Current opinion in neurobiology
-
Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. · Jun 2003
ReviewThe role of voltage-gated sodium channels in neuropathic pain.
Use-dependent inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) are important therapeutic tools for chronic pain management, but are limited by possible severe side effects. Recent studies have provided much new information on the function of several voltage-gated sodium channels that are predominantly expressed in peripheral sensory neurons, and on their possible link to pathological pain states arising from injuries to the sensory nerve. ⋯ The putative roles of Na(V)1.3 and Na(V)1.9 in neuropathic pain are also discussed. These studies may form a basis for developing inhibitors to target specific channel subtype(s) for use in chronic pain treatment.
-
Severe size constraints are imposed on the hearing organs of insects, yet they perform sophisticated tasks of auditory processing. Recent research has shown how flies acoustically locate targets in space, how mosquitoes afford highly sensitive ears, and how crickets avoid deafening themselves with their songs. These findings unveil the exquisite analytical capabilities of highly specialized microscale auditory systems.
-
Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. · Jun 2002
ReviewSleep, feeding, and neuropeptides: roles of orexins and orexin receptors.
Recent studies using molecular genetics in mice and dogs, as well as histopathological analyses of human disease, have come to the same conclusion: the human sleep disorder narcolepsy is caused by failure of signaling mediated by orexin (hypocretin) neuropeptides. These and other findings strongly suggest that the orexin system plays a critical role in sleep/wake regulation. In addition, the orexin system may link energy homeostasis to the regulation of sleep/wake cycles.
-
During the past year, a major advance in the study of axon regeneration was the molecular cloning of Nogo. The expression of Nogo protein by CNS myelin may be a major factor in the failure of CNS axon regeneration. The effect of disrupting Nogo-dependent axon inhibition can now be studied conclusively. In related work, immunization with a Nogo-containing CNS myelin preparation was shown to promote regeneration and dramatic functional recovery after spinal cord trauma.
-
A selection of World Wide Web sites relevant to papers published in this issue of Current Opinion in Neurobiology.