Brain research
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Using a fully implanted cortical electrical stimulation (CES) device with low-frequency burst impulse train, we investigated the effects of CES alone on behavioral recovery and surface density of dendritic structure in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After MCAO in rats, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to confirm cortex infarction and to identify a location for implantation of stimulating electrode over the peri-infarct cortex. The device was implanted on the 6th day after MCAO with CES then lasting for 16 days. ⋯ In behavioral tests, the rats in the CES group showed greater functional recovery compared to the NS group. Moreover, the functional improvement coincided with an increase in surface density of dendritic processes immunoreactive to microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) in peri-infarct cortex. These results suggest the feasibility of the fully implanted CES device and the efficacy of the new stimulation protocol alone to improve functional outcome and cortical neuronal structural plasticity following focal cerebral ischemia in rats.
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The role of noradrenergic depletion of the locus coeruleus (LC) in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is still unclear. In the present study, apomorphine-induced circling behavior and extracellular firing activity of substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) neurons were examined in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the LC, substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and with combined SNc and LC lesions. A moderate contralateral circling was observed in rats with LC lesions after apomorphine. ⋯ However, the firing rate of SNr neurons in rats with combined LC and SNc lesions increased significantly when compared to that of rats with simple lesions of the SNc, although the firing pattern was not altered. Furthermore, SNc lesions in rats increased the firing rate of SNr neurons with irregular firing pattern, and additional LC lesions in SNc-lesioned rats increased the firing rate of SNr neurons with regular and irregular firing pattern. These results indicate that lesions of the LC intensify apomorphine-induced circling behavior and lead to a further hyperactivity of SNr neurons in a rat model of PD, suggesting that LC-noradrenergic system is involved in the motor dysfunction of PD.
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Levodopa is the main medication used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, dyskinesia and wearing-off appear after the administration of high-dose levodopa for a long period. To combat the dyskinesia and wearing-off, levodopa is used together with a dopamine (DA) receptor agonist, and the amount of levodopa is decreased. ⋯ The striatal DA concentrations in the model rat brains were significantly increased by using levodopa/DDCI together with entacapone. Motor function was recovered by raising the striatum DA density in the model rats. Thus, COMT inhibitors are useful for decreasing the amount of levodopa administered to Parkinson's disease patients.
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Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating stroke with no clinically proven treatment. Deferoxamine (DFX), an iron chelator, is a promising therapy that lessens edema, mitigates peri-hematoma cell death, and improves behavioral recovery after whole-blood-induced ICH in rodents. In this model, blood is directly injected into the brain, usually into the striatum. ⋯ Therefore, in contrast to studies using the whole-blood model, DFX treatment did not improve outcome in the collagenase model. Our findings, when compared to others, suggest that there are critical differences between these ICH models. Perhaps, the current clinical work with DFX will help identify the more clinically predictive model for future neuroprotection studies.
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Empathy is an important component of human relationships, yet the neural mechanisms that facilitate empathy are unclear. The broad construct of empathy incorporates both cognitive and affective components. Cognitive empathy includes mentalizing skills such as perspective-taking. ⋯ Specifically, neural activity in the IFG, SRC, and STS were related to cognitive empathy. Activity in the precentral gyrus was related to affective empathy. The findings suggest that both simulation and mentalizing networks contribute to multiple components of empathy.