Search results for "Mesencephalon"

Downregulation of PMCA2 increases the vulnerability of midbrain neurons to mitochondrial complex I inhibition

2013

Parkinson's disease is an age-associated disorder characterized by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The molecular mechanisms underlying the selective vulnerability of this subset of neurons are, however, not fully understood. Employing SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and primary mesencephalic neurons, we here demonstrate a significant increase in cytosolic calcium after inhibition of mitochondrial complex I by means of MPP(+), which is a well-established environmental toxin-based in vitro model of Parkinson's disease. This increase in calcium is correlated with a downregulation of the neuron-specific plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase isoform 2 (PMCA2). Interestingly, two other import…

Nucleus incertus contribution to hippocampal theta rhythm generation.

2006

The hippocampal theta rhythm is generated by the pacemaker activity of the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca (MS/DBB) neurons. These nuclei are influenced by brainstem structures that modulate the theta rhythm. The aim of the present work is to determine whether the nucleus incertus (NI), which has important anatomical connections with the MS/DBB, contributes to the hippocampal theta rhythm generation in rats. Hippocampal field activity was recorded in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation of the NI not only evoked theta rhythm in the hippocampus, but also decreased the amplitude of delta waves. Unit recordings in the NI revealed either a non-rhythm discharge pattern in mos…

Diabetic 3rd nerve palsy: evidence for a mesencephalic lesion.

1990

Eleven consecutive adult chronic diabetic patients presented with an isolated 3rd nerve palsy (8 with pupillary sparing) of which 10 had abnormal ipsilateral or bilateral masseter reflexes (MassR). Three patients had an MRI lesion in the ipsilateral oculomotor fasciculus and 3 had subsequent mild brainstem signs. An additional 13 patients with Weber's syndrome had similar ipsilateral or bilateral MassR abnormalities, while 7 patients with 3rd nerve palsies on a known extra-axial basis had none. The findings suggest that an isolated diabetic 3rd nerve palsy, with or without pupillary sparing, is much more likely on the basis of a focal mesencephalic infarct than a peripheral nerve lesion.

Temporal retrogasserian resection of trigeminal root versus controlled elective percutaneous electrocoagulation of the ganglion of gasser in the trea…

1972

In his experience with 531 surgical procedures for the relief of trigeminal neuralgia between 1955 to 1970, the author developed a strong preference for the percutaneous electro-coagulation of the gasserian ganglion. Although the method was repeatedly modified in the early years, a standardized technique of controlled, selective and fractional coagulation in the semiawake state of neurolept-anaesthesia was used since 1963 in 183 of his 311 patients, treated in this manner. The advantages of the method, particularly in comparison to open intracranial root sections, are: Minimal operative risk, control of operative effect during the operation, small sensibility deficit, low rate of complicati…

NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEUROCHEMICAL STUDIES WITH THE ISONICOTINOYLHYDRAZONE OF PYRIDOXAL 5-PHOSPHATE.

1964

Zinc accumulation in the telencephalon of lizards.

1987

The zinc concentration in the brains of two species of lizard was determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. The zinc concentration was found to be highest in the telencephalon of Lacerta galloti (21.1 micrograms/g fresh weight) and Podarcis hispanica (16.77 +/- 0.8 micrograms/g) while the mesencephalon and brain stem exhibited lower zinc concentrations, i.e., 7.0 micrograms/g in Lacerta galloti and 6.08 +/- 0.4 micrograms/g in Podarcis hispanica. This high telencephalic concentration of zinc is paralleled by intense and well-defined Timm reactivity used for demonstrating the presence of zinc-containing boutons at the light-microscope level. Volumetric-densitometric studies of these…

Ethical challenges in cell-based interventions for neurological conditions: some lessons to be learnt from clinical transplantation trials in patient…

2009

A rare case of ruptured aneurysm of the paramedian artery of Percheron.

2018

Introduction The artery of Percheron is a rare anatomic variant supplying bilateral medial thalamic nuclei and a variable portion of the rostral part of midbrain. Case report A 48-year-old female with massive subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm of the paramedian artery of Percheron presented to the emergency room. Because of significant risk of recurrent intracranial hemorrhage, it was decided to proceed with endovascular embolization of the aneurysm. The patient was ultimately sent to a rehabilitation center and her presenting neurologic deficits showed significant improvements in the weeks following endovascular embolization treatment. Discussion The paramedian artery of Pe…

Prosurvival effect of human wild-type alpha-synuclein on MPTP-induced toxicity to central but not peripheral catecholaminergic neurons isolated from …

2010

In the present work we report the generation of a new line of alpha-synuclein (alpha-SYN) transgenic mice in which the human wild-type alpha-SYN cDNA is expressed under the control of a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter. We provide evidence that the ectopic protein is found in TH expressing neurons of both central and peripheral nervous systems. The transgene is expressed very early in development coinciding with the activity of the TH promoter and in the adult brain the human protein distributes normally to the nerve endings and cell bodies of dopaminergic nigral neurons without any evidence of abnormal aggregation. Our results indicate that expression of human wild-type alpha-SYN does no…