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R Linke

Publications and source records attributed to R Linke.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Relationship between clinical features of Parkinson's disease and presynaptic dopamine transporter binding assessed with [123I]IPT and single-photon emission tomography.

IPT [N-(3-iodopropen-2-yl)- 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-chlorophenyl) tropane] is a new cocaine analogue which allows the presynaptic dopamine transporters to be imaged with single-photon emission tomography (SPET) as early as 1-2 h post injection. In the present study [123I]IPT SPET was performed in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) to analyse the relationship between specific dopamine tansporter binding and clinical features of the disease. Twenty-six PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr stages I-IV, age range 40-79 years) and eight age-matched controls were studied. SPET imaging was performed 90-120 min after injection of 160-185 MBq [123I]IPT using a triple-head camera. For semiquantitative evaluation of specific [123I]IPT binding, ratios between caudate, putamen and background regions were calculated. Specific [123I]IPT uptake was significantly reduced in PD patients compared to controls. Most patients showed a marked asymmetry with a more pronounced decrease in [123I]IPT binding on the side contralateral to the predominant clinical findings. The putamen was always more affected than the caudate. [123I]IPT binding was significantly correlated with disease duration (r=-0.7, P<0.0001) but not with the age of PD patients (r=-0.10, P=0. 61). Specific [123I]IPT uptake in the caudate and putamen, and putamen to caudate ratios, decreased with increasing Hoehn and Yahr stage. Our findings indicate that [123I]IPT SPET may be a useful technique to estimate the extent of nigrostriatal degeneration in PD patients. Close relationships between striatal [123I]IPT binding and clinical features of the disease suggest that this method can be used to objectively follow the course and progression of PD. The reduced putamen to caudate ratios observed even in patients with mild, newly recognized symptoms indicate that particularly this parameter may help to establish the correct diagnosis in the early course of PD.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of idarubicin and its active metabolite idarubicinol in the rabbit.

A three-compartment model was fitted to idarubicin data in a NONMEM pooled-data approach. Clearance (CL) of 221.7 ml/min was relatively high, and drug distribution was rapid (CLD = 248.3 ml/min) and extensive [steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) 24 1]. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of idarbicinol was 8 times that of idarubicin. Concentrations of idarubicin (idarubicinol) measured in the myocardium at 24 h after i.v. administration of idarubicin were 20 (5) times those determined in plasma. Tissue concentrations of idarubicinol were up to 400 times those of idarubicin, indicating that the active metabolite contributes significantly to the overall drug action.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The acoustic startle response in inbred Roman high- and low-avoidance rats.

To investigate the emotional reactions of two rat strains selectively bred for good and poor two-way avoidance acquisition (RHA/Verh and RLA/Verh), male animals of both strains were tested in an acoustic startle response test. They received 40 acoustic stimuli followed by 10 electric foot shocks and another 30 acoustic stimuli. RLA/Verh rats showed a significantly higher startle response compared to RHA/Verh animals, indicating a stronger emotional reaction to acoustic stimuli. In addition, the former showed a stronger response to foot shocks. Combined with earlier findings, we conclude that selection for two-way avoidance learning does not result in cognitive defects in the RLA/Verh strain but, rather, in stronger emotional reactions to fearful stimuli.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1997

[Intra-individual comparison of gastric peristalsis after ingestion of a semiliquid and solid test meal].

AIM: Patients with various disorders of gastric function were studied with radiolabeled test meals of different consistency to elaborate the effect of ingested media on gastric peristalsis and emptying. METHODS: In 12 patients parameters of gastric function were intraindividually compared after ingestion of a semiliquid and a solid test meal. In addition to the standard evaluation derived from time activity curves condensed images were established from two fixed time intervals (early and late period). These images were used to evaluate the amplitude and frequency of gastric contractions using Fourier analysis. RESULTS: As expected gastric emptying was influenced by the consistency of the test meal. Mean emptying rates for the solid meal were significant lower than those for the semiliquid one (p < 0.01). The amplitude and frequency of gastric contractions, however, did not depend on the consistency of the test meal. Within the course of the examination contraction amplitudes significantly increased (p < 0.05) from the early to the late period using both, solid as well as semiliquid test meals. The frequency of gastric contractions remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: As shown by an intraindividual data comparison amplitude and frequency of gastric contractions seem to be independent of the consistency of ingested test meals whereas gastric emptying is significantly influenced by the administered media. Semiliquid meals offer advantages with respect to the shorter examination time and simpler preparation and therefore may be preferred for routine use. Since amplitudes seem to vary within the observation period standardized acquisition protocols are recommended for the evaluation of this parameter.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Genetic variation in the morphology of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic and GABAergic system in mice. I. Cholinergic and GABAergic markers.

In the present study, variations of cholinergic and GABAergic markers in the medial septum/vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca (MS/vDB) and the hippocampus of eight different inbred mouse strains were investigated. By means of immunocytochemistry against the acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the cholinergic neurons were visualized and the number of ChAT-positive neuronal profiles in the MS/vDB was counted. Cholinergic and GABAergic septo-hippocampal projection neurons were detected with a combined retrograde tracing and immunocytochemical approach. In order to quantify the cholinergic innervation of various hippocampal sub-regions, we estimated the density of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-containing fibers as visualized by AChE histochemistry. Additionally, the densities of muscarinic receptors (mainly the subtypes M1 and M2) in different hippocampal areas of seven inbred strains were measured by means of quantitative receptor autoradiography. We found significant strain differences for the number of ChAT-positive neurons in the MS/vDB; in the numbers of cholinergic septo-hippocampal projection neurons; in the density of cholinergic fibers in hippocampal subfields CA3c, CA1, and in the dentate gyrus; and in the density of muscarinic receptors in the hippocampus. In contrast the GABAergic component of the septo-hippocampal projection did not differ between the strains investigated. The number of ChAT-reactive neurons in the MS/vDB was not correlated with either hippocampal cholinergic markers. This might be attributed to different collateralization of cholinergic neurons or to different projections of these neurons to other brain regions. These results show a strong hereditary variability within the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system in mice. In view of the role of the cholinergic system in learning and memory processes, strain differences in cholinergic markers might be helpful in explaining behavioral variation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Genetic variation in the morphology of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic and GABAergic systems in mice: II. Morpho-behavioral correlations.

We investigated the contribution of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic and GABAergic system to spatial and nonspatial aspects of learning and memory that had previously been found to correlate with the extent of the hippocampal intra- and infrapyramidal mossy fiber projection in different inbred mouse strains. The following cholinergic and GABAergic markers were measured in the septi and hippocampi of male mice: the number of cholinergic and parvalbumin-containing neurons in the medial septum/vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca (MS/vDB), the number of septo-hippocampal cholinergic and GABAergic projection neurons, the density of cholinergic fibers in different hippocampal subfields, and the density of muscarinic receptors (predominantly M1 and M2) in the hippocampus. In addition, animals were behaviorally tested for spatially dependent and activity-dependent variables in a water maze and spatial and nonspatial working and reference memory in different experimental set-ups in an eight-arm radial maze. Using only those variables for which significant strain differences were obtained, we looked for covariations between behavior and neuroanatomy. The density of cholinergic fibers in the dentate gyrus was significantly correlated with activity-dependent learning in the water maze, whereas the number of septo-hippocampal cholinergic projection neurons correlated with spatial and, to a lesser extent, also with nonspatial aspects of radial maze learning. Only weak correlations were found between receptor densities and behavioral traits. From these data we conclude that variations in the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system, like variations in the mossy fiber projection, entail functional consequences for different types of maze learning in mice.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1995

Strategy of measuring bradykinin and kallidin and their concentration in plasma and urine.

Bradykinin (BK) and kallidin (KAL) derivatives containing a Cys residue instead of a Ser residue at positions 6 and 7, respectively [BK(Cys6), KAL(Cys7)], were synthesized. These derivatives were linked to BSA via the Cys residue by a heterobifunctional cross-linker. The coupling product containing a kinin with both free N- and C-terminal ends was used as immunogen. We obtained highly sensitive and specific antisera, simultaneously directed against both free ends. The radioimmunoassay for BK displays a sensitivity of 0.5-60 fmol BK at a dilution of 1:80,000 with 125I-BK(Tyr8) as tracer. Des-Arg9-BK, [BK(1-8)], displayed the highest cross-reactivity in the amount of 24%. Des-Arg1-BK and smaller molecular weight fragments display a cross-reactivity of less than 0.1%. The cross-reactivity of the BK antiserum with KAL is approximately 4%. In presence of 125I-KAL(Tyr9) the radioimmunoassay for KAL displays a sensitivity of 2 to 200 fmol KAL to an antiserum dilution of 1:80,000. The cross-reactivity with BK is 0.02%. KAL(Hyp4), BK(Hyp3), and des-Arg10-KAL [KAL(1-9)] show a cross-reactivity of 6.3, 4.9, and 2.4%. All other natural kinin derivatives show a cross-reactivity of less than 1%. Both assays were used to measure BK and KAL concentrations in blood and urine in humans after extraction and HPLC separation. The BK plasma level 1.97 (SD 0.54) pg/ml. The KAL plasma level is 81.0 (SD 14.3) pg/ml, indicating that KAL instead of BK is a circulating peptide. In urine, the BK level is 16.3 pg/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies↗
PubMed1995

Development of the hippocamposeptal projection in the rat.

We analyzed the development of the hippocamposeptal projection and the morphology of the neurons giving rise to this projection. The fluorescent tracer Dil was injected into the septal region or the hippocampus in fixed brains of embryonic and early postnatal rats. Anterogradely labeled hippocampal axons first reached the septal region at E16. They ran along the midline of the brain, thereby approaching the medial septum. Axons to the lateral septum were first observed around E18/19. The lateral septum is partly innervated by collaterals of axons that travel to the medial septum. The projection to the lateral septal nuclei becomes more massive during early postnatal stages, whereas that to the medial septum becomes smaller. Cells in the medial septum retrogradely labeled by injection into the hippocampus were first observed at E18. Thus, the hippocamposeptal projection is established earlier than the septohippocampal projection. The first hippocampal projection neurons are nonpyramidal neurons that appear to pioneer the pathway to the septum. Pyramidal cell axons follow this first cohort of axons into the medial septum. Pyramidal cells could be retrogradely labeled from the medial septum during the perinatal period but then diminished in number. At P10, only nonpyramidal cells were labeled by medial septal injections. This indicates that the pyramidal component of this projection is transient and is removed shortly after birth. However, as is known from other studies, hippocampal pyramidal cells give rise to a powerful projection to the lateral septum in adult animals. Our results show that there is a considerable remodeling of the projection from the hippocampus to the septum during ontogenetic development.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Substrate and product structural requirements for binding of nucleotides to H-ras p21: the mechanism of discrimination between guanosine and adenosine nucleotides.

The interaction of the protein product of the H-ras oncogene with a series of nucleoside di- and triphosphates has been examined to investigate the tolerance of the active site to departures from the GTP or GDP structures. Nucleotides which bind relatively strongly could be used as competitors of GDP in a simple filter binding assay to give semiquantitave estimates of their affinities. For more weakly binding nucleotides or to obtain quantitative data, a transient kinetic method was used which was based on determination of the association and dissociation rate constants. The results obtained indicate that substantial modification of the sugar or phosphate structure is tolerated with little or moderate loss of affinity, but that large losses in affinity occur on modification of the base structure. In particular, replacing the guanine by an adenine residue leads to a dramatic loss of affinity. Thus, discrimination against ATP and ADP is very high (relative affinities of ATP and GTP 1:10(7)). This is due not only to loss of positive (stabilizing) interactions, but especially to the introduction of negative ones.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1995

Axonal regeneration of identified septohippocampal projection neurons in vitro.

Previous studies have shown that the septohippocampal projection develops in vitro. It remained unclear, however, whether this in vitro projection resulted from axonal regeneration of septal neurons transected by the culture preparation, or from a priori outgrowth of undamaged cells that had not yet sent an axonal process to the hippocampus at the time of tissue preparation. Here we have prepared slice cultures of identified septohippocampal projection neurons that were retrogradely labeled by hippocampal tracer injection prior to slice preparation. We demonstrate that these identified projection neurons survive axotomy caused by culture preparation, are able to regrow an axonal process in vitro, and innervate a co-cultured hippocampal slice.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Transient dendritic appendages on differentiating septohippocampal neurons are not the sites of synaptogenesis.

The factors which determine the final shape and synaptic connections of a neuronal phenotype are largely unknown. In adult animals, a large number of projection neurons, e.g. cortical pyramidal neurons, bear spines which, in the case of pyramidal cells, are postsynaptic elements of mainly asymmetric synapses. In contrast, mature septohippocampal neurons do not bear spines. During maturation, however, septohippocampal projection neurons develop a variety of dendritic appendages. Because the appearance of these processes falls into the period of synaptogenesis, it has been hypothesized that these transient appendages may be the site of synaptogenesis. Here we have investigated whether these transient dendritic appendages are the site of initial synaptic contacts of septohippocampal neurons. Septohippocampal projection neurons in late embryonic and early postnatal rats were identified by retrograde tracing with the carbocyanine dye DiI or biocytin. Subsequently, selected cells were processed for electron microscopy. Serial thin sections through identified dendritic appendages did not reveal synaptic contacts with presynaptic boutons but immature to mature synapses were always found on dendritic shafts or somata. Often, synapses are located close to the appendages. These data indicate that the transient appendages are not the place where ingrowing afferent fibers make their synapses. The available information about transient dendritic appendages suggests, that they may be involved in short-term contacts with ingrowing axons, without being themselves the final site of the synaptic contact.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

Cholinergic and GABAergic septo-hippocampal projection neurons in mice: a retrograde tracing study combined with double immunocytochemistry for choline acetyltransferase and parvalbumin.

The present experiments were directed to determine the proportions of the cholinergic and GABAergic septo-hippocampal projection neurons in NMRI mice. For the labeling of the septal neurons we used a double immunocytochemical method combined with retrograde transport of wheatgerm agglutinin apo-horseradish peroxidase-gold (WAHG) injected unilaterally into the hippocampus. Monoclonal antibodies against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and parvalbumin (PARV) were used as markers for cholinergic and GABAergic neurons in the medial septum/diagonal band complex (MS/DB). Both antibodies were visualized in the same section using the ABC detection system with diaminobenzidine and 4-chloro-1-naphtol as chromogens. Cholinergic and PARV-containing neurons are coexisting in the MS/DB. About 38% of all retrogradely labeled neurons were ChAT-positive whereas only 10% of all retrogradely labeled cells were immunostained for PARV. On the other hand, 40% of all ChAT-positive neurons and about 24% of all PARV-positive neurons were retrogradely labeled. No double immunolabeled neurons were detected. The proportion of GABAergic neurons may have been underestimated because immunostaining for PARV only labels a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons. The present results were compared with those of previous studies in rats. They may serve as a basis of further comparative studies in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Development of the rat septohippocampal projection: tracing with DiI and electron microscopy of identified growth cones.

The factors determining the development of specific fiber tracts in the central nervous system as well as the interactions of growth cones with the surrounding micromilieu are largely unknown. Here we investigated the ontogenetic development of the septohippocampal projection in the rat with the lipophilic carbocyanine dye DiI which is transported anterogradely and retrogradely in neurons and can be applied to fixed embryonic tissue. Photoconversion of anterogradely labeled fibers allowed us to study individual growth cones by electron microscopy. The first axons originating from the septal complex were found in the hippocampus as early as on embryonic day (ED) 19, reaching the fimbrial pole of the hippocampus on ED 18. However, on ED 17 we consistently found retrogradely labeled cells in the hippocampus, indicating that the development of the hippocamposeptal projection precedes that of the septohippocampal projection. On ED 19, the majority of the axons directed toward the hippocampal formation passed the hippocampus and grew further into the subicular complex and entorhinal cortex. These axons gave off collaterals that invaded the hippocampus proper. A fairly adult pattern of the septohippocampal projection was reached on postnatal day 10, although may growth cones were still found. A comparative analysis of individual growth cones found in the fimbria and the hippocampus proper revealed no striking differences in their morphology. Electron microscopic analysis showed that growth cones in the fimbria were mainly contacted by other axons, whereas growth cones in the hippocampus had contact with all available elements. This may indicate that growing septohippocampal fibers are guided by axons of the earlier formed hippocamposeptal projection. In the hippocampus proper, other cues, probably derived from the target itself, may guide the septohippocampal axons to their appropriate target cells.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1992

Fine structure of rat septohippocampal neurons: I. Identification of septohippocampal projection neurons by retrograde tracing combined with electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and intracellular staining.

In this report the normal dendritic organization and fine structure of identified septohippocampal projection neurons is described as a prerequisite for a time course analysis of retrograde changes in these neurons following axotomy (see Naumann et al., J. Comp. Neurol. 325:219-242, 1992). Septohippocampal projection neurons were retrogradely labeled by injection of the fluorescent tracer Fluoro-Gold into the hippocampus. Next, retrogradely labeled cells in Vibratome sections of the medial septum/diagonal band complex were intracellularly stained with the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow (LY). Photooxidation of LY resulted in a stable electron-dense reaction product, which allowed us to study these double-labeled neurons by electron microscopy. Another series of sections containing retrogradely labeled neurons were immunostained for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) or parvalbumin (PARV). In this way the fine structure of two different chemically characterized subpopulations of septohippocampal neurons could be compared with that of the LY-injected neurons. Intracellular filling of retrogradely labeled neurons with LY stained the cell body and the entire dendritic arbor. Essentially, three classes of neurons could be distinguished, i.e., bipolar cells, multipolar neurons, and an intermediate group. All these neurons displayed smooth, often varicose dendrites lacking spines. Mainly located close to the midline, there was a group of cells with only very few if any LY-stained dendrites. In the electron microscope, the double-labeled neurons were easily identified by numerous electron-dense lysosomes associated with transported Fluoro-Gold and the diffuse reaction product resulting from photooxidation. They displayed fine-structural characteristics as previously described for cholinergic neurons. In fact, our fine-structural analysis of ChAT-positive Fluoro-Gold-labeled neurons, but also of back-filled PARV-positive cells, gave very similar results. All these neurons had infolded nuclei, abundant cytoplasmic organelles, and a few axosomatic synapses. Thus, a plain electron microscopic study does not allow one to distinguish between subpopulations of septohippocampal projection neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Parvalbumin in the medial septum/diagonal band complex of the African green monkey Cercopithecus aethiops.

The distribution of the calcium-binding protein Parvalbumin (PV), a marker for a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons, was studied in the septal complex of the African green monkey, Cercopithecus aethiops. PV-immunoreactive neurons were found in relatively small numbers in the medial septum and in large numbers in the nucleus of the diagonal band (BROCA). They were extremely rare in the dorsal and intermediate parts of the lateral septum. PV-immunoreactive neurons in the medial septum and the nucleus of the diagonal band were mostly fusiform when located close to the midline and round to polygonal in more lateral locations. Some perikarya of immunopositive as well as immunonegative cells were covered with immunostained boutons whereas others were not. Our present descriptive data suggest that there are no principal differences in PV-containing neurons in the septal region between non-human primates and rodents which have been analyzed in great detail in previous studies.

Animals↗