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Biomedical subjects

O Lindvall

Publications and source records attributed to O Lindvall.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Regeneration of normal terminal innervation patterns by central noradrenergic neurons after 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced axotomy in the adult rat.

The regeneration of central adrenergic axons has been followed between 5 days and 18 months after 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine(5,7-DHT)-induced axotomy in the adult rat, using fluorescence histochemistry in combination with noradrenaline (NA) determinations and [3H]NA uptake measurements. The axonal and terminal degeneration caused by the 5,7-DHT treatment (150 micrograms intraventricularly) was, by 1--2 weeks after injection, accompanied by a 70% reduction of NA in the forebrain and 30% reduction in the brain stem, and by 43--85% reductions in the [3H]NA uptake capacity in various regions of the brain and spinal cord. Signs of sprouting of the drug-lesioned axons were evident along the terminal axon segments at 5 days after treatment. The sprouts increased rapidly in length and number during the subsequent weeks and by 2--6 months after injection new NA terminal systems of relatively normal density and distribution had been re-established in many initially denervated regions. In parallel there was a recovery of endogenous NA and [3H]NA uptake to the pre-injection levels in the brain, and to levels 50--75% of normal in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. Four successive phases of the regeneration process are distinguished: (1) primary sprouting from the lesioned NA axon stumps, occurring within the first week after treatment; (2) seemingly random growth and proliferation of the newly formed sprouts during the second and third weeks; (3) directed, forward growth of some of the sprouts leading to a partial restoration of the original fibre paths, branching patterns and terminal networks within 3--6 months; (4) a concomitant removal of at least part of the abnormally directed sprouts. Although the original fibre architecture was quite accurately restored in many areas the regeneration was not always correct. Hyperinnervation patterns and abnormal terminal arrangements were often formed, and in the spinal cord the down-growth of the regenerating axons occurred predominantly along a route that is inconspicuous in the normal rat. It is concluded that at least certain types of central neurons regenerate very efficiently provided the conditions are favourable, and that under such conditions axonal regeneration in the mammalian CNS is subjected to regulatory mechanisms that can be very precise. The results provide evidence that the adult mammalian CNS possesses mechanisms for axonal guidance which allow the accurate regeneration of lesioned axonal tracts and branching patterns, as well as mechanisms of recognition making possible the re-establishment of the original terminal connections.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

Application of the aluminum-formaldehyde (ALFA) histofluorescence method for demonstration of peripheral stores of catecholamines and indolamines in freeze-dried paraffin-embedded tissue, cryostat sections and whole-mounts.

This paper describes new procedures for highly sensitive visualization of monoamine stores in peripheral tissues, taking advantage of the recently introduced aluminum-catalysed formaldehyde (ALFA) reaction. The tissues are exposed to an aluminum sulphate solution (with or without formaldehyde fixation) in a perfusion and/or immersion step, followed by formaldehyde vapour treatment. Procedures are described for freeze-dried, paraffin embedded tissue, cryostat sections and whole mount preparations. For all these tissue preparations the ALFA method gives a highly sensitive and precise demonstration of catecholamine-containing neurons and 5-HT-containing cells in a variety of peripheral tissues. For freeze-dried tissue and cryostat sections the ALFA method represents an improvement in comparison with other available methods. This is particularly noticeable for the very delicate adrenergic nerves in such organs as the thyroid, ovary, pancreas and the gastrointestinal tract.

Aluminum↗

Dopamine and noradrenaline neurons projecting to the septal area in the rat.

The organisation of the catecholamine innervation of the rat spetal area was investigated by means of the glyoxylic acid fluorescence method in combination with dopamine uptake studies, lesions and retrograde tracing of horseradish peroxidase. The following catecholamine systems to the septum could be established: 1. The Locus Coreuleus Noradrenergic System. These axons are widespread in the septum forming a moderately dense innervation in the anterior hippocampus, the medial septal nucleus, the nucleus of the diagonal band, and the interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis, and a sparse innervation in the lateral septal nucleus and the septofimbrial nucleus. 2. The Medulla Oblongata Noradrenergic System. This system originates in the A1, A2 or A3 cell groups, the axons forming a very dense innervation in the ventral part of the interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis, a moderately dense innervation in the nucleus of the diagonal band and lateral septal nucleus, and a sparse innervation in the medial septal nucleus, the septofimbrial nucleus and the dorsal part of the interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis. 3. The Mesencephalic Dopaminergic System. This system originates in the medial part of the A10 cell group, the axons forming two distinct terminal patterns. In the first type, smooth axons form pericellular arrangements around non-fluorscent neurons in the lateral septal nucleus. The second type is formed by fine-varicose axons which form a dense band around the fornix in the medial part of the lateral septal nucleus. 4. The Incerto-Hypothalamic Dopaminergic System. These axons most probably originate in cell bodies of the diencephalic A11, A13 and A14 cell groups, and are found in the lateral septal nucleus at the level of the anterior commissure.

Animals↗

Converging projections from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus and mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons to the neocortex in three species.

Previous studies in the rat have shown that the neocortical dopaminergic afferents, originating in the mesencephalon, terminate in those areas of the frontal lobe which receive projections from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus i.e., the prefrontal cortex. In order to clarify whether this overlap is accidental for the rat or a consistent feature of several species we have compared the projection areas of the ventral tegmental area and the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus in three species, rat, opossum and tree shrew, using HRP injections in combination with glyoxylic acid histofluorescence method. The results have shown, first, that the area innervated by the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus is localized in a different part of the frontal lobe in each species: dorsolateral in the opossum, anteromedial, polar and suprarhinal in the rat and frontopolar in the tree shrew. Secondly, this area alone in each species receives projections from the ventral tegmental area. Thirdly, this area alone receives a dense innervation in the deep cortical layers by fluorescent fibres probably containing dopamine. The neighbouring neocortical areas receive afferents neither from the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus nor from the ventral mesencephalic tegmentum; their catecholamine innervation is mainly confined to the superficial layers and appears to be of noradrenergic nature. Although the techniques used did not allow a precise determination of the borders of the two projection areas and, therefore, the exact degree of overlap, it appears that mesencephalic dopaminergic innervation is a characteristic feature of the prefrontal cortex in the mammalian brain.

Animals↗

Evidence for new catecholamines or related amino acids in some invertebrate sensory neurons.

In certain sensory neurons of many different invertebrate species, including the sea anemones. Metridium senile and Tealia felina and the crustacean Artemia salina, fluorophores are formed during the course of the fluorescent histochemical technique of Falck-Hillarp. The presumed catecholamine nature of the neuronal fluorogenic compound was investigated by microspectrofluorometry, and the spectral characteristics of the fluorescence in the taxonomically different species was found to be very similar (excitation maximum at 375 nm with a smaller peak or shoulder at 330 nm and sometimes a shoulder in the spectrum at 410 nm; emission maximum at 475 nm). The emission maximum coincides with that of the catecholamines and DOPA (475 nm). The excitation maximum (375 nm) directly after formaldehyde treatment, however- differs from that of the catecholamines and DOPA (410 nm), but is similar to the excitation maximum displayed by these catechol derivatives at acid pH. The spectral characteristics of the fluorophore in the sensory cells might therefore theoretically be explained by an acid pH in the cells. This means improbable, however, and it is suggested that the phenomenon is due to the presence of unknown catechol derivatives. Analyses of the pH-dependent spectral changes indicate that the presumed catechol derivative in Tealia felina is beta-hydroxylated, whereas that in Artemia salina is not.

Amino Acids↗

Magnesium ions in catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry. Application to the cryostat and vibratome techniques.

The effects of high concentrations of magnesium ions in the cryostat and Vibratome procedures for visualization of catecholamine fluorescence in the central nervous system have been investigated. In cryostat sections, obtained from specimens perfused with a formaldehyde and glyoxylic acid containing buffer, the addition of high concentrations of MgSO4 to the perfusion solution enhances the fluorescence intensity and reduces the unspecific background fluorescence and the diffusion of the catecholamine fluorophore. This improves the visualization of all portions of the central catecholamine-containing neurons. Similar effects are obtained in the formaldehyde-Vibratome technique by the introduction of an immersion bath containing MgSO4 after the sectioning procedure. The use of the magnesium perfusion or immersion steps furthermore increases the reproducibility of the Vibratome and cryostat techniques. The paper describes the improved Vibratome and cryostat techniques used in our laboratory.

Animals↗

Fluorescence histochemical demonstration of dopa thioethers by condensation with gaseous formaldehyde.

The usefulness of the formaldehyde (FA) and glyoxylic acid (GA) methods for the fluorescence histochemical demonstration of dopa thioethers has been tested using protein droplet models. Similar fluorescence intensities were recorded from these compounds after either FA or GA treatment. Cysteinyldopa gave a high fluorescence yield similar to that obtained from dopamine and dopa in the FA reaction, whereas gluatitodopa showed a lower, although clearly visible fluorescence. Since the FA method seemed to be the most useful one for demonstration of catechol thioethers, the FA-induced fluorophores of these compounds were further characterized by microspectrofluorometry. The spectral characteristics of the thioether fluorophores (excitation maxima at 420 nm and emission maxima at 480-485 nm) distinguish these substances from dopa and other compounds fluorogenic in the Falck-Hillarp method. Dopa thioethers are proposed to form fluorophores with FA in a manner analogous to that of the primary catecholamines i.e. via low-fluorescent tetrahydroisoquinolines, along two different pathways, to strongly fluorescent 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines and 2-methyl-dihydroisoquinolinium compounds. These dihydroisoquinolines are in a pH-dependent tautomeric equilbrium with their quinoidal forms as reflected by a characteristic spectral shift upon acidification. The results of this study provide the guide-lines for the characterization of fluorogenic compounds in pigment-forming cells.

Cysteinyldopa↗

Combined visualization of central catecholamine- and acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons: application of the glyoxylic acid and thiocholine histochemical methods to the same Vibratome section.

This paper describes a procedure for demonstration of catecholamine- and acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons in the same section of central nervous tissue. The brains are first processed according to the glyoxylic acid (GA) fluorescence method for catecholamine neurons, i.e. perfused with an ice-cold GA solution, sectioned on a Vibratome instrument, immersed in a GA solution and dried under a stream of warm air. The unmounted sections are examined and photographed in the fluorescence microscope, and then stained for acetylcholinesterse according to Holmstedt's modification of the Koelle thiocholine method (incubation for 4-6 h with acetylthiocholine as substrate and Mipafox as inhibitor of non-specific cholinesterases). the sections are then examined in the light microscope, rephotographed, and the picture compared with that following the GA reaction. The present technique makes possible, for the first time, detailed light microscopical studies of themorphological relations between central catecholamine-and acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons in the same section.

Acetylcholinesterase↗