The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) contains a prominent collection of varicose atriopeptin-like immunoreactive (APir) fibers. We have used immunohistochemistry and fluorescent retrograde tracers to investigate the origin of these fibers. All parts of the PVH contain APir fibers. The densest collections are found in the periventricular area and in the parvocellular components ...

= Abstract = An immunocytochemical study on the pathways and distribution of extrahypothalamic projections of oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic neurons was performed. Monoclonal antibodies to oxytocin and vasopressin, avidin-blottn-peroxidase complex, vibratomy, and free floating methods were applied in the immunocytochemical procedure of the mouse brain. Oxytocinergic fibers arose from the pa...

The role of limbic, cortical, and striatal circuitry in a footshock reinstatement model of relapse to cocaine seeking was evaluated. Transient inhibition of the central extended amygdala [CEA; including the central nucleus of the amygdala (CN), ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTv), and nucleus accumbens shell (NAshell)], ventral tegmental area (VTA), and motor circuitry [includin...

Stress has long lasting effects on physiology, development, behavior, reproductive success and the survival of an individual. These effects are mediated by glucocorticoids, such as corticosterone, via glucocorticoid receptors (GR), though the exact mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. GR have been widely studied in mammals but little is known about GR in other vertebrate groups, esp...

GPR151 is a G-protein coupled receptor for which the endogenous ligand remains unknown. In the nervous system of vertebrates, its expression is enriched in specific diencephalic structures, where the highest levels are observed in the habenular area. The habenula has been implicated in a range of different functions including behavioral flexibility, decision making, inhibitory control, and pain...

A role for the pineal hormone, melatonin, in the regulation of the rhythmic expression of circadian clock genes is suggested by the finding that surgical removal of the pineal gland abolishes the rhythm of expression of clock genes such as Per1 in several neural and endocrine tissues in rodents, including the caudate-putamen (CP) and nucleus accumbens, the hypophyseal pars tuberalis and adrenal...

Endocannabinoids acting at CB1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1) increase appetite. In view of the predominant presynaptic localization of CB1 in the brain, we tested the hypothesis that the orexigenic effect of endocannabinoids involves inhibition of the release of a tonically active anorexigenic mediator, such as the peptide product of the cocaine- and amphetamine-related transcript (CART). The CB1...

Mating-induced Fos-immunoreactive (-ir) cells are colocalized with androgen receptors (AR), estrogen receptors (ER), or both in limbic and hypothalamic areas known to mediate male rat mating behavior. A steroid-responsive neural network might govern copulatory behavior in male laboratory rats that is analogous to the network described in female rats that governs the lordosis response. This hypo...

Neurocircuit inhibition of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons controlling hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity prominently involves GABAergic cell groups of the hypothalamus and basal forebrain. In the present study, stress responsiveness of GABAergic regions implicated in HPA inhibition was assessed by in situ hybridization, using probes recognizing the GABA-synt...

OBJECTIVE To share four Canadian cities' experiences with bed bug infestations and to explore public health roles in managing them. METHODS We summarize presentations from a workshop at the 2010 Canadian Public Health Association Conference which examined the re-emergence of bed bugs in Canada and compared management approaches of municipal and public health authorities in four large Canadian...