Neurobiological Tools Research Articles

Mutations affecting myelination in the central nervous system: research tools in neurobiology

Myelin formation requires the intimate involvement of both neurons and certain types of glial cell. It is thus an extremely difficult process to study. Here N. Baumann describes some elegant experiments in which myelin deficient mutants are used to probe some of the biochemical processes underlying development of the myelin sheath.

Acetylcholinesterase and the cholinergic neuron

While the distribution of AChE in the central nervous system remains largely unexplained, neurons with very high levels of AChE are frequently identified as cholinergic, and cholinergic neurons always have high levels of AChE. This supports the utility of the empirical rule, that identification of cholinergic neurons requires demonstration of high levels of AChE. The application of this rule in conjuction with neuroanatomical and biochemical data has already provided substantial new insights into the organization of central cholinergic systems. It is evident that AChE histochemistry continues to be a valuable neurobiological tool, particularly in characterizing neurons that may be cholinergic, and also in identifying those neurons that cannot be cholinergic.

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:Animal Models in Psychiatry and Neurology. (Editors I. Hanin & E. Usdin.)Receptor Binding Studies in Adrenergic Pharmacology by L. T. Williams & R. J. Lefkowitz.Kainic Acid as a Tool in Neurobiology (Editors E. G. McGeer, J. W. Olney & P. L. McGeer)

Ornithine decarboxylase as a tool in developmental neurobiology

The developmental pattern of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity has proven valuable in elucidating the influence of the perinatal environment on maturation of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Effects of hormones, drugs and maternal-neonatal interactions on ODC can be used to predict subsequent alterations in brain growth, central neurotransmitter systems and ontogeny of sympathetic nerve function.

The freeze-fracture technique as a tool in neurobiology

Most scientists have come to appreciate the detail and beauty of Nature's structures, both physical and biological, as viewed under the electronmicroscope. Some of the more attractive pictures have been provided in scanning electronmicrographs. One of the most recent techniques employed to pry into the neural structure is the freeze-fracture technique, which itself is producing equally fascinating pictures of the appearance of the inner faces of cellular membranes, permitting detailed study of their macromolecular organization. Robert Gulley describes some of the advances which such studies are permitting.

The intracerebrally cultured ‘microbrain’: A new tool in developmental neurobiology

The structural organization of grafts of fetal rat brain stem, implanted into the choroidal fissure in the brains of adult rats, have been investigated light-and electron-microscopically after 3–6 months survival. The results demonstrate a continued neuronal differentiation, synaptogenesis, gliogenesis and myelogenesis in the implants, resulting in a well-organized structure with all cytological features of mature brain tissue. Externally, the implants were covered by a CSF-filled pia-arachnoid, from which the tissue derived its vascular supply, and internally ependyma-lined ventricle-like spaces were found in communication with the external subarachnoid space. The ability of the intracerebrally cultured brain stem implants to develop into such highly organized ‘microbian’ structures has interesting potentials for studies in mammalian neuroembryology.

Third international symposium on cytopharmacology: Neurotoxins; Tools in Neurobiology

Third international symposium on cytopharmacology: Neurotoxins; Tools in Neurobiology

Third international symposium on cytopharmacology neurotoxins: Tools in neurobiology: Fondazione G. Cini, Venice, July 10–14, 1978

Third international symposium on cytopharmacology neurotoxins: Tools in neurobiology: Fondazione G. Cini, Venice, July 10–14, 1978