Coordination of four-limb movements during quadrupedal locomotion is controlled by supraspinal monoaminergic descending pathways, among which serotoninergic ones play a crucial role. Here we investigated the locomotor pattern during recovery from blockade of 5-HT or 5-HT receptors after intrathecal application of SB269970 or cyproheptadine in adult rats with chronic intrathecal cannula implanted in the lumbar spinal cord. The interlimb coordination was investigated based on electromyographic activity recorded from selected fore- and hindlimb muscles during rat locomotion on a treadmill. In the time of recovery after hindlimb transient paralysis, we noticed a presence of an unusual pattern of quadrupedal locomotion characterized by a doubling of forelimb stepping in relation to unaffected hindlimb stepping (2FL-1HL) after blockade of 5-HT receptors but not after blockade of 5-HT receptors. The 2FL-1HL pattern, although transient, was observed as a stable form of fore-hindlimb coupling during quadrupedal locomotion. We suggest that modulation of the 5-HT receptors on interneurons located in lamina VII with ascending projections to the forelimb spinal network can be responsible for the 2FL-1HL locomotor pattern. In support, our immunohistochemical analysis of the lumbar spinal cord demonstrated the presence of the 5-HT immunoreactive cells in the lamina VII, which were rarely 5-HT immunoreactive.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8199611 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms22116007 | DOI Listing |
Toxicol Rep
June 2025
Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Drug use represents a prevalent and multifaceted societal problem, with profound implications for public health, social welfare, and economic stability. To circumvent strict international drug control regulations, there is a growing trend in the development and market introduction of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), encompassing a wide range of compounds with psychoactive properties. This includes, among other classes of drugs, the phenethylamines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFEBS Lett
January 2025
PHYLIFE, Physical Life Science, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
5HTR is a G-protein-coupled receptor that drives many neuronal functions and is a target for psychedelic drugs. Understanding ligand interactions and conformational transitions is essential for developing effective pharmaceuticals, but mechanistic details of 5HTR activation remain poorly understood. We utilized all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and free-energy calculations to investigate 5HTR's conformational dynamics upon binding to serotonin and psilocin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Ethnopharmacol
January 2025
Posgrado en Botánica, Colegio Postgraduados Campus Montecillo Km. 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco C.P. Montecillo, 56264, Texcoco Estado de México, México. Electronic address:
Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Taxus globosa Schltdl. (Taxaceae) is commonly named "Tejo mexicano". It's a Mexican plant known in folk medicine as a remedy for pain such as stomachache and headache, arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuropharmacology
January 2025
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Central Lancashire, Preston UK. Electronic address:
Personality disorders (PDs) are psychiatric conditions characterized by enduring patterns of cognition, emotion, and behaviour that deviate significantly from cultural norms, causing distress or impairment. The aetiology of PDs is complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic studies estimate the heritability of PDs at 30% to 60%, implicating genes involved in neurotransmitter regulation, such as those for serotonin transporters and dopamine receptors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomolecules
December 2024
Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada.
Schizophrenia is a complex heterogenous disorder thought to be caused by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The theories developed to explain the etiology of schizophrenia have focused largely on the dysfunction of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and glutamate with their receptors, although research in the past several decades has indicated strongly that other factors are also involved and that the role of neuroglial cells in psychotic disorders including schizophrenia should be given more attention. Although glia were originally thought to be present in the brain only to support neurons in a physical, metabolic and nutritional capacity, it has become apparent that these cells have a variety of important physiological roles and that abnormalities in their function may make significant contributions to the symptoms of schizophrenia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!