ABSTRACT
In the present study, in situ hybridization was used to examine the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor (p75NGFR), trk (p140trk) and trkB (p145trkB) mRNA in spinal cord sections from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We report that the expression of p75NGFR and p145trkB mRNA is elevated in alpha motoneurons in ALS sections. However, p140trk mRNA was not expressed in either ALS or control sections.
Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/metabolism , Motor Neurons/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/genetics , Spinal Cord/metabolism , Adult , Humans , Middle Aged , Receptor, trkA , Spinal Cord/cytologySubject(s)
Cervical Vertebrae , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/complications , Paralysis/etiology , Sensation , Spinal Cord Compression/etiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Spinal Cord Compression/diagnosis , SyndromeABSTRACT
A rare case of homozygous protein C deficiency occurred in a newborn. The patient presented with purpura fulminans in the first few hours after birth and showed multiple hemorrhagic lesions on computed tomography of the brain at 5 days of age. Neurologic symptoms developed at two weeks and the patient died at 37 weeks. His protein C level was less than 5%. Autopsy revealed thrombosis of the dural sinuses, multiple cortical infarcts, intraparenchymal hemorrhages, and hydrocephalus. The pathologic findings are correlated with the neurologic deficits and previously documented cases are reviewed.
Subject(s)
Brain/pathology , Protein C/analysis , Blood Coagulation Disorders/congenital , Blood Coagulation Disorders/etiology , Blood Coagulation Disorders/genetics , Cerebral Hemorrhage/pathology , Homozygote , Humans , Hydrocephalus/etiology , Hydrocephalus/pathology , Infant, Newborn , Male , Protein C/genetics , Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial/pathology , Thrombosis/etiology , Thrombosis/genetics , Thrombosis/pathologyABSTRACT
To examine animal exposure in ALS patients, a case-control study was undertaken on 40 ALS patients and 40 closely matched controls. Exposure to pets of any kind and to small dogs in the period from birth until 10 years before onset of ALS symptoms was significantly increased. Affected men showed a trend toward increased exposure to neurologically ill pets, but there was no significant difference when male and female cases were grouped. No differences between ALS cases and controls were observed in exposure to any other single animal species. There may be a link between ALS and exposure to house pets.
