Background: Ionizing radiation causes cognitive impairment in adult brain. However, the effects of various irradiation protocols with fractionated fixed total dose on hippocampal function have not yet been studied. Materials and Methods: Fractionated whole brain irradiation with a total dose of 36 Gy was performed according to the following protocols: 2Gy-18 fractions (2Gy*18), 4Gy-9 fraction (...

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...

BRAINSTORMS is a monthly section of The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry aimed at providing updates of novel concepts emerging from the neurosciences that have relevance to the practicing psychiatrist. From the Clinical Neuroscience Research Center in San Diego and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego. Reprint requests to: Stephen M. Stahl, M.D., Ph.D., Editor, B...

Bcl-2 is a major regulator of programmed cell death, a critical process in shaping the developing nervous system. To assess whether Bcl-2 is involved in regulating neuronal survival and in mediating the neuroprotective action of neurotrophic factors, we generated Bcl-2-deficient mice. At birth, the number of facial motoneurons, sensory, and sympathetic neurons was not significantly changed, and...

Objective: This article reviews novel restorative therapies for cavernous nerves that may be used to replace resected cavernous nerves at the time of pelvic surgery. Methods: A literature-based presentation (Medline search) on current nerve replacement strategies was conducted with emphasis on neurobiological factors contributing to the restoration of erectile function after cavernous nerve inj...

The exchange of trophic factors by motor neurons and muscle fibers maintains the neuromuscular junction. Neurotrophic factors (muscle-derived trophic factors acting on motor neurons) and myotrophic factors (motor neuron-derived trophic factors acting on muscle fibers) may play a role in the generation of secondary myotubes and the maturation of neuromuscular junctions during development. It has...

PBS: Phosphate Buffered Saline; CSPG: Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; ChABC: Chondroitinase ABC; SUR1–TRPM4 : Sulfonylurea Receptor 1–Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4, PTEN: Phosphate and Tensin Homolog; mTOR: Mammalian Target of Rapamycin; SOCS3: Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3; BDNF: Brain -Derived Neurotrophic Factor; LINGO-1: Leucine Rich Repeat and Ig Domain Containing 1; Tr...