Activation of NOS-cGMP pathways promotes stress-induced sensitization of behavioral responses in zebrafish.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule involved in plasticity across levels and systems. The role of NOergic pathways in stress-induced sensitization (SIS) of behavioral responses, in which a particular stressor triggers a state of hyper-responsiveness to other stressors after an incubation period, was assessed in adult zebrafish. In this model, adult zebrafish acutely exposed to a fear-inducing conspecific alarm substance (CAS) and left undisturbed for an incubation period show increased anxiety-like behavior 24 h after exposure. CAS increased forebrain glutamate immediately after stress and 30 min after stress, an effect that was accompanied by increased nitrite levels immediately after stress, 30 min after stress, 90 min after stress, and 24 h after stress. CAS also increased nitrite levels in the head kidney, where cortisol is produced in zebrafish. CAS-elicited nitrite responses in the forebrain 90 min (but not 30 min) after stress were prevented by a NOS-2 blocker. Blocking NOS-1 30 min after stress prevents SIS; blocking NOS-2 90 min after stress also prevents stress-induced sensitization, as does blocking calcium-activated potassium channels in this latter time window. Stress-induced sensitization is also prevented by blocking guanylate cyclase activation in both time windows, and cGMP-dependent channel activation in the second time window. These results suggest that different NO-related pathways converge at different time windows of the incubation period to induce stress-induced sensitization.

Brain oxidative stress mediates anxiety-like behavior induced by indomethacin in zebrafish: protective effect of alpha-tocopherol.

RATIONALE: Indomethacin (INDO) is a widely utilized non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with recognized effect on the central nervous system. Although previous reports demonstrate that prolonged treatment with indomethacin can lead to behavioral alterations such as anxiety disorder, the biochemical effect exerted by this drug on the brain are not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to evaluate if anxiety-like behavior elicited by indomethacin is mediated by brains oxidative stress as well as if alpha-tocopherol, a potent antioxidant, is able to prevent the behavioral and biochemical alterations induced by indomethacin treatment. METHODS: Zebrafish were utilized as experimental model and subdivided into control, INDO 1 mg/Kg, INDO 2 mg/Kg, INDO 3 g/Kg, α-TP 2 mg/Kg, α-TP 2 mg/Kg + INDO 1 mg/Kg and α-TP + INDO 2 mg/Kg groups. Vertical distributions elicited by novelty and brain oxidative stress were utilized to determinate behavioral and biochemical alterations elicited by indomethacin treatment, respectively. RESULTS: Our results showed that treatment with indomethacin 3 mg/kg induces animal death. No changes in animal survival were observed in animals treated with lower doses of indomethacin. Indomethacin induced significant anxiogenic-like behavior as well as intense oxidative stress in zebrafish brain. Treatment with alpha-tocopherol was able to prevent anxiety-like behavior and brain oxidative stress induced by indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS: Data presented in current study demonstrated for the first time that indomethacin induces anxiety-like behavior mediated by brain oxidative stress in zebrafish as well as that pre-treatment with alpha-tocopherol is able to prevent these collateral effects.

Neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in the central nervous system injuries: a systematic review.

The number of people with central nervous system (CNS) injuries increases worldwide and only a few therapies are used to mitigate neurological damage. Crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants have neuroprotective effects; however, their actions on the central nervous system are still not fully understood. This systematic review investigated the neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compound, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in different CNS lesions. This PICO (Population/Problem, Intervention, Control, Outcome) systematic review included in vivo and in vitro studies that used small rodents as experimental models of CNS injuries (P) treated with crude extracts, compounds, and/or isolated molecules obtained from plants (I), compared to non-intervention conditions (C), and that showed a neuroprotective effect (O). Fourteen out of 5,521 studies were selected for qualitative analysis. Several neuroprotective effects (improvement of antioxidant activity, modulation of the inflammatory response, tissue preservation, motor and cognitive recovery) in the brain and spinal cord were reported after treatment with different doses of crude extracts (10 studies), compounds (2 studies), and isolated molecules (2 studies). Crude extracts, compounds, or isolated molecules obtained from plants showed promising neuroprotective effects against several CNS injuries in both the brain and spinal cord, regardless of gender and age, through the modulation of inflammatory activity and oxidative biochemistry, tissue preservation, and recovery of motor and cognitive activity.

Neuroprotective effects of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) against diabetic retinopathy.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus describes a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which induces a series of molecular events capable of leading to microvascular damage, affecting the blood vessels of the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy. Studies indicate that oxidative stress plays a central role in complications involving diabetes. Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) has attracted much attention given its antioxidant capacity and potential associated health benefits in preventing oxidative stress, one of the causes of diabetic retinopathy. The objective of this work was to evaluate the possible protective effect of açaí (E. oleracea) on the retinal function of mice with induced diabetes, based on full field electroretinogram (ffERG). Methods: We opted for mouse models with induced diabetes by administration of a 2% alloxan aqueous solution and treatment with feed enriched with açaí pulp. The animals were divided into 4 groups: CTR (received commercial ration), DM (received commercial ration), DM + açaí (E. oleracea-enriched ration) and CTR + açaí (E. oleracea-enriched ration). The ffERG was recorded three times, 30, 45 and 60 days after diabetes induction, under scotopic and photopic conditions to access rod, mixed and cone responses, in addition to monitoring the weight and blood glucose of the animals during the study period. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-way ANOVA test with Tukey's post-test. Results: Our work obtained satisfactory results with the ffERG responses in diabetic animals treated with açaí, where it was observed that there was no significant decrease in the b wave ffERG amplitude of this group over time when compared to the results of the Diabetic group not treated with açaí, which showed a significant reduction of this ffERG component. Discussion: The results of the present study show, for the first time, that treatment with an açaí-enriched diet is effective against the decrease in the amplitude of visual electrophysiological responses in animals with induced diabetes, which opens a new horizon for the prevention of retinal damage in diabetic individuals from treatment with açaí base. However, it is worth mentioning that our findings consist of a preliminary study and further researches and clinical trials are needed to examine açaí potential as an alternative therapy for diabetic retinopathy.

Cochlear glial cells mediate glutamate uptake through a sodium-independent transporter.

Since glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian cochlea, the mechanisms for the removal of glutamate from the synaptic and extrasynaptic spaces are critical for maintaining normal function of this region. Glial cells of inner ear are crucial for regulation of synaptic transmission throughout since it closely interacts with neurons along the entire auditory pathway, however little is known about the activity and expression of glutamate transporters in the cochlea. In this study, using primary cochlear glial cells cultures obtained from newborn Balb/C mice, we determined the activity of a sodium-dependent and sodium-independent glutamate uptake mechanisms by means of High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The sodium-independent glutamate transport has a prominent contribution in cochlear glial cells which is similar to what has been demonstrated in other sensory organs, but it is not found in tissues less susceptible to continuous glutamate-mediated injuries. Our results showed that xCG- system is expressed in CGCs and is the main responsible for sodium-independent glutamate uptake. The identification and characterization of the xCG- transporter in the cochlea suggests a possible role of this transporter in the control of extracellular glutamate concentrations and regulation of redox state, that may aid in the preservation of auditory function.

Putative Activation of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Prevents Brain Oxidative Stress and Inhibits Aggressive-Like Behavior in Zebrafish.

Background: Aggression is a set of complex behaviors commonly described in different neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, autistim spectrum disorder, and anxiety. Previous studies have described that some changes in the redox status of the brain are closely associated with aggressive behavior in different species. In addition, the endocannabinoid system acts as a neuromodulator of the central nervous system, however, its participation in aggressive behavior needs to be elucidated. Danio rerio (zebrafish) is an important model in the study of aggression, in this context, the present study investigated whether the activation of type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1r) alters the cerebral redox state and aggressive behavior in zebrafish. Materials and Methods: We performed pharmacological manipulations with the CB1r agonist (ACEA) and antagonist (AM-251) to assess the role of this receptor in aggressive behavior. Individuals were isolated in pairs, without physical contact for 24 h, treated with the drugs of interest, and after 30 minutes of pharmacokinetics, the fights were filmed for 30 min, and the individuals were identified as dominant or subordinate. Results: A consistent decrease in the strike and bite aggressive behavior was observed in the group treated with the ACEA agonist compared with that in the control and AM-251 groups. When evaluating the cerebral redox state, we observed that treatment with the ACEA agonist reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased the levels of sulfhydryl groups compared with those in the control group. These results indicate that the activation of CB1r by the ACEA agonist inhibited aggressiveness and attenuated the levels of oxidative stress in both subjects (dominant or subordinate) in the treated group. Conclusion: Thus, we suggest that zebrafish is an alternative model to study common aggressive behavior disorders among species and that CB1r represent a potential target for the development of treatments for aggressive disorders.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) pulp-enriched diet induces anxiolytic-like effects and improves memory retention.

Background: Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) has a rich nutritional composition, showing nutraceutical and protective effects in several organs. In this study, the effects of an açaí-enriched diet on motor performance, anxiety-like behavior, and memory retention were deeply investigated. Methods: Eight-week male Wistar rats were fed with an Euterpe oleracea (EO) pulp-enriched diet, an olive oil-enriched (OO) diet (polyunsaturated fatty acid [PUFA] fat control diet), or a chow diet for 31 days (28 days pre-treatment and 3 days during behavioral tests). Afterward, animals were submitted to a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate spontaneous motor behavior (open-field test), anxiety-like behavior (elevated plus maze and open-field test), and memory retention (step-down). Oxidative stress in the hippocampus was evaluated by a lipid peroxidation assay. Results: EO-enriched diet did not influence the body weight and food intake but increased the glucose plasmatic level after 31 days under this diet. However, a similar fat-enriched diet stimulated a marked weight gain and reduced the food intake, followed by changes in the plasmatic lipid markers. EO-enriched diet preserved the motor spontaneous performance, increased the exploration in the aversive environment (anxiolytic-like effects), and elevated the latency to step-down (improved memory retention). The EO-enriched diet also reduced the level of lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus. These positive effects of EO-enriched diet can greatly support the usage of this diet as a preventive therapy. Conclusion: Taken together, the current study suggests that Euterpe oleracea-enriched diet promotes anxiolytic-like effects and improves memory consolidation, possibly due to the reduced levels of lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus.

High performance liquid chromatography-based method to analyze activity of GABA transporters in central nervous system.

The GATs are the membrane proteins responsible for the uptake of GABA in the central nervous system. Alterations in GAT activity are implicated in several neurological diseases, including retinopathies. The present study describes an alternative method to determine GAT activity in tissue preparations of the central nervous system, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The GABA concentration in the medium was determined using the o-phthaldehyde (OPA)-derivation protocol validated by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA). The GAT activity in the retinal preparations was determined through the evaluation of the GABA uptake, which was measured by assessing the difference between the initial and final concentrations of GABA in the incubation medium. The evaluation of the GAT kinetics returned values of Km = 382.5 ± 32.2 µM and Vmax = 34 nmol/mg of protein. The data also demonstrated that the GABA uptake was predominantly Na+- and temperature-dependent, and was also inhibited by incubation with nipecotic acid, a substrate of GABA transporters. Taken together, these findings confirm that our approach provided a specific measure of GAT activity in retinal tissue. The data presented here thus validate, for the first time, an alternative, simple and sensitive method for the evaluation of GAT activity using high performance chromatography on preparations of the central nervous system.

Euterpe oleracea fruit (Açai)-enriched diet suppresses the development of experimental cerebral malaria induced by Plasmodium berghei (ANKA) infection.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria is one of the most severe complications attributed to protozoal infection by Plasmodium falciparum, gaining prominence in children mortality rates in endemic areas. This condition has a complex pathogenesis associated with behavioral, cognitive and motor sequels in humans and current antimalarial therapies have shown little effect in those aspects. Natural products with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have become a valuable alternative therapeutic option in the treatment of distinct conditions. In this context, this study investigated the neuroprotective effect of Euterpe oleracea (açai) enriched diet during the development of experimental cerebral malaria induced by the inoculation of Swiss albino mice with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. METHODS: After Plasmodium infection, animals were maintained on a feeding with Euterpe oleracea enriched ration and parameters such as survival curve, parasitemia and body weight were routinely monitored. The present study has also evaluated the effect of açai-enriched diet on the blood-brain barrier leakage, histological alterations and neurocognitive impairments in mice developing cerebral malaria. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that between 7th-19th day post infection the survival rate of the group treated with açai enriched ration was higher when compared with Plasmodium-infected mice in which 100% of mice died until the 11th days post-infection, demonstrating that açai diet has a protective effect on the survival of infected treated animals. The same was observed in the brain vascular extravasation, where Evans blue dye assays showed significantly less dye extravasation in the brains of Plasmodium-infected mice treated with açai enriched ration, demonstrating more preserved blood-brain barrier integrity. Açai-enriched diet also attenuate the histopathological alterations elicited by Plasmodium berghei infection. We also showed a decrease of the neurological impairments arising from the exposure of cerebral parenchyma in the group treated with açai diet, ameliorating motor and neuropsychiatric changes, analyzed through the SHIRPA protocol. CONCLUSION: With these results, we conclude that the treatment with açai enriched ration decreased the mortality of infected animals, as well as protected the blood-brain barrier and the neurocognitive deficits in Plasmodium-infected animals.

5-HT2C agonists and antagonists block different components of behavioral responses to potential, distal, and proximal threat in zebrafish.

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors have been implicated in responses to aversive stimuli in mammals and fish, but its precise role is still unknown. Moreover, since at least seven families of 5-HT receptors exist in vertebrates, the role of specific receptors is still debated. Aversive stimuli can be classified as indicators of proximal, distal, or potential threat, initiating responses that are appropriate for each of these threat levels. Responses to potential threat usually involve cautious exploration and increased alertness, while responses to distal and proximal threat involve a fight-flight-freeze reaction. We exposed adult zebrafish to a conspecific alarm substance (CAS) and observed behavior during (distal threat) and after (potential threat) exposure, and treated with the 5-HT2C receptor agonists MK-212 or WAY-161503 or with the antagonist RS-102221. The agonists blocked CAS-elicited defensive behavior (distal threat), but not post-exposure increases in defensive behavior (potential threat), suggesting inhibition of responses to distal threat. MK-212 blocked changes in freezing elicited by acute restraint stress, a model of proximal threat, while RS-102221 blocked changes in geotaxis elicited this stressor. We also found that RS-102221, a 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, produced small effect on behavior during and after exposure to CAS. Preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.04.324202; Data and scripts: https://github.com/lanec-unifesspa/5-HT-CAS/tree/master/data/5HT2C.

Astrocyte reactivity in spinal cord and functional impairment after tendon injury in rats.

Astrocyte reactivity in the spinal cord may occur after peripheral neural damage. However, there is no data to report such reactivity after Achilles tendon injury. We investigate whether changes occur in the spinal cord, mechanical sensitivity and gait in two phases of repair after Achilles tendon injury. Wistar rats were divided into groups: control (CTRL, without rupture), 2 days post-injury (RUP2) and 21 days post-injury (RUP21). Functional and mechanical sensitivity tests were performed at 2 and 21 days post-injury (dpi). The spinal cords were processed, cryosectioned and activated astrocytes were immunostained by GFAP at 21 dpi. Astrocyte reactivity was observed in the L5 segment of the spinal cord with predominance in the white matter regions and decrease in the mechanical threshold of the ipsilateral paw only in RUP2. However, there was gait impairment in both RUP2 and RUP21. We conclude that during the acute phase of Achilles tendon repairment, there was astrocyte reactivity in the spinal cord and impairment of mechanical sensitivity and gait, whereas in the chronic phase only gait remains compromised.

Pseudorandom full-field electroretinograms reflect different light adaptation mechanisms.

PURPOSE: To investigate the magnitude and time course of pseudorandom ffERG during light adaptation. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects (26 ± 10.1 years) underwent 20 min of dark adaptation, and then the ffERG was evoked by pseudorandom flash sequences (4 ms per flash, 3 cd.s/m2) driven by m-sequences (210-1 stimulus steps) using Veris Science software and a Ganzfeld dome over a constant field of light adaptation (30 cd/m2). The base period of the m-sequence was 50 ms. Each stimulation sequence lasting 40 s was repeated at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 min of light adaptation. Relative amplitude and latency (corrected by values found at 0 min) of the three components (N1, P1, and N2) of first-order (K1) and first slice of the second-order (K2.1) kernel at 5 time points were evaluated. An exponential model was fitted to the mean amplitude and latency data as a function of the light adaptation duration to estimate the time course (τ) of the light adaptation for each component. Repeated one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post-test was applied to the amplitude and latency data, considering significant values of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Regarding the K1 ffERG, N1 K1, P1 K1, and N2 K1 presented an amplitude increase as a function of the light adaptation (N1 K1 τ value = 2.66 min ± 4.2; P1 K1 τ value = 2.69 min ± 2.10; and N2 K1 τ value = 3.49 min ± 2.96). P1 K1 and N2 K1 implicit time changed as a function of the light adaptation duration (P1 K1 τ value = 3.61 min ± 5.2; N2 K1 τ value = 3.25 min ± 4.8). N1 K1 had small implicit time changes during the light adaptation. All the K2,1 components also had nonsignificant changes in amplitude and implicit time during the light adaptation. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudorandom ffERGs showed different mechanisms of adaptation to retinal light. Our results suggest that K1 ffERG is generated by retinal mechanisms with intermediate- to long-term light adaptation, while K2.1 ffERG is generated by retinal mechanism with fast light adaptation course.

Melatonin Prevents Brain Damage and Neurocognitive Impairment Induced by Plasmodium Berghei ANKA Infection in Murine Model of Cerebral Malaria.

Cerebral malaria is characterized by permanent cognitive impairments in Plasmodium-infected children. Antimalarial therapies show little effectiveness to avoid neurological deficits and brain tissue alterations elicited by severe malaria. Melatonin is a well-recognized endogenous hormone involved in the control of brain functions and maintenance of blood-brain barrier integrity. The current study has evaluated the effect of melatonin on the histological alterations, blood-brain barrier leakage, and neurocognitive impairments in mice developing cerebral malaria. Swiss mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain was used as cerebral malaria model. Melatonin treatment (5 and 10 mg/kg) was performed for four consecutive days after the infection, and data have shown an increased survival rate in infected mice treated with melatonin. It was also observed that melatonin treatment blocked brain edema and prevented the breakdown of blood-brain barrier induced by the Plasmodium infection. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that melatonin mitigates the histological alterations in Plasmodium-infected animals. Melatonin was also able to prevent motor and cognitive impairments in infected mice. Taken together, these results show for the first time that melatonin treatment prevents histological brain damages and neurocognitive alterations induced by cerebral malaria.

Acute Restraint Stress Evokes Anxiety-Like Behavior Mediated by Telencephalic Inactivation and GabAergic Dysfunction in Zebrafish Brains.

Acute stress is an important factor in the development of anxiety disorders. Zebrafish are an organism model widely used by studies that aim to describe the events in the brain that control stress-elicited anxiety. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the pattern of cell activation in the telencephalon of adult zebrafish and the role of the GABAergic system on the modulation of anxiety-like behavior evoked by acute restraint stress. Zebrafish that underwent acute restraint stress presented decreased expression of the c-fos protein in their telencephalon as well as a significant decrease in GABA release. The data also supports that decreased GABA levels in zebrafish brains have diminished the activation of GABAA receptors eliciting anxiety-like behavior. Taken together these findings have helped clarify a neurochemical pathway controlling anxiety-like behavior evoked by acute stress in zebrafish while also opening the possibility of new perspective opportunities to use zebrafish as an animal model to test anxyolitic drugs that target the GABAergic system.

Phasic and tonic serotonin modulate alarm reactions and post-exposure behavior in zebrafish.

Current theories on the role of serotonin (5-HT) in vertebrate defensive behavior suggest that this monoamine increases anxiety but decreases fear, by acting at different levels of the neuroaxis. This paradoxical, dual role of 5-HT suggests that a serotonergic tone inhibits fear responses, while an acute increase in 5-HT would produce anxiety-like behavior. However, so far no evidence for a serotonergic tone has been found. Using zebrafish alarm responses, we investigate the participation of phasic and tonic 5-HT levels in fear-like behavior, as well as in behavior after stimulation. Conspecific alarm substance (CAS) increased bottom-dwelling and erratic swimming, and animals transferred to a novel environment after CAS exposure (post-exposure behavior) showed increased bottom-dwelling and freezing. Clonazepam blocked CAS effects during and after exposure. Acute fluoxetine dose-dependently decreased fear-like behavior, but increased post-exposure freezing. Metergoline had no effect on fear-like behavior, but blocked the effects of CAS on post-exposure behavior; similar effects were observed with para-chlorophenylalanine. Finally, CAS was shown to decrease the activity of monoamine oxidase in the zebrafish brain after exposure. These results suggest that phasic and tonic serotonin encode an aversive expectation value, switching behavior toward cautious exploration/risk assessment/anxiety when the aversive stimulus is no longer present.

Putative Activation of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors Prevents Anxiety-Like Behavior, Oxidative Stress, and GABA Decrease in the Brain of Zebrafish Submitted to Acute Restraint Stress.

Anxiety disorder is a well-recognized condition observed in subjects submitted to acute stress. Although the brain mechanisms underlying this disorder remain unclear, the available evidence indicates that oxidative stress and GABAergic dysfunction mediate the generation of stress-induced anxiety. Cannabinoids are known to be efficient modulators of behavior, given that the activation of the cannabinoid receptors type-1 (CB1 receptors) induces anxiolytic-like effects in animal models. In the present study, we aimed to describe the effects of the stimulation of the CB1 receptors on anxiety-like behavior, oxidative stress, and the GABA content of the brains of zebrafish submitted to acute restraint stress (ARS). The animals submitted to the ARS protocol presented evident anxiety-like behavior with increased lipid peroxidation in the brain tissue. The evaluation of the levels of GABA in the zebrafish telencephalon presented decreased levels of GABA in the ARS group in comparison with the control. Treatment with ACEA, a specific CB1 receptor agonist, prevented ARS-induced anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in the zebrafish brain. ACEA treatment also prevented a decrease in GABA in the telencephalon of the animals submitted to the ARS protocol. Overall, these preclinical data strongly suggest that the CB1 receptors represent a potential target for the development of the treatment of anxiety disorders elicited by acute stress.

Oxidative Stress Mediates Anxiety-Like Behavior Induced by High Caffeine Intake in Zebrafish: Protective Effect of Alpha-Tocopherol.

Anxiety is a common symptom associated with high caffeine intake. Although the neurochemical mechanisms of caffeine-induced anxiety remain unclear, there are some evidences suggesting participation of oxidative stress. Based on these evidences, the current study is aimed at evaluating the possible protective effect of alpha-tocopherol (TPH) against anxiety-like behavior induced by caffeine (CAF) in zebrafish. Adult animals were treated with CAF (100 mg/kg) or TPH (1 mg/kg)+CAF before behavioral and biochemical evaluations. Oxidative stress in the zebrafish brain was evaluated by a lipid peroxidation assay, and anxiety-like behavior was monitored using light/dark preference and novel tank diving test. Caffeine treatment evoked significant elevation of brain MDA levels in the zebrafish brain, and TPH treatment prevented this increase. Caffeine treatment also induced anxiety-like behavior, while this effect was not observed in the TPH+CAF group. Taken together, the current study suggests that TPH treatment is able to inhibit oxidative stress and anxiety-like behavior evoked by caffeine.

Spatial frequency selectivity of the human visual cortex estimated with pseudo-random visual evoked cortical potential (VECP).

Single-cell recordings in the primary visual cortex (V1) show neurons with spatial frequency (SF) tuning, which had different responses to chromatic and luminance stimuli. Visually evoked cortical potential (VECP) investigations have reported different spatial profiles. The current study aimed to investigate the spatial selectivity of V1 to simultaneous stimulus of chromatic and luminance contrasts. Compound stimuli temporally driven by m-sequences at 8 SFs were utilized to generate VECP records from thirty subjects (14 trichromats and 16 colorblind subjects). We extracted the second-order kernel, first and second slices (K2.1 and K2.2, respectively). Optimal SF, SF bandwidth, and high SF cut-off were estimated from the best-fitted functions to the VECP amplitude vs SF. For trichromats, K2.1 waveforms had a negative component (N1 K2.1) at 100 ms followed by a positive component (P1 K2.1). K2.2 waveforms also had a negative component (N1 K2.2) at 100 ms followed by a positive deflection (P1 K2.2). SF tuning of N1 K2.1 and N1 K2.2 had a band-pass profile, while the P1 K2.1 was low-pass tuned. P1 K2.1 optimal SF differed significantly from both other negative responses and from P1 K2.2. We found differences in the optimal SF, SF tuning and high SF cut-off among the VECP components. Dichromats had little or no response for all stimulus conditions. The absence of the responses in dichromats, the similarity between the high SF cut-off of the pseudorandom VECPs and psychophysical chromatic visual acuity, and presence of multiple SF tunings suggested that pseudorandom VECPs represented the activity of cells that responded preferentially to the chromatic component of the compound stimuli.

Regulation of the Serotonergic System by Kainate in the Avian Retina.

Serotonin (5-HT) has been recognized as a neurotransmitter in the vertebrate retina, restricted mainly to amacrine and bipolar cells. It is involved with synaptic processing and possibly as a mitogenic factor. We confirm that chick retina amacrine and bipolar cells are, respectively, heavily and faintly immunolabeled for 5-HT. Amacrine serotonergic cells also co-express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of dopaminergic cells in the retina. Previous reports demonstrated that serotonin transport can be modulated by neurotransmitter receptor activation. As 5-HT is diffusely released as a neuromodulator and co-localized with other transmitters, we evaluated if 5-HT uptake or release is modulated by several mediators in the avian retina. The role of different glutamate receptors on serotonin transport and release in vitro and in vivo was also studied. We show that L-glutamate induces an inhibitory effect on [3H]5-HT uptake and this effect was specific to kainate receptor activation. Kainate-induced decrease in [3H]5-HT uptake was blocked by CNQX, an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, but not by MK-801, a NMDA receptor antagonist. [3H]5-HT uptake was not observed in the presence of AMPA, thus suggesting that the decrease in serotonin uptake is mediated by kainate. 5-HT (10-50 µM) had no intrinsic activity in raising intracellular Ca2+, but addition of 10 µM 5-HT decreased Ca2+ shifts induced by KCl in retinal neurons. Moreover, kainate decreased the number of bipolar and amacrine cells labeled to serotonin in chick retina. In conclusion, our data suggest a highly selective effect of kainate receptors in the regulation of serotonin functions in the retinal cells.

Psychophysical Evaluation of Visual Functions of Ex-Alcoholic Subjects After Prolonged Abstinence.

Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to a brain damages, and the health status of alcoholics even after a long-term alcohol abstinence is a public health concern. The present study investigated the color vision and spatial luminance contrast sensitivity of a group of 17 ex-alcoholics (46.3 ± 6.7 years old) in long-term alcohol abstinence after having been previously under alcohol dependence for many years. We also investigated the association of impaired psychophysical performance in different tests we applied. The mean time of alcohol consumption was 16.9 ± 5.1 years and the mean abstinence period was 12.4 ± 8.5 years. Achromatic vision of all subjects was evaluated using spatial luminance contrast sensitivity function (CSF) test and color vision was evaluated using Mollon-Reffin color discrimination test (MR) and the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue arrangement test (FM100). Relative to controls, the spatial luminance contrast sensitivity was lower in 10/17 of the ex-alcoholic subjects. In the color vision tests, 11/16 ex-alcoholic subjects had impaired results compared to controls in the FM100 test and 13/14 subjects had color vision deficits measured in the MR test. Fourteen subjects performed all visual tests, three subjects had impaired results for all tests, seven subjects had impaired results in two tests, three subjects had visual deficit in one test, and one had normal results for all tests. The results showed the existence of functional deficits in achromatic and chromatic vision of subjects with history of chronic alcoholism after long abstinence. Most subjects had altered result in more than one test, especially in the color vision tests. The present investigation suggests that the damage in visual functions produced by abusive alcohol consumption is not reversed after long term alcohol abstinence.