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Developmental and genetic regulation of programmed neuronal death

  • Conference paper
Advances in Research on Neurodegeneration

Part of the book series: Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementa ((NEURAL SUPPL,volume 50))

Summary

Apoptotic neuronal death is a key mechanism that regulates the elimination of neuronal precursor cells during the development of the mammalian brain. The principal action of neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor is probably the suppression of the preexistent machinery of programmed cell death that is readily activated in neurons deprived of neurotrophins. Potassium-mediated neuronal depolarization prolongs neuronal survival in vitro and has become a major model of examining neuronal apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by potassium deprivation triggers a lethal cascade of events that includes specific RNA and protein synthesis, induction of interleukin 1-converting enzyme-like protease activity, and generation of free radicals. Neuronal susceptibility to apoptosis is also regulated by the expression of bcl-2 family proteins. Current research focuses on the significance of these findings for the premature death of adult neurons in human neurodegenerative diseases.

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Author notes

  1. Dr. M. Weller

    Present address: Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Medical School, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Medical School, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany

    J. B. Schulz, U. Wüllner, P. A. Löschmann, T. Klockgether & J. Dichgans

Authors
  1. Dr. M. Weller
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  2. J. B. Schulz
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  3. U. Wüllner
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  4. P. A. Löschmann
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  5. T. Klockgether
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  6. J. Dichgans
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Germany

    P. Riederer

  2. Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    D. B. Calne

  3. Clinical Research, Schering AG, Berlin, Germany

    R. Horowski

  4. Department of Neurology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan

    Y. Mizuno

  5. Department of Neurology, University of Innsbruck, Austria

    W. Poewe

  6. Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, Technion — Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    M. B. H. Youdim

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© 1997 Springer-Verlag Wien

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Weller, M., Schulz, J.B., Wüllner, U., Löschmann, P.A., Klockgether, T., Dichgans, J. (1997). Developmental and genetic regulation of programmed neuronal death. In: Riederer, P., Calne, D.B., Horowski, R., Mizuno, Y., Poewe, W., Youdim, M.B.H. (eds) Advances in Research on Neurodegeneration. Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementa, vol 50. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6842-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6842-4_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-211-82898-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-6842-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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