Journal of neuroscience research
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Minocycline is a second-generation tetracycline and a potential neuroprotective intervention following brain injury. However, despite the recognized beneficial effects of minocycline in a multitude of adult disease states, the clinical application of minocycline in neonates is contentious. Tetracyclines, as a class, are not usually administered to neonates, but there is compelling evidence that minocycline reduces brain injury after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. This Review focuses on the evidence for minocycline use in neonates by considering aspects of pharmacology, drug regimens, functional outcomes, and mechanisms of action.
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The neuropeptides hypocretins/orexins (ORX) are known to control state-dependent activities such as sleep-wakefulness, energy homeostasis, thermoregulation, and maternal behaviors. To date, interests regarding environmental-related ORX-ergic neuronal functions have dealt with mammals; only recently is attention beginning to be directed toward aquatic vertebrates. Here, photoperiod-dependent effects of ORX-A on behavioral, neurodegenerative and transcriptional activities were evaluated in some forebrain areas of a teleost Labridae (ornate wrasse, Thalassoma pavo). ⋯ Interestingly, this ORX-A treatment seemed to be correlated to greater up-regulatory patterns of ORX receptor mRNA in these same brain areas, above all under constant light conditions rather than natural photoperiod. On the other hand, telencephalic sites provided a very active expression capacity during the dark phase. Overall, these results suggest for the first time that at least in the ornate wrasse, light- and dark-dependent ORX-ergic neuronal activities are able to cause short- and long-term abnormal motor behaviors, likely through neurodegenerative and transcriptional events in a brain regional manner.
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Chronic neuropathic pain is a frequent, serious outcome of spinal cord injury (SCI) that is highly refractory to treatment. Serotonin can contribute to neuropathic pain after SCI, as suggested by our previous observation that transient blockade of the 5-HT(3) receptor by intrathecal injections of the antagonist ondansetron reduces mechanical allodynia after SCI in rats. The current study determined whether intrathecal or intravenous infusion of ondansetron for 3 or 7 days, respectively, could cause sustained blockade of mechanical allodynia at and below the level of a twelfth thoracic clip compression injury in rats. ⋯ Intravenous 7-day infusions (20 microg/hr), commencing at 28 days after SCI, significantly decreased at-level allodynia by 48% and below-level allodynia by 51% compared with controls. This reduction of allodynia lasted throughout the infusion and for 1-3 days afterward while pain responses gradually approached those of controls. These findings suggest a potential role of 5-HT(3) receptor antagonism in the relief of neuropathic pain after SCI in humans.