Biochemical correlates of individual behavior.

This article is a review of data (results of the authors' investigations and data from the literature) concerning neurochemical correlates of individual behavior in rats. The "emotional resonance" test was used for behavioral selection of rats. Individual behavior in this test is related to the differences in free radical-mediated processes, membrane lipid content, nitric oxide synthase activity, and cAMP pattern in cerebral macrostructures.

Postresuscitation changes in brain free radical-mediated processes and nitric oxide synthase activity in rats: effects of individual behavior in "emotional resonance" test.

Effects of 7-min cardiac arrest and individual behavior on free radical-mediated processes and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was evaluated in brains of male Wistar rats one hour and one week after resuscitation. "Emotional resonance" test was used for the behavioral selection of rats. The test includes factors of significance for rats: the choice between large and lighted or small and dark space as well as signals of pain of another rat.

Cardiac arrest induces decrease of nitric oxide synthase activity and increase of free radical generation in rat brain regions.

Rats were subjected to 15 min cardiac arrest and sacrificed 1 h or 15-20 days after resuscitation. Homogenates of brain regions were assayed for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity (by measuring the mononitrosyl iron complex of NO with diethyl dithiocarbamate and endogenous brain Fe2+ using electron spin resonance spectroscopy) and generation of free radicals (FRG; by measuring H2O2-induced, luminol-dependent chemiluminescence). Cardiac arrest induced marked decrease of NOS activity and the increase of FRG, most prominent in cerebellum and less marked in cerebral cortex.

Oxidative stress in the brain following intraventricular administration of ethylcholine aziridinium (AF64A).

AF64A is a toxic analog of choline that disrupts high affinity choline transport and produces a persistent presynaptic cholinergic hypofunction. The observed neuroprotectant effects of Vitamin E in the AF64A model suggested that oxidative stress contributed to the cholinotoxicity of AF64A. The studies presented here examined whether intraventricular injection of AF64A produces oxidative stress in the brain of male Wistar rats.

NO synthase and free radical generation in brain regions of old rats: correlations with individual behaviour.

We have investigated the activity of NO synthase (NOS) and generation of free radicals (FRG) in selected brain regions of old male Wistar rats. Using the emotional resonance test, two groups of rats were selected for the experiment: passive, preferring dark space and active, preferring light space. Highest NOS activity and FRG were seen in cerebellum.