title: Primate nucleus basalis of Meynert p75NGFR-containing cholinergic neurons are protected from retrograde degeneration by the ganglioside GM1.
abstract: The effects of unilateral devascularizing lesions of the neocortex in primates (Cercopithecus aethiops) on the immunoreactivity of choline acetyltransferase and the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75NGFR) were investigated in cell bodies of the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Choline acetyltransferase enzymatic activity was measured in the dissected ipsi- and contralateral nucleus basalis of Meynert as well as in the remaining cortex adjacent to the lesion. Cortically lesioned animals displayed a shrinkage of p75NGFR-immunoreactive cholinergic cell bodies in only the intermediate portion of the nucleus basalis of Meynert as well as a depletion of choline acetyltransferase activity in this cellular complex. In contrast, cortically lesioned monkeys treated with monosialoganglioside did not reveal a significant loss of choline acetyltransferase activity or shrinkage of nucleus basalis of Meynert cholinergic neurons, but rather a modest hypertrophy. These results are discussed in relation to a possible use of putative trophic agents in the repair of the damaged central nervous system.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: E P
authors: EP
authors: Pioro
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Maysinger
authors: F R
authors: FR
authors: Ervin
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Desypris
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Cuello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013377:Substantia Innominata / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase