Cells of the Central Nervous System: An Overview of Their Structure and Function.

The central nervous system is the last major organ system in the vertebrate body to yield its cellular structure, due to the complexity of its cells and their interactions. The fundamental unit of the nervous system is the neuron, which forms complex circuits that receive and integrate information and generate adaptive responses. Each neuron is composed of an input domain consisting of multiple dendrites along with the cell body, which is also responsible for the majority of macromolecule synthesis for the cell.

Persistent sensory changes and sex differences in transgenic mice conditionally expressing HIV-1 Tat regulatory protein.

HIV-associated sensory neuropathies (HIV-SN) are prevalent in >50% of patients aged over 45 years many of which report moderate to severe chronic pain. Previous preclinical studies have investigated the mechanisms by which HIV-1 causes sensory neuropathies and pain-like behaviors. The aim of the present study is to delineate the role of chronic HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription protein (Tat) exposure in the development of neuropathy in mice.

Formulated Curcumin Prevents Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy through Reduction in Neuroinflammation by Modulation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.

Paclitaxel is widely used in the treatment of various types of solid malignancies. Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is often characterized by burning pain, cold, and mechanical allodynia in patients. Currently, specific pharmacological treatments against PIPN are lacking.

Impact of Dose, Sex, and Strain on Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, dose limiting, and long-lasting side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Unfortunately, no treatment has proven efficacious for this side effect. Rodent models play a crucial role in the discovery of new mechanisms underlying the initiation, progression, and recovery of CIPN and the potential discovery of new therapeutics.

A Fenofibrate Diet Prevents Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice.

Background: Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a major adverse effect of this chemotherapeutic agent that is used in the treatment of a number of solid malignancies. PIPN leads notably to burning pain, cold and mechanical allodynia. PIPN is thought to be a consequence of alterations of mitochondrial function, hyperexcitability of neurons, nerve fiber loss, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord (SC).