The detection

thresholds varied between the three brain areas, and between MD and FA images. Although spatial smoothing often improved the sensitivity, it also markedly enlarged the estimated lesion sizes.

Since conventional VBA preprocessing significantly affected the outcome and sensitivity of the method itself, the impact of analysis steps should be verified and considered before interpreting the findings. Our results provide insight into the sizes and intensity changes of lesions that can be detected with VBA applied to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.”
“The URMC-099 in vivo current study evidenced hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction-oxidative stress-dependent

apoptotic pathways play a critical role in degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease. Model of rotenone-induced parkinsonism in rats produced decrease in striatal complex I activity and reduced glutathione with increase in nitrites concentration and caspase-3 activity. This was confirmed by significant correlation of catalepsy score with neurochemical parameters. Moreover, electron microscopic examination of striatal neurons displayed ultrastructure affection as hyperchromatic nuclei and disrupted mitochondria that are typical features of undergoing apoptosis. Administration of L-dopa as replacement therapy, although Cl-amidine concentration caused symptomatic improvement in catalepsy score, but further worsening in neurochemical parameters. Therefore, efforts are not only to improve effect of L-dopa, but also to introduce drugs provide antiparkinsonian and neuroprotective effects. In this study, alpha-lipoic acid exhibited noticeable neuroprotective effects by a mechanism via intervention of mitochondrial dysfunction-oxidative stress-dependent apoptotic pathways. Combination of alpha-lipoic acid efficiently halting deleterious toxic effects of L-dopa, revealed normalization of catalepsy score in addition

to amelioration of neurochemical parameters and apparent preservation of striatal ultrastructure integrity, indicating benefit of both symptomatic and neuroprotective therapy. In conclusion, alpha-lipoic acid could be recommended as a disease-modifying therapy when given with L-dopa early in course of Parkinson’s disease. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Silmitasertib purchase Society. All rights reserved.”
“The P2 family of receptors for adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) is involved in several neuronal and glial cell functions in the central nervous system (CNS), and impaired function of these receptors is associated with both neuronal and glial dysfunction. Using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis, we examined the expression profiles of P2 subtype receptors in the rat hippocampus following treatment with the neurotoxicant trimethyltin (TMT).