Thromb Haemost 2005; 93(04): 655-660
DOI: 10.1160/TH04-12-0838
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

Tissue plasminogen activator in central nervous system physiology and pathology

Jerry P. Melchor
1   Laboratory of Neurobiology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
,
Sidney Strickland
1   Laboratory of Neurobiology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 23 December 2004

Accepted after revision 02 February 2005

Publication Date:
14 December 2017 (online)

Summary

Although conventionally associated with fibrin clot degradation, recent work has uncovered new functions for the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen cascade in central nervous system physiology and pathology. This extracellular proteolytic cascade has been shown to have roles in learning and memory, stress, neuronal degeneration, addiction and Alzheimer’s disease. The current review considers the different ways tPA functions in the brain.

 
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