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When citing an abstract from the 2009 Annual - Society for ...

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FluoroGold dye <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> distal nerve stump, as well as electrophysiological recordings of <strong>the</strong><br />

nerve.<br />

Regeneration in empty gel tubes was poor, with only 2/8 <strong>an</strong>imals showing retro-labeled neuronal<br />

cell bodies; this was associated with a lack of myelinated axons <strong>an</strong>d lack of functional recovery.<br />

Both functional recovery <strong>an</strong>d presence of myelinated axons within <strong>the</strong> regenerated nerve cables<br />

was observed in <strong>an</strong>imals impl<strong>an</strong>ted with tubes containing GDNF, demonstrating that release of<br />

growth factor plays a vital role in promoting regeneration. However, <strong>the</strong>re was no signific<strong>an</strong>t<br />

enh<strong>an</strong>cement in regeneration within tubes containing additional n<strong>an</strong>ofiber guid<strong>an</strong>ce cues. It is<br />

likely that <strong>the</strong> ECM molecules provided <strong>an</strong> overly permissive microenvironment that disfavored<br />

axons <strong>from</strong> extending beyond <strong>the</strong> distal end of <strong>the</strong> NGC.<br />

Our results demonstrate that growth factors encapsulated within our NGCs maintain bioactivity<br />

<strong>an</strong>d promote regeneration when released in a controlled m<strong>an</strong>ner into a nerve gap. Studies are<br />

currently under way to optimize ECM coatings onto n<strong>an</strong>ofiber cues to best complement <strong>the</strong><br />

effect of <strong>the</strong> chemoattractive cues. The eventual goal of <strong>the</strong> study is to develop a novel NGC<br />

containing <strong>the</strong> ideal combination of cues capable of promoting regeneration over long dist<strong>an</strong>ces.<br />

Disclosures: S. Lim, None; R. Mi, None; A. Höke, None; H. Mao, None.<br />

Poster<br />

510. Regeneration: PNS<br />

Location: South Hall A<br />

Time: Tuesday, October 20, <strong>2009</strong>, 8:00 am - 12:00 noon<br />

Program#/Poster#: 510.28/B61<br />

Topic: A.04.h. Axon growth <strong>an</strong>d guid<strong>an</strong>ce: O<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Support: National Science Foundation<br />

Davidson College<br />

Howard Hughes Medical Institute<br />

Title: Zebrafish motoneuron axonal pathfinding is compromised by enh<strong>an</strong>ced cholinergic<br />

activity<br />

Authors: N. L. MEYER 1 , *B. M. LOM 2 ;<br />

1 Biol. Dept., 2 Biol. Dept. <strong>an</strong>d Program in Neurosci., Davidson Col., Davidson, NC<br />

Abstract: To determine if cholinergic activity plays a role in zebrafish motoneuron axonal<br />

pathfinding, we elevated cholinergic signaling by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) <strong>an</strong>d

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