Integration of a Passive Exoskeleton and a Robotic Supernumerary Finger for Grasping Compensation in Chronic Stroke Patients: The SoftPro Wearable System

Upper-limb impairments are all-pervasive in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). As a consequence, people affected by a loss of arm function must endure severe limitations. To compensate for the lack of a functional arm and hand, we developed a wearable system that combines different assistive technologies including sensing, haptics, orthotics and robotics. The result is a device that helps lifting the forearm by means of a passive exoskeleton and improves the grasping ability of the impaired hand by employing a wearable robotic supernumerary finger. A pilot study involving 3 patients, which was conducted to test the capability of the device to assist in performing ADLs, confirmed its usefulness and serves as a first step in the investigation of novel paradigms for robotic assistance.

Quantifying Pathological Synergies in the Upper Extremity of Stroke Subjects With the Use of Inertial Measurement Units: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Stroke is one of the main causes of disability in the world, causing loss of motor function on mainly one side of the body. A proper assessment of motor function is required to help to direct and evaluate therapy. Assessment is currently performed by therapists using observer-based standardized clinical assessment protocols. Sensor-based technologies can be used to objectively quantify the presence and severity of motor impairments in stroke patients.

METHODS

In this work, a minimally obstructive distributed inertial sensing system, intended to measure kinematics of the upper extremity, was developed and tested in a pilot study, where 10 chronic stroke subjects performed the arm-related tasks from the Fugl-Meyer Assessment protocol with the affected and non-affected side.

RESULTS

The pilot study showed that the developed distributed measurement system was adequately sensitive to show significant differences in stroke subjects' arm postures between the affected and non-affected side. The presence of pathological synergies can be analysed using the measured joint angles of the upper limb segments, that describe the movement patterns of the subject.

CONCLUSION

Features measured by the system vary from the assessed FMA-UE sub-score showing its potential to provide more detailed clinical information.

Assessment of Upper Limb Movement Impairments after Stroke Using Wearable Inertial Sensing

Precise and objective assessments of upper limb movement quality after strokes in functional task conditions are an important prerequisite to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of movement deficits and to prove the effectiveness of interventions. Herein, a wearable inertial sensing system was used to capture movements from the fingers to the trunk in 10 chronic stroke subjects when performing reach-to-grasp activities with the affected and non-affected upper limb. It was investigated whether the factors, tested arm, object weight, and target height, affect the expressions of range of motion in trunk compensation and flexion-extension of the elbow, wrist, and finger during object displacement. The relationship between these metrics and clinically measured impairment was explored. Nine subjects were included in the analysis, as one had to be excluded due to defective data. The tested arm and target height showed strong effects on all metrics, while an increased object weight showed effects on trunk compensation. High inter- and intrasubject variability was found in all metrics without clear relationships to clinical measures. Relating all metrics to each other resulted in significant negative correlations between trunk compensation and elbow flexion-extension in the affected arm. The findings support the clinical usability of sensor-based motion analysis.

Development of Soft sEMG Sensing Structures Using 3D-Printing Technologies

3D printing of soft EMG sensing structures enables the creation of personalized sensing structures that can be potentially integrated in prosthetic, assistive and other devices. We developed and characterized flexible carbon-black doped TPU-based sEMG sensing structures. The structures are directly 3D-printed without the need for an additional post-processing step using a low-cost, consumer grade multi-material FDM printer. A comparison between the gold standard Ag/AgCl gel electrodes and the 3D-printed EMG electrodes with a comparable contact area shows that there is no significant difference in the EMG signals' amplitude. The sensors are capable of distinguishing a variable level of muscle activity of the biceps brachii. Furthermore, as a proof of principle, sEMG data of a 3D-printed 8-electrode band are analyzed using a patten recognition algorithm to recognize hand gestures. This work shows that 3D-printed sEMG electrodes have great potential in practical applications.

Does EU legislation allow the use of the Benchmark Dose (BMD) approach for risk assessment?

Hazard characterisation is largely based on an approach of (statistically) comparing dose groups with the controls in order to derive points of departure such as no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) or lowest-observed-adverse-effect levels (LOAELs). This approach suggests the absence of any relevant effect at the NOAEL. The NOAEL approach has been debated for decades. A recent Scientific Opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that the Benchmark Dose (BMD) approach should be preferred over the NOAEL approach for deriving human (health-based) limit or guidance values. Nonetheless, the BMD approach is used infrequently within European regulatory frameworks. The reason for this may lie in legislation or guidelines requiring the use of the NOAEL approach. In this context, various EU regulatory frameworks were examined on such demands. Interestingly, no single legislation was identified containing statutory requirements in conflict with the use of the BMD approach.

Role of biokinetics in risk assessment of drugs and chemicals in children

Whether children incur different risks from xenobiotics than adults will depend on the exposure, biokinetics, and dynamics of compound. In this paper, current knowledge on developmental physiology and possible effects on biokinetics are evaluated and the role of biokinetics in risk assessment both for drugs and chemicals is discussed. It is concluded that most dramatic age-related physiological changes that may affect biokinetics occur in the first 6-12 months of age. The difference in internal exposure between children and adults can generally be predicted from already known developmental physiological differences. However, for risk assessment it will also be necessary to determine whether internal exposure is within the drug's therapeutic window or if it will exceed the NOAEL of a chemical. Furthermore, the effects of internal exposure of potentially harmful compounds on developing organ systems is of utmost importance. However, knowledge on this aspect is very limited. Risk assessment in children could be improved by: (1) application of pediatric PBPK-models in order to gain insight into internal exposure in children, (2) studies in juvenile animals for studying effects on developing systems, and (3) extrapolation of knowledge on the relationship between internal exposure and dynamics for drugs to other chemicals.

Hyperresponsiveness to phencyclidine in animals lesioned in the amygdala on day 7 of life. Implications for an animal model of schizophrenia

Phencyclidine (PCP) has been described to exacerbate psychotic symptoms in patients suffering from schizophrenia. In rats, PCP, dose-dependently, induces hyperactivity, stereotyped behaviour and social isolation, postulated to represent the positive (hyperactivity, stereotypy) and negative (social isolation) symptoms of schizophrenia. Based on previous studies, ibotenic acid lesions in the amygdala on day 7 of life have been proposed as an animal model of psychiatric neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the responsiveness to PCP on locomotor activity in animals lesioned in the amygdala on day 7 of life is different from the response to this drug in sham-operated animals. The effect of graded doses of PCP on behaviour was assessed in a small open field. Animals lesioned in the amygdala on day 7 of life appeared to be hyperresponsive to PCP compared to sham-operated animals. The hyperresponsiveness to PCP in rats lesioned in the amygdala on day 7 of life further contributes to the validation of this putative animal model of schizophrenia.

Adaptation and habituation to an open field and responses to various stressful events in animals with neonatal lesions in the amygdala or ventral hippocampus

A rat model of neurodevelopmental psychopathological disorders, designed to determine neurodevelopmental deficits following damage to the brain early in life, was used to investigate behavioural changes in adaptation and habituation to an open field and responses to different kinds of stressful events. Animals with bilateral ibotenic acid lesions in the amygdala or ventral hippocampus on day 7 or 21 of life were compared to sham-operated animals. According to the model it was assumed that behavioural changes in animals lesioned on day 7, but not in animals lesioned on day 21 of life, were caused by maldevelopment of one or more structures connected to the damaged area. Animals lesioned in the amygdala or ventral hippocampus on day 7, but not animals lesioned in these structures on day 21 of life, displayed decreased (within-session) adaptation and (between-session) habituation to the open field and a decrease in immobility in the forced swim test, whereas only animals lesioned in the amygdala displayed enhanced general activity. These results were indicative of neurodevelopmental deficits. No changes in stress-induced hyperthermia were found, while animals lesioned in the amygdala both on day 7 or 21 of life exhibited decreased conditioned ultrasonic vocalizations. These latter results suggest that the amygdala is implicated in the conditioned stress-induced response. The contribution of the present findings to the animal model of neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and possible brain structures and neurotransmitter systems involved in the neurodevelopmental deficits are discussed.

Early amygdala damage in the rat as a model for neurodevelopmental psychopathological disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders in medial temporal lobe structures may underlie psychopathological diseases such as schizophrenia and autism. To construct an animal model for these developmental disorders, social and non-social behavioural responses were assessed in rats with ibotenic acid lesions of the (baso-)lateral and central amygdala or ventral hippocampus, induced early in life. Lesioning the amygdala on day 7 after birth resulted in a variety of behavioural disturbances later in life, whereas after similar lesions on day 21 after birth no disturbances developed, except for deficits in social behaviours. Lesioning the hippocampus led to much less disturbances. The results show that amygdala and hippocampus damage at a specific point early in life results in enduring behavioural disturbances that become more manifest after puberty. In particular, lesions of the amygdala on day 7 of life may serve as a rat model with face and construct validity for neurodevelopmental disorders in studying psychopathology.

Neutrophil intracellular pH and phagocytosis after thermal trauma

Severe burn trauma induces an acquired dysfunction of neutrophil granulocytes. As neutrophil function is considerably influenced by intracellular pH (pH(i)), the pH(i) of blood neutrophils was longitudinally determined in 19 patients with major burns. pH(i) was measured by a flow cytometric method using the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe carboxy-semi-naphthorhodafluor-1; mechanisms influencing the pH(i) were examined by addition of amiloride (inhibition of Na(+)/H(+) countertransport), diphenylene iodonium (inhibition of NADPH oxidase) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (activation of H(+) extrusion). The neutrophil phagocytic activity was measured in parallel. Patients showed distinct alterations of neutrophil pH(i), depending on whether they developed sepsis in the postburn period or not. In the sepsis patients pH(i) did not deviate from the values found in healthy volunteers in the first days after injury, but rose afterwards, with significant intracellular alkalinization in the second postburn week (P<0.05). In contrast, patients without sepsis had increased pH(i) in the first (P<0.01 at days 1-2), but not in the second week after burn trauma. Inhibition studies showed that postburn intracellular alkalinization is not solely caused by activation of Na(+)/H(+) countertransport. A clear relation between pH(i) changes and phagocytosis could not be established.

Emotional and footshock stimuli induce differential long-lasting behavioural effects in rats; involvement of opioids

Rats were exposed to either a footshock stimulus (FS) or emotional stimulus (ES, forced perception of another rat receiving footshocks) during a daily 10-min session for 5 consecutive days. The consequences of FS and ES on their behavioural responsiveness were assessed at different post-stress intervals using a small open-field. FS induced a decrease in ambulation, rearing and sniffing and an increased immobility in the small open field. These effects were present in rats tested immediately after the last session and remained present for at least 15 days. In contrast, ES induced a transient decrease in ambulation and rearing immediately after the last session, but in the period from half an hour until at least 15 days after the stimulus experience, an increase in ambulation, rearing and sniffing was observed. Exposure to one footshock per session for 5 consecutive days or to 10 footshocks in a single session also resulted in a long-lasting reduction in ambulation and sniffing and an increase in immobility. The former regime did not influence the behavioural response of ES rats, but the latter resulted in an increase in ambulation, rearing and sniffing in ES rats. Naloxone (1 mg/kg s.c.) pretreatment antagonized the increased behavioural activity of the ES rats whereas the activity of control and FS animals was not affected, suggesting an involvement of endogenous opioid systems in the behavioural responses observed in ES rats. It is suggested that the behavioural responses of the ES and FS animals are regulated by different mechanisms.

A homeodomain gene Ptx3 has highly restricted brain expression in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons

The mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) system regulates behavior and movement control and has been implicated in psychiatric and affective disorders. We have identified a bicoid-related homeobox gene, Ptx3, a member of the Ptx-subfamily, that is uniquely expressed in these neurons. Its expression starting at E11.5 in the developing mouse midbrain correlates with the appearance of mesDA neurons. The number of Ptx3-expressing neurons is reduced in Parkinson patients, and these neurons are absent from 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, an animal model for this disease. Thus, Ptx3 is a unique transcription factor marking the mesDA neurons at the exclusion of other dopaminergic neurons, and it may be involved in developmental determination of this neuronal lineage.

Modifications in glutamatergic transmission after dopamine depletion of the nucleus accumbens. A combined in vivo/in vitro electrophysiological study in the rat

The interaction between the glutamatergic and dopaminergic input in the nucleus accumbens was examined by studying the effects of dopamine depletion of the nucleus accumbens on the local field potentials, and the L-glutamate elicited responses of the nucleus accumbens in anaesthetized rats in vivo. A characteristic field potential in the nucleus accumbens is evoked by electrical stimulation of the fornix/fimbria fibres, with a monosynaptic positive peak at 10 ms (P10). Rats were unilaterally injected with 6-hydroxydopamine in the nucleus accumbens. The contralateral accumbens was sham lesioned. The rats were divided into short-term and long-term survival groups of one to two weeks and 24 weeks, respectively. In the short-term group, a striking increase (up to three times) of the amplitude of the P10 components, at the site of the lesion, compared with the sham lesioned contralateral accumbens and untreated rats, was found. The long-term group could still display a slight increase although on average this was not significantly different from controls. In the short-term group, at the centre of the lesion, the paired-pulse facilitation ratio was significantly smaller than at the more ventral, less denervated, border of the accumbens. These differences were no longer visible in the long-term group. Single-unit activity of the accumbens, elicited by the iontophoretical application of L-glutamate showed, in controls, a maximal firing frequency ranging from 5 to 40 Hz (mean 25 Hz), whereas in the short-term group more than 50% of the accumbens neurons fired with higher frequencies, reaching up to 90 Hz (mean 55 Hz). In the long-term group the firing frequency varied from 5 to 60 Hz (mean 41 Hz). No changes in threshold ejection glutamate current were found for both lesioned groups. In control rats the L-glutamate elicited responses of six cells tested could be suppressed by dopamine whereas in lesioned rats three of the six cells tested were unresponsive to dopamine. Intracellular recordings of accumbens cells in slices in 6-hydroxydopamine and sham lesioned rats, showed no significant changes in the intrinsic membrane properties, e.g. resting membrane potential, input resistance, spike threshold, action potential amplitude or duration. We conclude that dopamine denervation leads to an increase of excitability of the principal accumbens neurons. This is reflected by the increase of the firing frequency of these cells and of the amplitude of the evoked field potentials. The former is more likely of postsynaptic origin whereas the latter may also have a presynaptic contribution. These effects cannot be attributed to changes in intrinsic membrane properties of the cells.

The behavioral effects of habituation and challenge with apomorphine after 6-OHDA lesioning of the nucleus accumbens in rats

In rats the function of the dopamine system in the nucleus accumbens was tested after 6-OHDA lesioning of this brain area and after ORG 2766 induced facilitation of recovery in 6-OHDA lesioned animals. A low dose of systemically administered apomorphine (50 micrograms/kg) decreased motility when sham operated rats were placed in a novel environment. A similar decrease was found in saline treated rats tested for the second time 1 day later. In thus habituated animals, the low dose of apomorphine did not induce hypomotility. Thus habituation and hypomotility after a low dose of apomorphine may be due to a similar mechanism, viz. diminished dopamine release. A higher dose of apomorphine (125 micrograms/kg) increased motility, but only when the rats were habituated to the test environment. Animals with a bilateral 6-OHDA lesion of the nucleus accumbens showed hypomotility when tested for the first time 1 week after the lesion. The low and the higher dose of apomorphine elicited hypermotility in both nonhabituated and habituated lesioned rats. Their activity was higher than in sham operated animals, suggesting supersensitivity of postsynaptically located dopamine receptor systems in lesioned rats. Treatment with the ACTH(4-9) analog ORG 2766 during the first week after induction of the lesion counteracted the hypomotility of the lesioned rats. Furthermore ORG 2766 enhanced the supersensitivity as revealed by challenge with the low dose of apomorphine.

Prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and beta-endorphin-(10-16), like antidepressants, antagonize melatonin-induced behavioural changes in rats

beta-Endorphin-(10-16), as well as a variety of antidepressants, has been reported to block the behavioural changes induced by injecting melatonin into the nucleus accumbens. In the present study the influence of subcutaneously administered prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide (PLG) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the behavioural changes induced by melatonin administration in the nucleus accumbens were investigated and compared with that of beta-endorphin-(10-16). PLG and TRH were found to be as effective as beta-endorphin-(10-16) in counteracting the melatonin-induced behavioural changes. The data suggest that these peptides may serve as a starting point for the development of a new class of antidepressants.

Regulation of masculine sexual behavior: involvement of brain opioids and dopamine

In recent years much has become known about the substrates in the brain involved in the regulation of masculine sexual behavior and the involvement of specific neurochemicals in these brain areas. In the present paper the experimental data concerning the involvement of a number of brain areas in sexual behavior are reviewed, in relation to an incentive motivational theory of sexual behavior. The review is restricted to the involvement of opioids and dopamine, of which the role in sexual motivation and behavior is best documented. Opioids in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) impair sexual performance, although the endogenous opioids systems may be quiescent in normal, sexually active rats. Dopamine in the mPOA has a facilitative role in the masculine sexual performance. The corticomedial amygdala is involved in processing of sensory information, especially olfactory stimuli, which are subsequently directed towards the mPOA. Local beta-endorphin infusion interferes with this processing. Endogenous opioids in the ventral tegmental area activate the mesoaccumbens dopamine system and stimulate the sexual motivation. Increased dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens correlates with increased sexual motivation and vice versa. The basolateral amygdala plays an essential role in the association of environmental stimuli with reward and therefore in the expression of conditioned sexual motivation. Finally, the reviewed data are integrated and a comprehensive view on the relations between various neural substrates is composed.

Behavioral studies on the putative gamma-type endorphin receptor using different antibodies

To investigate the significance of endogenous, neuroleptic-like gamma-type endorphins and their putative receptors, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against gamma-type endorphins, which may bio-inactivate the ligands for the receptors, and monoclonal anti-idiotype antibodies, which presumably bind to the receptors, were injected into the nucleus accumbens of the rat brain. The desenkephalin-gamma-endorphin-induced antagonism of the hypomotility response elicited by challenge with apomorphine injected into the nucleus accumbens was used as test system. Both the anti-desenkephalin-gamma-endorphin antibodies and anti-idiotype antibodies blocked the action of exogenous desenkephalin-gamma-endorphin. Thus, the anti-idiotype antibodies may serve as receptor antagonists. Chronic treatment (injection into the nucleus accumbens) with the anti-idiotype antibodies induced sustained hypermotility, decreased habituation and impaired passive avoidance behavior. In such treated animals local treatment with apomorphine did not elicit hypomotility. It is suggested that gamma-type endorphins influence the setpoint for feedback regulation in dopaminergic neurons equipped with gamma-type endorphin receptor systems.

Subchronic treatment with the neuroleptic-like peptide desenkephalin-gamma-endorphin may decrease dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens of rats

In rats, subchronic administration of desenkephalin-gamma-endorphin (DE gamma E) into the nucleus accumbens or subcutaneously for 10 days resulted in hypoactivity. Intra-accumbens administration caused a significant reduction in the nucleus accumbens tissue levels of the dopamine (DA) metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA). Systemic administration of DE gamma E decreased DOPAC and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in nucleus accumbens tissue. Subchronic subcutaneous DE gamma E treatment reduced the basal release of [3H]DA from rat nucleus accumbens slices in vitro and the basal release of endogenous DA and DOPAC in vivo as assessed with on-line dialysis in the nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats. The DA agonist N,N-dipropyl-7-hydroxy-2-aminotetralin (DP-7-ATN) was equally effective in inhibiting [3H]DA release elicited by electrical stimulation from slices of subchronically DE gamma E and placebo treated rats. Administration of a small dose of apomorphine caused similar reductions of the in vivo release of DA and DOPAC in both placebo and DE gamma E treated rats. These results indicate that subchronic DE gamma E treatment may decrease dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. This effect is probably not due to alterations in the sensitivity of presynaptically located DA autoreceptors mediating DA release in vitro and in vivo.

Lack of evidence for an involvement of nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptors in the initiation of heroin self-administration in the rat

The involvement of dopamine D1 receptor systems in the reinforcing properties of opiate reward was studied by examining the effect of the dopamine D1 antagonist SCH23390 on the initiation of heroin self-administration in rats. The D1 antagonist was administered daily systemically or locally in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), after which the animals were allowed to self-administer heroin (IV) in a 3-h session for 5 consecutive days. Systemic treatment with SCH23390 (0.17 and 0.5 mg.kg-1) significantly decreased heroin intake during initiation of heroin self-administration, while a dose of 0.06 mg.kg-1 was not effective. Local administration of SCH23390 (0.5 and 2.5 micrograms/site) in the NAC did not affect heroin intake. Both systemic and intra-accumbal administration of SCH23390 dose dependently decreased motor behavior measured in a small open field. The attenuation of heroin intake during initiation of heroin self-administration by blockade of dopamine D1 receptor systems may be due to a decrease in the reinforcing effects of heroin or more likely to a reduction in non-reinforcement-related behavior. The dopamine D1 receptors present in the NAC are probably not involved in opiate reward.

Cholecystokinin-dopamine interactions within the nucleus accumbens in the control over behaviour by conditioned reinforcement

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is colocalised with dopamine in the postero-medial nucleus accumbens (NAS). We have utilised an acquisition of a new response procedure to investigate the interaction between CCK and dopamine in the control over behaviour by conditioned reinforcers. A conditioned reinforcer (CR) may be defined as an initially neutral stimulus which gains control over behaviour through selective association with a primary reinforcer. Here, rats learned to associate a light/noise compound stimulus with the imminent availability of 10% sucrose reinforcement. Later, in the absence of sucrose, responding on one of two novel levers (the CR lever) was acquired and maintained by contingent presentation of the CR alone, while responding on the second lever had no programmed consequences. In Expt. 1, infusion of 10 micrograms D-amphetamine within the postero-medial NAS enhanced responding selectively on the CR lever. Infusion of sulphated CCK octapeptide (CCK: 1 or 10 ng) alone within the same area had no effect on response rate. However, infusion of CCK immediately prior to D-amphetamine caused a dose-dependent potentiation of the impact of D-amphetamine upon rates of response on the CR lever. In Expt. 2, infusion of D-amphetamine (10 micrograms) within the postero-medial NAS again enhanced responding selectively upon the CR lever. Intra-accumbens infusion of CCK (10 ng), or s.c. administration of the CCKA receptor antagonist devazepide had no effect upon response rates. However, CCK again potentiated the D-amphetamine-induced increase in rates of response, and this potentiation was blocked by pretreatment with devazepide. These results are discussed in terms of the co-modulation by CCK and dopamine of the processing of reward-related stimuli within the NAS.

Relative roles of ventral striatal D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in responding with conditioned reinforcement

Several experiments investigated the involvement of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in the ventral striatum in the control over behaviour by a conditioned reinforcer using an acquisition of new response procedure. Intra-accumbens infusion of either the D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, or the D2 receptor antagonist, raclopride, completely blocked the potentiative effects of intra-accumbens d-amphetamine on responding with conditioned reinforcement and reduced responding to control levels. SCH 23390 was more potent than raclopride. At higher doses in the absence of d-amphetamine, both antagonists also blocked the preference for responding on the lever producing the conditioned reinforcer. Intra-accumbens infusions of either the D1 receptor agonist, SKF 38393, or the D2/3 receptor agonist, LY 171555 (quinpirole), selectively potentiated responding on the lever producing the conditioned reinforcer. Various combined infusions of the D1 and D2 agonists in specific low doses had additive, but not synergistic, effects on responding with conditioned reinforcement. None of the drugs affected the drinking of water in deprived subjects when infused intra-accumbens. These results suggest that both D1 and D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens are involved in mediating the effects of dopamine in potentiating the control over behaviour by conditioned reinforcers.

Short duration of retroactive facilitation of social recognition in rats

Adult rats spent less time investigating the same juvenile during a second dyadic encounter session. This decrease served as an index for social recognition. Social recognition was not influenced by isolating the juveniles for 7 days prior to experimentation. Retroactive facilitation of social recognition was observed when the two rats were confronted for a longer period of time on a given day by multiple testing. However, this facilitation was not observed after a 24-h interexposure interval between encounter sessions, even when different housing conditions during that time were taken into account, and animals were tested during 5 consecutive days. It is suggested that social recognition may be a form of short-term memory.

The ACTH-(4-9) analogue ORG 2766 facilitates denervation supersensitivity after a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion of the corpus striatum in rats

Direct bilateral 6-OHDA lesioning of the nucleus accumbens causes a temporary reduction in motility, followed by a spontaneous recovery in 3-4 weeks. The ACTH-(4-9) analogue ORG 2766 shortens this period to 1 week. The functional and the peptide-induced facilitation of recovery are accompanied by enhanced motility upon administration of the dopamine agonist apomorphine which may be related to denervation supersensitivity. The present experiments were performed to investigate the interaction between ORG 2766 and denervation supersensitivity in another dopaminergic terminal area i.e. the corpus striatum. After a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion of the right corpus striatum, contralateral rotation was observed upon administration of a high dose of apomorphine 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the lesion, indicating supersensitivity of postsynaptic dopaminergic receptor systems. Contralateral rotation upon administration of this dose of apomorphine was observed in ORG 2766 treated animals, already at 1 week after the lesion. Peptide treatment resulted in an enhanced sensitivity for apomorphine, since contralateral rotation was observed in peptide but not in placebo treated, 6-OHDA lesioned animals after a low dose of apomorphine.

IN CONCLUSION

treatment with ORG 2766 facilitates the development of denervation supersensitivity and enhances sensitivity for apomorphine probably through an increased affinity of dopaminergic receptors for dopamine agonists.

Neuropeptides related to [Arg8]vasopressin facilitates social recognition in rats

The decrease of social investigations of adult rats during a second encounter session with the same juvenile was used as an index of social recognition or memory. Social recognition was present when the interexposure interval was 15 or 30 min, but not when this interval lasted 60 or 120 min. Animals treated with desglycinamide[Arg8]vasopressin (DGAVP) (6.0 micrograms.kg-1, SC) or [pGlu4,Cyt6]AVP-(4-8) (AVP-(4-8] (1.0 microgram.kg-1, SC), immediately after the first encounter, recognized the same juveniles still after 120 min, suggesting a facilitatory effect of these peptides on social recognition and that this effect of vasopressin is dissociated from the classical endocrine effects of this hormone. The decrease of social investigating behavior, in both placebo- and DGAVP-treated rats, was completely due to a decrease in anogenital exploration, indicating that the social recognition in rats is presumably based on odor cues from the anogenital part of the body.

Analysis of the influence of vasopressin neuropeptides on social recognition of rats

The facilitatory effect of vasopressin neuropeptides on social recognition of adult male rats was analyzed. The decrease of social investigation behaviors during a second encounter with the same juvenile rat served as index for social recognition. Treatment with desglycinamide-(Arg8)-vasopressin (6 mg.kg-1, s.c.) extended the time that adults recognize the same juvenile from 30 min to 24 h. Structure-activity studies revealed that the effect of vasopressin neuropeptides on social recognition resides in the 5-8 part of the AVP molecule. The peptide (pGlu4,Cyt6) AVP-(4-8) was more potent than DGAVP in this behavioral paradigm. These effects bear similarities with the memory enhancing effects of vasopressin neuropeptides as found in other test procedures.

Structural modifications of the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766 yields peptides with high biological activity

The behavioral effects of two peptides (HOE 427) and ORG 31433) related to the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766 were investigated in Wistar rats in a number of tests in which Org 2766 is active. Subcutaneous administration of HOE 427 in a dose of 0.5 ng/kg or ORG 31433 in doses of 0.5-5.0 ng/kg facilitated passive avoidance behavior whereas these peptides attenuated the avoidance response in doses of 25 ng/kg and 250 ng/kg respectively. ORG 31433 (0.1 - 1.0 microgram/kg) decreased motor activity of group housed rats tested under low light conditions. Furthermore subcutaneous (1.0- 10.0 ng/kg) or oral (10 microgram/kg) administration of ORG 31433 accelerated functional recovery from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced lesions in the nucleus accumbens which cause motor hypoactivity. The experiments show that as compared to ORG 2766 the peptides HOE 427 and ORG 31433 induce qualitatively similar responses but are approximately 10 to 100 times more potent. These data may imply that substitution of the C-terminal COOH group of ORG 2766 yields neuropeptides with increased potency.

A single injection of a biodegradable microsphere formulation of the ACTH-(4-9) analogue ORG 2766 accelerates functional recovery after brain damage

The functional recovery from impaired motor activity induced by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions in rat nucleus accumbens was accelerated by subcutaneous treatment with the ACTH-(4-9) analogue Met/O2/-Glu-His-Phe-D-Lys-Phe (ORG 2766). Treatment was effective after daily injections of ORG 2766 dissolved in saline during the first 6 days following the lesion (ED50: 28.5 ng kg-1 day-1) or after a single injection of the peptide in a biodegradable microsphere formulation administered after the lesion (ED50: 8.9 ng kg-1 day-1). This study shows that a single injection of a microsphere preparation can replace multiple injections with ORG 2766 in order to facilitate functional recovery after brain damage.

Functional recovery after destruction of dopamine systems in the nucleus accumbens of rats. IV. Delay by intra-accumbal treatment with ORG 2766- or alpha-MSH antiserum

Rats with 6-OHDA lesions in the nucleus accumbens which were treated intra-accumbally with control serum during the first week following the lesion showed a similar level of motor activity 3 weeks after the lesion as sham-lesioned rats treated with control serum. In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats that were identically treated with antiserum against alpha-MSH or the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766 motor activity was decreased 3 weeks after the lesion. Intra-accumbal treatment with the antisera did not affect motor activity of sham-lesioned rats. The increased motor activity after apomorphine injection into the nucleus accumbens of control serum-treated 6-OHDA-lesioned rats was not observed in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats treated with the antisera. Furthermore, [3H]haloperidol binding studies showed that the changes in the DA receptor systems in the nucleus accumbens of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats treated with control serum, which may reflect denervation supersensitivity, were not observed in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats treated with the antisera. The present data indicate that the functional recovery and the concurrent development of supersensitive DA receptor systems in the nucleus accumbens of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats are delayed by intra-accumbal treatment with ORG 2766 or alpha-MSH antiserum. This suggests that endogenous ACTH/MSH-like factors may be mediating the recovery processes.

Functional recovery after destruction of dopamine systems in the nucleus accumbens of rats. III. Further analysis of the facilitating effect of the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766

The functional recovery from impaired motor activity caused by 6-OHDA lesions in the nucleus accumbens is accelerated by the ACTH-related peptides ACTH-(4-10), alpha-MSH (ac-Ser1-ACTH-(1-13)NH2), ACTH-(7-10) and the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766. The peptides ACTH-(4-7) and Phe-D-Lys-Phe were not effective in this respect. This indicates that this effect of ACTH-derived peptides is located in the 7-10 part of the molecule whereas for the effect of ORG 2766 a bigger part of the molecule may be required. ORG 2766 was effective after intra-accumbal, subcutaneous and oral administration. The differences in potencies between the 3 routes of administration (ED50 0.76 ng/kg, 28.5 ng/kg and 80.6 micrograms/kg, respectively) suggest that the peptide exerts its effect by facilitating recovery processes at the lesion site. Studies with ORG 2766 showed that treatment during the first days following the induction of the lesion is essential for the facilitating action of the peptide on spontaneous recovery from brain damage.

Functional recovery after destruction of dopamine systems in the nucleus accumbens of rats. II. Facilitation by the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766

Functional recovery from motor hypoactivity of rats with 6-OHDA lesions in the nucleus accumbens is accelerated by intra-accumbal or subcutaneous treatment with the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766. The spontaneous recovery period of 3 weeks is shortened to 7 days by daily treatment with this peptide during the first 6 days after the lesion. The 6-OHDA lesion induced a decrease of about 30-40% in the levels of dopamine, HVA and DOPAC as well as in the uptake of [3H]dopamine in nucleus accumbens tissue in vitro. Treatment with ORG 2766 during the first 6 days following the lesion did not affect the lesion-induced changes in these biochemical parameters. Binding studies with [3H]haloperidol in nucleus accumbens tissue of placebo or ORG 2766-treated sham-lesioned rats revealed a linear Scatchard plot 7 days after the sham lesion. In tissue of placebo-treated 6-OHDA lesioned animals a similar linear Scatchard plot was found but in tissue of ORG 2766-treated 6-OHDA-lesioned rats the Scatchard plot was curvilinear in shape indicating two types of binding sites. In the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats treated with ORG 2766 the behavioral response upon apomorphine challenge was enhanced suggesting the existence of functional supersensitivity of the DA system. Similar changes in Scatchard plots and apomorphine-induced behavioral changes have been previously reported after spontaneous recovery. The present study indicates that ORG 2766 accelerates the process of functional recovery from impaired motor behavior of rats with 6-OHDA lesions in the nucleus accumbens, which may be due to development of denervation supersensitivity.

Functional recovery after destruction of dopamine systems in the nucleus accumbens of rats. I. Behavioral and biochemical studies

Bilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions in the nucleus accumbens of rats induced motor hypoactivity 7 days after the lesion. Spontaneous functional recovery of this impaired behavior occurred in 3-4 weeks. Behavioral and biochemical studies suggest that the hypoactivity is due to damage of the dopamine systems in the nucleus accumbens. The 6-OHDA lesions induced a decrease in the nucleus accumbens levels of dopamine and its metabolites of about 30% both 7 and 20 days after the lesion. The in vitro uptake of [3H]dopamine in nucleus accumbens tissue of the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats was decreased to the same extent at 7, 14 and 28 days after the lesion. Scatchard analysis of [3H]haloperidol binding studies in nucleus accumbens tissue revealed a shift from one type of binding site in tissue of sham-lesioned rats to two types of binding sites in tissue of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats 29 days after the lesion. This shift was not present in nucleus accumbens tissue 8 days after a 6-OHDA lesion. The spontaneously recovered rats showed an enhanced behavioral response upon administration of the dopamine agonist apomorphine. The present data suggest that the spontaneous functional recovery of impaired motor activity is caused by the development of supersensitivity of the dopamine receptor systems in the nucleus accumbens. This supersensitivity may be the result of increased affinity of one type of binding site or an increased number of functional binding sites.

Antipsychotic substances and dopamine in the rat brain; behavioral studies reveal distinct dopamine receptor systems

Graded doses of apomorphine were injected into terminal areas of the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic and mesocortical dopamine (DA) systems of the rat brain. Injection of high doses of apomorphine into the nucleus caudatus elicited stereotyped sniffing, but did not affect the motility of the rat. Low and high doses of apomorphine injected into the nucleus accumbens decreased and increased motility, respectively, without changing sniffing behavior. Injection of both low and high doses of apomorphine into the pyriform cortex increased sniffing behavior, but did not affect motility. All these apomorphine-induced behavioral responses were antagonized by local pretreatment with the typical neuroleptic, haloperidol, and the atypical neuroleptic, sulpiride, albeit with different potencies as revealed from the calculated ED50 values (ranging from 0.18-20,462 fmol). Local pretreatment with the antipsychotic peptide, des-enkephalin-gamma-endorphin (DE gamma E), antagonized the behavioral changes induced by injecting low and high doses of apomorphine into the pyriform cortex and low doses into the nucleus accumbens (ED50: 0.22-20.6 fmol), but did not affect the behavioral effects elicited by injecting high doses of apomorphine into the nucleus caudatus or the nucleus accumbens. It is proposed that two distinct types of DA receptor systems are present in the rat brain. These are characterized by the slope of the dose-response curve for the substances to antagonize the apomorphine-induced behavioral effects and by the effectiveness of DE gamma E in this respect. The antipsychotic effects of these compounds may be mediated by DA systems in the nucleus accumbens or in the pyriform cortex; this last system is especially sensitive to the three antipsychotic substances and is equally affected by them (ED50 value for the antagonism of the apomorphine-induced effects: 0.18-0.71 fmol).

Opioid systems in the amygdala can serve as substrate for the behavioral effects of the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766

Rats housed individually for 7 days showed a marked decrease in motor activity when tested under intense light conditions in a novel environment as compared to group-housed rats tested under low light conditions. The ACTH analogue ORG 2766 administered into the amygdala decreased the motor activity of group-housed rats tested under low light conditions and increased the motor activity of 7-days isolated rats tested under intense light conditions (ED50: 1-10 pg). Injection of the peptide into the nucleus accumbens was not effective, suggesting that ORG 2766 affects the integration of sensoric stimuli rather than the specific motor output systems. Pretreatment of the rats with the opiate antagonist naltrexone in the amygdala completely blocked the effect of ORG 2766. A similar blockade of the ORG 2766-induced effect could be induced by pretreatment with endorphin antibody suggesting that the "normalizing" activity of ORG 2766 on environmentally induced behavioral changes is mediated by the release of endogenous opioid peptides.

Behavioral and neurotrophic activity of ACTH-(7-16)NH2

The behavioral and neurotrophic effects of ACTH-(7-16)NH2 were assessed in a number of tests in which other ACTH fragments are active. Subcutaneous injection of ACTH-(7-16)NH2 increased motor activity of group-housed rats tested under low light intensity and induced hypokinesia in rats subjected to the mild stress of a nonfunctional "hot" plate. In rats with 6-OHDA lesions in the nucleus accumbens daily subcutaneous treatment with ACTH-(7-16)NH2 during the first week following the lesions reversed the lesion-induced motor hypoactivity. The ED50's for the effects of ACTH-(7-16)NH2 on the environmentally induced changes in motor activity, the stress-induced hypokinesia and the impaired motor activity of 6-OHDA lesioned rats were approximately 8 micrograms/kg. 6.3 micrograms/kg and 0.45 micrograms/kg respectively. It is concluded that ACTH-(7-16)NH2 may mimic the effect of an ACTH-like peptide in the brain involved in brain processes triggered by changes in the environment and by brain damage.

The response of apomorphine administered into the accumbens in rats with bilateral lesions of the nucleus accumbens, induced with 6-hydroxydopamine

Bilateral lesions of the nucleus accumbens, induced with 6-hydroxydopamine, reduced motor activity and produced a 20-35% depletion of the concentrations of dopamine (DA) and its main metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA). Small doses of apomorphine (1-10 ng), injected into the nucleus accumbens of sham-lesioned rats, decreased motor activity, while larger doses (1-10 micrograms) produced hyperactivity. In rats lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine, apomorphine caused hyperactivity only, and this apomorphine-induced response was more pronounced than in sham-lesioned rats. Large doses of apomorphine decreased, only in sham-lesioned animals, the levels of DOPAC and HVA. These data suggest that the apomorphine-induced hypomotility is mediated by presynaptically located DA receptor systems in the nucleus accumbens, whereas the apomorphine-induced hypermotility is likely to be mediated by postsynaptically located DA receptor systems.

Stress-induced hypokinesia is facilitated by ACTH-(7-10)

Subcutaneous treatment with the neuropeptide ACTH-(4-10) induced hypokinesia in rats subjected to a mild stress induced by placing the animals on a non-functional "hot" plate (21 degrees C) for 30 sec, but not in control animals not exposed to this stress-inducing environment. The lowest effective dose of ACTH-(4-10) was 5 micrograms/kg, administered 50 min before testing. The combination of peptide treatment and the mild stress-inducing procedure mimicked the effect of a short intense stress induced by placing the rats on a hot plate (57 degrees C) for 30 sec, suggesting that this stress-induced hypokinesia is mediated by ACTH neuropeptides. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the active core for the ACTH-(4-10)-induced hypokinesia is located in the C-terminal tetrapeptide Phe-Arg-Try-Gly (ACTH-(7-10)). Pretreatment with the opioid antagonist naltrexone did not influence the effect of ACTH-(4-10) indicating that activation of opioid systems is not implicated in this behavioral effect of the peptide.

The ACTH4-9 analog ORG 2766 'normalizes' the changes in motor activities of rats elicited by housing and test conditions

Motor activities of rats were decreased by short-term (7 days) social isolation as well as by intense light test conditions. The ACTH4-9 analog ORG 2766, s.c. administered 50 min before testing, dose-dependently decreased the high motor activities of group-housed rats tested under low light conditions and increased the low motor activities of short-term isolated rats tested under intense light conditions (ED50: 0.01-0.03 microgram/kg). Structure-activity studies suggest that the essential structure for these effects may be located in the C-terminal tripeptide Phe-D-Lys-Phe. Treatment with ACTH4-10 (100 micrograms/kg) tended to enhance some of the effects of the environmental conditions. Pretreatment of rats with the opioid antagonist naltrexone (450 micrograms/kg, s.c.) completely blocked the 'normalizing' effects of ORG 2766, implicating endogenous opioids in this action of ORG 2766. Since social behaviors of rats are similarly affected by ORG 2766 as motor activities, it is suggested that this peptide affects the integration of sensoric stimuli rather than the specific motor output systems of these behaviors.

Effects of endotoxin-treatment on inflammatory cell infiltrates in murine Meth A sarcoma

The effect of intravenously injected endotoxin on inflammatory cells within solid Meth A tumours was studied and central hyperaemia, necrosis and early collapse were observed macroscopically at 4, 24 and 48 h, respectively. The effects were studied in semithin sections and cytocentrifuge preparations of the tumours. The inflammatory cell reaction evoked by the tumours in untreated animals was relatively slight. It was located predominantly around the lateral margins of the tumours and only a few inflammatory cells were found inside the tumour. Prominent effects of endotoxin included a transient increase of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the centre of the tumour by 4 h and a reduction of the influx of lymphocytes, observed in and around the margin of control tumours, by 48 h. Mast cells formed an important part of the inflammatory cell infiltrate, but no distinct changes in number and appearance were observed with time or following treatment. Total host cell numbers within tumours did not increase significantly upon endotoxin-treatment. Results suggest that a direct cytotoxic action of host cells cannot account for the extensive tumour damage observed. Rather, endotoxin-induced regression seems to be related to decreased lymphocyte numbers.

In vivo interaction of gamma-type endorphins with dopaminergic ligands in rat brain

The beta-endorphin (beta E) fragment des-Tyr1-gamma-endorphin (DT gamma E, beta E-(2-17)) has been reported to interact with neuroleptic binding in vivo but not in vitro. We have attempted to replicate the in vivo experiments and extended the work to include conditions in which des-enkephalin-gamma-endorphin (DE gamma E, beta E-(6-17)) exhibited behavioral activity. Systemically administered haloperidol significantly elevated plasma and decreased striatal [3H]spiperone. DE gamma E significantly elevated plasma [3H]apomorphine when both substances were injected directly into the nucleus accumbens. gamma-type endorphins consistently but non significantly decreased brain spiperone or apomorphine binding. It is concluded that the interaction between gamma-type endorphins and dopaminergic binding sites may be either indirect or limited to a subset of these sites.

Non-opiate beta-endorphin fragments and dopamine-IV. gamma-Type endorphins may control dopaminergic systems in the nucleus accumbens

Chronic treatment with des-enkephalin-gamma-endorphin (DE gamma E, beta-endorphin 6-17) twice daily for 10 days into the nucleus accumbens of rats resulted in hypoactivity, while similar treatment with gamma-endorphin antiserum led to a marked hyperactivity. This enhanced activity persisted for at least 3 days following discontinuation of treatment. Rats chronically treated with gamma-endorphin antiserum into the nucleus accumbens habituated at a slower rate when tested repeatedly for locomotor activity, as well as for nociception. Passive avoidance behaviour was attenuated in the treated rats, when they were trained during treatment, but not when the learning trial was given before treatment and testing was performed during treatment. Treatment with gamma-endorphin antiserum did not affect the diurnal rhythm in locomotion, the responsiveness to nociceptive stimulation and the basal and novelty stress induced-plasma corticosteroid levels. It is concluded that chronic treatment with gamma-endorphin antiserum into the nucleus accumbens, which may lead to bio-inactivation of gamma-type endorphins, causes hyperactivity and disturbances in habituation and cognitive functions. It is suggested that gamma-type endorphins are physiologically involved in the control of distinct dopaminergic systems in the nucleus accumbens. The findings are discussed in relation to the role of mesolimbic dopaminergic systems in schizophrenic psychosis.

Non-opiate beta-endorphin fragments and dopamine--III. gamma-Type endorphins and various neuroleptics counteract the hypoactivity elicited by injection of apomorphine into the nucleus accumbens

The hypoactivity in rats induced by small doses of apomorphine, injected bilaterally into the nucleus accumbens area of the brain, could be antagonized by pretreatment with the neuroleptic-like neuropeptide des-enkephalin-gamma-endorphin (DE gamma E, beta-endorphin 6-17) as well as with the neuroleptic drugs haloperidol, sulpiride and clozapine injected into the accumbens. Dose-response studies revealed that a dose of 100 pg DE gamma E completely inhibited the apomorphine-induced hypomotility. The influence of DE gamma E appeared to be specific for gamma-type endorphins, since alpha-type endorphins were inactive in this respect. Treatment with DE gamma E injected into the accumbens for 4 days resulted in an enhancement of apomorphine-induced hypoactivity. It is concluded that gamma-type endorphins may control the activity of dopaminergic transmission in the nucleus accumbens, a suggestion which may be of significance for the purported neuroleptic-like and antipsychotic action of gamma-type endorphins.