Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “GANGLION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Ganglion cysts at the gastrocnemius origin: a series of ten cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe ganglion cysts arising close to the origin of the medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius as identified on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We present a series of ten cases of ganglion cysts arising close to the gastrocnemius origin from the medial and lateral femoral condyles. These were collected over a 6-year period from our imaging database. All patients attended for routine MR imaging of the knee with a variety of clinical presentations. Data collected included patient demographics, ganglion size, ganglion site, clinical presentation and ancillary MR imaging findings. The ten patients in this series consisted of seven males and three females, five right and five left knees, age range 27-68 years, mean age 40.6 years. RESULTS: The mean maximal dimension of the ganglion cysts was 26 mm, range 15-40 mm. The medial gastrocnemius origin was involved in eight patients and the lateral origin in two patients. The MR imaging findings consisted of both uni- and multi-loculated cysts, often containing numerous septations with fluid signal characteristics. The cysts were extra-capsular with no clear communication with the joint. One patient presented with a popliteal soft tissue mass and none of the cases required surgical intervention for cyst removal. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging may identify ganglion cysts arising in an intra- or extra-articular site around the knee. This series documents the MR imaging characteristics of ganglion cysts arising close to the gastrocnemius origin and discusses the relevance of this imaging finding.

Adult↗

Correlation of relative afferent pupillary defect and estimated retinal ganglion cell loss.

BACKGROUND: The relative afferent papillary defect (RAPD) is an important parameter for quantifying the loss of neuronal function in asymmetric optic nerve disease. We wanted to assess its correlation with retinal ganglion cell loss, estimated from visual field defects, using a recently described method. METHODS: In 36 patients with unilateral optic nerve disease, the RAPD was measured using an automated, computerized infrared pupillometer. The percentage of ganglion cell loss was estimated with clear templates. RESULTS: We found a highly significant correlation between the RAPD and estimated ganglion cell loss. The correlation was higher for Humphrey visual fields than for Goldmann visual fields measured with the 14e and 12e stimulus. CONCLUSION: The RAPD correlates well with estimated retinal ganglion cell loss in optic nerve disease. Humphrey visual fields seem to reflect the ganglion cell loss better than Goldmann visual fields. The spatial distribution of pupillomotor retinal ganglion cells seems to be proportional to the distribution of light-sensitive ganglion cells projecting to the lateral geniculate nucleus.

Cell Count↗

Retinal ganglion cell layer and visual function in a patient with optic disc drusen.

BACKGROUND: To correlate the retinal ganglion cell pattern to visual acuity and visual field data in a patient with bilateral optic disc drusen, a quantitative clinicopathological study was carried out. METHODS: Both retinae of a patient with optic drusen were whole-mounted. Retinal ganglion cell counts were made using a sampling scheme covering the whole retina and compared to the findings in 10 normal retinae. Relative ganglion cell reduction in the drusen retinae was correlated to clinical data. RESULTS: The total retinal ganglion cell count was reduced from 1244858+/-98736 in normal retinae to 305319 on the right and 527571 on the left eye with optic disc drusen. Large ganglion cells had a better chance of survival. Parafoveal ganglion cell loss was 57% for the right and 36% for the left eye, while visual acuity was 0.8 and 1.0 respectively. The mean light sensitivity loss increased from the centre (6.2 dB) to paracentral (9.9 dB), mid-peripheral (13.7 dB) and outer peripheral (15.0 dB) retina, while ganglion cell losses were smallest in outer peripheral retina (21.9%), followed by central (53.0%), mid-peripheral (70.9%) and paracentral retina (87.7%). CONCLUSION: These data validate Frisén's theory on central retinal resolution and provide the structural basis for the clinical rule that low visual acuity should not be attributed to disc drusen. Automated light sense perimetry gives an inadequate picture of retinal damage caused by optic disc drusen.

Adolescent↗

Changes in the synapses of spiral ganglion cells in the rostral anteroventral cochlear nucleus of the waltzing guinea pig following hair cell loss.

Between 10 and 60 days of age in the waltzing guinea pig, there is a genetically induced loss of all hair cells in the organ of Corti. About 43% of the spiral ganglion cells degenerate between 30 and 60 days of age. After 90 days of age, there is no further loss of spiral ganglion cells. Both Type I and II ganglion cells remain and are without afferent input. The terminals of these ganglion cells in the rostral AVCN, the end bulbs of Held, are normal until 30 days of age. During the period of ganglion cell loss degenerating end bulbs are seen. After 60 days of age, when most ganglion cell degeneration is complete, the remaining end bulbs have fewer synaptic vesicles and their synaptic junctions are flattened. The channels of enlarged extracellular space, which normally surround each synaptic junction or small groups of junctions, are only infrequently present. In freeze-fracture replicas of the rostral AVCN of waltzing guinea pigs after hair cell loss, the number of large, non-aggregate particles on the external leaflet of the principal cell opposite the end bulb is increased, and the number of perisynaptic aggregates is decreased compared to waltzing guinea pigs 10 days of age. The junctional aggregates are unaltered. These changes in the presynaptic terminal and postsynaptic membrane may be related to the loss of afferent input to the spiral ganglion cells, suggesting that activity is important for maintaining the synapse.

Age Factors↗

A distinct type of displaced ganglion cell in a mammalian retina.

The morphology, dendritic stratification and laminal position of the soma of retinal ganglion cells were analyzed in Golgi preparations and in other rabbit retinas containing cells backfilled from the superior colliculus. Only one type, among 40 Golgi-impregnated types identified, always had its cell body displaced to the amacrine cell sublayer of the inner nuclear layer. The displaced ganglion cell of rabbit retina has a small cell body, very wide dendritic field with sometimes unbranched dendrites extending up to a millimeter from the cell body. The dendritic tree is narrowly stratified just under the amacrine cell bodies in stratum 1, and therefore does not co-stratify with starburst (cholinergic) amacrine cells, but rather with dopaminergic amacrine cells. Its correlate among ganglion cells backfilled from tectum is apparently a very sparse population of small-bodied cells mixed with a variable population of misplaced ganglion cells of varying size and type. The authentic displaced ganglion cell of rabbit retina, unlike the large displaced ganglion cell of birds, is apparently not a directionally selective ganglion cell, and its functional role in vision is presently unknown.

Animals↗

Rat retinal ganglion cells in culture.

A stable cell culture system of identified retinal ganglion cells would facilitate the investigation of cellular mechanisms of damage from glaucoma and other disorders. We have developed a reliable technique to culture retinal ganglion cells on a glial cells monolayer which extends viability and promotes extensive neurite outgrowth. Dissociated retinal cells from 5-7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured on glial monolayers derived from rat cerebral hemispheres. Retinal ganglion cells were labeled with retrograde fluorescent markers injected into the superior colliculus or in culture with monoclonal antibody to Thy-1 antigen. Since Thy-1 antigen is not entirely specific for retinal ganglion cells, and fluorescent markers fade in older cultures, the identity of Thy-1 marked cells was confirmed with whole-cell electrophysiologic recordings. Labeled, physiologically intact retinal ganglion cells were identified for at least 31 days in culture. Many retinal ganglion cells showed neurite elongation of 2 mm or more and developed complex intercellular networks. This cell culture system may be used to form the basis for future studies of the electrophysiology and transport properties of retinal ganglion cells under normal culture conditions and under adverse conditions such as those that mimic ischemia or mechanical deformation.

Action Potentials↗

Projections of stellate ganglion sympathetic neutrons in cats.

Retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used in this study to localize neurons in the cat stellate ganglion. The enzyme was applied to different nerves originating from the ganglion. Regardless of the site of HRP application labeled neurons in the stellate ganglion were located in the zone adjacent to the emergence from the ganglion of the nerves under study. However, neurons of a thoracic part of the sympathetic trunk were never labeled following exposure to HRP. The boundaries of the ganglion areas filled with labeled neurons after HRP application to different nerves did not completely overlap. The neurons labeled following HRP application to the vertebral nerve and the anastomosis of the stellate ganglion with the vagus nerve occupied the largest area. We conclude that neurons in the stellate ganglion of the cat are organized on a topical basis.

Animals↗

Retinal ganglion cell number is unchanged in the remaining eye following early unilateral eye removal in the wallaby Setonix brachyurus, quokka.

The expanded visual projections which develop after unilateral eye removal have been associated in some studies, but not in others, with the survival of more ganglion cells than normal in the remaining eye. We have addressed this issue using the small wallaby Setonix brachyurus, quokka. Moreover to determine whether more ganglion cells survive when the eye is removed at a very early stage, we have compared the effect of enucleations at two ages. These were within 3 days of birth, before optic fibres innervate visual centres, and at 35-40 days postnatal, when visual projections are exuberant. At 100 days postnatal, retinal ganglion cells were retrogradely labelled from primary visual centres and tracts with horseradish peroxidase, allowing 24 h for transport. Numbers of ganglion cells were similar between animals enucleated as neonates (X = 231,000, n = 3) and at 35-40 days postnatal (X = 218,000, n = 4). These results were comparable to those of controls (X = 227,000, n = 5). Distributions of ganglion cells were also essentially similar in experimental and control series. However, mean ganglion cell soma diameter was significantly greater than normal in both the area centralis and temporal retina after neonatal enucleation. Our results indicate that in enucleated quokkas increased ganglion cell numbers do not underlie enhanced retinofugal projections.

Animals↗

A morphological study of the retinal ganglion cells of the Afghan pika (Ochotona rufescens).

The distribution and morphology of the retinal ganglion cells was studied in a relative of the rabbit, the Afghan pika. The total number of retinal ganglion cells was approximately 170,000. The total number of optic nerve fibers was between 160,000 and 190,000, corresponding to the total number of retinal ganglion cells. Retinal ganglion cells were found to have a horizontal region of high-density. The maximum density was 5250 cells/mm2. This region was located in the central retina below the optic disc. This area contained numerous closely packed small ganglion cells, while the peripheral retina (especially in the dorsal periphery) contained large ganglion cells more loosely dispersed. The retinal ganglion cells labeled by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were morphologically classified into three types based on dendritic length and ramification pattern.

Animals↗

Axotomy-induced regulation of c-Jun expression in regenerating rat retinal ganglion cells.

Antibodies to c-Jun, JunD, JunB, c-Fos, FosB and Krox-24 proteins were used to examine the expression of these transcription factors in identified adult rat retinal ganglion cells with regenerating axons in a peripheral nerve graft. First, expression in ganglion cells 1 month after graft placement was compared to expression in these neurons 5 to 6 months after grafting. Whereas strong c-Jun expression was seen in most ganglion cells one month after grafting, most 5- to 6-month ganglion cells showed only basal expression. The maintained nucleolar expression of FosB in both ganglion cell groups was the only other transcription factor seen. Second, transcription factor expression was examined in these short- and long-term regenerating neurons after a second axotomy caused by graft transection and compared to the effects of a single axotomy on expression in non-regenerating ganglion cells. Only c-Jun was re-expressed in the regenerating ganglion cells after re-axotomy.

Animals↗

Different subsets of displaced ganglion cells in the pigeon retina exhibit cholecystokinin-like and enkephalin-like immunoreactivities.

Immunohistochemical and retrograde tracing techniques were combined in order to identify chemically specific displaced ganglion cells in the pigeon retina. About 15% of the displaced ganglion cells that were retrogradely labeled following injections of different tracers into the accessory optic nucleus were shown to contain cholecystokinin8-like immunoreactivity. These cells were medium to large (15-30 microns) and located mostly in the peripheral retina. Another population of about 9% of the retrogradely labeled displaced ganglion cells was shown to contain leucine-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity. These cells were medium-sized (11-18 microns) and distributed almost evenly throughout the retina. These two types of displaced ganglion cells represent together only about 0.1% of the total number of ganglion cells in the pigeon retina. Taken together with previous results, these data indicate that the displaced ganglion cells of the avian retina may comprise several chemically specific cell types. The present results also contribute information on the chemical heterogeneity of retinal ganglion cells.

Animals↗

Inhibition of axoplasmic transport in the rat vagus nerve alters the numbers of neuropeptide and tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA-containing and immunoreactive visceral afferent neurons of the nodose ganglion.

Previous work showed that axotomy-induced deafferentation of the placode-derived visceral afferent neurons of the nodose ganglion altered their expression of some neuropeptides and tyrosine hydroxylase. The present studies were designed to selectively evaluate the loss of axonal transport on the numbers of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, tyrosine hydroxylase, and calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA-containing and immunoreactive neurons in the nodose ganglion of the adult rat. Vinblastine (0.15 mM) application to the cervical vagus nerve was used to block axonal transport between ganglionic perikarya and peripheral targets. In situ hybridization histochemistry with 35S-labeled oligonucleotide probes was used to both quantify the number of mRNA-containing neurons and to assess the density of mRNA expression per neuron, and immunocytochemistry was used to visualize the number of immunoreactive neurons. The efficacy of vinblastine to inhibit axonal transport was verified by evaluating the build-up of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive in the vagus nerve immediately rostral to the site of drug application. The absence of vinblastine-induced neuronal damage was verified by the relative absence of degenerating nerves in the vagus nerve caudal to the site of drug application. Vinblastine treatment of the vagus nerve increased the numbers of vasoactive intestinal peptide mRNA-containing neurons and vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive neurons in the nodose ganglion at three, seven and 14 days, and increased the numbers of calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA-containing and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive neurons in the nodose ganglion at one, three and seven days. The average labeling density of vasoactive intestinal peptide mRNA-containing neurons was also increased following vinblastine treatment. Vinblastine treatment of the cervical vagus nerve, however, led to the appearance of low-labeling density calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA-neurons and resulted in reduction of the average labeling density for calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA-containing neurons. In contrast, application of vinblastine to the cervical vagus nerve, decreased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA-containing and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the nodose ganglion. In summary, inhibition of the axoplasmic transport between the periphery and the visceral sensory perikarya appeared to alter vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and tyrosine hydroxylase expression and content in visceral sensory neurons of the nodose ganglion. These data suggest the presence of an axonally transported influence on the regulation of neuropeptide and neurotransmitter enzyme synthesis in mature placode-derived visceral sensory neurons.

Animals↗

Co-expression of AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels with high and low Ca2+ permeability in single rat retinal ganglion cells.

The patch-clamp technique was used to record whole-cell currents induced by alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-propionic acid (AMPA) or kainate in solitary rat retinal ganglion cells (n = 125) in vitro. Two groups of retinal ganglion cells could be distinguished according to their responses to kainate or AMPA in extracellular solutions with Ca2+ as the only permeant cation. The ratio of the steady-state currents evoked by a given concentration of AMPA compared to kainate was low (0.08) in the first group and high (0.61) in the second group of retinal ganglion cells. The Ca2+ permeability through AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels was low (PCa2+/PCs+ < 0.1) in the first group (n = 74, 59%) and moderate (PCa2+/PCs+ = 0.53) in the second group (n = 51, 41%) of retinal ganglion cells. The fraction of the total current induced by stimulation of non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors that is flowing through Ca2+ permeable AMPA/kainate channels in single cells with high Ca2+ permeability was estimated by comparing the current-voltage relationship in extracellular solutions with either Ca2+ or Na+ as the sole charge carrier. The contribution of Ca(2+)-permeable channels to the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor induced whole-cell current in single Ca2+ permeable cells (n = 12) ranged from 40 to 70%, correlating with the intermediate level of Ca2+ permeability (PCa2+/PCs+ = 0.22-0.80) measured by an independent method in these cells. Thus, single Ca(2+)-permeable cells appear to express at least two types of AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels with high or low Ca2+ permeability. Using the polymerase chain reaction, transcripts for the glutamate receptor subunits 1-4, including their "flip" and "flop" versions, were identified in retinal ganglion cells. Together, these findings suggest that among rat retinal ganglion cells there are differences in the pattern of expression of AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels. Moreover, individual cells co-express multiple heterologous non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors with distinct functional properties. The functional diversity of these receptors may play an important role in controlling Ca2+ entry into neurons. We speculate that the low Ca2+ permeability and the preference for kainate in one group of retinal ganglion cells may be due to the predominant expression of non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors containing the edited form of the glutamate receptor subunit 2 flop splice variant.

Animals↗

Calcium-binding proteins in the spiral ganglion of the monkey, Callithrix jacchus.

Calcium-binding proteins can act as intermediaries between changing levels of free intracellular calcium ions and the physiological response of neurons. Some of these proteins, among them calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV), can act as calcium buffers. A survey of previous studies in rodents and human fetuses leads to the impression that many spiral ganglion cells co-express CB, CR, and PV. The findings of the present study suggest that, in the adult marmoset, the expression of CB is restricted to a small number of cells, most likely type II ganglion cells, and that at least some of the numerous type I ganglion cells co-express CR and PV. In the neonate marmoset, large numbers of putative type I ganglion cells from the apical cochlear turn transiently expressed a light and granular labeling for CB-like immunoreactivity, in addition to the cells we believe to be type II ganglion cells exhibiting a strong and solid CB-like staining. The spiral ganglion cells in all developmental stages co-expressed the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome oxidase. Furthermore, a small population of CB-LI axons of unknown origin was found to terminate near the CB-immunoreactive ganglion cells.

Animals↗

Intravitreal transplants of Schwann cells and fibroblasts promote the survival of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in rats.

Schwann cells (SCs) are considered one of the major cellular components to maintain the integrity of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) neurons after injury. Intravitreal transplant of peripheral nerves or Schwann cells has been shown to enhance the regenerative ability of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In the present study, we compared the effects of intravitreal transplants of Schwann cells and fibroblasts, two major components of peripheral nerves, on the survival of retinal ganglion cells in adult rats after optic nerve (ON) transection. Purified Schwann cells and fibroblasts from neonatal sciatic nerves were injected into the vitreous body of adult rats. Three days after the injection, the optic nerves were transected intraorbitally. After 1 week or 1 month, surviving retinal ganglion cells were retrogradely labelled with Fluoro-Gold (FG) and the number of surviving retinal ganglion cells was counted. The retinas were further processed for 200-kDa neurofilament RT-97 immunohistochemistry. It was found that intravitreally injected- Schwann cells and -fibroblasts delayed the death of axotomized retinal ganglion cells for 1 week. In addition, in the animal group with 1 month survival time after optic nerve transection, those received a larger number of Schwann cells had more surviving retinal ganglion cells and more profusely ramified axonal processes near the optic disc. These findings reveal that both Schwann cells and fibroblasts isolated from the peripheral nerve can promote retinal ganglion cell survival after optic nerve transection, presumably by secreting neurotrophic factors. In addition, the data also demonstrate that Schwann cells could promote intraretinal axonal sprouting. Our findings demonstrate a remarkable glial source of neurotrophic factors with potential clinical applications, as autologous Schwann cells and fibroblasts can be feasibly obtained from peripheral nerves.

Analysis of Variance↗

Rostro-caudal variations in neuronal size reflect the topography of cellular phenotypes in the rat superior cervical sympathetic ganglion.

The mammalian superior cervical ganglion (SCG) contains a complex mixture of neuronal phenotypes that selectively innervate different peripheral targets. The present study examined the rostro-caudal topography of sympathetic phenotypes in the rat SCG by analyzing the relation between cell position, size, and the expression of immunoreactivity for neuropeptide Y (NPY), calretinin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). We observed that 64% of SCG neurons expressed NPY and had an average diameter of approximately 24 microm throughout the ganglion. Previous studies indicate that most of these cells are vasoconstrictor in function. By contrast, the size of NPY-negative neurons varied from approximately 25 microm in the rostral ganglion near the internal carotid nerve to approximately 30 microm in the caudal ganglion between the external carotid nerve and cervical sympathetic trunk. Many of the large NPY-negative neurons in the caudal ganglion were surrounded by dense axonal baskets that were immunoreactive for calretinin and therefore are likely to be secretomotor neurons projecting to salivary glands. Consistent with earlier reports, the rostral ganglion contained low numbers of presumptive pupillomotor neurons, based on their expression of NPY and contact with fibers containing CGRP. The present results indicate that neuronal size may provide a useful aid to cellular identification, especially in the caudal ganglion, and they provide further evidence of a topographic organization within the mammalian SCG.

Analysis of Variance↗

Transforming growth factor beta mediates apoptosis in the ganglion cell layer during all programmed cell death periods of the developing murine retina.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is an extracellular signaling molecule known to mediate programmed cell death (PCD) in the developing retina. In the present study, we investigated the expression profiles and activity levels of TGF-beta ligand and TGF-beta receptors (TbetaR) during the successive physiological PCD periods of the developing postnatal mouse retina. The peak of TbetaR expression levels--revealed by Western Blots and MLEC assays--coincided with the main periods of postnatal (P) retinal murine PCD at P2, P9, and P15. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the localization of the TbetaRs is restricted to the ganglion cell layer. Application of a neutralizing anti-TGF-beta antibody to E15 and P9 retinal cultures resulted in a significant decrease in the number of TUNEL-positive neurons specifically in the ganglion cell or prospective ganglion cell layer. Treatment of P2 and P15 organotypic murine retinal wholemount cultures with exogenous recombinant TGF-beta significantly increased cell death levels. In the P15 retina, where PCD affects ganglion cells and photoreceptors, TGF-beta induced cell death of large retinal ganglion cells, whereas small ganglion cells and photoreceptor neurons remained unaffected. Our data indicate that TGF-beta mediated apoptosis during all postnatal retinal PCD phases specifically affects the fate of retinal ganglion cells.

Animals↗

Enhanced excitability of rat trigeminal root ganglion neurons via decrease in A-type potassium currents following temporomandibular joint inflammation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of temporomandibular joint inflammation on the excitability of trigeminal root ganglion neurons innervating the temporomandibular joint using a perforated patch-clamp technique. Inflammation was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the rat temporomandibular joint. The threshold for escape from mechanical stimulation in the temporomandibular joint-inflamed rats was significantly lower than that in control rats. Fluorogold labeling was used to identify the trigeminal root ganglion neurons innervating the site of inflammation. When voltage-clamp (V(h)=-60 mV) conditions were applied to these Fluorogold-labeled small diameter trigeminal root ganglion neurons (<30 mum), voltage-dependent transient K(+) current densities were significantly reduced in the inflamed rats compared with controls. In addition, the voltage-dependence of inactivation of the voltage-dependent transient K(+) current was negatively shifted in the labeled temporomandibular joint-inflamed trigeminal root ganglion neurons. Furthermore, temporomandibular joint inflammation significantly reduced the threshold current and significantly increased action potential firings evoked at two-fold threshold in the Fluorogold-labeled small trigeminal root ganglion neurons. Application of 4-aminopyridine (0.5mM) to control trigeminal root ganglion neurons mimicked the changes in the firing properties observed after complete Freund's adjuvant treatment. Together, these results suggest that temporomandibular joint inflammation increases the excitability of trigeminal root ganglion neurons innervating temporomandibular joint by suppressing voltage-dependent transient K(+) current via a leftward shift in the inactivation curve. These changes may contribute to trigeminal inflammatory allodynia in temporomandibular joint disorder.

4-Aminopyridine↗