Brain NADH and jumping behavior in the rat

The effects of either the reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) microinjected into the brain or amphetamine injected peritoneally on jumping behavior were observed in 68 rats. The enhanced jumps in the group with amphetamine are the greatest among the three experimental groups. The enhanced effect of NADH microinjected into the caudate nucleus is stronger than those of NADH in the frontal cortex. The effects of extra NADH in the frontal cortex on the jumps are dose-dependent. NADH concentrations in the brain of rats with amphetamine increased immediately after behavioral procedure. The increased concentrations in the brain from both extra and intra sources are related to the enhanced jumps of rats.

Retrograde localization of the innervation of the middle cerebral artery with horseradish peroxidase in cats

The innervation of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) of the cat was studied by applying horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to the wall of the right MCA. After a survival period of 48 to 72 hours, the bilateral superior cervical ganglia, middle cervical ganglia, stellate ganglia, T-4 sympathetic paravertebral ganglia, geniculate ganglia, semilunar ganglia, nodose ganglia, and brain stem including midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata were removed to be processed with tetramethyl benzidine. HRP-labeled neurons were found in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion, semilunar ganglion, and dorsal raphe nucleus. The other areas did not have HRP activity. The results suggest that the adrenergic nerves innervating the MCA originate in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion, the sensory nerves originate in the ipsilateral semilunar ganglion, and the serotonergic nerves originate in the ipsilateral dorsal raphe nucleus. Cerebral arterial constriction may relate to the intrinsic (intracerebral) neurogenic pathway involving the trigeminal nerve and the dorsal raphe nucleus.

Effects of pre-ganglionic decentralization or post-ganglionic excision of the superior cervical ganglia on brain edema and heat stroke in rats

The preventive effect of pre-ganglionic decentralization (Sympathetic trunk resectioN) or postganglionic excision (ganglionectomy) of the superior cervical ganglia on thermal injury induced brain edema or the development of heat stroke was assessed in rats. Brain edema was induced by cold or heat injury to the cortex in 24 rats. The results showed that decentralization, but not excision, of the superior cervical ganglia greatly inhibited the formation of brain edema which was subsequently induced. When heat stroke was induced by exposing 24 rats to an ambient temperature of 41 degree C, the latency for the onset of the heat stroke and the survival time after the heat stroke were greatly prolonged by the former surgical procedure, but shortened by the later one. The present study demonstrates the potential benefit to brain edema and heat stroke of the pretreatment with decentralization of the superior cervical ganglia.

Intracerebral hematoma simulating a new growth

Three cases of organized intracerebral hematomas presented slowly progressive neurological deficits and hence mimicked brain tumors. Computed tomography scanning revealed ring enhancement of intracerebral mass lesions with midline shift. Angiographic studies showed avascular mass lesions. Soft, well-encapsulated, organized, large intracerebral hematomas with feeding arteries on their capsules were removed surgically. The lesions contained fresh and old hemorrhages. It is presumed that the feeding artery caused slowly continuous bleeding, thus causing these intracerebral hematomas to grow in a manner that made their clinical picture simulate that of intracerebral neoplasms. Their pathogenesis is discussed.

Effects of laser guided by optic fiber into rat brain on conditioned avoidance response and brain chemistry

Low power lasers were guided by optic fibers into the rat caudate nucleus or frontal cortex, during conditioned avoidance response (CAR) training. The changes in striatal monoamine and amino acid concentrations were subsequently determined. Of six training groups tested, only the experimental group with helium-neon laser radiation to the caudate nucleus exhibited the formation of CAR and an increase of unconditioned leg contractions. The striatal concentrations of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) were increased simultaneously in the group.

Effects of a low power laser beam guided by optic fiber on rat brain striatal monoamines and amino acids

In vivo, helium-neon and nitrogen laser beams guided by optic fiber to rat caudate nucleus decreased concentrations of dopamine and serotonin, while distant laser radiation to frontal cortex did not affect striatal dopamine. In vitro, laser radiation to pure monoamines and amino acids decreased concentrations only of aspartic acid and norepinephrine. The effects in vivo are attributed to a combination of photolysis and altered brain metabolism.