This suggests that cognitive impairment results from subtle, sub-

This suggests that cognitive impairment results from subtle, sub-lethal changes In the cortex. Recently,

changes in the structural coherence in mini- or microcolumns without loss of neurons have been linked to loss of function. Here we use a density map method to quantify microcolumnar structure in both banks of the sulcus principalis (prefrontal cortical area 46) of 16 (ventral) and 19 (dorsal) behaviorally tested female rhesus monkeys from 6 to 33 years of age, While total neuronal density does not change with age In either of these banks, there Is a significant age-related reduction in the strength of microcolumns in both regions on the order of 40%. This likely reflects a subtle but definite loss of organization In the structure of the this website cortical microcolumn. The reduction in strength in ventral area 46 correlates with cognitive impairments in learning and memory while the reduction in dorsal area 46 does not. This result is congruent with published data attributing cognitive functions to ventral area 46 that are similar to our particular cognitive battery which does not optimally tap cognitive functions attributed to dorsal area 46. While the exact mechanisms underlying this loss of microcolumnar organization remain to be

determined, It Is plausible that they reflect age-related alterations in dendritic and/or axonal organization which alter connectivity and may contribute to age-related declines In cognitive performance. (C) 2009 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“In the enteric nervous system (ENS)

excitatory nicotinic cholinergic transmission is mediated by neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors JQ1 nmr (nAChR) and is critical for the regulation of gastric motility. nAChRs are ligand-gated pentameric ion channels Eltanexor molecular weight found in the CNS and peripheral nervous system. The expression of heteromeric nAChR and receptor subunit mRNAs was investigated in the neonatal rat ENS using receptor autoradiography with the radiolabeled ligand (125)I-epibatidine, and in situ hybridization with subtype specific probes for ligand binding alpha (alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha 6) and structural beta (beta 2, beta 3, beta 4) subunits. The results showed strong nicotine sensitive binding of (125)I-epibatidine around the stomach, and small and large intestines. The binding was partially displaced by A85380, a nicotinic ligand which differentiates between different heteromeric nAChR subtypes, suggesting a mixed receptor population. Radioactive In situ hybridization detected expression of alpha 3, alpha 5, alpha 7, beta 2 and beta 4 mRNA in the myenteric plexus of the stomach, and small and large intestines. In the submucosal plexus of the small and large intestines expression of alpha 3, alpha 5 and beta 4 was found in some ganglia. There was no signal for alpha 4, alpha 6 and beta 3 In the ENS but positive hybridization signal for alpha 2 transcripts was seen in some areas of the small Intestines.

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