DIFFERENTIAL-EFFECTS OF GM1 GANGLIOSIDE TREATMENT ON GLIAL FIBRILLARYACIDIC PROTEIN-CONTENT IN THE RAT SEPTUM AND HIPPOCAMPUS AFTER PARTIAL INTERRUPTION OF THEIR CONNECTIONS

The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content was investigated us ing immunoblotting techniques in the septum and hippocampus of the rat after bilateral lateral fimbria transection. Seven days after surgery GFAP content increased significantly both in the septum (140% of cont rol) and hippocampus (1 20% in dorsal, the less denervated, and 145% i n the most denervated ventral part), indicating the occurrence of reac tive gliosis. The GM1 treatment caused statistically significant atten uation of GFAP increment in all hippocampal parts. In contrast, GM1 tr eatment has no influence on the increase of GFAP content in the septum . Results suggest a differential effect of GM1 on the two gliotic reac tions formed as a consequence of the lesion at the level of the source of innervation (septum) and the target (hippocampus).