Methods. – cVEMPs were recorded in 22 ALS patients and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Their Latencies and amplitudes were compared between the ALS patients
and the control group.
Results. cVEMPs were obtained in all ALS patients and controls. P-13 and N-23 latencies and P-13-N-23 amplitudes did not significantly differ between controls and ALS patients, either with or without bulbar involvement.
Conclusions. – We postulate that the ACS-cVEMP neural pathway is not affected in patients with early stages of ALS, even with clinical findings of bulbar involvement. Therefore, ACS-cVEMP is not a sensitive diagnostic tool for early detection of brainstem involvement in patients with ALS. (c) Dinaciclib supplier 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“Rationale Exploring differences check details between mouse strains in drug effects in models of antidepressant-like activity may provide clues to the neurobiology of antidepressant responses.
Objectives The objective of this study was to explore whether insensitivity to
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in NMRI mice in the tail suspension test can be related to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) function. Materials and methods We compared NMRI and C57Bl/6 mice, a SSRI-sensitive strain, in the tail suspension test following citalopram, paroxetine, or fluoxetine and determined 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) densities, 5-HT tissue and extracellular levels, 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase
2 (TPH2) genotypes and hypothermia induced by the 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-OH-DPAT. In NMRI mice, we tested if co-treatment with 5-HTP would increase 5-HT levels and confer SSRI sensitivity in the tail suspension test.
Results C57Bl/6, but not NMRI, mice responded to SSRIs in the tail suspension test. 5-HTT densities in the Sitaxentan frontal cortex and hippocampus were similar between the strains. NMRI mice had lower tissue 5-HT levels in these regions and decreased extracellular 5-HT in the frontal cortex at baseline and following citalopram. C57Bl/6 mice were more sensitive to 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia. Both strains had the 1473C TPH2 genotype and similar 5-HT synthesis. In NMRI mice, 5-HTP co-treatment restored the tail suspension and extracellular 5-HT responses to SSRIs to levels equivalent to those seen in C57Bl/6 mice.
Conclusion Low 5-HT function in NMRI mice may account for their insensitivity to SSRIs in the tail suspension test. As the tail suspension test is a predictor of clinical efficacy, the current data suggest that 5-HTP adjunct treatment may benefit SSRI treatment refractory patients.”
“Animal coloration is a powerful model for studying the genetic mechanisms that determine phenotype. Genetic crosses of laboratory mice have provided extensive information about the patterns of inheritance and pleiotropic effects of loci involved in pigmentation.