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…

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.…

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…

A knowledge-based expert system was developed to assess the level of abnormality in the brain electrical activity of pediatric patients monitored in the intensive care unit. Six hours of an 8-channel EEG record serves as the input to the monitoring…

This thesis describes the temporal and spatial organization of the somatosensory evoked potential in the cat in response to small punctate mechanical stimuli applied to the forepaw. The evoked potential was shown to be spatially and temporally stable as well…

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…

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.…

The neurotrophins are growth factors involved in the development, maintenance, survival, and death of the nervous system. The signal transducing systems that mediate the diverse biological functions of the neurotrophins are initiated by their interactions with two categories of cell…