Receptor alterations associated with spinal motoneuron degeneration in bovine Akabane disease.
Akabane disease in cattle is characterized by congenital abnormalities including arthrogryposis, which is characterized by a depletion of spinal ventral horn motoneurons, a loss of axons, and depletion of myelin in the lateral and ventral tracts. These neuropathological changes produced major reductions (70-80%) in the density of muscarinic cholinergic, glycine/strychnine, and central-type benzodiazepine receptors in the ventral horn motor nuclei. The density of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors and adenosine A1 receptors was dramatically increased (250-300%) in the lateral and ventral spinal columns, reflecting the proliferation of glial cells. Bovine Akabane disease represents a useful model for assessing the processes and consequences of neuronal degeneration and demyelination and has implications for human diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Gundlach
A L
AL
Department of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, Australia.
Grabara
C S
CS
Johnston
G A
GA
Harper
P A
PA
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001102:Arbovirus Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome
D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter