Nerve growth factor increases cortical choline acetyltransferase-positive fiber staining without affecting cortical cholinergic neurons.
Lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) increased the number of neurons in the frontal neocortex staining for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Intracerebroventricular treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF; 10 micrograms per day for 6 weeks) did not further increase this number. NGF increased the size of NBM neurons [Brain Res., 584 (1992) 55-63], but not those in the neocortex. However, NGF increased the area of ChAT-positive fiber staining in the neocortex. These data suggest that NGF enhances cholinergic innervation to the neocortex by affecting residual NBM neurons, rather than cortical cholinergic neurons.
Dekker
A J
AJ
Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego.
Thal
L J
LJ
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase