Methods for the analysis of neuronal plasticity and brain connectivity during neurological recovery

(整期优先)网络出版时间:2016-11-21
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Thestudyofneuronalplasticityunderpathologicalconditionsisnowamajorpointoffocusonthefieldofneurologicalrecovery.Aftertherepeatedfailureofacuteneuroprotectionstrategiesforstroketreatment,thedesignofstudiesaimedatpromotingthereconstructionofneuronalnetworkshasbecomeessential.Methodsforthedeliveryoftherapeuticagentsonasteadydosage,thuspreventingpharmacologicalpeaksorexcessivemanipulationofexperimentalanimals,arethusrequired.Additionally,methodsthatallowthevisualizationofneurologicalremodelingprocessesarefundamentaltotheunderstandingofhowatherapeuticagentexertsitsfunction.Herewedescribehowtheuseofminiosmoticpumpsforthesteadydeliveryofsuchagents,togetherwithtracttracerinjections,canbecombinedtounveilimportantinformationonhowthebrainchangesafterstrokeandhowtherapeuticagentspromotebrainremodelingrecovery.