The necessity of having a proper dose of (-)deprenyl (D) to prolong the life spans of rats explains discrepancies among different studies in the past.

(-)Deprenyl (D) has been shown to be effective in prolonging life span in experimental animals, although, there are some discrepancies in its effect on the life span the even within the same species (rats). The present study aims to clarify the reason for these discrepancies. Male F344/DuCrj rats began receiving subcutaneous (s.

GABA-mediated neurotransmission in the nucleus of the solitary tract alters resting ventilation following exposure to chronic hypoxia in conscious rats.

This study investigated whether changes in GABA-mediated neurotransmission within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) contribute to the changes in breathing (resting ventilation and the acute HVR) that occur following exposure to chronic hypoxia (CH). Rats were exposed to 9 days of hypobaric hypoxia (0.5 atm) and then subjected to acute hypoxic breathing trials before and after bilateral microinjections of GABA, bicuculline (a GABAA-receptor antagonist), or bicuculline plus CGP-35348 (a GABAB receptor antagonist) into the caudal regions of the NTS.

Dose-dependency of life span prolongation of F344/DuCrj rats injected with (-)deprenyl.

The effect of (-)deprenyl (D) on prolonging survival has previously been reported in different species of animals. In rats, three studies reported a positive effect, while one study reported a shortening of life spans. In the present study, we attempted to clarify past discrepancies in the results based on the speculation that there exists a certain effective dose range for this effect of the drug.

Might astrocytes play a role in maintaining the seizure-prone state?

The amygdala-kindling model is used to study complex partial epilepsy with secondary generalization. The present study was designed to (A) quantify astrocytic changes in the piriform cortex of amygdala-kindled subjects over time and (B) investigate the role that astrocytes might play in maintaining the seizure-prone state. In Study A, once the experimental subjects reached five stage 5 seizures, stimulation was stopped, and both kindled and control rats were allowed to survive for the interval appropriate to their group (7, 18, 30, or 90 days).

Astrocytic proliferation in the piriform cortex of amygdala-kindled subjects: a quantitative study in partial versus fully kindled brains.

Complex partial epilepsy is a seizure disorder in which attacks frequently arise from foci located in the temporal lobes. The amygdala-kindling model is a widely used model of complex partial epilepsy with secondary generalization. The present study was designed to quantitatively assess astrocytic changes in the rat piriform cortex in the amygdala-kindling model of epilepsy.