26 research outputs found
Enhancement of basolateral amygdaloid neuronal dendritic arborization following Bacopa monniera extract treatment in adult rats
OBJECTIVE: In the ancient Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Bacopa monniera is classified as Medhya rasayana, which includes medicinal plants that rejuvenate intellect and memory. Here, we investigated the effect of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera on the dendritic morphology of neurons in the basolateral amygdala, a region that is concerned with learning and memory. METHODS: The present study was conducted on 2Âą/2-month-old Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 2-, 4- and 6-week treatment groups. Rats in each of these groups were further divided into 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg dose groups (n = 8 for each dose). After the treatment period, treated rats and age-matched control rats were subjected to spatial learning (T-maze) and passive avoidance tests. Subsequently, these rats were killed by decapitation, the brains were removed, and the amygdaloid neurons were impregnated with silver nitrate (Golgi staining). Basolateral amygdaloid neurons were traced using camera lucida, and dendritic branching points (a measure of dendritic arborization) and dendritic intersections (a measure of dendritic length) were quantified. These data were compared with the data from the age-matched control rats. RESULTS: The results showed an improvement in spatial learning performance and enhanced memory retention in rats treated with Bacopa monniera extract. Furthermore, a significant increase in dendritic length and the number of dendritic branching points was observed along the length of the dendrites of the basolateral amygdaloid neurons of rats treated with 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of Bacopa monniera (BM) for longer periods of time (i.e., 4 and 6 weeks). CONCLUSION: We conclude that constituents present in Bacopa monniera extract have neuronal dendritic growth-stimulating properties
Anomalous superficial peroneal nerve and variant cutaneous innervation of the sural nerve on the dorsum of the foot: a case report
Unorthodox superficial palmar arch observed in a South Indian cadaver: a case report
Variations in formation of the superficial palmar arch are common. A classic superficial palmar arch is defined as direct continuity between the superficial branch of the ulnar artery and superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. During routine dissection classes to undergraduate medical students we have observed formation of superficial palmar arch solely by superficial branch of ulnar artery without any contribution from the radial artery or median artery. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the arterial pattern of the hand is crucial for safe and successful hand surgery
Bilateral variant testicular arteries with double renal arteries
© 2009 Sylvia et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens
Four cases of variations in the forearm extensor musculature in a study of hundred limbs and review of literature
All surgeons must bear in mind the existence of muscular variations
when performing common tendon transfers. Presence of additional bellies
and tendons of existing muscles or presence of additional muscles in
unusual locations might misguide a surgeon, during surgery and also
during diagnosis. In the present paper we are reporting four cases of
variations encountered during the study of extensor muscles of the
forearm in 100 limbs. In Case 1, additional bellies of extensor carpi
radialis longus and extensor carpi radialis brevis and multiple tendons
of insertion of abductor pollicis longus were observed in a single
limb. In Case 2, an additional belly of the abductor pollicis longus
was observed. In Case 3, a short muscle on the dorsum of the hand going
to the index finger [extensor indicis brevis (EIB)] was found in
addition to the normal extensor indicis (EI). It was also observed that
some of the most superficial fleshy fibers of EIB were getting inserted
into the tendon of EI. In Case 4, a rare incidence of extensor digiti
medii proprius was observed. Further, the related literature is
reviewed and the clinical and surgical importance of these muscular
variations in diagnosis and proper planning of treatment is discussed