Ganglioside-induced acceleration of axonal transport following nerve crush injury in the rat.

The role of gangliosides in the re-establishment of neuronal continuity was examined in rats whose peroneal nerve had been crushed by a standardized procedure. Neuronal continuity was determined by the ability of the nerve to transport horseradish peroxidase retrogradely back to the spinal cord. The number of retrogradely labeled neurons provided an index of the degree of axonal transport that was re-established. Comparison of ganglioside-treated animals with saline-treated controls showed that ganglioside treatment advanced the re-establishment of retrograde axonal transport by 3 days.