Nicotine is neuroprotective to neonatal neurons of sympathetic ganglion in rat
Sympathetic neurons of SCG are dependent on availability of nerve growth factor (NGF) for their survival. SCG neurons express nicotinic receptors (nAChR) whose expression levels are modulated by nicotine. Nicotine exerts multiple effects on neurons, including neuroprotection, through nAChR binding. Although sympathetic neurons express robust levels of nAChR, a possible neuroprotective role for nicotine in these neurons is not well-understood. Therefore we determined the effect of nicotine exposure on survival of SCG neurons during NGF withdrawal in a well-established cell culture system.
Source: Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Mahadevappa P. Badanavalu, Malathi Srivatsan Source Type: research
More News: Brain | Ganglions | Neurology | Neuroscience | Nicotine | Perinatology & Neonatology | Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy