ACTIVATION OF C-FOS IN THE BRAIN

Activation of the proto-oncogene c-fos in the brain was described init ially almost a decade ago and represents one of the most studied immed iate early genes in the brain. Transient c-fos expression in the centr al nervous system was first observed after seizure activity and follow ing noxious stimulation in the spinal cord. Since then, multiple studi es have shown that different stimuli can induce c-fos expression. Seiz ure activity induces rapid and transient expression of c-fos in hippoc ampal structures. Similarly, transient activation of c-fos follows cor tical brain injury in a pattern that resembles that of spreading depre ssion. Many other stimuli have been shown to induce the expression of this proto-oncogene in the brain and c-fos immunostaining and in situ hybridization are now used to map brain metabolism under different phy siological and non-physiological conditions. Here we review the variet y of inducible patterns of c-fos expression in the brain. Copyright (C ) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.