Brain plasticity

In rodent stroke models, statin pretreatment has been shown to reduce infarct volumes and improve outcomes. Similarly, several clinical studies have shown that prior statin use reduced the severity of acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Recent studies indicate that beneftt can be achieved even when treatment is initiated after the onset of symptoms. In rodents, atorvastatin and simvastatin have been shown to reduce the growth of ischemic lesions, enhance functional outcome, and induce brain plasticity when administered after stroke onset. A retrospective analysis of the population-based Northern Manhattan Stroke Study (NOMASS) showed that patients using lipid-lowering agents at the time of ischemic stroke have a lower incidence of in-hospital stroke progression and reduced 90-day mortality rates. Retrospective analysis of data of the phase III citicoline trial showed... 

Possible gene-interactive alterations in 5-HT function and BDNF expression was recently evaluated in mice with a combined manipulation of the genes for 5-HTT and BDNF. Male but not female 5-FlTT -BDNF DKO mice showed further decreases in brain 5-HT concentrations as well as further increases in anxiety-like behavior and stress reactivity compared to 5-HTT -BDNF controls (Murphy et al. 2003). These findings support the notion of critical role of gene-gene interaction in brain plasticity related to anxiety and related disorders. 

In addition, gene programs that are instructing the development of the CNS may be reactivated at later stages, in connection with brain plasticity that characterizes learning (Vaccarino et ah, 2001). 

Kolb, B., Gibb, R. (2007) Brain plasticity and recovery from early cortical injury. Dev Psychobiol 49, 107-18. 

Filogamo, G. et al., Brain plasticity Development and aging, advances in experimental medicine and biology, Vol. 429, Plenum Press, New York, 1997. 

Freund, H., Sabel, B.A., and Witte, O.W., Brain plasticity Advances in neurology, Vol. 73, Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1997. 

The REM state may have a special function in the maturation of the central nervous system in the developing organism (ref. 116). In addition it may play a role in information processing and/or the maintenance of nervous system function in the adult (ref. 117). Therefore, REM sleep, or some of the brain mechanisms underlying its characterizing phenomena, may play an essential role in brain plasticity during development as well as in adulthood. A normal development of the association of state characteristics may be essential for normal brain function. Deviations in this association or in other aspects of state organization may be related to neurobehavioral disturbances (refs. 114, 118, 119). 

Mechanisms of Brain Plasticity From Normal Brain Function to Pathology Philip. A. Schwartzkroin... 

Therapeutic strategies do not aim alone at preservation of lesioned tissue but also at functional restitution after completed stroke. There are two principle approaches to the latter (i) mechanisms of brain plasticity and (ii) regeneration based on stem cell implantation. 

Savvateeva E, Popov A, Kamyshev N, Bragina J, Heisenberg M, Senitz D, Kornhuber J, Riederer P (2000) Age-dependent memory loss, synaptic pathology and altered brain plasticity in the Drosophila mutant cardinal accumulating 3-hydroxykynurenine. J Neural Transm 107 581-601... 

During the past decade the idea of human brain plasticity has been reinvigorated by evidence of neurogenesis (the production of new neurons) in adult primates,3 and in many other... 

Spruijt, B.M. (1992b) Effects of the ACTH 4-9 analog, Org 2766 on brain plasticity modulation of excitatory neurotransmission. Psychoneuroendology 17 315-325. 

Rossini PM, Altamura C, Ferreri F, Melgari JM, Tecchio M, Pasgualetti P, Vernieri F (2007) Neuroimaging experimental studies on brain plasticity in recovery from stroke. Eura Midicophys 43 241-254... 

Experimental animal studies have demonstrated that lead can disrupt several features of neuronal plasticity, including the capacity of the brain to be shaped by experience, to learn and remember, and to reorganize and recover after injury (Johnston, 2003). The enhanced brain plasticity of childhood is attributable to several factors, including postnatal persistence of neurogenesis in certain parts of the brain, deletion of neurons through apoptosis, and activity-dependent refinement of synaptic connections (Raff et al., 1993 Johnston et al., 2001 Wilson et al., 2000). 

Johnston, M.V. (2003) Brain plasticity in paediatric neurology. Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. 7 105-113 Johnston, M.V. (2004) Clinical disorders of brain plasticity. Brain and Develop. 26 73-80 Johnston, M.V. and G.W. Goldstein. (1998) Selective vulnerability of the developing brain to lead. Curr. Opin. Neurol. 11 689-693... 

Kapreli E, Athanasopoulos S, Gliatis J, Papathanasiou M, Peeters R, Strimpakos N, Van Hecke P, Gouliamos A, Sunaert S (2009) Anterior cruciate ligament deficitaicy causes brain plasticity a functional MRI study. Am J Sports Med 37(12) 2419-2426... 

---