EFFECT OF SUBSTANCE-P ON NEONATALLY AXOTOMIZED NORADRENALINE NEURONS IN RAT-BRAIN

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (3) , 179-185
Abstract
Transection (axotomy) of the dorsal tegmental noradrenaline [norepinephrine, NE] bundle in the neonatal stage leads to a permanent degeneration of NE nerve terminal projections distal to the lesion (e.g., in the neocortex), while projections proximal to the lesion increase their nerve terminal density (e.g., in the cerebellum). These structural changes are reflected by marked reductions and elevations, respectively, of the endogenous NE levels, [3H]-NE uptake in vitro and nerve density as demonstrated by fluorescence histochemistry. Intracisternal administration of substance P after the transection did not alter these NE parameters in the neocortex, while dose-dependent and significant increases were found in the cerebellum and pons-medulla. Substance P may have a growth-stimulatory effect on damaged locus coeruleus NE neurons in the CNS during ontogeny.

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