The EF-hand calcium-binding protein, parvalbumin (PV), is a cytosolic protein expressed in a subset of GABA-ergic interneurons of the cerebral cortex, Purkinje, stellate and basket cells of the cerebellum, fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibres and epithelial cells of the kidney distal nephron. It functions primarily as a mobile, slow acting calcium buffer and plays a principal role in intracellula...

Findings by our group have shown that the dorsolateral telencephalon of Gymnotus carapo sends efferents to the mesencephalic torus semicircularis dorsalis (TSd) and that presumably this connection is involved in the changes in electric organ discharge (EOD) and in skeletomotor responses observed following microinjections of GABA A antagonist bicuculline into this telencephalic region. Other stu...

Numerous literature data indicates that benzodiazepines inHuence neuronal activity in various sections of centrai nervous system, from spinal cord to the brain stem up to neocortex. I t was shown t ha t benzodiazepines increase t be presynaptic inhihition in the spinal cord [1-3] and various types of postsynaptic inhibition in the cerebellum [4] and nigrostriatal system [5]. Since these types o...

It has been known that RA, one of major constituents of Perilla frutescens which has been used as a traditional folk remedy for sedation in oriental countries, shows the anxiolytic-like and sedative effects. This study was performed to know whether RA may enhance pentobarbital-induced sleep through γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A-ergic systems in rodents. RA (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ kg, p.o.) reduced ...

Alterations in serotonin (5-HT) neurochemistry have been implicated in the aetiology of all major neuropsychiatric disorders, ranging from schizophrenia to mood and anxiety-spectrum disorders. This review will focus on the multifaceted implications of 5-HT-ergic dysfunctions in the pathophysiology of aggressive and suicidal behaviours. After a brief overview of the anatomical distribution of th...

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is engaged in the modulation of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system activity. Effects of repeated intravenously injections of TRH in a dose of 100 ng/100 g b.w. on vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) biosynthesis and release from the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system was investigated in rats in different age (1-, 3- or 7-months of the life). To estimate ...