GFAP Expression in Lumbar Spinal Cord of Naive and Neuropathic Rats Treated with MK-801

Christopher J. Garrison, Patrick M. Dougherty, Susan M. Carlton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

122 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of the present investigation was to determine if baseline glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and the increases in GFAP expression induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve were modified by the specific N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801. Changes in immunohistochemical staining densities of GFAP within the L4 spinal cord were quantified and compared in three groups of animals: (1) nonneuropathic rats, (2) nondrug-treated neuropathic rats, and (3) neuropathic rats treated for 7 days with MK-801. The results indicate that baseline GFAP staining density in naive animals is dependent on NMDA receptor activity and that an ongoing NMDA-dependent signal is, at least in part, responsible for the increase in GFAP observed following peripheral nerve injury.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)237-243
Number of pages7
JournalExperimental Neurology
Volume129
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1994
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

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