African Neuroscience: Social Responsibility and a New Sense of Community.

Africa is home to a longstanding tradition of scientific enquiry dating back to the Pharaohs. In the last century, Africa's universities were instrumental in nation building and in training expertise in many fields of scientific endeavor, including neuroscience. In 1988 IBRO, committed to neuroscience development in Africa, organized a workshop at the University of Nairobi to bring African neuroscientists together to discuss advancement of the discipline on the continent.

Dopaminergic control of the globus pallidus through activation of D2 receptors and its impact on the electrical activity of subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra reticulata neurons.

The globus pallidus (GP) receives dopaminergic afferents from the pars compacta of substantia nigra and several studies suggested that dopamine exerts its action in the GP through presynaptic D2 receptors (D2Rs). However, the impact of dopamine in GP on the pallido-subthalamic and pallido-nigral neurotransmission is not known. Here, we investigated the role of dopamine, through activation of D2Rs, in the modulation of GP neuronal activity and its impact on the electrical activity of subthalamic nucleus (STN) and substantia nigra reticulata (SNr) neurons.

Intrapallidal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine mimics in large part the electrophysiological and behavioral consequences of major dopamine depletion in the rat.

In addition to GABA and glutamate innervations, the globus pallidus (GP) receives dopamine afferents from the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SNc), and in turn, sends inhibitory GABAergic efferents to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra (SNr). Nevertheless, the role of dopamine in the modulation of these pallido-subthalamic and pallido-nigral projections is not known. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of intrapallidal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on the electrical activity of STN and SNr neurons using in vivo extracellular single unit recordings in the rat and on motor behaviors, using the "open field" actimeter and the stepping test.

Role of the pineal gland and melatonin in the photoperiodic control of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the male jerboa (Jaculus orientalis), a desert rodent.

The neuroendocrine mechanism underlying seasonal changes in gonadal activity of the jerboa, a desert hibernating rodent adapted to harsh climatic conditions, are poorly understood. We investigated the role of the pineal gland and melatonin in the photoperiodic control of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Intact and pinealectomized male jerboas were subjected to short photoperiod, while others were kept under long photoperiod and injected daily with melatonin or vehicle.

Phytotherapy of hypertension and diabetes in oriental Morocco.

In order to select the main medicinal plants used in folk medicine to treat arterial hypertension and/or diabetes, a survey was undertaken in different areas of oriental Morocco. The patients (370 women and 256 men) were divided into three groups: diabetics (61%), hypertensives (23%) and hypertensive diabetic persons (16%). On average, 67.