Protective and therapeutic role for αB-crystallin in autoimmune demyelination

αB-crystallin (CRYAB) is the most abundant gene transcript present in early active multiple sclerosis lesions, whereas such transcripts are absent in normal brain tissue. This crystallin has anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective functions. CRYAB is the major target of CD4+ T-cell immunity to the myelin sheath from multiple sclerosis brain. The...

Toll-like receptor 3 on adult human astrocytes triggers production of neuroprotective mediators

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are innate immunity receptors that are expressed on a wide range of cell types, including CNS glial cells. In general, TLR engagement by specific sets of microbial ligands triggers production of pro-inflammatory factors and enhances antigen-presenting cell functions. The functional roles of TLR in the CNS, however, are...

Neuroprotective effects of modafinil in a marmoset Parkinson model: Behavioral and neurochemical aspects

The vigilance-enhancing agent modafinil has neuroprotective properties: it prevents striatal ischemic injury, nigrostriatal pathway deterioration after partial transsection and intoxication with 1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. The present study determines the protective effects of modafinil in the marmoset 1-methyl-1,2,3,6...

Beneficial effects of TCP on soman intoxication in guinea pigs: Seizures, brain damage and learning behaviour

Poisoning with the potent nerve agent soman produces a cascade of central nervous system (CNS) effects characterized by severe convulsions and eventually death. In animals that survive a soman intoxication, lesions in the amygdala, piriform cortex, hippocampus and thalamus can be observed. In order to examine the mechanisms involved in the...

Spina bifida: Preventief beleid kan effectiever [Spina bifida: Prevention can be more effective]

The prevalence of the severe disease spina bifida is decreasing, but the present rate is still unacceptably high. Only one-third of women planning motherhood use the recommended folic acid, although compliance is increasing. Campaigns for the use of folic acid by these women should be intensified. This method, however, cannot completely prevent...

Geboorteprevalentie van neuralebuisdefecten voor en na campagne voor periconceptioneel foliumzuurgebruik [Birth prevalence of neural tube defects before and after campaign for periconceptional use of folic acid]

Objective. To describe the incidence and the expected clinical picture of neural tube defects (NTD) in years when periconceptional folic acid use increased. Design. Descriptive. Method. Data on the prevalence of NTD in the Netherlands in 1994-1998 and on the prognosis at the time of the report obtained from the Nederlands Signalerings Centrum...