Statistical strategies to quantify respiratory sinus arrhythmia: are commonly used metrics equivalent?

Three frequently used RSA metrics are investigated to document violations of assumptions for parametric analyses, moderation by respiration, influences of nonstationarity, and sensitivity to vagal blockade. Although all metrics are highly correlated, new findings illustrate that the metrics are noticeably different on the above dimensions. Only one method conforms to the assumptions for parametric analyses, is not moderated by respiration, is not influenced by nonstationarity, and reliably generates stronger effect sizes.

The anxiolytic-like profile of the nociceptin receptor agonist, endo-8-[bis(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]-3-phenyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3-carboxamide (SCH 655842): comparison of efficacy and side effects across rodent species.

The endogenous opioid-like peptide, nociceptin, produces anxiolytic-like effects that are mediated via the nociceptin (NOP) receptor. Similarly, synthetic, non-peptide NOP agonists produce robust anxiolytic-like effects although these effects are limited by marked side effects. In the present studies, the effects of a novel NOP receptor agonist, SCH 655842, were examined in rodent models sensitive to anxiolytic drugs and tests measuring potential adverse affects.

Differential involvement of M1-type and M4-type muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the dorsomedial striatum in task switching.

Previous experiments have demonstrated that the rat dorsomedial striatum is one brain area that plays a crucial role in learning when conditions require a shift in strategies. Further evidence indicates that muscarinic cholinergic receptors in this brain area support adaptations in behavioral responses. Unknown is whether specific muscarinic receptor subtypes in the dorsomedial striatum contribute to a flexible shift in response patterns.

Age-progressing cognitive impairments and neuropathology in transgenic CRND8 mice.

Patients with Alzheimer's disease suffer from progressive cognitive impairments and show distinct post-mortem neuropathology, including beta-amyloid plaques. Transgenic (Tg) CRND8 mice carry a mutated human amyloid precursor protein gene and show age-related increases in beta-amyloid production and plaque deposition. It was previously reported that during the early stages of plaque deposition, Tg CRND8 mice demonstrated Morris maze impairments.

Increased auditory startle response and reduced prepulse inhibition of startle in transgenic mice expressing a double mutant form of amyloid precursor protein.

Prepulse inhibition (PPI), a form of sensorimotor gating, occurs when an auditory startle response is markedly inhibited by a preceding sub-threshold stimulus (prepulse). Deficits in PPI have been demonstrated in patients with certain psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, and in laboratory animals following specific pharmacological manipulations. Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have not been tested in PPI, but have been shown to have abnormal sensory gating in another paradigm.