Chapter 17 Ganglioside prevention of neuronal functional decay

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the experimental results on the effects of gangliosides on neuronal plasticity and regeneration. Tissue culture and regeneration experiments have shown that gangliosides promote the dynamics of sprouting and increase the sprouting capacity of either injured or intact axons during partial denervation. On the other hand, there are indications that GM 1 enhancement of the central nervous system (CNS) pathway regeneration may be a consequence of a primary effect of preventing retrograde degeneration. Such a prevention of functional decay has been shown in a complex series of experiments with preparations exposed to ionic imbalances and hypoxia. GM 1 ganglioside treatments in vivo have protective effects against the deterioration of membrane functions, as depicted by ATPase deactivation in hypoxic slices. The membrane events triggered by ganglioside incorporation may occur in steps. The first step may be the activation of membrane activities, such as ATPase function. A second step, apparent after various numbers of hours, is characterized by a protective effect against membrane function deterioration.