Abstract
Lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) increased the number of neurons in the frontal neocortex staining for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Intracerebroventricular treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF; 10 micrograms per day for 6 weeks) did not further increase this number. NGF increased the size of NBM neurons [Brain Res., 584 (1992) 55-63], but not those in the neocortex. However, NGF increased the area of ChAT-positive fiber staining in the neocortex. These data suggest that NGF enhances cholinergic innervation to the neocortex by affecting residual NBM neurons, rather than cortical cholinergic neurons.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Acetylcholinesterase / analysis
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Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism*
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Animals
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Cerebral Cortex / cytology
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Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
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Cerebral Cortex / enzymology*
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Hippocampus / enzymology
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Hippocampus / metabolism
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Immunohistochemistry
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Injections, Intraventricular
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Male
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Nerve Fibers / drug effects
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Nerve Fibers / enzymology*
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Nerve Growth Factors / pharmacology*
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Neurons / drug effects*
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Parasympathetic Nervous System / cytology*
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Parasympathetic Nervous System / drug effects
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred F344
Substances
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Nerve Growth Factors
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Acetylcholinesterase