Motor neurons axon regeneration

IGF I has recently been the focus of considerable interest due to its actions on motor neurons. It can prevent normal motor neuron cell death during development, reduce the loss of these cells following nerve injury and enhance axonal regeneration. In the adult, injection of IGF I results in sprouting of motor neuron terminals and increases the size of the neuromuscular junction. These and other studies suggest potential therapeutic applications of IGF I in several neurological diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and peripheral neuropathies. 

Kalla R, Liu Z, Xu S, Koppius A, Imai Y, Kloss CU, Kohsaka S, Gschwendtner A, Moller JC, Werner A, Raivich G (2001) Microglia and tlie eaidy phase of immune sui veillance in tlie axotomized facial motor nucleus Impaired microglial activation and lymphocyte recruitment but no effect on neuronal suiwival or axonal regeneration in macrophage-colony stimulating factor-deficient mice. J Comp Neurol 436 182—201. 

Le TB, Aszmann O, Chen YG, Royall RM, Brushart TM (2001) Effects of pathway and neuronal aging on the specificity of motor axon regeneration. Exp Neurol 167 126-132. 

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