The role of CA1 α-adrenoceptor on scopolamine induced memory impairment in male rats

Introduction: Similarities in the memory impairment between Alzheimer patients and scopolamine treated animals have been reported. In the present study, the possible role of α-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampus on scopolamine state-dependent memory in adult male Wistar rats was evaluated. Methods: The animals were bilaterally implanted with chronic cannulae in the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampus, trained in a step-through type inhibitory avoidance task, and tested 24 h after training to measure step-through latency. Results: Post-training intra-CA1 administration of scopolamine (0.5 and 2μg/rat) dose-dependently reduced the step-through latency, showing an amnestic response. Amnesia produced by post-training scopolamine (2 μg/rat) was reversed by pre-test administration of the scopolamine (0.5 and 2 μg/rat) that is due to a state-dependent effect. Pre-test intra-CA1 injection of α1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine (0.25, 0.5 μg/rat) in the dose range that we used, could not affect memory impairment induced by post-training injection of scopolamine (2 μg/rat). However intra-CA1 pretest injection of α2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine (0.5 μg/rat) improved post-training scopolamine (2 μg/rat) intra-CA1 injection induced retrieval impairment. Furthermore, pre-test intra-CA1 microinjection of phenylephrine (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) or clonidine (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) with an ineffective dose of scopolamine (0.25 μg/rat), synergistically improved memory performance impaired by post-training scopolamine (2 μg/rat). Our results also showed that, pre-test injection of α1-receptor antagonist prazosin (1, 2 μg/rat) or α2-receptors antagonist yohimbine (1, 2 μg/rat) before effective dose of scopolamine (2 μg/rat) prevented the improvement of memory by pre-test scopolamine. Conclusion: These results suggest that α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampal CA1 region may play an important role in scopolamine-induced amnesia and scopolamine state-dependent memory

Involvement of dorsal hippocampal α-adrenergic receptors in the effect of scopolamine on memory retrieval in inhibitory avoidance task

The present study evaluated the possible role of α-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampus on scopolamine-induced amnesia and scopolamine state-dependent memory in adult male Wistar rats. The animals were bilaterally implanted with chronic cannulae in the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampus, trained in a step-through type inhibitory avoidance task, and tested 24. h after training to measure step-through latency. Results indicate that post-training or pre-test intra-CA1 administration of scopolamine (1 and 2μg/rat) dose-dependently reduced the step-through latency, showing an amnestic response. Amnesia produced by post-training scopolamine (2μg/rat) was reversed by pre-test administration of the scopolamine that is due to a state-dependent effect. Interestingly, pre-test intra-CA1 microinjection of α1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (1 and 2μg/rat) or α2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine improved post-training scopolamine (2μg/rat)-induced retrieval impairment. Furthermore, pre-test intra-CA1 microinjection of phenylephrine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/rat) or clonidine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/rat) with an ineffective dose of scopolamine (0.25 μg/rat), synergistically improved memory performance impaired by post-training scopolamine. On the other hand, pre-test injection of α1-receptors antagonist prazosin (1 and 2 μg/rat) or α2-receptors antagonist yohimbine (1 and 2 μg/rat) prevented the restoration of memory by pre-test scopolamine. It is important to note that pre-test intra-CA1 administration of the same doses of prazosin or yohimbine, alone did not affect memory retrieval. These results suggest that α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampal CA1 regions may play an important role in scopolamine-induced amnesia and scopolamine state-dependent memory. © 2010 Elsevier Inc

Plasma proteome profiling identifies changes associated to AD but not to FTD

Background Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is caused by frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), characterized mainly by inclusions of Tau (FTLD-Tau) or TAR DNA binding43 (FTLD-TDP) proteins. Plasma biomarkers are strongly needed for specific diagnosis and potential treatment monitoring of FTD. We aimed to identify specific FTD plasma biomarker profiles discriminating FTD from AD and controls, and between FTD pathological subtypes. In addition, we compared plasma results with results in post-mortem frontal cortex of FTD cases to understand the underlying process. Methods Plasma proteins (n = 1303) from pathologically and/or genetically confirmed FTD patients (n = 56; FTLD-Tau n = 16; age = 58.2 +/- 6.2; 44% female, FTLD-TDP n = 40; age = 59.8 +/- 7.9; 45% female), AD patients (n = 57; age = 65.5 +/- 8.0; 39% female), and non-demented controls (n = 148; 61.3 +/- 7.9; 41% female) were measured using an aptamer-based proteomic technology (SomaScan). In addition, exploratory analysis in post-mortem frontal brain cortex of FTD (n = 10; FTLD-Tau n = 5; age = 56.2 +/- 6.9, 60% female, and FTLD-TDP n = 5; age = 64.0 +/- 7.7, 60% female) and non-demented controls (n = 4; age = 61.3 +/- 8.1; 75% female) were also performed. Differentially regulated plasma and tissue proteins were identified by global testing adjusting for demographic variables and multiple testing. Logistic lasso regression was used to identify plasma protein panels discriminating FTD from non-demented controls and AD, or FTLD-Tau from FTLD-TDP. Performance of the discriminatory plasma protein panels was based on predictions obtained from bootstrapping with 1000 resampled analysis. Results Overall plasma protein expression profiles differed between FTD, AD and controls (6 proteins; p = 0.005), but none of the plasma proteins was specifically associated to FTD. The overall tissue protein expression profile differed between FTD and controls (7-proteins; p = 0.003). There was no difference in overall plasma or tissue expression profile between FTD subtypes. Regression analysis revealed a panel of 12-plasma proteins discriminating FTD from AD with high accuracy (AUC: 0.99). No plasma protein panels discriminating FTD from controls or FTD pathological subtypes were identified. Conclusions We identified a promising plasma protein panel as a minimally-invasive tool to aid in the differential diagnosis of FTD from AD, which was primarily associated to AD pathophysiology. The lack of plasma profiles specifically associated to FTD or its pathological subtypes might be explained by FTD heterogeneity, calling for FTD studies using large and well-characterize cohorts

Plasma amyloid-β oligomerization assay as a pre-screening test for amyloid status

Objective We assessed the performance of plasma amyloid oligomerization tendency (OAβ) as a marker for abnormal amyloid status. Additionally, we examined long-term storage effects on plasma OAβ. Methods We included 399 subjects regardless of clinical diagnosis from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort and European Medical Information Framework for AD project (age, 63.8 ± 6.6; 44% female). Amyloid status was determined by visual read on positron emission tomography (PET; nabnormal = 206). Plasma OAβ was measured using the multimer detection system (MDS). Long-term storage effects on MDS-OAβ were assessed using general linear models. Associations between plasma MDS-OAβ and Aβ-PET status were assessed using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics analyses. Correlations between plasma MDS-OAβ and CSF biomarker levels were evaluated using Pearson correlation analyses. Results MDS-OAβ was higher in individuals with abnormal amyloid, and it identified abnormal Aβ-PET with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.67–0.81), especially in samples with a storage duration < 4 years. Combining APOEe4 and age with plasma MDS-OAβ revealed an AUC of 81% for abnormal amyloid PET status (95% CI, 74–87%). Plasma MDS-OAβ correlated negatively with MMSE (r = − 0.29, p < .01) and CSF Aβ42 (r = − 0.20, p < 0.05) and positively with CSF Tau (r = 0.20, p = 0.01). Conclusions Plasma MDS-OAβ combined with APOEe4 and age accurately identifies brain amyloidosis in a large Aβ-confirmed population. Using plasma MDS-OAβ as a screener reduced the costs and number of PET scans needed to screen for amyloidosis, which is relevant for clinical trials. Additionally, plasma MDS-OAβ levels appeared affected by long-term storage duration, which could be of interest for others measuring plasma Aβ biomarkers.The Alzheimer Center Amsterdam is supported by Stichting Alzheimer Nederland and Stichting VUmc fonds. Research of the Alzheimer center Amsterdam is part of the neurodegeneration research program of Amsterdam Neuroscience. The clinical database structure was developed with funding from Stichting Dioraphte. The VUmc Biobank is supported by VUmc. The research leading to these results has received support from the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking under EMIF grant agreement no. 115372, resources of which are composed of financial contribution from the European Unions Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) and EFPIA companies in kind contribution

Comparing the behavioral activation/inhibition systems and personality traits among the diabetic and non-diabetic women

Background: One of the important topics in the field of health psychology is the personality traits of individuals suffering from diabetes. The present study aimed to compare the behavioral activation (BAS) and behavioral inhibition systems (BIS) and personality traits among diabetic and non-diabetic women. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-comparative study, 40 diabetic women referred to Sina diabetes center in Tabriz (during 2011-2012) were compared with 40 non-diabetic ones. Data were collected through the BAS/BIS scale and Eysenk personality questionnaire. Results: The scores of neurosis (N) in diabetic women were higher than those for non-diabetic women (

Antimicrobial Effect of aqueous extract of saffron petals on some of food-borne bacterial pathogen

Ever-increasing public debates over the adverse effects that may result from exposure to the chemical preservatives have enhanced the interests for the consuming of preservative-free foods or at least the product containing natural preservatives. In this laboratory experiment, the antimicrobial effect of aqueous extracts of Saffron petals against Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated using the disk diffusion method. Moreover, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extract was assessed by agar dilution and broth microdilution method. According to the results, S. typhimurium was found asthe most sensitive, while, S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7asthe most resistant species. MICs of the extract by microdilution method were estimated at 40 mg/ml for all of the 4 bacterial species. The results also revealed that the extract of Saffron petals could be used as a natural preservative against the aforementioned bacteria

Comparison of Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in Diabetic and Non Diabetic People

Introduction: Diabetic patients face with different physical and psychological challenging factors which impress their quality of life. The major problem of these patients, which has made their life circumstances more complicated, is coping and adapting styles with the illness. So, this study aimed to determine quality of life and also different kinds of coping strategies in patients with type 2 diabetes and also to compare it with those of healthy people. Methods: In this study, sixty diabetic patients (30 male, 30 female), were chosen by available sampling method from the people who referred to Sina Diabetes center in Tabriz and were compared with sixty non diabetic people (30 male, 30 female). Data were collected by two questionnaires including the short form health survey (SF-36) and coping style Inventories. MANOVA method was used to analyze the research data. Results: The study results showed that non diabetics were significantly higher than diabetic patients in regard to quality of life and its dimensions (p<0.001). Also results revealed that non diabetic people used the problem–oriented styles (p<0.001), however diabetic patients used emotional-oriented coping and avoidance strategies more (p<0.05). In this study (in both groups), females in comparison with males had lower score in quality of life and used more emotion-oriented coping styles and less problem-oriented styles. Conclusion: The results indicated that individuals’ quality of life was affected by their coping style with different affairs. Emotional-oriented coping and avoidance strategies were related with decrease of quality of life in diabetic patients whereas problem-oriented styles enhanced it. Therefore, it is necessary to perform interventions for teaching problem solving coping in order to improve these patients' quality of life