Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
05:55
Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection
Published on: May 7, 2020
Increased neuronal proliferation in human bacterial meningitis.
J Gerber1, S C Tauber, I Armbrecht
1Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, Aachen, Germany. jgerber@ukaachen.de
Neurology
|September 30, 2009
Summary
Bacterial meningitis, stroke, and brain trauma increase neural progenitor cell proliferation in the human brain. This suggests the brain can generate new neurons in response to injury, potentially aiding recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuropathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neurogenesis, the process of generating new neurons, is known to increase in experimental models of bacterial meningitis.
- The response of neurogenesis to central nervous system (CNS) injury in humans, including bacterial meningitis, stroke, and brain trauma, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine neurogenesis in human brain tissue following bacterial meningitis, stroke, and brain trauma.
- To investigate whether increased neurogenesis is an endogenous response to CNS injury.
Main Methods:
- Human brain tissue samples from deceased patients with bacterial meningitis, stroke, or brain trauma were analyzed.
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to identify and quantify proliferating cells and immature neurons.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in proliferating cells was observed in the dentate gyrus following bacterial meningitis compared to controls.
- The number of immature neurons, marked by TUC-4 and doublecortin, was elevated in meningitis cases.
- Increased proliferating cells were also found after stroke and brain trauma, with TUC-4-expressing cells increasing after stroke.
Conclusions:
- The observed increase in neural progenitor proliferation indicates an endogenous repair mechanism in response to CNS injury.
- Stimulating neurogenesis holds potential therapeutic value for mitigating neuronal loss in bacterial meningitis and other brain diseases.
More Related Videos
10:12Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells
Published on: July 14, 2020
09:58A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side
Published on: May 6, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
01:24Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...