Cocaine's addictive liability has been linked to its pharmacologic actions on mesotelencephalic dopamine (DA) reinforcement/reward pathways in the central nervous system (CNS). Dopaminergic transmission within these pathways is modulated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). With this knowledge, we examined the utility of gamma vinylGABA (GVG), a selective and irreversible inhibitor of GABA-transa...

Interleukin-15 (IL15) is a cytokine produced by normal brain, but the functions of the IL15 system in normal adults are not yet clear. The hypothesis that the hippocampal IL15 system is essential for memory consolidation was tested by use of IL15Ralpha knock-out mice in behavioral, biochemical, immunohistological, and electron microscopic analyses. The knock-out mice showed deficits in memory, ...

L-DOPA is the primary drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms, but motor side effects limit its long term use. Previous experimental studies show that L-DOPA acts on supersensitive D1 receptors in the basal ganglia to induce extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), a pair of MAP-kinase proteins that may be involved in induction of motor side effects. Since GABA is k...

introduction: pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines   such as mcp-1 and il6 can activate microglial cells that has found in some neuro-inflammatory disorders. hypoxia activates cerebral endothelial cells to release these pro-inflammatory mediators. we aimed to investigate the anti-hypoxic effects of different doses of some gabaergic agents. materials and methods: we randomly divided 150 mic...

there are only a few, non-evidence based, neuroprotective strategies for treatment and prevention of brain injuries after closed head trauma. to establish new therapy strategies, a novel animal model is needed. the aim of our investigation was to link standardized small animal models and actual patient medical care. data of experimental small animal studies often cannot be transferred to cns in...

We have investigated the effects of 2-ethylamino-6-chloro-4-methyl-4-phenyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazine hydrochloride (etifoxine) on GABA(A) receptor function. Etifoxine displaced [(35)S]TBPS (t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate) from GABA(A) receptors of rat cortical membranes with an IC(50) of 6.7+/-0.8 microM and [(3)H]PK11195 from peripheral (mitochondrial)-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) of rat he...

Cognitive impairment in Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by deficient learning and memory. Mouse genetic models of DS exhibit impaired cognition in hippocampally mediated behavioral tasks and reduced synaptic plasticity of hippocampal pathways. Enhanced efficiency of GABAergic neurotransmission was implicated in those changes. We have recently shown that signaling through postsynaptic GABA(B...

Spinal afferents innervating the gastrointestinal tract are the major pathways for visceral nociception. Many centrally acting analgesic drugs attenuate responses of visceral primary afferent fibers by acting at the peripheral site. Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, acts via metobotropic GABA(B) and ionotropic GABA(A)/GABA(C) receptors. The aim of this study ...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Chenopodiaceae) is a medicinal plant known for its anxiolytic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities in Cameroonian folk medicine. Aim of the study: The aim this work to evaluate anxiolytic effects aqueous extracts investigate mechanism action. Materials methods: Elevated plus maze test open field were u...

Long term depression (LTD) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, induced with a 20-Hz, 30 s tetanus to Schaffer collaterals, is enhanced in sleep-deprived (SD) rats. In the present study, we investigated the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) B receptors (GABA(B)-Rs) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors (NMDARs) in the LTD of the population excitator...