Novel neural pathways and neurogenic potential of the cerebral ventricles in adult mammalian brain
Joint Event on 5th International Conference on Brain Disorders and Therapeutics & Mental Health and Psychology
November 05-06, 2018 | Edinburgh, Scotland
Thazhumpal Chacko Mathew
Kuwait University, Kuwait
Scientific Tracks Abstracts : J Brain Neurol
Abstract:
Objective: Cerebral ventricle enjoys a unique environment
in the mammalian brain. The surface of the third, fourth and
lateral cerebral ventricles is covered by supraepndymal cells and
an immense net-work of nerve fibers. Recent studies indicate
that the ventricular surface is another neurogenic niche in
the vertebrate brain. This study is focused on characterization
neuronal elements and the neurogenic potential of the
ventricular surface in adult rats.
Methods: Identification and characterization of the
intraventricular cell clusters and nerve fibers in adult rats were
carried out using correlative transmission and scanning electron
microscopy. Characterization of supraependymal nerve fibers
were carried out by immunohistochemical analysis as well as
by the intraventricular administration of selective neurotoxins.
Further studies were carried out to understand axotomy
induced axonal regeneration and the neurogenic potential of
the ventricular surface.
Results: Electron microscopic studies have shown the presence
of catecholaminergic, cholinergic or peptidergic nerve fibers
on the ependymal surface. Studies following the injection
of selective neurotoxins into the cerebral ventricles have
confirmed the serotonergic, adrenergic and/or dopaminergic
nature of these fibers. Immunohistochemical studies revealed
the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase positive fibers on the
ependymal surface. Retrograde labeling studies have suggested
that some of these fibers may have originated from the superior
cervical ganglia. Profound axonal regeneration of the fibers and
neurogenesis were observed following axotomy.
Conclusion: The data presented in this study shows the
existence of clusters of supraependymal cells and an extensive,
novel, intraventricular neural pathway in the vertebrate brain.
These fibers are of varied nature and origin. Preliminary studies
indicate that some of the ependymal or supraependymal
cells may represent another group of neural stem cells of the
mammalian brain.
Biography:
Thazhumpal Chacko Mathew completed his PhD from the University of Alberta, Canada in 1992 and obtained FRCPath (UK) in 2003. In 1983, he had undergone a research training at the University of Lund, Sweden. After his postdoctoral studies at the University of Alberta, he worked as Assistant Scientist at NYU, USA. In 1993 he joined the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS) of Kuwait University. Also, he had a joint appointment in the Department of Anatomy of the of the Faculty of Medicine (FOM), Kuwait University. Currently he is Professor and Chairman of the Graduate Program at the FAHS. He was also Vice Dean for Research at the FAHS and the Director of the Electron Microscope Unit in the FOM. His research is in molecular neurobiology. He is one of the members of the international advisory board of the Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy. Prof. Mathew received several awards and published more than 75 papers and attended over 100 conferences.
E-mail: JathoulA@Cardiff.ac.uk
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