We seek to continue our studies of calcium (Ca) changes in spinal cord injury. The proposed experiments are based on our recent findings of large extracellular and tissue Ca changes in cat spinal cords contused by a standard weight drop. The experiments seek to define the relationships of Ca changes with axonal morphology, tissue ATP and phosphate levels, and losses of membrane integrity as demonstrated by axonal uptake of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). A four year study is envisioned. In the first year, we will localize and quantify spinal cord Ca by atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion-selective microelectrodes, and histological methods. In the second year, the measured Ca changes will be correlated with axonal morphology, tissue ATP and phosphate, and distribution of axonal uptake of HRP. In the remaining years, we will investigate a newly discovered phenomenon, that pulse electromagnetic fields (PEMF) specifically alter Ca distribution in injured spinal cords without changing tissue Na, K, or water. The techniques utilized and developed in the preceding two years will be applied to define the specific effects of PEMF on spinal cord Ca, phosphates, ATP, and axonal morphology. By the end of the proposed work, we expect to have determined: (1) the routes and destination of Ca ion shifts in our spinal injury model; (2) the extent to which Ca precipitates with phosphates inside axons; (3) the effect of Ca changes on tissue phosphates and ATP in injured cords; (4) the relationship of Ca accumulation to axonal morphological changes; (5) the proportion of Ca localizing in intact axons not penetrated by HRP; (6) the precise Ca distribution changes produced by PEMF in spinal injury; (7) the acute effects of PEMF on tissue phosphates, ATP, axonal morphology, and HRP uptake by axons in contused spinal cords.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS015590-12
Application #
3396369
Study Section
Neurology A Study Section (NEUA)
Project Start
1979-07-01
Project End
1992-06-30
Budget Start
1990-07-01
Budget End
1991-06-30
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012
Saruhashi, Y; Young, W; Sugimori, M et al. (1999) GABA increases refractoriness of adult rat dorsal column axons. Neuroscience 94:1207-12
Saruhashi, Y; Young, W; Hassan, A Z (1997) Calcium-mediated intracellular messengers modulate the serotonergic effects on axonal excitability. Neuroscience 81:959-65
Saruhashi, Y; Young, W; Sugimori, M et al. (1997) Evidence for serotonin sensitivity of adult rat spinal axons: studies using randomized double pulse stimulation. Neuroscience 80:559-66
Sakuma, J; Ciporen, J; Abrahams, J et al. (1996) Independent depressive mechanisms of GABA and (+/-)-8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide on young rat spinal axons. Neuroscience 75:927-38
Saruhashi, Y; Young, W; Perkins, R (1996) The recovery of 5-HT immunoreactivity in lumbosacral spinal cord and locomotor function after thoracic hemisection. Exp Neurol 139:203-13
Ferris, D C; Kume-Kick, J; Russo-Menna, I et al. (1995) Gender differences in cerebral ascorbate levels and ascorbate loss in ischemia. Neuroreport 6:1485-9
Honmou, O; Young, W (1995) Norepinephrine modulates excitability of neonatal rat optic nerves through calcium-mediated mechanisms. Neuroscience 65:241-51
Young, W; Kume-Kick, J; Constantini, S (1994) Glucocorticoid therapy of spinal cord injury. Ann N Y Acad Sci 743:241-63;discussion 263-5
Saruhashi, Y; Young, W; Hassan, A Z et al. (1994) Excitatory and inhibitory effects of serotonin on spinal axons. Neuroscience 61:645-53
Constantini, S; Young, W (1994) The effects of methylprednisolone and the ganglioside GM1 on acute spinal cord injury in rats. J Neurosurg 80:97-111

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