Publications by authors named "Elsa Vinade"

Olanzapine and highly palatable diets can alter metabolism and brain function. We investigated the interaction of chronic treatment (4 months) with olanzapine and a cafeteria diet on metabolic parameters, memory tasks (spatial and aversive), the elevated plus maze and locomotor activity induced by d-amphetamine. Male Wistar rats were separated into the following groups: standard diet vehicle, standard diet and olanzapine, cafeteria diet vehicle and cafeteria diet and olanzapine.

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Background: The S100B protein is considered a biochemical marker for brain injuries. However, our group demonstrated that the isolated rat heart releases S100B. In this study, we investigated the serum levels of S100B in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients to evaluate its levels in heart disease.

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The participation of protein serine/threonine kinases in memory formation and retrieval is well established. In contrast, relatively little is known on the role of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). Previous work showed that intra-hippocampal infusion of the Src-PTK inhibitor radicicol inhibits memory acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval of one-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance task.

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Although many studies have investigated the function of cellular prion protein (PrPc), its physiologic role remains elusive. PrPc null mice have been reported to develop normally and to show normal performance in most behavioural tests. In the present study we investigated whether this also holds true after episodes of acute stress.

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Oral and intraperitoneal administration of the nucleoside guanosine have been shown to prevent quinolinic acid- (QA) and alpha-dendrotoxin-induced seizures, impair memory, and impair anxiety in rats and mice. We investigated the effect of 2-weeks ad lib orally administered guanosine (0.5 mg/ml) on seizures induced by QA, inhibitory avoidance memory, and locomotor performance in rats.

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Predator stress is a type of psychogenic stress induced by an innate recognition of threat. S100B, a calcium-binding protein secreted by astrocytes, has been associated with neurotrophic or neurotoxic action in several neuropsychiatric disorders. It has been recently demonstrated that serum S100B levels in rats are increased after stress by immobilization [S.

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Extracellular guanine-based purines, mainly the nucleoside guanosine, have recently been shown to exert neuroprotective effects, which seem to be related to antagonism of the glutamatergic system. In this study, we investigated the effects of acute oral administration of guanosine on inhibitory avoidance task in rats and mice. We also studied its effects on locomotor activity, anxiety-related behaviors and mechanisms of action involving the purinergic system.

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Acute administration of intraperitoneal and oral guanosine has been shown to prevent quinolinic acid and alpha-dendrotoxin-induced seizures in rats and mice. In this study, we investigated the effects of 2 weeks ad libitum consumption of guanosine (0.5 mg/ml) added to mice water supply on seizures and lethality induced by the alpha-dendrotoxin, hole-board behavior, inhibitory avoidance task, locomotor activity, motor coordination, rectal temperature, body weight, and water and food consumption.

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Male Wistar rats were bilaterally implanted with indwelling cannulae in the caudal region of the posterior cingulate cortex. After recovery, animals were trained in a step-down inhibitory avoidance task (3.0-s, 0.

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