A novel LIM-homeodomain gene, Lhx9, was isolated by degenerate RT-PCR followed by mouse embryonic library screening. Lhx9 cDNA encodes a protein that is most closely related to Drosophila apterous and rodent Lhx2 proteins. The Lhx9 spatiotemporal pattern of expression during embryogenesis was similar but distinct from Lhx2. Highest expression levels were found in the diencephalon, telencephalic...

The Pax-6 gene encodes a transcription factor that is expressed in regionally restricted patterns in the developing brain and eye. Here we describe Pax-6 expression in the early forebrain (prosencephalon) on embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) to E10.5 using both whole-mount in situ hybridization and antibody labeling. We find close correlations between Pax-6+ domains and initial neural patterning, and id...

When exposed to drug conditioned cues (stimuli associated with the drug), addicted individuals experience an intense desire for the drug, which is associated with increased dopamine cell firing. We hypothesized that drug-related words can trigger activation in the mesencephalon, where dopaminergic cells are located. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 15 individuals with cocain...

Neuronal subtype specification depends on multiple transcription factors such as basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors. However, transcription factor codes for most neurons remain to be determined. Here, we report identification of a novel mouse bHLH factor, termed Heslike, that has Hes1-like bHLH domain and transcriptional repressor activity. Heslike is coexpressed with the bHLH factor Mash1 i...

Lactoferrin (Lf) can bind to lactoferrin receptor (LfR), leading to iron transport through the plasma membrane. Besides iron transportation, Lf also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the brain, Lf is only synthesized by activated microglia. LfR is present in blood vessels and nigral dopaminergic neurons. Both nigral iron accumulation and microglia activation is believed to be...

Fgf8 functions as an organizer at the mes/metencephalic boundary (isthmus). We showed that a strong Fgf8 signal activates the Ras-ERK signaling pathway to organize cerebellar differentiation. Sprouty2 is expressed in an overlapping manner to Fgf8, and is induced by Fgf8. Its function, however, is indicated to antagonize Ras-ERK signaling. Here, we show the regulation of Fgf8 signaling in relati...

The results of MR imaging of the brain at 1.5 T in 42 adults with non-Wilsonian chronic hepatic failure are reported. T1-weighted images demonstrated increased signal in the globus pallidus in 30 patients and in the putamen in 21, while T2-weighted images demonstrated no corresponding alteration in signal intensity. Symmetric low intensity in the central portion of the globus pallidus on spin-d...