Basic fibroblast growth factor in the injured brain
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Date
1995
Authors
Rowntree, Sharon R.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 1995
Abstract
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been implicated in the brain's trophic response to injury. This thesis examined the effects of endogenous bFGF on brain plasticity and recovery of behavioral function following cortical injury in adult rats. The first experiment investigated the post-lesion time course of the astrocytic expression of bFGF. Subsequent experiments examined the effects of injury-induced bFGF on neuroonal morphology, cortical morphology, and post-lesion behavioral deficits. Following motor cortex injury, endogenous bFGF prevented neuritic degeneration in layer V pyramidal neurons in Zilles' area Fr2 and promoted recovery of function in the Whishaw Reaching Task. Housing rats in an enriched environment prior to cortical injury enhanced the expression of bFGF but did not increase cortical thickness nor reduce post-lesion behavioral deficits (relative to laboratroy-housed rats). Collectively, these experiments indicate that injury-induced bFGF plays a role in potentiating recovery from brain damage. This implies that bFGF may be beneficial as a treatment following brain injury.
Description
x, 123 p. ; 28 cm.
Keywords
Fibroblast growth factors , Brain -- Wounds and injuries , Rats as laboratory animals , Physiology, Experimental , Dissertations, Academic