Modification of Anxious Behavior after Psychogenic Trauma and Treatment with Galanin Receptor Antagonist.

Effects of blockage of central galanin receptors on anxiety manifestations were studied in rats with psychogenic trauma. Psychogenic trauma was modeled by exposure of a group of rats to the situation when the partner was killed by a predator. Antagonist of galanin receptors was intranasally administered before stress exposure. Animal behavior was evaluated using the elevated-plus maze test, free exploratory paradigm, and open-field test. Psychogenic trauma was followed by an increase in anxiety level and appearance of agitated behavior. Blockage of galanin receptors aggravated behavioral impairment, which manifested in the pathological anxious reactions - manifestations of hypervigilance and hyperawareness. The results suggest that endogenous pool of galanin is involved into prevention of excessive CNS response to stressful stimuli typical of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Changes in the lipid composition of blood plasma and liver in rats induced by severe psychic trauma.

The concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in rat serum sharply decreased after psychic trauma caused by life hazard. The content of these substances remained unchanged for not less than 1 week after trauma. The concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was low, while serum content of triglycerides increased 6 weeks after trauma. The concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased after repeated psychic trauma. These changes were accompanied by a sharp increase in the concentration of triglycerides in the serum. Total cholesterol concentration in the liver decreased under these conditions.