Abstract |
The dipeptide N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) has been recently implicated in numerous neurological disorders. NAAG binds and stimulates group II metabotropic glutamate receptors producing a down-modulation of synaptic glutamate release. In the present immunohistochemical study, we compare the distribution of NAAG-containing (NAAGergic) neurons between the hippocampus of control and chronic epileptic rats obtained with the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. In the hippocampal formation, NAAGergic neurons comprise a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons. Examination by light microscopy revealed a significant reduction of NAAG-immunoreactive neurons in CA3 stratum oriens (35.8%) and CA1 stratum oriens (78.87%), stratum pyramidale (40%), and stratum radiatum (56.6%). Similar loss of NAAGergic neurons was observed in the subiculum characterized by 71.82% and 77.53% reduction in the stratum oriens and radiatum, respectively, when compared with controls. NAAGergic neurons in CA2 and dentate gyrus were apparently resistant to seizure-related cell loss but appeared more complex and exhibited numerous NAAG-positive puncta. Our findings indicate a selective vulnerability of NAAGergic neurons in temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Authors | Luis F Pacheco Otalora, John R Moffett, Emilio R Garrido-Sanabria |
Journal | Brain research
(Brain Res)
Vol. 1144
Pg. 219-30
(May 04 2007)
ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 17346683
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
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Chemical References |
- Dipeptides
- Isoenzymes
- Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1
- Pilocarpine
- isospaglumic acid
- Glutamate Decarboxylase
- glutamate decarboxylase 1
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Topics |
- Animals
- Cell Count
(methods)
- Cell Survival
(drug effects, physiology)
- Dipeptides
(metabolism)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe
(chemically induced, pathology)
- Glutamate Decarboxylase
(metabolism)
- Hippocampus
(pathology)
- Isoenzymes
(metabolism)
- Male
- Neurons
(metabolism, pathology)
- Pilocarpine
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1
(metabolism)
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