Spontaneous Congenital Hydrocephalus in Sprague Dawley Rat

Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder that results from the accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain culminating in an enlarged cranium. This sporadic disorder may occur as a congenital malformation in many mammalian species including inbred rodent colonies at an early juvenile stage of life. Under conventional husbandry practice of breeding, 5 pups showing some clinical signs of neurological dysfunction at the age of 20 days were examined thoroughly. Detailed macroscopic examination demonstrated dome shaped head, thinned and deformed parietal bone, open/closed suture depending upon the severity of ventricular dilatation. Microscopic examination revealed dilated lateral ventricles, compressed and attenuated cortical mantle, spongy appearance of the sub-ventricular zone, stretched ventricular ependyma, flattened ependymal cell lining and infiltration of mononuclear cells in the ventricular lining

Synthesis of GR 125487, a selective 5-HT₄ receptor antagonist

<p>The 5-HT₄ receptor (5-HT₄R) agonists are important in treating gastrointestinal motility disorders. Their role is currently being evaluated for the treatment of cognitive and mood disorders. A selective 5-HT₄R antagonist GR 125487 is used in many biological assays to cross confirm the 5-HT₄R agonist’s activity. A practical synthesis of GR 125487 is developed so as to have it in desired quantities. The synthesis consists of seven steps starting from commercially available methyl 5-fluoroindole 3-carboxylate. The GR 125487 thus synthesized was used in blocking the activity of 5-HT₄R agonist compound in animal models of cognition.</p