The time-course of abeta-evoked c-fos expression in neurons of the dorsal horn and gracile nucleus after peripheral nerve injury.

We have examined the mechanisms underlying Abeta-evoked c-fos expression in the dorsal horn and gracile nucleus following either sciatic nerve section or crush injury. The results indicate that in the spinal cord Abeta-evoked c-fos does not depend on primary afferent sprouting but is associated with the disconnection from the peripheral target since its expression in the dorsal horn reverts to normal after crush injury when regeneration occurs but persists after cut and ligation where regeneration is prevented. In contrast, however, Abeta-evoked c-fos expression in the gracile nucleus may be under some other control since its expression appears independent of peripheral nerve regeneration.