Central nervous system structure

GABA (y-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid with mostly inhibitory functions in the mammalian central nervous system. Structures involved in releasing or binding GABA as a neurotransmitter constitute the GABAergic system. The GABAergic system is involved... 

Chapter 1 is a comprehensive survey of the immunophilin area specifically focusing on neuroregenerative applications in the central nervous system. Structure-based drug design is assisted by X-ray and NMR structural analysis. 

When systemic or topical pharmacotherapy and other non-invasive approaches provide inadequate relief in patients with NP, interventional approaches may be used, including sympathetic blockade with local anesthetics, intraspinal drug delivery, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral subcutaneous nerve stimulation, or stimulation of specific central nervous system structures, and various neuroablative procedures (e.g. dorsal rhizotomy, neurolytic nerve block, intracranial lesioning). Neuroablative procedures are not reversible and should be reserved for carefully and properly selected patients with intractable pain. 

Shlmamoto and Honjo concluded from animal studies that bromhexlne affects tracheobronchial secretions by an action on central nervous system structures, probably In the areas of the emetic center In the medulla oblongata occurring both as a direct effect and Indirectly via stimulation of the gastric mucous membrane. Other animal tests Indicated bronchial secretions were Increased by bromhexlne as a result of an Improved permeability ratio between the bronchial mucous membrane and Its blood supply. The lytic effect of bromhexlne on human bronchial mucosa, observed vitro by electron microscopy, appears due to Increased secretion... 

Caffeine acts as a stimulant because it is an antagonist of adenosine, an inhibitor of the central nervous system. Structurally, caffeine resembles adenosine, and therefore binds to the adenosine receptor, blocking its action. With nothing to slow them down, there s greater dopamine and glutamate activity leading to increased neuron activity in the brain and more adrenaline production. Caffeine is slightly addictive because it is a cardiac stimulant. 

An interesting set of central nervous system properties has also been discovered and studied (Table VI-10). The work devoted to piscaine must be emphasized besides finding hypnotic properties of 2-amino-4-phenyl-thiazole on fish, the authors studied the structure of the metabolite, as well as the localization of the (radio labeled) metabolic product in various organs. Recently, thiazol-4-yl methoxyamine was shown to inhibit the development of morphine tolerance (1607). 5-Aminothiazole derivatives such as 419a were proposed as cardiovascular agents (1608, 1610). Substitution of the 5-aminothiazole radical on the cephalophosphorin structure gives a series of antibacterial products (1609). 

The chemistry of the brain and central nervous system is affected by a group of substances called neurotransmitters, substances that carry messages across a synapse from one neuron to another Several of these neurotransmitters arise from l tyrosine by structural modification and decarboxylation as outlined m Figure 27 5... 

Category of glial cells in the vertebrate central nervous system with long radial processes. Astrocytes provide structural support to neive cells and help to control their chemical and ionic extracellular environment. 

The locus ceruleus is a structure located on the floor of the fourth ventricle in the rostral pons. It contains more than 50% of all noradrenergic neurons in the brain, and projects to almost all areas of the central nervous system. 

Reelin is an extracellular matrix protein, which is secreted by neuronal cells and binds to two lipoprotein receptors (VLDLR and ApoER2) that relay the Reelin signal inside target neurons by docking the tyrosine kinase adapter disabled-1 (Dabl). This allows neurons to complete migration and adopt their ultimate positions in laminar structures in the central nervous system. In... 

Tryptamine itself is found in all major centers of the brain. Its physiologic role in central nervous system (CNS) function, however, remains unclear. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) is an important neurotransmitter in the CNS. The structural similarity of the tryptamine-related hallucinogens with 5-HT presumably forms the neurochemical basis for their action within the CNS. 

Methods of detection, metabolism, and pathophysiology of the brevetoxins, PbTx-2 and PbTx-3, are summarized. Infrared spectroscopy and innovative chromatographic techniques were examined as methods for detection and structural analysis. Toxicokinetic and metabolic studies for in vivo and in vitro systems demonstrated hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion. An in vivo model of brevetoxin intoxication was developed in conscious tethered rats. Intravenous administration of toxin resulted in a precipitous decrease in body temperature and respiratory rate, as well as signs suggesting central nervous system involvement. A polyclonal antiserum against the brevetoxin polyether backbone was prepared a radioimmunoassay was developed with a sub-nanogram detection limit. This antiserum, when administered prophylactically, protected rats against the toxic effects of brevetoxin. 

Wiley CA, Achim C (1994) Human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis is the pathological correlate of dementia in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Ann Neurol 36(4) 673-676 Wiley CA, Baldwin M, Achim CL (1996) Expression of HIV regulatory and structural mRNA in the central nervous system. Aids 10(8) 843-847... 

The neuropathological analysis of HIV-associated neuropathies should include the different central and peripheral nervous system structures associated with sensory pathways, including spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia (DRG), peripheral nerve, and cutaneous nerve fibers (Pardo et al. 2001) (Fig. 4.1). The majority of studies have focused on the evaluation of the peripheral nerve, often from sural nerve biopsies and the DRG. Few studies have examined the pathology of sensory pathways in the... 

In the central nervous system (CNS) the concept that localized microdomains of calcium are responsible for triggering vesicle fusion generally refers to neurons (Rizzuto and Pozzan 2006). Concerning glial cells although the existence of structural... 

The mechanism whereby the bacteria produce the disease with its attendant symptoms is often due to the cells ability to produce specific poisons, toxins or aggressins (Chapter 14). Many of these are tissue-destroying enzymes which can damage the cellular structure ofthe body or destroy red blood cells. Others (neurotoxins) are highly specific poisons ofthe central nervous system, for example the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum is, weight for weight, one ofthe most poisonous substances known. 

Neurotransmitter receptors have evolved as one of the key components in the ability of the central nervous system to coordinate the behaviour of the whole animal, to process and respond to sensory input, and to adapt to change in the environment. These same receptors are therefore ideal targets for drug action because of their central role in the activity of the nervous system. A rational approach to the development of new therapeutic strategies involving the action of drugs at receptors in the nervous system is based on knowledge of receptor structure, distribution and function. 

Association of Pain, neuropathic pain is defined as pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion, dysfunction in the nervous system". Neuropathy can be divided broadly into peripheral and central neuropathic pain, depending on whether the primary lesion or dysfunction is situated in the peripheral or central nervous system. In the periphery, neuropathic pain can result from disease or inflammatory states that affect peripheral nerves (e.g. diabetes mellitus, herpes zoster, HIV) or alternatively due to neuroma formation (amputation, nerve transection), nerve compression (e.g. tumours, entrapment) or other injuries (e.g. nerve crush, trauma). Central pain syndromes, on the other hand, result from alterations in different regions of the brain or the spinal cord. Examples include tumour or trauma affecting particular CNS structures (e.g. brainstem and thalamus) or spinal cord injury. Both the symptoms and origins of neuropathic pain are extremely diverse. Due to this variability, neuropathic pain syndromes are often difficult to treat. Some of the clinical symptoms associated with this condition include spontaneous pain, tactile allodynia (touch-evoked pain), hyperalgesia (enhanced responses to a painful stimulus) and sensory deficits. 

Phytosterols have been demonstrated as being anti-cancer components in the diet (Awad and Fink 2000). Scientific studies indicate that phytosterols may offer profection against colon, breast and prostate cancers (Vanderhaeghe and Bouic, 2000). The possible mechanisms, as reported by these authors, include the effect of phytosterols on membrane structure and function and on the signal transduction pathways that regulate tumor growth and apoptosis. The rice bran derived phytosterol-cycloartenol-ferulic acid ester on the central nervous system has been studied by Hiraga et al. (1993). 

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