Studies using microarray analysis reveal a very complex picture associated with the regulation of nerve cell susceptibility to injury (or other diseases such as cancer).
In view of the preferential susceptibility of nerve cells and nerve terminals of the dopaminergic pathway from the substantia nigra (SN) to the striatum to the disease process of PD and to mitochondrial complex I toxins such as MPTP and rotenone, we focussed on a thorough quantification of this projection with morphological and biochemical criteria.
We here demonstrate a considerable variability in susceptibility to nerve injury-induced neurodegeneration that can be attributed to naturally occurring genetic differences between the inbred DA and PVGav1 strains.
Wiggs, J.L. et al. Common variants at 9p21 and 8q22 are associated with increased susceptibility to optic nerve degeneration in glaucoma.
Differences in fracture types and trauma mechanisms may have had an impact on the susceptibility of ulnar nerve affection, but the material is of insufficient size for subgroup analysis.
Whether produced by multiple sclerosis or chronic compression exerted by a blood vessel or a benign tumour, demyelination increases the susceptibility of the nerve fibres to ectopic excitation, ephaptic transmission, and high-frequency discharges.
Thus reduced Bax expression, at least on some genetic backgrounds, was able to significantly affect RGC soma susceptibility to optic nerve damage.
Hypotheses include damage from autoimmune mediation or direct viral invasion causing demyelination, localized arteritis or genetic predisposition, which could increase susceptibility to such nerve palsies [ 5, 16].
An increase in mitochondrial aggregates may be a potential mechanism for increased susceptibility for poor nerve fiber function, potential degeneration, or poor regeneration upon injury.
The differential response to nerve-crush injury reflects the susceptibility of newborn MNs to restricted neurotrophin supply by end-target organs.
