Modelling drug modulation of nystagmus

Progress in Brain Research
Stefan Glasauer, Christian Rössert

Abstract

A better understanding of the neural and functional mechanisms underlying drug-induced changes in pathological nystagmus is likely to improve medical treatment. A treatment option for downbeat nystagmus (DBN), a common form of acquired fixation nystagmus that often occurs with cerebellar degeneration, is low doses of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). The upward ocular drift in DBN has a spontaneous and a vertical gaze-evoked component. Detailed analysis of the effect of 4-AP in patients showed that the drug consistently improved the gaze-evoked component, but had less effect in reducing the spontaneous drift. We show by a combination of computational modelling at the systems level and at the neuronal level how this differential effect can be investigated. We have previously postulated that DBN is caused by damage to the floccular lobe (FL). 4-AP, which has been shown to increase the excitability of Purkinje cells (PCs) in slice experiments, may thus suppress DBN by partly restoring floccular function. We simulated the effect of low concentrations of 4-AP on the cellular level using a multicompartment model of a PC, in which we changed ion channel properties to simulate damage. The transition from the cellula...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 26, 2010·Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology : the Official Journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society·Matthew J Thurtell, R John Leigh
Sep 29, 2011·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Stefan GlasauerMichael Strupp

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.