Photothermal Response Induced by Nanocage-Coated Artificial Extracellular Matrix Promotes Neural Stem Cell Differentiation.

Strategies to increase the proportion of neural stem cells that differentiate into neurons are vital for therapy of neurodegenerative disorders. In vitro, the extracellular matrix composition and topography have been found to be important factors in stem cell differentiation. We have developed a novel artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) formed by attaching gold nanocages (AuNCs) to glass coverslips.

Electrophysiological and Immunohistochemical Evidence for an Increase in GABAergic Inputs and HCN Channels in Purkinje Cells that Survive Developmental Ethanol Exposure.

Ethanol exposures during the early postnatal period of the rat result in significant death of Purkinje cells (PCs). The magnitude, time-course, and lobular specificity of PC death have been well characterized in several studies. Additionally, significant reduction of climbing fiber inputs to the surviving PCs has been characterized.