Publications by authors named "Vankin G"

Comparison of the cognition-stimulating effects of Dimebon in a wide dose range revealed a non-monotonic and nontrivial wave-like dose-dependence of its activity. Positive results were obtained at low (0.02-0.

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Background: Gamma-synuclein is a member of the synuclein family of cytoplasmic, predominantly neuron-specific proteins. Despite numerous evidences for the importance of gamma-synuclein in the control of monoamine homeostasis, cytoskeleton reorganization and chaperone activity, its role in the regulation of cognitive behavior still remain unknown. Our previous study revealed that gamma-synuclein knockout mice are characterized by high habituation scores.

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α-Synuclein is a member of the synuclein family of cytoplasmic, predominantly neuron-specific proteins. Considerable amount of α-synuclein is found in axons and presynaptic terminals of neurons located in brain areas responsible for emotions and memory. In the present study we have carried out behavioral evaluation of spatial and working long-term memory of α-synuclein knockout mice.

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Gamma(gamma)-synuclein is a member of synuclein family of cytoplasmic and predominantly neuronal proteins found only in vertebrates. Gamma-synuclein is abundant in axons and presynaptic terminals of neurons localized in brain regions involved in emotions, learning and memory. However, the role of gamma-synuclein in these brain functions was not previously assessed.

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Chronic decreases in brain cholinergic functions due to intraventricular administration of the neurotoxin AF64A were accompanied by increases in the latent period of locating an invisible platform during training of rats in a Morris water test, as compared with control sham-operated animals. Recordings of the animals' movement trajectories using a video camera along with an original computer program (Behavioral Vision) showed that administration of 17beta-estradiol and its synthetic analog J-861 (0.2 mg/kg p.

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A chronic deprivation of brain cholinergic functions in rats caused by intracerebroventricular injection of neurotoxin AF64A increases the escape latency in Morris water maze test as compared to control sham-operated animals. Measurements and analysis of rat movement tracks using an original computerized "Behavioral Vision" system revealed the ability of 17 beta-Estradiol and its synthetic isomer J-861 (both administered daily in per os dose 0.2 mg/kg during 7 days before and 10 days after a single intracerebroventricular injection of AF64A) to improve learning of the animals.

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Systemic oral administration of NT-0409, a new synthetic agonist of AMPA subtype glutamate receptor, to rats with chronic partial AF64A-induced deprivation of cholinergic functions improved their learning in a Morris water maze. NT-0409 is close to memantine by the effect on learning and, in contrast to cholinomimetic arisept, ensures longer retention of the developed habit.

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It was shown for the first time that estrogens 17 beta- and 17 alpha-estradiols compensate impaired cognitive functions in rats with partial chronic deprivation of cholinergic functions in the central nervous system induced by intracerebral administration of selective cholinergic neurotoxin AF64A. 17 beta-Estradiol produced strong dose-dependent changes in the weights of hormone-sensitive endocrine glands, while 17 alpha-estradiol did not affect the weight of the gonads and slightly influenced (in high concentration) the weights of the adrenal glands and thymus. The positive effects of exogenous 17 beta- and 17 alpha-estradiols on cognitive functions are due to their antioxidant properties, rather than due to specific action on hormone-sensitive endocrine glands.

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After a single injection of cholinergic neurotoxin ethylcholine aziridinium (AF64A, 3 nmol intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.

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In matings of Bld/+ x Bld/+ mice a characteristic type of abnormal embryo is found on days 6 and 7 after impregnation which dies at 8 days and accounts for about 25% of all living embryos. These embryos are regarded as the fethal Bld/Bld homozygotes. Before 6 days the embryos appear slightly retarded.

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The appearance of C-type virus particles in thymus cells of Swiss mouse embryos, 11.5 to 15.5 days post-conception age (PCA), was studied with the electron microscope.

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