Abstract

The applicant proposes to examine the effects of space flight and microgravity on the cells of the developing cerebral cortex. These studies will examine three cellular processes: 1) cell proliferation, 2) neuronal migration, and 3) neuronal differentiation, including dendrite/axon orientation and acquisition of appropriate neuronal circuitry. Two markers of cell proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine and tritiated thymidine) will be administered to pregnant rats on selected days during the development of the cerebral cortex. Short term analyses (sacrifice fetuses 2.5 hrs post-injection) will examine the responses of cell proliferation to space flight by examining changes in the number of proliferating cells or the length of the cell cycle. Intermediate-term effects will be assessed by sacrificing the fetal animals 1-3 days post-injection. The migratory fates of cells within the developing cerebral cortex will be examined. Long-term effects will be assessed by sacrificing animals that were treated as fetuses at different ages through 30 days after birth. The final position of cells born at particular ages will analyzed.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01NS033443-04
Application #
2735651
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SSS (S1))
Program Officer
Heetderks, William J
Project Start
1995-09-30
Project End
2000-06-30
Budget Start
1998-07-01
Budget End
2000-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
622146454
City
Piscataway
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08854

  Publications

Haydar, T F; Nowakowski, R S; Yarowsky, P J et al. (2000) Role of founder cell deficit and delayed neuronogenesis in microencephaly of the trisomy 16 mouse. J Neurosci 20:4156-64
Nowakowski, R S; Hayes, N L (1999) CNS development: an overview. Dev Psychopathol 11:395-417
Zakharov, I S; Hayes, N L; Ierusalimsky, V N et al. (1998) Postembryonic neurogenesis in the procerebrum of the terrestrial snail, Helix lucorum L. J Neurobiol 35:271-6
Cai, L; Hayes, N L; Nowakowski, R S (1997) Synchrony of clonal cell proliferation and contiguity of clonally related cells: production of mosaicism in the ventricular zone of developing mouse neocortex. J Neurosci 17:2088-100
Miyama, S; Takahashi, T; Nowakowski, R S et al. (1997) A gradient in the duration of the G1 phase in the murine neocortical proliferative epithelium. Cereb Cortex 7:678-89
Cai, L; Hayes, N L; Nowakowski, R S (1997) Local homogeneity of cell cycle length in developing mouse cortex. J Neurosci 17:2079-87