Use Of Neurotrophins On The Function Of The Neuron...

Within nerve cells there are proteins called neurotrophins. They play a role in development and in the function of neuron signalling. Nerve Growth Factor (NGf) is a neurotrophin that stimulates division and development of sympathetic and embryonic sensory neurons. Without it functioning effectively neuron signalling is reduced. A 2010 study conducted on the brains of lab rats (Durson et al 2011) indicated that Vitamin D has the potential to upregulate VDR expression and nerve growth factor (NGF), thus reducing cell apoptosis and increasing nerve cell signalling. This mechanism indicates that VD may have cognitive enhancing effects as well as AD preventative effects. Vitamin D and Animal Studies In 2011 researchers, having grown an understanding of the mechanisms of AD development in humans, wanted to see if genetically modified mice with the ABPP gene could develop plaques in the brain similarly to aging human brains. 35% of transgenic mice died before 6 months and high levels of AB were found in the brains of these mice upon dissection. The transgenic mice who remained alive had increased levels of AB in the brain and increased biomarkers of DNA oxidative damage. When compared with wild mice the transgenic mice showed significantly higher memory deficits after behavioural testing (Xiong et al 2011). This indicates that when genetically modified to increase AB plaque formation, transgenic mouse models could be used in preliminary study of VD3 on AB accumulation. AnotherShow MoreRelatedEssay On Fmri1267 Words   |  6 Pagesbecause of the inability to record from the entire brain. Using a staggered single trial design, where stimuli are presented at different timings across trials (relative to temporal resolution), could achieve sub-temporal resolution as well (14). The use of multiple receiver coils can also decrease scan time in proportion to the number of coils used (10). By using single-shot, gradient-echo acquisition with a phased array coil, the grid space of a single slice can be covered in less time (31). ThisRead MoreAnnotated Bibliography On Human Biology Department3407 Words   |  14 Pagesthat can be useful in the framework of neurodegeneration. Deleglise et al (2013) fabricated a 3 chamber microfluidic chip. The chambers held one of: coritical neuron soma and dendrites, cortical axons, or striatal neurons. The chip was designed to replicate an oriented neuronal connection from the coritcal to the striatal cells. Through the us e of a chemically induced axotomy, by adding fluid to the central chamber (housing the cortical axon), showed that their chip could be used to simulate a lesion