BDNF and NT3 extend the critical period for developmental climbing fibre plasticity.
The effect on neonatal brain plasticity of two neurotrophins, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), was studied using the rat olivocerebellar projection as a model. Unilateral transection of climbing fibres (CFs) in the rat before postnatal day 7 induces reinnervation of the deafferented hemicerebellum, but this does not occur if the transection is performed after postnatal day 10. Eleven-day-old day rats underwent unilateral CF transection followed by neurotrophin injection into the denervated cerebellar cortex 24 h later. The exogenous neurotrophins induced CF reinnervation of the denervated hemicerebellum. However BDNF was more efficacious than NT-3. Thus two neurotrophins can extend the window of neonatal brain plasticity, therefore suggesting potential therapeutic use after brain trauma.
Sherrard
R M
RM
School of Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
Bower
A J
AJ
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000578:Amidines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003714:Denervation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000578:Amidines; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; C031455:diamidino compound 253-50