Neuroscience and Neurobiology | Open Access Articles

Blockade Of Astrocytic Calcineurin/Nfat Signaling Helps To Normalize Hippocampal Synaptic Function And Plasticity In A Rat Model Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Jennifer L. Furman, Pradoldej Sompol, Susan D. Kraner, Melanie M. Pleiss, Esther J. Putman, Jacob Dunkerson, Hafiz Mohmmad Abdul, Kelly N. Roberts, Stephen William Scheff, Christopher M. Norris

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Increasing evidence suggests that the calcineurin (CN)-dependent transcription factor NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells) mediates deleterious effects of astrocytes in progressive neurodegenerative conditions. However, the impact of astrocytic CN/NFAT signaling on neural function/recovery after acute injury has not been investigated extensively. Using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) procedure in rats, we show that traumatic brain injury is associated with an increase in the activities of NFATs 1 and 4 in the hippocampus at 7 d after injury. NFAT4, but not NFAT1, exhibited extensive labeling in astrocytes and was found throughout the axon/dendrite layers of CA1 and the dentate …

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Role Of The Calcium Plateau In The Neuronal Injury And Behavioral Morbidities Following Organophosphate Intoxication, Laxmikant S. Deshpande, Robert E. Blair, Kristin F. Phillips, Robert J. Delorenzo

Neurology Publications

Organophosphate (OP) chemicals include nerve agents and pesticides, and there is a growing concern of OP based chemical attacks against civilians. Current antidotes are essential in limiting immediate mortality associated with OP exposure. However, further research is needed to identify molecular mechanisms underlying long-term neurological deficits following survival of OP toxicity in order to develop effective therapeutics. We have developed rat survival models of OP induced status epilepticus (SE) that mimic chronic mortality and morbidity following OP intoxication. We have observed significant elevations in hippocampal calcium levels after OP SE that persisted for weeks following initial survival. Drugs inhibiting intracellular …

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Pharmacological Blockade Of The Calcium Plateau Provides Neuroprotection Following Organophosphate Paraoxon Induced Status Epilepticus In Rats, Laxmikant S. Deshpande, Robert E. Blair, Beverly A. Huang, Kristin F. Phillips, Robert J. Delorenzo

Neurology Publications

Organophosphate (OP) compounds which include nerve agents and pesticides are considered chemical threat agents. Currently approved antidotes are crucial in limiting OP mediated acute mortality. However, survivors of lethal OP exposure exhibit delayed neuronal injury and chronic behavioral morbidities. In this study, we investigated neuroprotective capabilities of dantrolene and carisbamate in a rat survival model of paraoxon (POX) induced status epilepticus (SE). Significant elevations in hippocampal calcium levels were observed 48-h post POX SE survival, and treatment with dantrolene (10 mg/kg, i.m.) and carisbamate (90 mg/kg, i.m.) lowered these protracted calcium elevations. POX SE induced delayed neuronal injury …

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Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Role Of The Calcium Plateau In The Neuronal Injury And Behavioral Morbidities Following Organophosphate Intoxication, Laxmikant S. Deshpande, Robert E. Blair, Kristin F. Phillips, Robert J. Delorenzo

Neurology Publications

Pharmacological Blockade Of The Calcium Plateau Provides Neuroprotection Following Organophosphate Paraoxon Induced Status Epilepticus In Rats, Laxmikant S. Deshpande, Robert E. Blair, Beverly A. Huang, Kristin F. Phillips, Robert J. Delorenzo

Neurology Publications