ABSTRACT
Partially decorticated rats were tested for their response to nociceptive stimulation in the formalin and tail flick tests, and for the effect of morphine on these responses and on motor activity. Undrugged rats showed vigorous responses to nociceptive stimulation in both tests, and exhibited the typical biphasic time course of pain in the formalin test. Morphine 4 and 8 mg/kg produced dose-dependent analgesia in both tests in sham operated rats, and in rats with lesions that removed all or part of the cortex from the midline to the rhinal fissure (excluding the occipital cortex). In rats with lesions that extended deep into the piriform cortex and damaged the amygdala morphine analgesia was eliminated or attenuated. These and other recent findings suggest that analgesia in the formalin test depends on ascending connections to the forebrain, probably the amygdala.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/physiopathology , Formaldehyde/pharmacology , Morphine/pharmacology , Motor Activity/drug effects , Amygdala , Analgesia , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Narcotics , Nociceptors , Pain , Rats , Tail , Time FactorsABSTRACT
This paper outlines general management strategies used to prevent and control agitation throughout the continuum of recovery from traumatic brain injury. These include environmental management, alterations in the behavior of staff and family, use of physical and chemical restraints, redirection and substitution, time out, operant procedures, self monitoring and relaxation training. The need for both flexibility in choice of strategies and consistency in application is emphasized, along with the importance of staff training and patient and family participation.
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that the mesolimbic dopamine pathways are involved in the manifestations of psychotic symptoms. Rats were injected with amphetamine (5.0 mg/kg) and apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg) following bilateral lesions of the nucleus accumbens. The results showed high levels of stereotypy following amphetamine administrations in contrast to the low levels seen after the administration of apomorphine. These results, in conjunction with previous experiments involving the globus pallidus, were evaluated in terms of the accumbens' influence on drug-induced psychosis (AU)
Subject(s)
21003 , Male , Rats , Amphetamine/pharmacokinetics , Apomorphine/pharmacokinetics , Electroshock , Nucleus Accumbens , Septal Nuclei , Stereotyped Behavior/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Rats, Inbred StrainsABSTRACT
The elderly are especially prone to psychological illness. Cognitive impairment increases with age and as this is a primary symptom of many common disorders, it constitutes a major health problem. The elderly also frequently become depressed and have the highest suicide rate of all age groups. Given the increasing numbers of elderly persons in the population, the primary care physician must assume the reponsibility of evaluating, diagnosing and initiating psychiatric treatment with an emphasis on early and accurate diagnosis, and the detection of underlying causes, many of which are reversible (AU)
