Functions of Small Organic Compounds that Mimic the HNK-1 Glycan.

Because of the importance of the HNK-1 carbohydrate for preferential motor reinnervation after injury of the femoral nerve in mammals, we screened NIH Clinical Collection 1 and 2 Libraries and a Natural Product library comprising small organic compounds for identification of pharmacologically useful reagents. The reason for this attempt was to obviate the difficult chemical synthesis of the HNK-1 carbohydrate and its isolation from natural sources, with the hope to render such compounds clinically useful. We identified six compounds that enhanced neurite outgrowth from cultured spinal motor neurons at nM concentrations and increased their neurite diameter, but not their neurite branch points.

Differential behavior patterns in cynomolgus monkey Macaca fascicularis in home cage in response to human gaze.

Background: Non-human primates, when encountering human beings, show wariness and alertness. These behaviors differ when there is direct human gaze vs. when human averts his gaze.