| abstract |
The invention features a method for promoting neural growth in vivo in the mammalian central nervous system by administering a neural cell adhesion molecule which can overcome inhibitory molecular cues found on glial cells and myelin to promote neural growth. Also featured active fragments, cognates, congeners, mimics, analogs, secreting cells and soluble molecules thereof, as well as antibodies thereto, and DNA molecules, vectors and transformed cells capable of expressing them. The invention also includes transgenic mouse lines expressing a neural adhesion molecule in differentiated astrocytes, and cells and tissues derived therefrom. The expression of the neural adhesion molecule enhances neurite outgrowth on central nervous system tissue derived from these transgenic mice. The invention also features methods for enhancing neuronal outgrowth of CNS neurons, for enhancing memory and for increasing synaptic efficacy. Also featured are methods of testing drugs which modulate the effects of the neural adhesion molecule, and assay systems suitable for such methods. |