Miller J, Keilholz A, Smith C, Lever T, Nichols N (2026) Impact of tongue exercise on hypoglossal nucleus TrkB expression in a rodent model of hypoglossal motor neuron degeneration. American Physiology Summit 41(S1) doi: 10.1152/physiol.2026.41.S1.2300331
Objective: To investigate treatments to improve upper airway function primarily due to loss of hypoglossal lower motor neurons (XII LMNs) in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.
Summary: Preliminary data suggest XII TrkB expression in CTB-SAP + tongue exercise rats is similar to control rats but is increased vs. CTB-SAP + sham exercise rats, providing evidence of the BDNF pathway underlying tongue exercise-induced changes following XII LMN loss. These results would suggest that the BDNF pathway could be a target for treatment for upper airway deficits in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.
Usage: Intralingual injection of CTB-SAP (IT-14) in rat
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)