International journal of developmental neuroscience : the official journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience
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Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. · Aug 2013
Preconditioning with sevoflurane ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficit after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.
Previous studies have demonstrated that sevoflurane could attenuate cerebral neuron necrosis and apoptosis in ischemia-reperfusion models in rats. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of preconditioning with sevoflurane on spatial learning and memory ability after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and its potential mechanisms. Focal cerebral ischemia was performed via 1h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. ⋯ However, preconditioning with sevoflurane resulted in significantly ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficit induced by MCAO. Furthermore, the number of ChAT positive cells in hippocampus CA1 region in sevoflurane preconditioning group was striking more than that of ischemia-reperfusion group. All results suggested that preconditioning with 2.4% sevoflurane could ameliorate the ability of spatial learning and memory after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats via protecting the cholinergic neurons in hippocampal CA1 region.
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Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. · Jun 2013
Morphine-enhanced apoptosis in selective brain regions of neonatal rats.
Prolonged neonatal opioid exposure has been associated with: antinociceptive tolerance, long-term neurodevelopmental delay, cognitive, and motor impairment. Morphine has also been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in vitro studies, but its in vivo effect in developing rat brain is unknown. Thus, we hypothesized that prolongued morphine administration in neonatal rats in a model of antinociceptive tolerance and dependence is associated with increased neuroapoptosis. ⋯ Brain regions important for learning (hippocampus), and autonomic and nociceptive processing (hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray) were not affected. Lack of widespread glial apoptosis or robust glial activation following repeated morphine administration suggests that glia might not be affected by chronic morphine at this early age. Future studies should investigate long-term behavioral sequelae of demonstrated enhanced apoptosis associated with prolonged morphine administration in a neonatal rat model.
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Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. · Nov 2012
Alteration of brain volume in IL-6 overexpressing mice related to autism.
Abnormal neuroimmune responses have been reported to be associated with autism and could be appropriate targets for pharmacologic intervention. Our previous studies showed that neuroimmune factor, interleukin (IL)-6, was significantly elevated in the fontal cortex and cerebellum of autistic subjects. The IL-6 overexpressing mice displayed several autism-like features as well as an abnormal dendritic spine morphology and synaptic function. ⋯ The brain structures surrounding the lateral ventricle were squeezed and deformed from the normal location. These results indicate that IL-6 elevation in the brain could mediate neuroanatomical abnormalities. Taking together with our previous findings, a mechanism by which IL-6 may be involved in the pathogenesis of autism is proposed.
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Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. · Oct 2012
Neonatal nociception elevated baseline blood pressure and attenuated cardiovascular responsiveness to noxious stress in adult rats.
Neonatal nociception has significant long-term effects on sensory perception in adult animals. Although neonatal adverse experience affect future responsiveness to stressors is documented, little is known about the involvement of early nociceptive experiences in the susceptibility to subsequent nociceptive stress exposure during adulthood. The aim of this study is to explore the developmental change in cardiovascular regulating activity in adult rats that had been subjected to neonatal nociceptive insults. ⋯ Comparatively, the carrageenan-treated rats showed a higher BRS (BrrLF 1.03±0.09 vs. control 0.70±0.06 ms/mmHg) and higher parasympathetic activity [0.93±0.17 vs. control 0.32±0.02 ln(ms²)] after CFA injection. The change in blood pressure is negligible (111.9±4.05 vs. pre-injection 110.3±3.16 mmHg). Our research has shown that neonatal nociception alters future pain sensation, raises basal blood pressure level, and attenuates cardiovascular responsiveness to nociceptive stress in adult rats.
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Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. · May 2012
Influence of age and fall type on head injuries in infants and toddlers.
Age-based differences in fall type and neuroanatomy in infants and toddlers may affect clinical presentations and injury patterns. ⋯ Within a given fall type, age-related differences in injuries exist between infants and toddlers. When interpreting a fall history, clinicians must consider the fall type and influence of age on resulting injury. For young children, intracranial injury is not always accompanied by external manifestations of their injury.