Spinal cord

The firmness of the spinal cord is usually increased (Reese and Bareta 1950, Ed STROM et al. 1959). In contrast to the components of the cauda equina, which may be thickened, the spinal cord tends to be atrophic (Gordon and Hudson 1959). 

The appearance of nerve roots is similar to that of peripheral nerves. In addition to partial demyelination there is extensive connective tissue proliferation. Blood vessels of the spinal cord may appear hyaline and the vessel wall shows increased eosinophilia (Reese and Bareta 1950). 

The overall picture in the spinal cord consists of degenerative changes of motor neurons involvement is less intensive than that of peripheral nerves. 

Sympathetic ganglia (Cammermeyer 1956) may be slightly fibrotic with rare lymphocytic nodules. There were conspicuous reactive changes and loss of ganglion cells in one of this author s case (T. A.). Sympathetic nerve fibers traversing the ganglia were not involved. 

The brains of the cases H. B., G. B. and T. A. (Refsum 1946 b) and of case I (Refsum et al. 1949, Salomonsen and Skatvedt 1949) have been thoroughly studied by Cammermeyer (1946, 1956) and by Cammermeyer et al. (1954). To date autopsy data on about ten brains of patients with HAP are available (Reese and Bareta 1950, Gellerstedt 1953, Edstrom et al. 1959, Gordon and Hudson 1959, Alexander 1966). 

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Cholesterol is the central compound m any discussion of steroids Its name is a combination of the Greek words for bile (chole) and solid (stereos) preceding the characteristic alcohol suffix ol It is the most abundant steroid present m humans and the most important one as well because all other steroids arise from it An average adult has over 200 g of cholesterol it is found m almost all body tissues with relatively large amounts present m the brain and spinal cord and m gallstones Cholesterol is the chief constituent of the plaque that builds up on the walls of arteries m atherosclerosis... 

Adrenocortical insufficiency Organ transplants Liver disease Adrenogenital syndrome Nephrotic syndrome Acute spinal cord injury Hyp ere alemia Hematologic disorders Myasthenia gravis Neoplastic disease... 

Neurotensin. This hormone has been isolated and characterized from acid—acetone extracts of bovine hypothalamus (118) on the basis of its hypotensive activity. Immunoreactive neurotensin is present in mammalian gut and is distributed throughout the central nervous system its highest concentration is in the hypothalamus and in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord (119). Its overall brain distribution is not unlike that of enkephalin ( ) ... 

Steroid Hormones and Neurosteroids. Steroids (qv) can affect neuroendocrine function, stress responses, and behavioral sexual dimorphism (78,79) (see Steroids). Mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors are localized in the brain and spinal cord. In addition to genomic actions, the neurosteroid can act more acutely to modulate the actions of other receptors or ion channels (80). Pregnenolone [145-13-17, ( ) dehydroepiandosterone [53-43-0] C H2 02 (319) are excitatory neurosteroids found in rat brain, independent of adrenal... 

As a neurotransmitter in the sensory nervous system, high levels of substance P are found in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord as well as in peripheral sensory nerve terminals. However, substance P also plays a significant role as a neuromodulator in the central, sympathetic, and enteric nervous system. NKA and NKB are also localized selectively in the CNS. 

Neurokinin effects are terrninated by proteolysis. In vitro acetylcholinesterase (ACE) and enkephalinase can hydrolyze substance P. However, there appears to be no clear evidence that either acetylcholinesterase or ACE limit the actions of released substance P. Enkephalinase inhibitors, eg, thiorphan, can augment substance P release or action in some systems but the distribution of enkephalinase in the brain does not precisely mirror that of substance P. There appears to be a substance P-selective enzyme in brain and spinal cord. 

Three tachykinin GPCRs, NK, NK, and NK, have been identified and cloned. AH are coupled to phosphatidjhnositol hydrolysis. The NK receptor is selective for substance P (SP) and is relatively abundant in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral tissues. The NK receptor is selective for NKA and is present in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary bladder, and adrenal gland but is low or absent in the CNS. The NIC receptor is selective for NKB and is present in low amounts in the gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder, but is abundant in some areas of the CNS, ie, the spinal dorsal bom, soUtary nucleus, and laminae IV and V of the cortex with moderate amounts in the interpeduncular nucleus. Mismatches in the distribution of the tachykinins and tachykinin receptors suggest the possibility of additional tachykinin receptor subtypes. 

The human body has more than 600 muscles. The body s movement is performed by muscle contractions, which are stimulated by the nervous system. This system links muscle tissue to the spinal cord and brain. The network of nerve cells which carries the brain s signals directs the flow of muscular energy. Most muscular activity occurs beyond the range of the conscious mind. The body, working through the neuromuscular network, manages... 

Water-soluble contrast media (CM) are preferred because of effective mixing with CSF, plus the radiopaque is absorbed and effectively excreted in the urine, and does not have to be physically removed from the subarachnoid space after the procedure. Sodium methiodal, the first water-soluble agent used for myelography, produced neurotoxicity problems when exposed to the cells of the spinal cord and brain, thus limiting utility to the lumbar region and requiring the appHcation of spinal or general anesthesia. 

Picrotoxin has been instmmental in estabUshing an inhibitory neurotransmitter role for the amino acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), quantitatively the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS. Whereas glycine is predominately localized in the spinal cord, GABA... 

Neurological symptoms result from demyelination of the spinal cord and are potentially irreversible. The symptoms and signs characteristic of a vitamin B 2 deficiency include paresthesis of the hands and feet, decreased deep-tendon reflexes, unsteadiness, and potential psychiatric problems such as moodiness, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. Neuropsychiatric disorders sometimes develop independently of the anemia, particularly in elderly patients. Visual loss may develop as a result of optic atrophy. 

Central chambered system A combination of components in a dedicated chamber. Central nervous system (CNS) The system of the body composed of the brain and spinal cord, which controls important body functions. 

Peripheral nervous system Nerve tissues lying outside the brain and spinal cord, functions include the transmittal of sensory information such as touch, heat, cold, and pain, and the motor impulses for limb movement. 

Codeine (morphine methyl ether) resembles morphine in its general effect, but is less toxic and its depressant action less marked and less prolonged, whilst its stimulating action involves not only the spinal cord, but also the lower parts of the brain. In small doses in man it induces sleep, which is not so deep as that caused by morphine, and in large doses it causes restlessness and increased reflex excitability rather than sleep. The respiration is slowed less than by morphine (cf. table, p. 261). Cases of addiction for codeine can occur but according to Wolff they are rare. The best known ethers of morphine are ethylmorphine and benzyl-morphine [cf., table, p. 261), both used to replace morphine or codeine for special purposes. 

Peters s results for corycavine and corycavamine indicate that these two alkaloids produce narcosis in frogs followed by paralysis of the spinal cord, and in mammals increased secretion of tears and saliva and epileptiform convulsions without increase of reflex irritability they also adversely affect the heart. ... 

In the early 1930 s, when the prime research aim was the commercial synthesis of the sex hormones (whose structures had just been elucidated), the principal raw material available was cholesterol extracted from the spinal cord or brain of cattle or from sheep wool grease. This sterol (as its 3-acetate 5,6-dibromide) was subjected to a rather drastic chromic acid oxidation, which produced a variety of acidic, ketonic and hydroxylated products derived mainly by attack on the alkyl side-chain. The principal ketonic material, 3j -hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one, was obtained in yields of only about 7% another useful ketone, 3 -hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolone) was obtained in much lower yield. The chief acidic product was 3j -hydroxy-androst-5-ene-17j -carboxylic acid. All three of these materials were then further converted by various chemical transformations into steroid hormones and synthetic analogs ... 

Autonomic nervous system. The portion of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord that is responsible for monitoring and controlling the digestive system, cardiovascular system, and other organs that are not under direct conscious control. 

CNS (Central Nervous System). The brain and the spinal cord. CNS stimulant. A drug that counteracts fatigue and somnolence. 

Riicken-. back, dorsal, spinal, -ansicht./. rear view, -bein, n. backbone, spine, -mark, n. spinal cord, -saule, /. vertebral column, -seite, /. back side, back, rear, -weh, n. lumbago, -wirbel, m. dorsal vertebra. 

ALS is a disorder of the motor neurons and the cortical neurons that provide their input. The disorder is characterized by rapidly progressive weakness and muscle atrophy. Most affected patients die of respiratory compromise and pneumonia after 2 to 3 years. There is prominent loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem although the oculomotor neurons are spared. Large pyramidal motor neurons in layer V of motor cortex, which are the origin of the descending corticospinal tracts, are also lost. 

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