The effect of crocin on total sleep-deprivation induced amnesia in male Wistar rats

Introduction: In recent years, Crocin has been used for its pharmacological functions, such as memory and learning enhancement. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of Crocin on total sleep deprivation (TSD)-induced amnesia in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The water box apparatus was used to induce sleep deprivation followed by Y- maze task as an index of learning and memory (the percentage of time in the novel arm during the retention phase was reported as an index of memory performances). The rats were divided into 12 groups, 8 rats in each group, including four control groups, four sham groups, and four TSD groups. Each group received saline and Crocin at doses of 1, 5 or 15 mg/kg twice a day. Results: The findings revealed that TSD for 24 h impaired memory function. In addition, the intra-peritoneal injection of Crocin at all doses (1, 5 and 15 mg/kg) did not change the percentage of time spent in the novel arm of Y-maze in sham of TSD, whereas it abolished the responses induced by the TSD groups. Conclusion: The findings showed a close interaction between the Crocin and SD. Based on the findings, Crocin seems to possess a modulatory effect on SD-induced amnesia

The Effect of Happiness on Social and Economic Decision-Making Utility

Introduction: Neuroeconomics is a field of study that brings together economics, psychology and neuroscience. Human economic and rational decision making is affected by mood and feelings like happiness, sadness, etc.  In the current study, effects of happiness in economic decision making was examined, using the Prisoner’s Dilemma game. Materials and Methods: Male participants were chosen for each group based on self-rating about their feeling of happiness in life, followed by Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Two groups were considered: group one who felt happy and group two who did not feel happy.  The ability of making rational decision was examined in Prisoner’s Dilemma game. Two players simultaneously decide their strategy: betray the other by testifying that the other committed the crime, or cooperate with the other by remaining silent.  Results: The influence of feeling happy on social and economic decision-making was detected in two different groups; the percentage of cooperation in the group which did not feel happy (group two) was 1.5 fold (***P<0.001) which was more than other group. This data manifests non-rational decision making in group two (unhappy) compared to group one. Conclusion: The main finding of the present study is the significant relationship between happiness and economic decision making. Game theory paradigms suggested that cooperation is not considered as a rational decision. Current data shows that cooperative choices were significantly more in the group which was not happy, showing the effect of happiness in rational decision making

Role of Chloroquine and Cocaine Injection on Synaptophysin Protein Level in PTSD Model of Male Wistar Rat

Introduction: Drug abuse could induce molecular changes in synapses, leading to mood-related disorders. In addition, some patients suffering from mood disease use drug to get comfort.  In some behavioral disorders, autophagy inhibitor drugs are used.Materials and Methods: In the current study, the effect of chloroquine (CQ, an autophagy inhibitor drug) in a rat model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), together with the role of cocaine abuse was examined. Rats were injected with the CQ and/or cocaine alone or following single-prolonged-stress exposure and were confirmed as PTSD, using elevated-plus maze (EPM) test and then protein level of synaptophysin (a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein)  was investigated by western blotting tecnique. It should be noted that cocaine was administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v, 20µg/rat) and CQ was administered intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg, IP).Results: Obtained data revealed that PTSD and chronic administration of cocaine (i.c.v) in PTSD animals could increase the level of Synaphtophysin. CQ injection in them decreased Synaptophysin. So cocaine increase Synaphtophysin while CQ decrease it in PTSD animals.Conclusion: The current data suggests  altering neural plasticity by Synaptophysin protein level changes in brain on PTSD rats

Nrf1 and Nrf2 Knockdown Effect in Anxiety-related Behavior and Mitochondrial Function

Introduction:  Nuclear factor, erythroid-derived 2, -like2 (Nrf2) and Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 1 (Nrf1) stand as two important regulators of antioxidant defense system. Materials and Methods: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Nrf1 and Nrf2 (Nrf1&2) was injected in dorsal third ventricle of adult male albino Wistar rats. Anxiety-related behaviors and protein level of mitochondrial biogenesis, apoptotic marker factors and also electron transport chain (ETC), Citrate synthase (CS) and Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes activity in three brain regions: hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala were evaluated. Results: Nrf1&2-silenced rats induced anxiety-like behaviors compared to the control group. The level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a) protein increased in those three regions. Although Nrf1&2-silencing decreased MDH activity in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the activity of CS was increased in all three mentioned areas. However, Nrf1&2 silencing had no effect in complex I and II-III activity, but complex IV activity was increased, particularly in amygdala. Furthermore, Bax/Bcl2 ratio and cleavage of caspase-3 was increased in all mentioned areas of the brain in Nrf1&2-silenced group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the presented data evaluated the complexity of mitochondrial functions and Nrf1 and Nrf2 in rat’s brain and points to mitochondrial crucial role in oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and behavior. &nbsp

Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement Therapy Prevent Methamphetamine-Induced Synaptic Plasticity Impairment in Ovariectomized Rats

Background: Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most popular psychostimulants which produce long lasting learning and memory impairment. Previous studies have indicated that estrogen and progesterone replacement therapy attenuate cognitive impairment against a wide array of neurodegenerative diseases. Present study was designed to figure out the effects of estrogen, progesterone alone or in combination, on early long-term potentiation (E-LTP) at the cornu ammonis (CA1) area of the hippocampus in METH-exposed ovariectomized (OVX) rat.Methods: Twenty-one days after ovariectomy, the OVX rats received vehicle, estrogen [1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (IP)] or progesterone (8 mg/kg, IP) and co-administration of estrogen plus progesterone during 14 consecutive days. On the 28th day, animals were exposed to neurotoxic METH regimens [four injections 6 mg/kg, subcutaneous (SC), 2 h intervals] 30 min after the hormones replacement. Finally, we investigated the effect of those ovarian hormones on synaptic plasticity using in vivo extracellular recording in the CA1 area of the hippocampus 2 days after last treatment.Findings: The findings showed that the induction and maintenance phase of E-LTP was impaired in the METH exposed animals compared to the saline group. Data from this study demonstrated that treatment with estrogen and progesterone showed a significant facilitation for induction and enhancement of the maintenance of LTP in animals that received METH. In addition, co-administration of estrogen plus progesterone did not significantly affect the hippocampal synaptic plasticity in METH-exposed OVX rats in comparison with METH-exposed animals that received vehicle injections.Conclusion: The present findings provide new insight about treatment with ovarian hormones on synaptic plasticity deficits induced by METH

Introduction to Neurocircuitry and Neurobiology of Anxiety

Context: Nowadays, experiencing occasional anxiety is a common part of each person’s life. The number of anxious people has increased in this modern life style. This study aimed to review some researches as to accelerate searching for new anxiolytic treatments. Evidence Acquisition: Related articles were extracted from databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Science Direct and Wiley. Forty-eight articles were chosen. The articles were carefully considered, and after extracting information, they were categorized and integrated in the appropriate sequences to meet the needs of this study. Results: This review mentions the important brain regions involved in anxiety; it then continues with encapsulating some of the neurotransmitters’ and neuropeptides’ functions that cope with anxiety-like behaviors. Conclusion: With regard to the results, it is suggested that anxiety can be caused by change in the brains’ neurotransmitters level but more studies are needed to identify its exact mechanism

Tramadol Treatment Induces Change in Phospho-Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element-Binding Protein and Delta and Mu Opioid Receptors within Hippocampus and Amygdala Areas of Rat Brain

Background: Tramadol induces its unique effects through opioid pathways, but the exact mechanism is not known. The study aims to evaluate changes in the level of mu-opioid receptor (μOR), delta-opioid receptor (δOR), and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (p-CREB) in the hippocampus (HPC) and amygdala (AL) areas of tramadol-treated rats.Methods: For this purpose, a total of 36 male rats were divided into two main groups for chronic or acute tramadol exposure. The animals were then exposed to 5 mg.kg-1 of tramadol, 10 mg.kg-1 of tramadol, and normal saline. The HPC and AL areas of the animals were dissected upon completion of the period. The levels of p-CREB and μOR were quantified using the western blotting technique. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post-hoc analysis. The differences with the P-value lower than 0.05 were considered as significant.Findings: In the HPC and AL areas of the brain, the level of μOR was decreased by acute tramadol exposure, while no significant difference was observed by chronic tramadol exposure. Moreover, results showed that the level of p-CREB dose-dependently increased by acute and chronic tramadol exposure.Conclusion: HPC and AL are essential in the control of tramadol abuse. Tramadol abuse affects gene expression and transcription factors such as CREB. With acute drug tramadol treatments, the level of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) rapidly increases, while by chronic tramadol treatment, “peak and trough pattern is observing”. The activation of the rewarding mechanism is a precise instance of addictive behavior in tramadol-treated individuals

Correlation among the Behavioral Features in the Offspring of Morphine-Abstinent Rats

Background: Critical analysis of new evidence in medical sciences relies on statistics in terms of correlation.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation coefficients among the behavioral features in theoffspring of morphine-abstinent parent(s).Methods: The offspring of various types of parental morphine-exposure were divided into 4 groups includingoffspring of healthy parents (CTL), offspring of paternal morphine-abstinence (PMA), offspring of maternalmorphine-abstinence (MMA), and offspring of both morphine-abstinence (BMA). Pain perception,depression-like behavior, and avoidance memory in the offspring were quantified. The logical structure ofassociation was measured using the Pearson correlation analysis.Findings: A strong correlation was observed between pain and depressive-like behavior in female and maleoffspring of healthy parents. Moreover, in the male and female offspring of healthy parents and BMA, nosignificant correlation was observed between avoidance memory and pain behavior or depressive-likebehavior. However, in the offspring of MMA, a strong correlation was observed between avoidance memoryand depressive-like behavior.Conclusion: The results of the study signified the importance of correlation analysis in addictive behavior. Theresults revealed that the pattern of correlation of the behavior of the offspring of MMA and PMA differe

Neuroprotective Effects of Salvia Hydrangea Extract through Dietary Uptake in Amyloid Beta-injected Rats

Introduction: Alzheimerʼs disease (AD) has been identified as a progressive memory and cognitive impairment. Some Salvia species are suggested by certain studies for the management of mild to moderate AD. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects of S. hydrangea on amyloid beta-injected rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were pretreated with S. hydrangea for 10 days before amyloid beta (Aβ) injection. Western blotting techniques were used to evaluate protein level of γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in two brain regions: hippocampus and frontal cortex. Results: Current data show that S. hydrangea extract increased γ-GCS protein levels in amyloid beta injected rats, and pretreatment with S. hydrangea increased it further. Besides, S. hydrangea decreased protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in amyloid beta injected rats. Conclusion: Based on the decreased levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and the increased levels of γ-GCS, it is suggested that the use of S. hydrangea could be protective in neurodegenerative diseases

Social and Economic Decision-Making Utility Based on EEG Signals Analysis in Women: Good Economic Decision-Making is related to different EEG signals

  Introduction:  One of the new fields of study is Neuroeconomics which investigates the effect of human brain on economic decision makings. In the current study, economic decision making was examined, using the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game among females followed by electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis. Materials and Methods: Female participants were chosen based on their ability of making rational decision examined in Prisoner’s Dilemma Game for each group. Based on the data obtained from the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game, two groups existed: one includes female with good decision making in economic field in Prisoner’s Dilemma Test and group 2 consists of females who did not chose appropriate economic decision during the game.   Also EEG analysis was performed at the end of EEG recording, participates were asked if they feel utility about their economic decision making in their entire life or not. Results: The current results showed that the Economic Decision-Making Utility was more in group with better economic decision in Prisoner’s Dilemma Game. EEG analysis shows that Alpha/Beta ratio is %16.5 and Theta/Beta ratio is %12.5 less in group 2 who stayed silent and did not betray other suspect (***P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the current data, utility about economic decisions may affect decision-making  and EEG or vice versa, as Alpha/Beta and Theta/Beta ratio are less in the group who stayed silent and did not betray other suspect