Authors: Stegenga, S. L.; Eward, W.; Kalb, R. G.

Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 74, Number 6, June 2003 , pp. 615-621(7)

Publisher: Aerospace Medical Association

Abstract:

Stegenga SL, Eward W, Kalb RG. Shuttle mission effects on glutamate receptor expression in the developing rodent spinal cord. Aviat Space Environ Med 2003; 74:615-21.

Background: Within the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), glutamate receptors play a fundamental role in excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Studies of the neonatal cerebral cortex suggests that rearing environment can influence the dynamic patterns of glutamate receptor subunit expression during development. We examined this issue in the developing spinal cord, a well studied region of the CNS in which activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is known to occur. Methods: We compared the abundance (by immunoblot analysis) and tissue distribution (by immunohistology) of glutamate receptor subunits in neonatal animals who participated in the Neurolab Space Shuttle mission. Flight animals were either postnatal day 8 or 13 at launch and spent the next 16 d in microgravity; tissues were recovered within 12 h of landing. Littermate control animals were reared on Earth at 1 G. Results: Using semi-quantitative immunoblot assays, no statistically significant differences were found in the overall abundance of any glutamate receptor subunit in the spinal cords of the two groups of animals. Similarly, immunohistological examination of spinal cords revealed no evidence for differences in the distribution of glutamate receptor subunits between the two groups of animals. Conclusions: These results indicate that the developmental regulation of glutamate receptor subunit expression in the spinal cord is not appreciably affected by the conditions associated with this space shuttle mission and prolonged rearing period in microgravity.

References: 15 references open in new window

Articles that cite this article?

Keywords: spinal cord; critical period; motor neuron; spinal cord

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2003-06-01

More about this publication?

• The peer-reviewed monthly journal, Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine (ASEM) provides contact with physicians, life scientists, bioengineers, and medical specialists working in both basic medical research and in its clinical applications. It is the most used and cited journal in its field. ASEM is distributed to more than 80 nations.
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Membership Information
• Information for Advertisers
• Submit Articles
• 2011 Annual Meeting and Event Information
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Transportation ,  Medicine (General) ,  Public Health
• By this author: Stegenga, S. L. ;  Eward, W. ;  Kalb, R. G.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers