which occurs after axotomy or the loss of targets, in addition to preventing natural motor neuron death. It also prevents the motor neuron death that normally follows the removal of descending afferent input. These results are from in vivo experiments performed on chick embryos, but they indicate the clinical potential of neurotrophins for treating motor neuron diseases.

---

In vivo neurotrophic effects of GDNF on neonatal and adult facial motor neurons

Article Abstract:

The study of the motor neuron neurotrophic effects of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) reveals that the GDNF is transported in a retrograde manner by the spinal cord motor neurons. The transportation is identical to that of the receptor mediation. The GDNF also eliminates large scale motor neuron cell death and atrophy. The GDNF exhibits profound neurotrophic influence on the functioning of motor neurons.

Neurons

Some parts © 2013 Advameg, Inc.