Effects of gangliosides on the functional recovery of damaged brain.

The effect of GM1 ganglioside on the recovery of dopaminergic nigro-striatal neurons was studied in rats after unilateral hemitransection. GM1 treatment favoured the collateral sprouting of dopaminergic axons in the striatum as indicated by the induced increase of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and immunofluorescence. Concomitantly GM1 partially prevented the decrease of TH activity caused by the hemitransection in the substantia nigra ipsilateral to the lesion. A significant increase of TH immunoreactivity was also detected in the substantia nigra: GM1 prevented the disappearance of TH-positive cell bodies and increased the formation of TH-positive collaterals and dendrites with respect to the saline treatment. The addition of GM1 to embryonic dissociated mesencephalic cell cultures stimulates the expression of dopaminergic characteristics as suggested by the increase of 3H-DA uptake.