Description

Intraventricular injection of 192-IgG-SAP (192-Saporin) results in almost complete elimination of LNGFR (p75NTR)-positive cells in rat. 192-IgG-SAP is directed to a cell-surface antigen that is only expressed at high levels on neurons in the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF). The antigen, p75NTR, is not expressed on the neighboring, non-cholinergic neurons. 192-IgG-SAP specifically eliminates cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain, medial septum, diagonal band of Broca, nucleus basalis of Meynert, and Purkinje neurons of the cerebellum. It provides researchers with a powerful lesioning tool – more specific and effective than chemical, surgical or electrolytic lesioning. Permanent and selective removal of cholinergic forebrain neurons makes an important animal model for the study of behavior, neuronal loss (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease), plasticity of other systems in response to loss, replacement therapy, and drug effects and dependence.