Comparison of manual and automated filaments for evaluation of neuropathic pain behavior in rats.

Introduction: The most commonly used Von Frey filaments are productive in evaluating behavioral responses of neuropathic pain in preclinical and clinical research. To reduce the potential experimenter bias, automated instruments are being developed for behavioral assessment. In preclinical research, neuropathic pain models of nerve injury with varied etiology like partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL), chronic constricted injury (CCI) and spinal nerve ligation (SNL) are employed to screen the analgesic drugs to treat symptoms like allodynia and hyperalgesia.

Difference in the norepinephrine levels of experimental and non-experimental rats with age in the object recognition task.

In the present study, we investigated the performance of adult and juvenile rats in the Object Recognition Task (ORT). While it is well known that the performance of rat in ORT differs with age, the reason for the difference as well as the underlying neurotransmitter that may have led to these differences were investigated. In the present study, juvenile rats of postnatal day 40-45 (PND 40-45) and adult rats of postnatal day 60+ (PND 60+) were subjected to a two trial ORT.

Comparison of whole body and head out plethysmography using respiratory stimulant and depressant in conscious rats.

Introduction: Assessment of respiratory safety is one of the most important requirements for new chemical entity (ICH Guideline S7A). The aim of the present study was to compare and validate respiratory safety pharmacology models in conscious rats, to find out the most appropriate method for detection of drug-induced adverse effects on respiratory function in preclinical safety studies.

Methods: Head out plethysmography and whole body plethysmography methods were used to monitor typical parameters of ventilatory function like respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), minute volume (MV) and mid expiratory flow (EF50).

Antinociceptive activity of α4β2* neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist A-366833 in experimental models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

Nerve injury, diabetes and cancer therapies are often associated with painful neuropathy. The mechanism underlying neuropathic pain remains poorly understood. The current therapies have limited efficacy and are associated with dose-limiting side effects.