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l-glutamate (Glu) is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and is associated with motor behavior and sensory perception. While microdialysis methods have been used to record tonic levels of Glu, little is known about the more rapid changes in Glu signals that may be observed in awake rats. We have reported acute recording methods using enzyme-based microelectrode arrays (MEA) with fast response time and low detection levels of Glu in anesthetized animals with minimal interference. The current paper concerns modification of the MEA design to allow for reliable measures in the brain of conscious rats. In this study, we characterized the effects of chronic implantation of the MEA into the brains of rats. We were capable of measuring Glu levels for 7 days without loss of sensitivity. We performed studies of tail-pinch induced stress, which caused a robust biphasic increase in Glu. Histological data show chronic implantation of the MEAs caused minimal injury to the CNS. Taken together, our data show that chronic recordings of tonic and phasic Glu can be carried out in awake rats for up to 17 days in vivo allowing longer term studies of Glu regulation in behaving rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several neurodegenerative diseases, however, ectopic neuronal cell cycle events are found associated with regions of neuronal death. In the paper by Zhu et al., the authors use abnormal neuronal cell cycle activity as a screen to test natural compounds derived from marine bacteria for their potential in preventing it and thus acting as neuroprotective agents. B Image content: b This image shows cerebellar Purkinje cells in one-month old mouse model of ataxia-telangiectasia, a neurodegenerative disease. [Extracted from the article]

In Aplysia, the neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes and motor functions, like feeding behaviour, and in the siphon-gill withdrawal reflex. In this paper, we report the characterization of the first Aplysia D1-like dopamine receptor (Apdop1) mainly expressed in the CNS, heart and buccal mass. Following expression of the Apdop1 receptor in HEK293 cells, a higher level of cAMP was observed in the absence of the receptor ligand, showing that Apdop1 is constitutively active. This activity was blocked by the inverse agonist flupentixol. Application of dopamine (EC50 of 35 nm) or serotonin (EC50 of 36 μm) to Apdop1-transfected HEK293 cells further increased the level of cAMP, suggesting that the receptor is linked to the stimulatory Gs protein pathway. When expressed in cultured sensory neurons, Apdop1 immunoreactivity was observed in the cell body and neurites. Control sensory neurons responded to dopamine with a decrease in excitability mediated by a pertusis toxin-sensitive G protein. Expression of Apdop1 produced an increase in hyperpolarization in the absence of agonist and an increase in membrane excitability following stimulation by dopamine. In the presence of pertussis toxin to inhibit the Gi protein inhibitory pathway responsible for decrease in excitability mechanism, Stimulation of membrane excitability was observed. Apdop1 sensitivity to dopamine makes it a potential modulator of operant conditioning procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts of research papers related to cell death in the central nervous system. The papers were presented at a meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the American Society for Neurochemistry. The abstracts include "Mitochondrial dysfunction in glial cell death," "Mitochondria, calcium and neuronal cell death," and "Confocal microscopy of cell death: shared mitochondrial pathways to apoptosis and necrosis."

The article presents abstracts of research papers about blood brain barrier and its role in immune privilege in the CNS in health and disease. They include "Heterogeneity of the CNS microvasculature," "Reactive oxygen species and pathological events in multiple sclerosis," "Dendritic cell migration across the blood-brain barrier is mediated via tight junctions in mmp-dependent way," and "Blood-brain barrier transmigration of human monocytes induces their differentiation into dendritic cells."

The article presents abstracts of research papers about molecular and cellular mechanisms of migration during central nervous system myelination and remyelination. They include "Complex origins of oligodendrocytes in the forebrain," "Environmental regulation of oligodendrocyte precursor development," "Molecular control of neural stem cell mobilization in the demyelinated CNS," and "Oligodendrogenesis in an NG2-reactive zone after spinal cord injury."

The article presents abstracts of research papers about the role of manganese in central nervous system neurotoxicity and idiopathic Parkinson's disease. They include "Manganese-induced dopamine neurodegeneration in C. elegans: pharmacogenetic analysis in a novel model of manganism," "Dietary iron modulates manganese neurotoxicity," "Effects of chronic manganese exposure on cognitive and motor functioning in nonhuman primates," and "Neuroimaging and neuropathological changes in the nonhuman primate brain by chronic Mn exposure."

The article presents abstracts of research papers related to glutathione metabolism in the central nervous system. They include "Pathways involved in peroxide detoxification by brain cells," "Cellular and subcellular localization of glutathione and glutathione precursors: high resolution immunogold analyses," and "Impairment of energy production in brain mitochondria by glutathione deprivation and nitric oxide production."

The article presents an abstract of the medical research paper "Gene Transfer in CNS," which will be discussed in the Seventeenth Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the Thirteenth General Meeting of the European Society for Neurochemistry, to be held during August 8-14, 1999 in Berlin, Germany. The paper demonstrates the improved efficacy of gene transfer via cationic cholesterol-containing liposomes in the central nervous system of a rat.

The article provides information on an abstract of the paper "Analysis of Migration and Differentiation of Mouse Hindbrain Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells in Flat Culture System," which will be presented at the 30th meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry from March 14-17, 1999 in Louisiana. The paper findings highlight that oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells in the central nervous system of a human body.

The article provides information on an abstract of the paper "Intracranial Injection of Apotransferrin Causes Early Oligodendroglial Cell Differentiation and Downregulates the Expression of Its Gene in the CNS," which will be presented at the 30th meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry in Louisiana. The paper findings highlight that oligodendrocytes and the myelin forming cells are also responsible in the central nervous system for the synthesis of transferrin.

The article presents an abstract of the paper "B7-1 Expression by Oligodendrocytes Enhances Viral-Induced CNS Autoimmune Disease," which will be presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry to be held from March 14-17, 1999 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The paper focuses on how the central nervous system autoimmune disease can get effected by infection on a virus sharing epitopes along with a protein delivered in oligodendrocytes.

The article presents an abstract of the paper "Formation of Advanced Glycation End Products by Human Proteolipid Protein," which will be presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry to be held from March 14-17, 1999 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Proteolipid was found to be a target protein for glycation and advanced glycation end products formation in the brain in the paper and it can be engaged in the central nervous system pathophysiology in diabetes.

The article presents an abstract of the paper "Nicotine Induced Changes in Gene Expression in the Central Nervous System," which will be presented at the 30th annual meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry to be held from March 14-17, 1999 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The paper discusses the changes in gene expression associated with addiction to nicotine in the central nervous system.

Presents abstracts of papers featured in the "Journal of Neurochemistry" that deal with the structure, regulation and functions of aquaporins in the central nervous system. "Aquaporins in health and disease"; Structure and function of water and ion channels"; "Development of aquaporin expressed in CNS".

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Qualitative and Quantitative Changes in a ß-Trace Protein in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Degenerative and Other Neurological Disorders." ß-Trace Protein is the most abundant component among human cerebrospinal fluid proteins. It is a glycoprotein which has got a potent affinity to lipophilic small molecules and works as their transporter in the central nervous system.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complex Deficiency in Human Epileptic Hippocampus." The research determines that selective changes in the activity of complex 1 of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation occur in epileptogenic human central nervous system tissue. The research shows that the local functional impairment of mitochondria in human hippocampus can be a novel pathomechanism in temporal lobe epilepsy.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Mechanisms of Gene Regulation by NF-B and Stress in the Central Nervous System." Cumulative oxidative damage may lead to increased apoptosis. This may be due to chronic exposure to the reactive oxygen species byproducts of oxidative metabolism and neurotransmitter signaling pathways.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Diet, lipids and brain development." Formation of a myelin sheath is one of the fundamental and necessary events in the normal development of the central nervous system in vertebrates. Myelinogenesis is basically a postnatal process in rodents.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Pathways Underlying the Disposal of H2O2 in the Mitochondria of the Central Nervous System." The findings indicate that isocitrate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase contribute to the regeneration of mitochondrial NAPDH required for the reduction of oxidized glutathione, which in turn is produced during elimination of H2O2 by the glutathione system.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "L-Glutamic Acid - Endogenic Differentiation Factor of HL-60 Cells." The research shows that L-Glutamic acid (L-Glu) is known to be the important neuromediator in the central nervous system and is acting through different types of glutamate receptors. The research finds that L-Glu decreased the expression level of mRNA of IL-1 and IL-6, and increased the expression of mRNA of TNF-a.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Expression of the Glycoprotein AN2 on Early Progenitor Cells of the Central Nervous System." Researchers in the study determine the developmental properties of AN2+ cells in vitro and after transplantation. They characterize the developmental pattern of AN2 expression on brain sections.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "A Role for Pax6 in Rhombic Lip Derived Neurons." The study shows that Pax6 is a key regulator in central nervous system, and eye development. The study determines that Pax6 plays a strong role during hindbrain migration processes. According to the study, neurons of the precerebellar nuclei are generated at the lower rhombic lip.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Expression of CD137, a Member of the Tumour Necrosis factor Receptor Superfamily, in the Developing Human Brain." The study findings suggest that CD137 can play a role in cell-cell interaction during the human brain development and in central nervous system diseases.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Characterization of Verotoxin Receptors and its Distribution in Central Nervous System." The research study examined the binding of verotoxin to several receptor glycolipids. The immunohistochemical studies on antibodies demonstrated the existence of verotoxin receptor in small sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia of human, rabbit, rat and mouse.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Effect of Acute Prenatal Hypoxic Hypoxia on the GABAA Receptor Complex in Developing CNS." The work found that hypoxic conditions modify CNS neurotransmission. It will be presented in the joint meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the European Society of Neurochemistry that will be held in Berlin, Germany from August 8-14, 1999.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Effects of Endogenous Neurosteroid Chronic Administration on the GABAA-receptor in avian CNS." The data indicate that chronic epipregnanolone treatment in ovo produces homologous uncoupling between the neurosteroid modulatory site and the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor sites.

The article presents an abstract of a research paper concerning the expression pattern of AINT1 protein in embryonic, postnatal and adult mice. AINT1 mRNA expression was strong already at e9 and e10 in neuroepithelium of neural tube and in placenta. In postnatal mice, AINT1 expression was evident only in kidney, spleen and thymus while in adult mice expression was only seen in testis. The findings suggest that AINT1 has an important role in development of central nervous system.

The article presents an abstract of a research paper concerning the effect of NF-kB, an acute phase response factor, in genetic regulation of the central nervous system (CNS). NF-kB is sensitive to oxidative stress and has anti-apoptotic and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) suppressing properties in the CNS. There are alterations in NF-kB-binding activity in aged brain and that the ChAT and Bcl-x genes have NF-kB sites in the promoters that acts as a suppressor and enhancer respectively.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Effects of Ammonia on Glutamate (glt-1 and glast) Transporter Expression in Cultured Astrocytes." It concludes that pathogenesis of central nervous system dysfunction in hyperammonemic disorders such as urea cycle enzymopathies and HE may act as factor in increasing extracellular concentrations of glutamate.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Vinpocetine Inhibits Glutamate and Aspartate Release Evoked by the Elevation of Internal Sodium." The study was aimed at understanding the mechanism understanding underlying mechanism for neuroprotective action of vinpocetine in the Central Nervous System.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Microglia-Dependent Neurodegeneration: An In Vitro Model." It will be presented in the joint meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the European Society of Neurochemistry that will be held in Berlin, Germany from August 8-14, 1999. Microglial cells adopt an activated phenotype when a pathological situation arises in the central nervous system.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Potassium Potentiates Nitric Oxide Production by Cultured Microglia." It will be presented in the joint meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the European Society of Neurochemistry that will be held in Berlin, Germany from August 8-14, 1999. In some diseases of central nervous system, a key role is played by the activation of microglia.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "The Accumulation And Differentiation Of Oligodendrocyte Progenitors Following Mature Oligodendrocyte Apoptosis." The model of cuprizone intoxication to induce synchronous demyelination of the corpus callosum is utilized to examine mature oligodendrocytes during demyelination. Oligodendrocyte progenitors cells are responsible for remyelinating demyelinated lesions within the central nervous system.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Function Of Na+-K+-2CL- Cotransporter in Astrocytes." The role played by Na+-K+-2CL- Cotransporter in astrocytes is important as it helps in the regulation of ion homeostasis in the central nervous system. It is found that differentiated astrocytes changed from a polygonal to process-bearing morphology, showing alike a characteristic of matured and reactive astrocytes in situ.

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Mechanism of α- Ketoisocaproate Accumulation in Rat Cerebral Cortical Neurons." It will be presented in the joint meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the European Society of Neurochemistry that will be held in Berlin, Germany from August 8-14, 1999. The main excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, glutamate, is produced in neurons with the help of glutamine sysnthesized in glial cells.

The article presents an abstract of the paper titled "MAP-Kinase and PI-3-Kinase As Transducers of Antiapoptotic BDNF Signaling in CNS Neurons." It investigates the role of neurotrophins MAP-Kinase and PI-3-Kinase in promoting the survival and suppressing apoptosis in the central nervous system neurons.

The article presents an abstract of the study "Lipid Signal Molecules and their Regulation During Oxidative Stress in the Developing Brain." The research paper for the study would be presented in the 30th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry, on March 14-17, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana.