Preferential neuron loss in the rat piriform cortex following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus

Delineating mechanisms underlying parvalbumin neuron impairment in different neurological and neurodegenerative disorders: the emerging role of mitochondrial dysfunction

Given the current paucity of effective treatments in many neurological disorders, delineating pathophysiological mechanisms among the major psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases may fuel the development of novel, potent treatments that target shared pathways. Recent evidence suggests that various pathological processes, including bioenergetic failure in mitochondria, can perturb the function of fast-spiking, parvalbumin-positive neurons (PV+). These inhibitory neurons critically influence local circuit regulation, the generation of neuronal network oscillations and complex brain functioning. Here, we survey PV+ cell vulnerability in the major neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative diseases and review associated cellular and molecular pathophysiological alterations purported to underlie disease aetiology.

Spatio-Temporal Alterations in Synaptic Density During Epileptogenesis in the Rat Brain

Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a transmembrane protein that binds levetiracetam and is involved in neurotransmission via an unknown mechanism. SV2A-immunoreactivity is reduced in animal models of epilepsy, and in postmortem hippocampi from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. It is not known if other regions outside the hippocampus are affected in epilepsy, and whether SV2A is expression permanently reduced or regulated over time. In this study, we induced a generalized status epilepticus (SE) by systemic administration of lithium-pilocarpine to adult female rats. The brains from all animals experiencing SE were collected at different time points after the treatment. The radiotracer, [¹¹C]-UCB-J, binds to SV2A with high affinity, and has been used for in vivo imaging as an a-proxy marker for synaptic density. Here we determined the level of tritiated UCB-J binding by semiquantitative autoradiography in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus, and in subregions of these. A prominent and highly significant reduction in SV2A binding capacity was observed over the first days after SE in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, but not in the thalamus and hypothalamus. The magnitude in reduction was larger and occurred earlier in the hippocampus and the piriform cortex, than in other cortical subregions. Interestingly, in all areas examined, the binding capacity returned to control levels 12 weeks after the SE comparable to the chronic phase. These data show that lithium-pilocarpine-induced epileptogenesis involves both loss and gain of synapses in the in a time-dependent manner.

Cholecystokinin-Mediated Neuromodulation of Anxiety and Schizophrenia: A "Dimmer-Switch" Hypothesis

Cholecystokinin (CCK), the most abundant brain neuropeptide, is involved in relevant behavioral functions like memory, cognition, and reward through its interactions with the opioid and dopaminergic systems in the limbic system. CCK excites neurons by binding two receptors, CCK1 and CCK2, expressed at low and high levels in the brain, respectively. Historically, CCK2 receptors have been related to the induction of panic attacks in humans. Disturbances in brain CCK expression also underlie the physiopathology of schizophrenia, which is attributed to the modulation by CCK1 receptors of the dopamine flux in the basal striatum. Despite this evidence, neither CCK2 receptor antagonists ameliorate human anxiety nor CCK agonists have consistently shown neuroleptic effects in clinical trials. A neglected aspect of the function of brain CCK is its neuromodulatory role in mental disorders. Interestingly, CCK is expressed in pivotal inhibitory interneurons that sculpt cortical dynamics and the flux of nerve impulses across corticolimbic areas and the excitatory projections to mesolimbic pathways. At the basal striatum, CCK modulates the excitability of glutamate, the release of inhibitory GABA, and the discharge of dopamine. Here we focus on how CCK may reduce rather than trigger anxiety by regulating its cognitive component. Adequate levels of CCK release in the basal striatum may control the interplay between cognition and reward circuitry, which is critical in schizophrenia. Hence, it is proposed that disturbances in the excitatory/ inhibitory interplay modulated by CCK may contribute to the imbalanced interaction between corticolimbic and mesolimbic neural activity found in anxiety and schizophrenia.

Cytoarchitecture-Dependent Decrease in Propagation Velocity of Cortical Spreading Depression in the Rat Insular Cortex Revealed by Optical Imaging

Cortical spreading depression (SD) is a self-propagating wave of depolarization accompanied by a substantial disturbance of the ionic distribution between the intra- and extracellular compartments. Glial cells, including astrocytes, play critical roles in maintenance of the extracellular environment, including ionic distribution. Therefore, SD propagation in the cerebral cortex may depend on the density of astrocytes. The present study aimed to examine the profile of SD propagation in the insular cortex (IC), which is located between the neocortex and paleocortex and is where the density of astrocytes gradually changes. The velocity of SD propagation in the neocortex, including the somatosensory, motor, and granular insular cortices (5.7 mm/min), was higher than that (2.8 mm/min) in the paleocortex (agranular insular and piriform cortices). Around thick vessels, including the middle cerebral artery, SD propagation was frequently delayed and sometimes disappeared. Immunohistological analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) demonstrated the sparse distribution of astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex and the IC dorsal to the rhinal fissure, whereas the ventral IC showed a higher density of astrocytes. These results suggest that cortical cytoarchitectonic features, which possibly involve the distribution of astrocytes, are crucial for regulating the velocity of SD propagation in the cerebral cortex.

The piriform cortex and human focal epilepsy

It is surprising that the piriform cortex, when compared to the hippocampus, has been given relatively little significance in human epilepsy. Like the hippocampus, it has a phylogenetically preserved three-layered cortex that is vulnerable to excitotoxic injury, has broad connections to both limbic and cortical areas, and is highly epileptogenic – being critical to the kindling process. The well-known phenomenon of early olfactory auras in temporal lobe epilepsy highlights its clinical relevance in human beings. Perhaps because it is anatomically indistinct and difficult to approach surgically, as it clasps the middle cerebral artery, it has, until now, been understandably neglected. In this review, we emphasize how its unique anatomical and functional properties, as primary olfactory cortex, predispose it to involvement in focal epilepsy. From recent convergent findings in human neuroimaging, clinical epileptology, and experimental animal models, we make the case that the piriform cortex is likely to play a facilitating and amplifying role in human focal epileptogenesis, and may influence progression to epileptic intractability.

GABA and 5-HT chitosan nanoparticles decrease striatal neuronal degeneration and motor deficits during liver injury

The metabolic alterations resulted from hepatic injury and cell loss lead to synaptic defects and neurodegeneration that undoubtedly contribute motor deficits. In the present study, GABA and 5-HT chitosan nanoparticles mediated liver cell proliferation influenced by growth factor and cytokines and neuronal survival in corpus striatum of partially hepatectomised rats was evaluated. Liver cell proliferation was initiated and progressed by the combined effect of increased expression of growth factor, insulin like growth factor-1 and decreased expressions of cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α and Akt-1. This was confirmed by the extent of incorporation of thymidine analogue, BrdU, in the DNA of rapidly dividing cells. Inappropriate influx of compounds to corpus striatum resulting from incomplete metabolism elevated GABAB and 5-HT2A neurotransmissions compared to those treated with nanoparticles. This directly influenced cyclic AMP response element binding protein, glial cell derived neurotrophic factor and brain derived neurotrophic factor in the corpus striatum that facilitate neurogenesis, neuronal survival, development, differentiation and neuroprotection. Motor deficits due to liver injury followed striatal neuronal damage were scored by grid walk and rotarod studies, which confirmed the regain of motor activity by GABA and 5-HT chitosan nanoparticle treatment. The present study revealed the therapeutic significance of GABA and 5-HT chitosan nanoparticles in liver based diseases and related striatal neuronal damage that influenced by GABA and 5-HT.

Epileptic baboons have lower numbers of neurons in specific areas of cortex

Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizure activity that can induce pathological reorganization and alter normal function in neocortical networks. In the present study, we determined the numbers of cells and neurons across the complete extent of the cortex for two epileptic baboons with naturally occurring seizures and two baboons without epilepsy. Overall, the two epileptic baboons had a 37% average reduction in the number of cortical neurons compared with the two nonepileptic baboons. The loss of neurons was variable across cortical areas, with the most pronounced loss in the primary motor cortex, especially in lateral primary motor cortex, representing the hand and face. Less-pronounced reductions of neurons were found in other parts of the frontal cortex and in somatosensory cortex, but no reduction was apparent in the primary visual cortex and little in other visual areas. The results provide clear evidence that epilepsy in the baboon is associated with considerable reduction in the numbers of cortical neurons, especially in frontal areas of the cortex related to motor functions. Whether or not the reduction of neurons is a cause or an effect of seizures needs further investigation.

Increased neuronal survival in the brainstem during liver injury: role of γ-aminobutyric acid and serotonin chitosan nanoparticles

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)- and serotonin (5-HT)-mediated cell signaling, neuronal survival enhancement, and reduced neuronal death in brainstem during liver injury followed by active liver regeneration have a critical role in maintaining routine bodily functions. In the present study, GABAB and 5-HT2A receptor functional regulation, interrelated actions of neuronal survival factors, and expression of apoptotic factors in the brainstem during GABA and 5-HT chitosan nanoparticles-induced active liver regeneration in partially hepatectomized rats were evaluated. Partially hepatectomized rats were treated with the nanoparticles, and receptor assays and confocal microscopic studies of GABAB and 5-HT2A receptors, gene expression studies of GABAB and 5-HT2A receptors, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Akt-1, phospholipase C, Bax, and caspase-8 were performed with the brainstems of experimental animals. A significant decrease in GABAB and 5-HT2A receptor numbers and gene expressions denoted a homeostatic adjustment by the brain to trigger the sympathetic innervations during elevated DNA synthesis in the liver. The neuronal apoptosis resulting from the loss of liver function after partial hepatectomy was minimized by nanoparticle treatment in rats compared with rats with no treatment during regeneration. This was confirmed from the gene expression patterns of NF-κB, TNF-α, Akt-1, phospholipase C, Bax, and caspase-8. The present study revealed the potential of GABA and 5-HT chitosan nanoparticles for increasing neuronal survival in the brainstem during liver injury following regeneration, which avoids many neuropsychiatric problems.

NMDA and AMPA receptor mediated excitotoxicity in cerebral cortex of streptozotocin induced diabetic rat: ameliorating effects of curcumin

Functional activity of neurotransmitter receptor and their sensitivity to regulation are altered in DM. We evaluated the neuroprotective effect of curcumin in glutamate mediated excitotoxicity in cerebral cortex of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Gene expression studies in diabetic rats showed a down regulation of glutamate decarboxylase mRNA leading to accumulation of glutamate. Radioreceptor binding assays showed a significant increase in α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors density which was confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. Decreased glutathione peroxidases gene expression indicates enhanced oxidative stress in diabetic rats. This leads to decreased expression of glutamate aspartate transporter, which in turn reduces glutamate transport. All these events lead to excitotoxic neuronal death in the cerebral cortex, which was confirmed by the increased expression of caspase 3, caspase 8 and BCL2-associated X protein. Curcumin and insulin treatment reversed these altered parameters to near control. We establish, a novel therapeutic role of curcumin by reducing the glutamate mediated excitotoxicity in cerebral cortex of diabetes through modulating the altered neurochemical parameters.

A defect in the mitochondrial complex III, but not complex IV, triggers early ROS-dependent damage in defined brain regions

We have created two neuron-specific mouse models of mitochondrial electron transport chain deficiencies involving defects in complex III (CIII) or complex IV (CIV). These conditional knockouts (cKOs) were created by ablation of the genes coding for the Rieske iron-sulfur protein (RISP) and COX10, respectively. RISP is one of the catalytic subunits of CIII and COX10 is an assembly factor indispensable for the maturation of Cox1, one of the catalytic subunits of CIV. Although the rates of gene deletion, protein loss and complex dysfunction were similar, the RISP cKO survived 3.5 months of age, whereas the COX10 cKO survived for 10-12 months. The RISP cKO had a sudden death, with minimal behavioral changes. In contrast, the COX10 cKO showed a distinctive behavioral phenotype with onset at 4 months of age followed by a slower but progressive neurodegeneration. Curiously, the piriform and somatosensory cortices were more vulnerable to the CIII defect whereas cingulate cortex and to a less extent piriform cortex were affected preferentially by the CIV defect. In addition, the CIII model showed severe and early reactive oxygen species damage, a feature not observed until very late in the pathology of the CIV model. These findings illustrate how specific respiratory chain defects have distinct molecular mechanisms, leading to distinct pathologies, akin to the clinical heterogeneity observed in patients with mitochondrial diseases.

Decreased cholinergic receptor expression in the striatum: motor function deficit in hypoglycemic and diabetic rats

Hypoglycemic brain injury is a common and serious complication of insulin therapy associated with diabetes. This study evaluated the effect of insulin-induced hypoglycemia and STZ-induced diabetes on striatal cholinergic receptors and enzyme expression and on motor function. Cholinergic enzymes: AChE and ChAT gene expression, radioreceptor binding assay and immunohistochemistry of muscarinic M1, M3 receptors and α7nAChR were carried out. Motor performance on grid walk test was analysed. AChE and ChAT expression significantly downregulated in hypoglycemic and diabetic rats. Total muscarinic and Muscarinic M3 receptor binding decreased in hypoglycemic rats compared to diabetic rats whereas muscarinic M1 receptor binding increased in hypoglycemic rats compared to diabetic rats. Real-time PCR analysis and confocal imaging of muscarinic M1, M3 receptors confirmed the changes in muscarinic receptor binding in hypoglycemic and diabetic rats. In hypoglycemic rats, α7nAChR expression significantly up regulated compared to diabetic rats. Grid walk test demonstrated the impairment in motor function and coordination in hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats. Neurochemical changes along with the behavioral data implicate a role for impaired striatal cholinergic receptor function inducing motor function deficit induced by hypo and hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia exacerbated the neurobehavioral deficit in diabetes which has clinical significance in the treatment of diabetes.

Glutamate and NMDA receptors activation leads to cerebellar dysfunction and impaired motor coordination in unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned Parkinson's rat: functional recovery with bone marrow cells, serotonin and GABA

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder characterised by a profound and selective loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. In Parkinson's disease, degeneration of dopaminergic neurons involves motor structures including basal ganglia and cerebellum. Glutamate-mediated degeneration of the cerebellum contributes to motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Targeting neurotransmitter system beyond the dopamine system is of important, both for the motor and for the nonmotor problems of Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study is to assess the glutamate and NMDA receptor functional regulation and motor performance of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson's rat and the effects of serotonin (5-HT), gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and bone marrow cells supplementation infused intranigrally to substantia nigra individually and in combination. Scatchard analysis of total glutamate and NMDA receptor binding parameters showed a significant increase in B (max) (P < 0.001) in the cerebellum of 6-hydroxydopamine infused rat compared to control. Real-Time PCR amplification of NMDA2B, mGluR5, and bax were significantly (P < 0.001) upregulated in cerebellum of 6-hydroxydopamine infused rats compared to control. Activation of the glutamate and NMDA receptors gave rise to an increased cAMP and IP3 content in the cerebellum. Gene expression studies of GLAST and CREB showed a significant (P < 0.001) down regulation in 6-OHDA infused rats compared to control. Behavioural studies were carried out to confirm the biochemical and molecular studies. Serotonin and GABA along with bone marrow cells in combination showed reversal of glutamate receptors and motor abnormality shown in the Parkinson's rat model. The therapeutic significance in Parkinson's disease is of prominence.

Enhanced glutamate, IP3 and cAMP activity in the cerebral cortex of unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine induced Parkinson's rats: effect of 5-HT, GABA and bone marrow cell supplementation

Parkinson's disease is characterized by progressive cell death in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which leads to dopamine depletion in the striatum and indirectly to cortical dysfunction. Increased glutamatergic transmission in the basal ganglia is implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and glutamate receptor mediated excitotoxicity has been suggested to be one of the possible causes of the neuronal degeneration. In the present study, the effects of serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid and bone marrow cells infused intranigrally to substantia nigra individually and in combination on unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine induced Parkinson's rat model was analyzed. Scatchard analysis of total glutamate and NMDA receptor binding parameters showed a significant increase in B_max (P < 0.001) in the cerebral cortex of 6-hydroxydopamine infused rat compared to control. Real Time PCR amplification of NMDA2B, mGluR5, bax, and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase were up regulated in cerebral cortex of 6-hydroxydopamine infused rats compared to control. Gene expression studies of GLAST, ά-Synuclien and Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein showed a significant (P < 0.001) down regulation in 6-OHDA infused rats compared to control. Behavioural studies were carried out to confirm the biochemical and molecular studies. Serotonin and GABA along with bone marrow cells in combination showed reversal of glutamate receptors and behaviour abnormality shown in the Parkinson's rat model. The therapeutic significance in Parkinson's disease is of prominence.

Selective loss and axonal sprouting of GABAergic interneurons in the sclerotic hippocampus induced by LiCl-pilocarpine

In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry for somatostatin (SS), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and parvalbumin (PV) in LiCl-pilocarpine-treated rats to observe quantitative changes and axonal sprouting of GABAergic interneurons in the hippocampus, especially in the sclerotic hippocampus. Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) was performed to detect the specific degeneration of GABAergic interneurons. Compared with age-matched control rats, there were fewer SS/NPY/PV-immunoreactive (IR) interneurons in the hilus of the sclerotic hippocampus in pilocarpine-treated rats; hilar dentritic inhibitory interneurons were most vulnerable. FJB stain revealed degeneration was evident at 2 months after status epilepticus. Some SS-IR and NPY-IR interneurons were also stained for FJB, but there was no evidence of degeneration of PV-IR interneurons. Axonal sprouting of GABAergic interneurons was present in the hippocampus of epileptic rats, and a dramatic increase of SS-IR fibers was observed throughout all layers of CA1 region in the sclerotic hippocampus. These results confirm selective loss and degeneration of a specific subset of GABAergic interneurons in specific subfields of the hippocampus. Axonal sprouting of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons, especially numerous increase of SS-IR neutrophils within CA1 region of the sclerotic hippocampus, may constitute the aberrant inhibitory circum and play a significant role in the generation and compensation of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Hypoglycemia induced behavioural deficit and decreased GABA receptor, CREB expression in the cerebellum of streptozoticin induced diabetic rats

Intensive glycemic control during diabetes is associated with an increased incidence of hypoglycemia, which is the major barrier in blood glucose homeostasis during diabetes therapy. The CNS neurotransmitters play an important role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. In the present study, we showed the effects of hypoglycemia in diabetic and non- diabetic rats on motor functions and alterations of GABA receptor and CREB expression in the cerebellum. Cerebellar dysfunction is associated with seizure generation, motor deficits and memory impairment. Scatchard analysis of [(3)H]GABA binding in the cerebellum of diabetic hypoglycemic and control hypoglycemic rats showed significant (P<0.01) decrease in B(max) and K(d) compared to diabetic and control rats. Real-time PCR amplification of GABA receptor subunit GABA(Aα1) and GAD showed significant (P<0.001) down-regulation in the cerebellum of hypoglycemic rats compared to diabetic and control rats. Confocal imaging study confirmed the decreased GABA receptors in hypoglycemic rats. CREB mRNA expression was down-regulated during recurrent hypoglycemia. Both diabetic and non-diabetic hypoglycemic rats showed impaired performance in grid walk test compared to diabetic and control. Impaired GABA receptor and CREB expression along with motor function deficit were more prominent in hypoglycemic rats than hyperglycemic which showed that hypoglycemia is causing more neuronal damage at molecular level. These molecular changes observed during hypo/hyperglycemia contribute to motor and learning deficits which has clinical significance in diabetes treatment.

Neuroprotection after status epilepticus by targeting protein interactions with postsynaptic density protein 95

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate essential neuronal excitation, but overactivation of NMDARs results in excitotoxic cell death in a variety of pathologic conditions, including status epilepticus (SE). Although NMDAR antagonists attenuate SE-induced brain injury, undesirable side effects have limited their clinical efficacy. Tat-NR2B9c was designed to disrupt protein interactions involving postsynaptic density protein 95 in the NMDAR signaling complex while not interfering with function of the NMDAR ion channel. We examined the ability of Tat-NR2B9c to provide neuroprotection in the hippocampus of rats after 60 minutes of SE induced by the repeated injection of low doses of pilocarpine (10 mg/kg). Tat-NR2B9c was administered 3hours after the termination of SE, and neuronal densities were assessed 14 days later by stereologic analysis of NeuN-positive cells. After SE, pyramidal cell densities were reduced by 70% in CA1, 34% in CA3, 58% in CA4, and 88% in the piriform cortex. In Tat-NR2B9c-treated rats, neuronal densities in CA1, a subregion of CA3, and CA4 were decreased by only 38%, 4%, and 26%, respectively. Tat-NR2B9c did not reduce cell loss in the posterior piriform cortex. The results indicate that targeted disruption of the NMDAR signaling complex represents a potential therapeutic approach for limiting neuronal cell loss after SE.

Effects of repeated electroconvulsive shock seizures and pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus on emotional behavior in the rat

Affective symptoms are frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. Although the etiology of these behavioral complications remains unknown, it is possible that brain damage associated with frequent or prolonged seizures may contribute to their development. To address this issue, we examined the behavioral sequelae of repeated brief seizures evoked by electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and compared them with those resulting from prolonged status epilepticus (SE) induced with pilocarpine. Using the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests, we detected the presence of behavioral alterations indicative of elevated levels of anxiety in rats that were administered a course of ECS seizures. Fear conditioning was also enhanced in these animals. However, the rats that had experienced SE exhibited less anxiety-like behavior than controls and were severely impaired in fear conditioning. These results support the notion that brain lesions caused by either brief repeated seizures or SE is sufficient to induce some affective disturbances.

Epileptiform synchronization in the rat insular and perirhinal cortices in vitro

The hippocampus plays a primary role in temporal lobe epilepsy, a common form of partial epilepsy in adults. Recent studies, however, indicate that extrahippocampal areas such as the perirhinal and insular cortices represent important participants in this epileptic disorder. By employing field potential recordings in the in vitro 4-aminopyridine model of temporal lobe epilepsy, we have investigated here the contribution of glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling to epileptiform activity in these structures. First, we provide evidence of epileptiform synchronicity between the perirhinal and insular cortices, and resolve some pharmacological and network mechanisms involved in sustaining the interictal- and ictal-like discharges recorded there. Second, we report that in the absence of ionotropic glutamatergic transmission, GABAergic networks produce synchronous potentials that spread between the perirhinal and insular cortices. Finally, we have established that such activity is modulated by activating micro-opioid receptors. Our findings support clinical and experimental evidence concerning the involvement of the perirhinal and insular cortex networks in temporal lobe epilepsy, and provide observations that may impact research focussing on the role of the insular cortex in nociception.

Origin, migration and fate of newly generated neurons in the adult rodent piriform cortex

Newly generated neurons are continuously added to the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulbs of adult mammals. Studies also report newly generated neurons in the piriform cortex, the primary cortical projection site of the olfactory bulbs. The current study used BrdU-injection paradigms, and in vivo and in vitro DiI tracing methods to address three fundamental issues of these cells: their origin, migratory route and fate. The results show that 1 day after a BrdU-injection, BrdU/DCX double-labeled cells appear deep to the ventricular subependyma, within the white matter. Such cells appear further ventral and caudal in the ensuing days, first appearing in the rostral piriform cortex of mice at 2 days after the BrdU-injection, and at 4 days in the rat. In the caudal piriform cortex, BrdU/DCX labeled cells first appear at 4 days after the injection in mice and 7 days in rats. The time it takes for these cells to appear in the piriform cortex and the temporal distribution pattern suggest that they migrate from outside this region. DiI tracing methods confirmed a migratory route to the piriform cortex from the ventricular subependyma. The presence of BrdU/NeuN labeled cells as early as 7 days after a BrdU injection in mice and 10 days in the rat and lasting as long as 41 days indicates that some of these cells have extended survival durations in the adult piriform cortex.