GROWTH-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN-43 IS INCREASED IN CEREBRUM OF IMMATURE RATS FOLLOWING INDUCTION OF HYDROCEPHALUS

Hydrocephalus is associated with gradual progressive impairment and de struction of cerebral axons and neurons. Growth associated protein-43 appears to be permissive for neuro-axonal regeneration and synaptic re modeling. Hydrocephalus was induced in three-week-old rats by injectio n of kaolin into the cisterns magna. Compared to controls, cerebral gr owth-associated protein-43 messenger RNA was significantly up-regulate d one week after kaolin injection and the overall cerebral growth-asso ciated protein-43 protein level was significantly higher at four weeks when the ventricles were severely enlarged. One and three weeks after kaolin injection, growth-associated protein-43-like immunoreactivity was increased in periventricular axons, and also in the cerebral corte x at three weeks. Hydrocephalic rats that had been treated by shunting after one week, exhibited growth-associated protein-43 messenger RNA and protein levels intermediate between hydrocephalic rats and control rats. The increase in periventricular axon growth-associated protein- 43, early in the course of experimental hydrocephalus, suggests that t hrough early intervention there may be a chance for preventing or reve rsing the axonal injury. Cortical expression of growth associated prot ein-43 suggests that an alteration in synaptogenesis may also occur. ( C) 1998 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.