Mechanisms of neural plasticity following brain injury.
Brain insults cause rapid cell death, and a disruption of functional circuits, in the affected regions. As the injured tissue recovers from events associated with cell death, regenerative processes are activated that over months lead to a certain degree of functional recovery. Factors produced by new neurons and glia, axonal sprouting of surviving neurons, and new synapse formation help to re-establish some of the lost functions. The timing and location of such events is crucial in the success of the regenerative process. Comprehensive gene expression profiling and proteomic analyses have enabled a deeper molecular and cellular mechanistic understanding of post-injury brain regeneration. These new mechanistic insights are aiding the design of novel therapeutic modalities that enhance regeneration.
Wieloch
Tadeusz
T
Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, University of Lund, BMCA13, 221 85 Lund, Sweden. tadeusz.wieloch@med.lu.se
Nikolich
Karoly
K
D000818:Animals; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000639:trends
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors