Showing 31 results for Behavior
Ms. Fatemeh Nasehi, Prof. Fariba Khodagholi, Ms. Neda Kaveh, Dr. Ali Maleki, Dr. Arman Zeinaddini-Meymand, Dr. Maryam Alsadat Mousavi, Prof. Dariush Minai-Tehrani, Dr. Forough Foolad,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
The impaired mitochondrial function in neurons is a core abnormality in many medical conditions. Behavioral changes are the key aspects that emerge under these conditions. In the current study, we investigated whether social interactions are influenced by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-induced mitochondrial failure. We also assessed changes in glucocorticoid receptor and FKBP5 protein levels, cytochrome contents, and monoamine oxidase A and B activities in the striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex of the subjects. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with 3-NP. The social and non-social behaviors of 3-NP-treated rats were investigated. Different dissected brain regions were considered in terms of glucocorticoid receptor and FKBP5 protein levels, cytochrome contents, and monoamine oxidase A and B activities. We found a significantly decreased duration of social behaviors along with impaired non-social behavioral tests in the striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. We detected a decreasing trend in the levels of glucocorticoid receptor and FKBP5 protein. Moreover, cytochrome contents and monoamine oxidase A and B activities decreased in the dissected brain regions. Impaired social/non-social behaviors along with decreased levels of investigated molecular variables in the aforementioned regions after 3-NP treatment might point to processes connecting mitochondrial failure to behavioral impairment, particularly social type.
Hilal Yanik, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birsen Elibol, Assist. Prof. Dr. Merve Beker, Assist Prof. Dr. Mehmet Taha Yildiz, Prof. Dr. Ismet Kirpinar,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
The Purpose of the Study: Music is one of the factors known to have an impact on brain development. Herein, the effects of perinatal exposure to different music patterns on some behavioral characteristics and their underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated.
Materials and Methods: On the first day of their gestation, Wistar rats separated into control, classical, Sufi, and rock groups. Pregnant rats and their pups were exposed to music patterns for one hour/day during pregnancy until weaning. On the 60th day, behavioral tests were performed; later the brains of rat pups were dissected for molecular analysis.
Results: At adult age, pups in rock group had lower level of anxiety, learning and memory with an increase in motor coordination. However, classical and Sufi groups had increased level of anxiety and depression due to low BDNF expression. In addition, Sufi group presented good results in object recognition while classical group showed a better performance in spatial learning due to increased neuroprotective/neurogenesis factors. In contrast, lower DCX levels in both the Sufi and the rock groups suggested a decrease in the neurogenesis. Indeed, the increased NFkB expression may explain poor performance in learning and memory of the rock group.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the type of music may be an important epigenetic factor during hippocampal development because it may have an impact on the function of higher brain areas in adults.
Arash Fazeli, Ahmad Zolghadriha, Reza Pirzeh, Shokoufe Ramezani, Mohsen Dadashi,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: This study aims to assess and compare the effects of low-frequency (LF) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on symptoms and cognitive flexibility of adults with OCD.
Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial conducted on 24 people with OCD in Zanjan, Iran in two groups of CBT (n=12) and rTMS (n=12). The CBT with exposure and response prevention was presented at 20 sessions. The 1-Hz rTMS was delivered at 100 of resting MT using an 8-shaped coil over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F4) for 2 weeks at 10 sessions. They completed the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory before, immediately, and one month after the intervention. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS v.22 software.
Results: Results showed a significant difference between the two groups in the severity of OCD symptoms (obsessions and compulsions) immediately after intervention (p<0.001), where higher reductions were observed in the CBT group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in cognitive flexibility (p>0.05). No significant difference was found between the groups in any study variables one month after interventions.
Conclusion: There is a significant difference between CBT and LF rTMS techniques in reducing the severity of OCD symptoms, while there is no difference between them in improving cognitive flexibility of patients with OCD.
Mr Sadjad Yazdani, Dr Abdol-Hossein Vahabie, Prof Babak Nadjar-Araabi, Prof Majid Nili Ahmadabadi,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Various decision-making systems work together to shape human behavior. Goal-directed and habitual systems are the two most important systems studied by reinforcement learning (RL) through model-based (MB) and model-free (MF) learning styles, respectively. Human behavior resembles the combination of these two decision-making paradigms, achieved by the weighted sum of the action values of the two styles in an RL framework. The weighting parameter is often extracted by the maximum likelihood (ML) or maximum a-posteriori (MAP) estimation method. In this study, we employ RL agents that use a combination of MB and MF decision-making to perform the well-known Daw two-stage task. ML and MAP methods result in less reliable estimates of the weighting parameter, where a large bias toward extreme values is often observed. We propose the k‑nearest neighbor as an alternative nonparametric estimate to improve the estimation error, where we devise a set of 20 features extracted from the behavior of the RL agent. Simulated experiments examine the proposed method. Our method reduces the bias and variance of the estimation error based on the obtained results. Human behavior data from previous studies is investigated as well. The proposed method results in predicting indices such as age, gender, IQ, the dwell time of gaze, and psychiatric disorder indices which are missed by the traditional method. In brief, the proposed method increases the reliability of the estimated parameters and enhances the applicability of reinforcement learning paradigms in clinical trials.
- Fatemeh Rahimi Shourmasti, - Raheleh Rafaiee, - Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhosseini Tamijani, - Mehdi Khodamoradi, - Mohammad Shabani, - Hamed Ghazvini,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Objectives: Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) is extensively distributed across brain regions that are crucial for emotional processing, social cognition, and anxiety, including the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. Dysregulation of CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) has been associated with several disorders characterized by impaired empathy, social behavior, and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory role of CB1Rs in social interaction and anxiety in an empathic pain model in rats.
Methods: Forty-eight adults male Wistar rats were used (n = 8 for each group). One sibling received formalin injection into the hind paw five times within a nine-day period (Demonstrator), and the other siblings reported pain (Observer) while being treated with DMSO, the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) agonist WIN 55,212–2 (WIN; 3 mg/kg, i.p.), or the CB1R antagonist rimonabant (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Treatments were administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes prior to behavioral tests conducted on day 10, which were used to assess social behavior and anxiety.
Results: The findings indicate that empathic pain can impair social behavior and elicit anxiety-like effects. Rimonabant was effective in ameliorating deficits induced by empathic pain; conversely, WIN did not have a significant effect.
Conclusion: These results suggest that CB1Rs play a modulatory role in social contagion. This modulation may provide new therapeutic targets for conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychological disorders characterized by impaired empathy and dysregulated social behavior associated with the CB1 signaling pathway.
Mehdad Roghani, Amin Arsalan Amin, Reza Amirtouri,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2009)
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus accompanies with disturbances in learning, memory, and cognitive skills in the human society and experimental animals. Considering the beneficial antidiabetic potential of Apium graveolens (AG ), this research study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chronic i.p. administration of AG on learning and memory in diabetic rats using passive avoidance and Y-maze tests.
Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, AG-treated control, diabetic, and AG-treated diabetic groups. AG treatment continued for 4 weeks. For induction of diabetes, streptozotocin was injected i.p. at a single dose of 60 mg/kg. For evaluation of learning and memory, initial latency (IL) and step-through latency (STL) were determined at the end of study using passive avoidance test. Meanwhile, alternation behavior percentage was determined using Y maze.
Results: There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in IL in diabetic and AG-treated diabetic groups after 4 weeks as compared to control group. In this respect, there was no significant difference between diabetic and AG-treated diabetic groups. On the other hand, STL significantly decreased (p<0.05) in diabetic group and significantly increased (p<0.05) in AG-treated diabetic group as compared to control group at the end of study. In addition, STL did not significantly change in AG-treated control group in comparison with control group. In addition, results of Y-maze test showed that there is no significant difference between diabetic and Ag-treated diabetic groups and between control and Ag-treated control group regarding alternation behavior.
Discussion: In summary, chronic oral administration of AG could enhance the consolidation and recall capability of stored information only in diabetic animals and did not affect spatial memory of diabetic animals.
Tourandokht Baluchnejadmojarad, Mehrdad Roghani,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (11-2010)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neuropathological and debilitating disorder involving the degeneration of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Neuroprotective effect of hesperetin has already been reported, therefore, this study examined whether the administration of this flavonoid would attenuate behavioral abnormalities in an experimental model of PD in rat. For this purpose, unilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 12.5 μg/5μl of saline-ascorbate)-lesioned rats were pretreated i.p. with hesperetin (10 mg/kg). It was found out that hesperetin administration attenuates the rotational behavior in lesioned rats. In summary, hesperetin administration attenuates behavioral abnormality in hemiparkinsonian rats and this may be of benefit, along with other therapies, in neurodegenerative disorders including PD.
Nosaibeh Riahi Zaniani, Manizheh Karami, Soheila Porkhodadad,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (11-2013)
Abstract
Colchicine, a potent neurotoxin derived from plants, has been recently introduced as a degenerative toxin of small pyramidal cells in the cortical area 1 of the hippocampus (CA1). In this study, the effect of the alkaloid in CA1 on the behaviors in the conditioning task was measured. Injections of colchicine (1,5 μg/rat, intra-CA1) was performed in the male Wistar rats, while the animals were settled and cannulated in a stereotaxic apparatus. In the control group solely injection of saline (1 μl/rat, intra-CA1) was used. One week later, all the animals passed the saline conditioning task using a three-day schedule of an unbiased paradigm. They were administered saline (1 ml/kg, s.c.) twice a day throughout the conditioning phase. To evaluate the possible effects of cell injury by the toxin on the pyramidal cells, both the motivational signals while in the conditioning box and the non-motivational locomotive signs of the treated and control rats were measured. Based on the present study the alkaloid caused no change in the score of place conditioning, but affected both the sniffing and grooming behaviors in the group that received colchicine. However, the alkaloid did not show the significant effect on the rearing or compartment entering in the rats. According to the findings, the intra-CA1 injection of colchicine may impair the neuronal transmission of non-motivational information by the pyramidal cells in the dorsal hippocampus.
Dr Mahnaz Taherian Fard, Dr Aminollah Bahaeddini, Dr Tahoora Shomali, Miss Saeideh Karimi Haghighi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (5-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: The present study investigated the interactive effect of GABAB receptors and extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on foot shock-induced aggression in rats.
Methods: fifty adult male rats were randomly assigned into 10 groups. Groups 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 were exposed to 50 Hz, 500 µT ELF-EMF for 30 days 8h per day while the remaining groups (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) were sham-exposed. At the end of this period, the animals in groups 1 and 2 received normal saline while groups 3 and 4 treated with 100 mg/kg (low dose) of CGP35348 and groups 5 and 6 injected with 200 mg/kg (high dose) of CGP35348. Groups 7 and 8 treated with 1.7 mg/kg (low dose) of Baclofen and groups 9 and 10 received 3 mg/kg (high dose) Baclofen by IP injections. Twenty min after the injection, the aggressive behavior was recorded in foot shock-induced aggression model. The number of lateral threat, lifted up threat, biting, attacking, chasing and approaching were considered as paradigms of aggressive behavior.
Results: ELF-EMF, Baclofen or CGP35348 alone had no significant effect on aggressive behavior. Except that rats exposed and treated with low dose of CGP35348 demonstrated significantly higher numbers of only one of the paradigms of aggressive behavior (lifted up threats), CGP35348 and Baclofen in both doses in combination with ELF-EMF exposure had no significant effect on aggression.
Discussion: GABAB receptors and ELF-EMFs had no effect (both enhancement and suppression) on aggressive behavior of rats in foot shock-induced model of aggression.
Shamseddin Ahmadi, Shaho Azarian, Sayede Shohre Ebrahimi, Ameneh Rezayof,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (7-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: We investigated the role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels and L-type calcium channels in morphine-induced hyperalgesia after nociceptive sensitization.
Methods: We used a hotplate apparatus to assess pain behavior in male NMRI mice. Nociceptive sensitization was induced by three days injection of morphine and five days of drug free. On day 9 of the schedule, pain behavior test was performed for evaluating the effects of morphine by itself and along with nimodipine, a blocker of L-type calcium channels and diazoxide, an opener of ATP-sensitive potassium channels. All drugs were injected through an intraperitoneal route.
Results: The results showed that morphine (7.5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) induced analgesia in normal mice, which was prevented by naloxone (1 mg/kg). After nociceptive sensitization, analgesic effect of morphine (10 and 15 mg/kg) was significantly decreased in sensitized mice. The results showed that nimodipine (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) had no significant effect on pain behavior test in either normal or sensitized mice. However, nimodipine (20 mg/ kg) along with morphine (10 and 15 mg/kg) caused more decrease in morphine analgesia in sensitized mice. Furthermore, diazoxide by itself (0.25, 1, 5 and 20 mg/kg) had also no significant effect on pain behavior in both normal and sensitized mice, but at dose of 20 mg/kg along with morphine (10 and 15 mg/kg) decreased analgesic effect of morphine in sensitized mice.
Discussion: It can be concluded that potassium and calcium channels have some roles in decrease of analgesic effect of morphine after nociceptive sensitization induced by pretreatment of morphine.
Payvand Bina, Mehrnaz Rezvanfard, Shamseddin Ahmadi, Mohammad Reza Zarrindast,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (11-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: In this study, we investigated the role of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the ventral hippocampus (VH) and their possible interactions with GABAA system on anxiety-like behaviors.
Methods: We used an elevated-plus maze test (EPM) to assess anxiety-like behaviors and locomotor activity in male Wistar rats.
Results: The results showed that intra-VH infusions of different doses of NMDA (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) increased locomotor activity, and also induced anxiolytic-like behaviors, as revealed by a tendency to increase percentage of open arm time (%OAT), and a significant increase in percentage of open arm entries (%OAE). The results also showed that intra-VH infusions of muscimol (0.5 and 1 μg/rat) or bicuculline (0.5 and 1 μg/rat) did not significantly affect anxiety-like behaviors, but bicuculline at dose of 1 μg/rat increased locomotor activity. Intra-VH co-infusions of muscimol (0.5 μg/rat) along with low doses of NMDA (0.0625 and 0.125 μg/rat) showed a tendency to increase %OAT, %OAE and locomotor activity however, no interaction was observed between the drugs. Interestingly, intra-VH co-infusions of bicuculline (0.5 μg/rat) along with effective doses of NMDA (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) decreased %OAT, %OAE and locomotor activity, and a significant interaction between two drugs was observed.
Discussion: It can be concluded that GABAergic system may mediate the anxiolytic-like effects and increase in locomotor activity induced by NMDA in the VH.
Mohammad Reza Shahraki, Mahdieh Ahmadimoghadm, Ahmad Reza Shahraki,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (10-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Borago officinalis flower (borage) is a known sedative in herbal medicine the aim
of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of borage hydroalcoholic extract
in formalin test male rats.
Methods: Fifty-six adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups:
Control groups of A (intact), B (saline), and C (Positive control) plus test groups of D, E, F,
and G (n=8). The groups D, E , and F received 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg, Borago officinalis
flower hydroalcholic extract before the test, respectively but group G received 25 mg/kg borage
extract and aspirin before the test. A biphasic pain was induced by injection of formalin 1%. The
obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software ver. 17 employing statistical tests of Kruskal-
Wallis and Mann-Whitney. The results were expressed as mean±SD. Statistical differences were
considered significant at P<0.05.
Results: The results revealed that the acute and chronic pain behavior score in test groups of
D, E, F, and G significantly decreased compared to groups A and B, but this score did not show
any difference compared to group C. Moreover, chronic pain behavior score in group G was
significantly lower than all other groups.
Discussion: The results indicated that Borago officinalis hydroalcoholic extract affects the acute
and chronic pain behavior response in formaline test male rats.
Mahdi Goudarzvand, Samira Choopani, Alireza Shams, Mohammad Javan, Zohreh Khodaii, Farhad Ghamsari, Naser Naghdi, Abbas Piryaei, Abbas Haghparast,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Memory and cognitive impairments are some of devastating outcomes of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) plaques in hippocampus, the gray matter part of the brain. The present study aimed to evaluate the intrahippocampal injection of Ethidium Bromide (EB) as a simple and focal model to assess cognition and gray matter demyelination.
Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group, which received saline, as solvent of EB, into the hippocampus and two experimental groups, which received 3 &muL of EB into the hippocampus, and then, were evaluated 7 and 28 days after EB injection (n=10 in each group), using a 5-day protocol of Morris Water Maze (MWM) task as well as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) assay.
Results: Seven days after EB injection, the behavioral study revealed a significance increase in travelled distance for platform finding in the experimental group compared to the control group. In addition, the nucleus of oligodendrocyte showed the typical clumped chromatin, probably attributed to apoptosis, and the myelin sheaths of some axons were unwrapped and disintegrated. Twentyeight days after EB injection, the traveled distance and the time spent in target quadrant significantly
decreased and increased, respectively in experimental groups compared to the control group. Also, TEM micrographs revealed a thin layer of remyelination around the axons in 28 days lesion group.
Discussion: While intracerebral or intraventricular injection of EB is disseminated in different parts of the brain and can affect the other motor and sensory systems, this model is confined locally and facilitates behavioral study. Also, this project could show improvement of memory function subsequent to the physiological repair of the gray matter of the hippocampus.
Hadi Zarafshan, Maryam Salmanian, Soudeh Aghamohammadi, Mohammad Reza Mohammadi, Seyed-Ali Mostafavi,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (3-2017)
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to review the literature on non-pharmacological interventions used to treat stereotyped and repetitive behaviors by a systematic method.
Methods: Two authors independently performed a search strategy on Medline/PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO on English articles published up to April 23, 2014 with relevant search keywords. We also reviewed the bibliographies of retrieved articles and conference proceedings to obtain additional citations and references. We used those articles that address any non-pharmacological interventions on reducing stereotyped and repetitive behaviors in preschool children with autism. Four independent reviewers screened relevant articles for inclusion criteria and assessed the quality of eligible articles with CONSORT checklist.
Results: In our search, 664 relevant articles were found. After removing duplicates and screening based on title, abstract, and full text, 15 high quality studies were finally included in data analyses. The included articles were published from 1987 to 2013. Three studies were designed as A-B, two as A-B-A and reminders as A-B-A-B. The data and results of 3 clinical trials were synthesized; two of them were parallel randomized clinical trial and another one was designed as cross-over. Interventions were completely heterogeneous in case studies, including non-contingent auditory stimulation, response interruption and redirection, teaching the children to request assistance on the difficult tasks, family-implemented treatment for behavioral inflexibility with treatment approach, vocal or motor response interruption and redirection, brushing, water mist treatment, exposure response prevention, tangible reinforcement or social reinforcement, and music. Interventions in clinical trials included touch therapy, kata techniques training program, and aerobic exercise.
Conclusions: The results of our review indicate that different kinds of non-pharmacological interventions can be used to treat repetitive behaviors in children with autism, however, sufficient evidence for their effectiveness does not exist. Future research using more precise methods (RCTs) can clarify that which methods and techniques are effective in reducing repetitive behavior of children with autism.
Farnaz Faridi, Reza Khosrowabadi,
Volume 8, Issue 5 (9-2017)
Abstract
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characterized by major problems in social and nonverbal communication, together with limited and repetitive forms of behavior and interests. The linguistic and cognitive development in AS is preserved which help us to differentiate it from other subtypes of ASD. However, significant effects of AS on cognitive abilities and brain functions still need to be researched. Although a clear cut pathology for Asperger has not been identified yet, recent studies have largely focused on brain imaging techniques to investigate AS. In this regard, we carried out a systematic review on behavioral, cognitive, and neural markers (specifically using MRI and fMRI) studies on AS. In this paper, behavior, motor skills and language capabilities of individuals with Asperger are compared to those in healthy controls. In addition, common findings across MRI and fMRI based studies associated with behavior and cognitive disabilities are highlighted.
Asghar Arfaie, Salman Safikhanlou, Abbas Bakhshipour Roodsari, Alireza Farnam, Ali Reza Shafiee-Kandjani,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (7-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Psychiatric disorders could be evaluated in terms of behavioral activation and inhibition systems. Dysregulation of these systems may lead to development of manic or depressive episodes in patients with mood disorders. This study aimed to identify Behavioral Approach System (BAS) and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) hypersensitivity as the functional brain system behaviors in patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar mood disorder I, compared to healthy individuals.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Razi Psychiatric Hospital, a mental health referral center in Northwest of Iran. The study consisted of two groups of patients, one with major depressive and the other with bipolar mood disorders and one healthy group. Each group had 40 patients (20 men and 20 women). The study data were collected through BIS and BAS questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS version 18.
Results: The findings showed a significant negative correlation between BIS, BAS and BAS subscales with the severity of depression and positive correlation with mania symptoms (P<0.05).
Conclusion: BAS and BIS dysregulations may predispose people to mood disorder symptoms. BAS is hyperactive during manic phase and may predict the symptom severity of bipolar mood disorder.
Soheyla Khalaji, Imanollah Bigdeli, Raheb Ghorbani, Hossein Miladi-Gorji,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (7-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: This study investigated the effect of the environmental enrichment during adolescence on morphine-induced Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) and locomotor sensitization in maternally separated male and female rat pups.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were allowed to mate with female virgin Wistar rats. Pups were separated from them 3 hours per day during 2–14 days postnatal. All pups were weaned at 21 Postnatal Day (PND) and reared in standard environment or enriched environment from 21 to 50 PND with litter-mates of the same sex. The CPP and behavioral sensitization to morphine were assessed by an unbiased place conditioning paradigm and open filed method.
Results: The results showed that the maternal separation enhanced morphine-induced CPP in both sexes, locomotor sensitization in male pups and tolerance to morphine-induced motor activity in female pups during adolescence. While, male and female pups reared in an EE exhibited a decrease in morphine-induced CPP, locomotor sensitization and tolerance induced by maternal separation compared to their control pups.
Conclusion: Access to enriched environment during adolescence may have a protective effect against morphine-induced reward, locomotor sensitization and tolerance in adolescent male and female rats following maternal separation.
Mohsen Dadashi, Vida Yousefi Asl, Yousef Morsali,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (1-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) belongs to the categories of psychiatric disorders with the potential to turn into a chronic condition without receiving the necessary treatments. The main feature of OCD is the frequent or intense obsession and compulsion that might induce great pain and suffering in patients. Moreover, as one of the most prevalent abnormalities, depression usually follows OCD. The present study aimed to compare the effects of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) treatments adjunct to pharmacotherapy on decreasing the severity of obsession-depression symptoms and improving the quality of life in OCD patients.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test design and a follow-up stage. The statistical population comprised all the patients diagnosed with OCD in Zanjan Province, Iran. Besides, 26 OCD patients referring to Shahid Beheshti Medical Center in Zanjan were selected using a purposive sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. The study subjects completed the Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI 2), and the Quality of Life Questionnaire at the pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up stages (1 month and 2 months after the treatment). Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Reliable Change Index (RCI) methods were used to measure statistical and clinical significances, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS.
Results: The obtained data suggested no significant difference between the ERP and tDCS groups concerning the symptoms of OCD and depression at the post-test stage (P>0.05). Conversely, in terms of life quality, there was a significant difference between the ERP and tDCS groups at the post-test phase (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Although the present findings revealed no statistically significant difference between the ERP and tDCS groups (except for the quality of life variable), the pharmacotherapy-ERP combination proved to be more effective than pharmaco therapy- tDCS in treating OCD patients.
Amina Bekara, Ali Amazouz, Tahir Benyamina Douma,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (1-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of Verbena (V.) officinalis L. aqueous extract in adult female rats.
Methods: The present study evaluated the antidepressant effect of V. officinalis L. aqueous (V AE) extract in female rats using the Forced-Swimming Test (FST), Light-Dark Box (LDB) test, and Open Field Test (OFT). The level of glycemia and histological analysis were also studied. The VAE [200 mg/kg Parenterally (PO)] was administered orally for 7 successive days in the separate groups of rats.
Results: The oral administration of V. officinalis L. aqueous extract significantly decreased (P< 0.01) the immobility time in the FST, increased the time spent in the light area (LDB), and the number of entry into the central squares (OFT). Thus, the extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg significantly decreased the glycemia level (P<0.05) and suggested no harmful effect on brain histology.
Conclusion: Verbena officinalis L. aqueous extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg could have an anti-depressant effect in adult rats.
Nagapuri Kiran Kumar, Mesram Nageshwar, Karnati Pratap Reddy,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (5-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: Curcumin, a yellow-pigment, found in the popular Indian spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), poses pharmaceutical applications due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemoprotective properties. Excessive fluoride causes fluorosis leading to neurodegeneration and associated behavioral deficits, particularly in children. This study aimed at investigating the neuroprotective ability of curcumin on sodium fluoride (NaF)-related alterations of acetylcholine, catecholamines, histological changes in hippocampus and behavior of rats exposed to NaF during pre- and post-natal period.
Methods: Pregnant albino Wistar rats were chosen and divided into four groups. The experimental period lasted 53 days (i.e. the gestational period of 23 days and post-gestational period of 30 days), at which the control group received normal tap water, the experimental group received NaF (20 ppm/kg bw) through drinking water, and the protective groups received curcumin (10 mg and 20mg/kg bw) by gavage and NaF (20 ppm/kg bw) through drinking water. Behavioral study (open field test) was done using postnatal pups aged 21 and 30 days. The brains of postnatal pups aged 1, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days were collected and used for biochemical analysis and those of pups aged 14, 21, and 30 days were used for histopathological analysis.
Results: NaF-exposed rats showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in body weight, brain weight, and behavioral activities, which were significantly reversed with curcumin treatment. The levels of epinephrine significantly (p<0.05) increased, whereas norepinephrine, dopamine and acetylcholine levels declined in NaF-treated group compared with the control group, which were significantly (p<0.05) reversed after treatment by curcumin (10 mg/kg bw and 20 mg/kg bw) along with NaF. The histological alterations, including shrinkage of neurons and nissal substances were observed in the hippocampus of NaF-treated pups that the control pups, whereas co-treatment with curcumin and NaF showed ameliorative effects and controlled the histological alterations.
Conclusion: The results showed the neuroprotective effect of curcumin on behavior, neurotransmitter levels, and histological changes in the hippocampus against NaF-induced neurotoxicity in developing rat pups.
