A new, distributed model of the primate oculomotor system is presented. This model generates saccades (rapid eye movements) of various amplitudes, and it is able to exhibit various saccade-related phenomena, including multiple and interrupted saccades. The model differs from those…

Unlike most rodents, the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is born with its eyes open. It has been claimed that most of the functional and structural maturation of the retina takes place in utero. In fact, to our knowledge, no study…

Excitatory amino acids (EAAs) may play a role in sculpting mosaic patterns within the brain. Determining the role of EAA projection systems in sculpting the chemically heterogeneous striatal patch-matrix compartments requires knowledge concerning the spatiotemporal development of afferent EAA systems.…

Nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to the neurotrophin family of growth factors. NGF can bind to two transmembrane receptors, TrkA and p75. TrkA is the NGF specific tyrosine kinase receptor; p75 is a receptor which is common to all neurotrophins.…

Mutations in the parkin gene are responsible for an early-onset autosomal-recessive form of Parkinson's disease. Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that acts in the covalent attachment of the small protein ubiquitin to substrate proteins. Although many parkin substrates have…

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of metabolic energy for a majority of chemical reactions in the cell, is now considered as an ancient messenger molecule used in intercellular communications. The ionotropic effects of ATP are mediated by P2X receptors which…

Myelin formation is an evolutionarily late acquisition that contributes to fast conduction in vertebrate axons. Continuous bidirectional signaling is required for the acquisition and maintenance of the mature nerve fiber phenotype. Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) is a representative structural component…

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responsiveness to stress is generally blunted in lactating rats, except during situations of pup endangerment, suggesting an important role of salience of stressor in stress response during lactation. Conversely, in women, breastfeeding is associated with reduced HPA responses…

A number of brain regions have been implicated in the recovery process after stroke. Yet, we still do not understand how these brain regions may influence each other. To overcome this problem, I used a perturb-and-measure approach, by combining transcranial…