Neuro- and vasoprotective potential of neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor agonist, NPY13-36, against transient focal cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Numerous in vitro and in vivo experimental studies indicate that neuropeptide Y Y2 receptors (Y2R) are potential targets for neuroprotective therapy, including neuroprotection against ischemic stroke in healthy rats. Since stroke in humans is typically associated with comorbidities and long-term hypertension is the most common comorbidity leading to stroke, this study aimed to assess the neuroprotective potential of the Y2R agonist NPY13-36 in the rats with essential hypertension (SHR) subjected to 90 min middle cerebral artery suture occlusion with subsequent reperfusion (MCAOR). The cerebrocortical microflow in the ischemic focus and penumbra was continuously monitored with a Laser-Doppler flowmeter.

L-DOPA Improves Ventilation but Not the Ventilatory Response to Hypercapnia in a Reserpine Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the substantia nigra that affects mainly movement control. However, pathological changes associated with the development of PD may also alter respiration and can lead to chronic episodes of hypoxia and hypercapnia. The mechanism behind impaired ventilation in PD is unclear.

Distinct circuits in rat central amygdala for defensive behaviors evoked by socially signaled imminent versus remote danger.

Animals display a rich repertoire of defensive responses adequate to the threat proximity. In social species, these reactions can be additionally influenced by the behavior of fearful conspecifics. However, the majority of neuroscientific studies on socially triggered defensive responses focuses on one type of behavior, freezing.

Playback of Alarm and Appetitive Calls Differentially Impacts Vocal, Heart-Rate, and Motor Response in Rats.

Our rudimentary knowledge about rat intraspecific vocal system of information exchange is limited by experimental models of communication. Rats emit 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in appetitive states and 22-kHz ones in aversive states. Both affective states influence heart rate.

Neuroprotection of Retinal Ganglion Cells with AAV2-BDNF Pretreatment Restoring Normal TrkB Receptor Protein Levels in Glaucoma.

Intravitreal delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by injection of recombinant protein or by gene therapy can alleviate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss after optic nerve injury (ONI) or laser-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). In models of glaucoma, BDNF therapy can delay or halt RGCs loss, but this protection is time-limited. The decreased efficacy of BDNF supplementation has been in part attributed to BDNF TrkB receptor downregulation.