Publications by authors named "Meng-Chang Ko"

Background And Purpose: Bumetanide has anxiolytic effects in rat models of conditioned fear. As a loop diuretic, bumetanide blocks cation-chloride co-transport and this property may allow bumetanide to act as an anxiolytic by modulating GABAergic synaptic transmission in the CNS. Its potential for the treatment of anxiety disorders deserves further investigation.

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Rationale: The involvement of glutamate in fear extinction is perhaps the most promising in terms of facilitating clinical interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study was aimed at elucidating the possible role of zif268 on the D-cycloserine (DCS) facilitation effect on extinction.

Objective: We investigated the association between zif268 and the extinction of conditioned fear by using antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) of zif268 and the fear-potentiated startle paradigm.

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The loop diuretic bumetanide (Bumex) is thought to have antiepileptic properties via modulate GABAA mediated signaling through their antagonism of cation-chloride cotransporters. Given that loop diuretics may act as antiepileptic drugs that modulate GABAergic signaling, we sought to investigate whether they also affect hippocampal function. The current study was performed to evaluate the possible role of NKCC1 on the hippocampal function.

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Synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) is frequently used as a therapeutic agent to lessen the morbidity of chronic lung disease in premature infants. Previous studies suggested that neonatal DEX treatment altered brain development and cognitive function. It has been recognized that the amygdala is involved in emotional processes and also a critical site of neuronal plasticity for fear conditioning.

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In ray-finned fishes, the lateral (Dl) and medial (Dm) division of the dorsal telencephalon are important in learning and memory formation. Tract-tracing studies revealed that neural connections are formed between these regions via afferent Dl fibers projecting to the Dm. However, research analyzing Dl-Dm synaptic transmission is scant.

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Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol and possesses many biological functions such as anti-inflammatory activity and protection against atherosclerosis and myocardial infraction. Parkinson's disease is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is the most useful neurotoxin to induce Parkinsonism.

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