Habituation of exploratory activity in aged rats: effects of pyritinol

A acetilcolina é um neurotransmissor que desempenha considerável papel crítico nos processos subjacentes ao comportamento, aprendizagem e memória. Piritinol (piritioxina, Encefabolâ, PRT) é um fármaco nootrópico que aumenta a transmissão colinérgica no sistema nervoso central. Habituação comportamental seguida de múltipla exposição no campo aberto é um paradigma experimental freqüentemente usado na avaliação das ações cognitivas de fármacos. Neste paradigma, a diminuição da atividade exploratória em função da exposição repetida ao mesmo ambiente é considerada como índice de memória. No presente estudo, os efeitos do piritinol (PRT) na forma de pó adicionado a dieta (200 mg/kg/dia, p.o., durante 14 dias) sobre a habituação em ratos idosos foram avaliados no campo aberto. Um total de 18 ratos idosos foram randomizados e divididos em dois grupos: controle (tratado com veículo, n=8) e experimental (tratado com PRT, n=10). Na avaliação da tarefa exploratória, o tratamento com PRT diminuiu significantemente os números totais de área cruzada e do levantar quando comparados com o grupo controle, indicando habituação. O tratamento com PRT aumentou a retenção no número total de cruzamentos e levantar quando comparado com o grupo controle. A análise dos dados em conjunto, sugere que o sistema muscarínico colinérgico pode estar envolvido com os efeitos da PRT sobre a habituação da atividade exploratória em ratos idosos.

Effect of encephabol on the development of the medulla oblongata of the chick embryo

Craniocerebral trauma, cerebrovascular accidents and most cerebral degenerative processes associated with prophylaxis of postnecrotic confusional states and conditions after cerebral anoxia were critical states observed and in need for cerebral activator. The Encephabol [Pyritinol dihydrochloride monohydrate] was the drug of choice for improving these critical states, as it improved, in particular, disturbed cerebral metabolism promoting the uptake of glucose in the brain [by altering the permeability of the neurone membrane] and activating glucose metabolism. It also increased microcirculation in regions with dificient blood flow. The present work revealed that encephabol retarded the growth of the medulla oblongata of 9 - 14 days treated chick embryo, this retardation of growth was associated with changes of the shape of the fourth ventricle. The retardation of the growth was evidenced by increase in the size of the ependymal and mantle layers, with marked recduction of cell density and poor development of some cranial nuclei while the other nuclei were not differentiated or divided. Some neuroblastic cells became necrotic and the supporting cells were hardly seen. But in 14 days treated embryo, at the middle and caudal level; The medulla increased in size and the fourth ventricle was dilated. Some nuclei became large in size while other nuclei were hardly seen

Study of the effect of encephabol infusion therapy on stroke

In a trial of 60 patients with stroke, the results of I.V. Encephabol were compared with complamin injection and symptomatic treatment. Cases treated with encephabol infusion showed 60% initial improvement and 70% at the conclusion of six months follow up period as against 255 with comlamin while those who had drugs only for symptomatic relief registered only marginal improvement and 2 of these deteriorated further