Importantly, regenerating axons that do exit the graft are capable of forming SC79 ic50 functional synaptic contacts. These results have been demonstrated in acute injury models in rats and cats and after a chronic injury in rats and have important implications for our continuing efforts to promote structural and functional repair after SCI.”
“Experimental evidence and clinical observations indicate that brain inflammation is an important factor in epilepsy. In particular, induction of interleukin-converting enzyme (ICE)/caspase-1 and activation

of interleukin (IL)-1 beta/IL-1 receptor type 1 axis both occur in human epilepsy, and contribute to experimentally induced Selleckchem Omipalisib acute seizures. In this study, the anticonvulsant activity of VX-765 (a selective ICE/caspase-1 inhibitor) was examined in a mouse model of

chronic epilepsy with spontaneous recurrent epileptic activity refractory to some common anticonvulsant drugs. Moreover, the effects of this drug were studied in one acute model of seizures in mice, previously shown to involve activation of ICE/caspase-1. Quantitative analysis of electroencephalogram activity was done in mice exposed to acute seizures or those developing chronic epileptic activity after status epilepticus to assess the anticonvulsant effects of systemic administration of VX-765. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue was carried out at the end of pharmacological experiments in epileptic mice to evaluate neuropathology, glia activation and IL-1 beta expression, and the effect of treatment. Repeated systemic administration of VX-765 significantly reduced chronic epileptic activity in mice in a dose-dependent fashion (12.5-200 mg/kg). This effect was observed at doses a parts per thousand

yenaEuro parts per thousand 50 mg/kg, Methocarbamol and was reversible with discontinuation of the drug. Maximal drug effect was associated with inhibition of IL-1 beta synthesis in activated astrocytes. The same dose regimen of VX-765 also reduced acute seizures in mice and delayed their onset time. These results support a new target system for anticonvulsant pharmacological intervention to control epileptic activity that does not respond to some common anticonvulsant drugs.”
“Recent studies of excitatory transmission in cortical interneurons reveal a surprising diversity of forms of long-term plasticity. LTP and LTD can be elicited at many synapses on interneurons, and pharmacological manipulations implicate NMDA, calcium-permeable AMPA and metabotropic receptors in the induction of plasticity. Distinct patterns are beginning to emerge in identified pathways, as defined by the cells of origin of the presynaptic glutamatergic axons and the postsynaptic interneuron subtypes.