Altered muscarinic receptor expression in the cerebral cortex of epileptic rats: restorative role of Withania somnifera.

Temporal lobe epilepsy involves a sequence of events that can lead to neurotransmitter signalling alterations. There are many herbal extracts considered to be alternative therapeutic methods to manage epilepsy. In this study, we investigated the effect of Withania somnifera (WS) root extract and withanolide A (WA) in the management of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Vitamin D3 supplementation increases insulin level by regulating altered IP3 and AMPA receptor expression in the pancreatic islets of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

Pancreatic islets, particularly insulin-secreting β cells, share common characteristics with neurons. Glutamate is one of the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and pancreas, and its action is mediated through glutamate receptors. In the present work, we analysed the role of vitamin D3 in the modulation of AMPA receptor subunit and their functional role in insulin release.

NMDA and AMPA receptor mediated excitotoxicity in cerebral cortex of streptozotocin induced diabetic rat: ameliorating effects of curcumin.

Functional activity of neurotransmitter receptor and their sensitivity to regulation are altered in DM. We evaluated the neuroprotective effect of curcumin in glutamate mediated excitotoxicity in cerebral cortex of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Gene expression studies in diabetic rats showed a down regulation of glutamate decarboxylase mRNA leading to accumulation of glutamate.

Cholinergic and GABAergic receptor functional deficit in the hippocampus of insulin-induced hypoglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Neurotransmitter receptor functional regulation plays an important role in controlling the excitability and responsiveness of hippocampal neurons. Deregulation of its function is associated with seizure generation, motor deficits, and memory impairment. In the present study we investigated the changes in hippocampal cholinergic and GABA receptor binding and gene expression in insulin-induced hypoglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Decreased cholinergic function in the cerebral cortex of hypoxic neonatal rats: role of glucose, oxygen and epinephrine resuscitation.

Molecular processes regulating cholinergic functions play an important role in the control of respiration under hypoxia. Cholinergic alterations and its further complications in learning and memory due to hypoxic insult in neonatal rats and the effect of glucose, oxygen and epinephrine resuscitation was evaluated in the present study. Receptor binding and gene expression studies were done in the cerebral cortex to analyze the changes in total muscarinic receptors, muscarinic M1, M2, M3 receptors and the enzymes involved in acetylcholine metabolism - choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine esterase.

Cortical 5HT 2A receptor function under hypoxia in neonatal rats: role of glucose, oxygen, and epinephrine resuscitation.

Neonatal hypoxia induces brain injury through alterations in neurotransmitters and its receptors. Molecular processes regulating serotonergic receptors play an important role in the control of respiration under hypoxia. The present study evaluates the serotonergic regulation of neonatal hypoxia and its resuscitation methods.

Opioid system functional regulation in neurological disease management.

There is increasing evidence to suggest a role for the opioid system in the control of pathophysiology of neurological disorders (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, hypoxia, and autism). Resuscitation of the altered expression of the opioid system in various neurological disorders is of therapeutic importance. Such treatment may be beneficial in ameliorating the clinical symptoms of the disorder.