eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
99
108
article
The Impact of Plasmodium Berghei Exposure In-utero on Neurobehavioral Profile in Mice
Akhabue Keneth Okojie
pintos4live@yahoo.com
1
Khalid Rauf
khalidrauf@ciit.net.pk
2
Eghosa Iyare
eghosa.iyare@unn.edu.ng
3
Reproductive and Developmental Programming Research Group, Department of Physiology, Enugu Campus, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Reproductive and Developmental Programming Research Group, Department of Physiology, Enugu Campus, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
Introduction: The World Health Organization estimates that about 25 million pregnant mothers are currently at risk for malaria, and that malaria accounts for over 10,000 maternal and 200,000 neonatal deaths per year. The current hypothesis of early life programming supports the premise that many developmental delay and disorders may have their origin In-utero. Therefore, the current study aimed at evaluating the possible impact of experimental malaria exposure In-utero on neurobehavioral profile in mice offspring.
Methods: Pregnant mice were intraperitoneally infected on gestational day 13 with 1.02×105 infected red blood cells. Pregnant mice (both infected and uninfected) were allowed to deliver and the offspring were monitored up to postnatal day 42 when anxiety-like, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and locomotor activity were evaluated using elevated plus maze, marble burying, and Open Field Test, respectively.
Results: The current study showed that maternal infection with Plasmodium berghei resulted in an interesting behavior in offspring characterized by increased anxiety-like and OCD behaviors. Locomotor activity was however not affected.
Conclusion: It may be concluded that In-utero exposure to experimental malaria in mice causes behavioral changes.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1123-en.pdf
Plasmodium berghei
Malaria
In-Utero
Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
109
118
article
Effects of Donepezil Hydrochloride on Neuronal Response of Pyramidal Neuron of the CA1 Hippocampus in Rat Model of Alzheimer\'s Disease
Azade Eskandary
azade.eskandary@gmail.com
1
Ahmad Ali Moazedi
a.moazedi@gmail.com
2
Hossein Najaph Zade
najafzade@gmail.com
3
Mohamad Reza Akhond
m.akhond@gmail.com
4
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences and Computer, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Introduction: Donepezil (DON), an Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (AChEI), is widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of donepezil hydrochloride on pyramidal neuron response in CA1 region of a rat model of AD.
Methods: In the current experimental study, adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis (NBM) lesion (the lesions were induced by an electrical method of 0.5 m A, for 3 s in NBM) and three donepezil groups (lesions plus 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg donepezil intraperitoneal injection). Neuronal spontaneous activity to injection of the donepezil and saline were recorded in CA1 region of hippocampal.
Results: The obtained results showed that IntraPeritoneal (IP) injection of donepezil (10 and 15 mg/kg) increased neuronal spontaneous activity in the rat model of AD.
Conclusion: The current study results suggested that acute IP injection of donepezil increased neuronal response in CA1 region of hippocampal in a rat model of AD.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1175-en.pdf
Alzheimer’s Disease
Electrophysiology
Donepezil
Rats
eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
119
136
article
Interactive Effects of Exercise, Sex Hormones, and Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism on Long-Term Potentiation in Hippocampal Slices of Rat Offspring
Leila Derafshpour
Leila_d56@yahoo.com
1
Ehsan Saboory
saboory@umsu.ac.ir
2
Abbas Ali Vafaei
aavaf43@yahoo.com
3
Ali Rashidy-Pour
rashidy-pour@semums.ac.ir
4
Shiva Roshan-Milani
hiva_muk@yahoo.com
5
Yosef Rasmi
Yosef Rasmi
6
Yosef Panahi
panahiy@ymail.com
7
Hamidreza Sameni
hrsameni@gmail.com
8
Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Introduction: The long-term adverse effects of transient thyroid function abnormalities at birth on intellectual development are proven. The effect of exercise increases in the presence of sex hormones. The current study aimed at investigating the possibility that a combination of sex hormones and exercise has synergistic effects on neural plasticity in Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism (TCH) rats.
Methods: To induce hypothyroidism in the mothers, Propylthiouracil (PTU) was added to drinking water (100 mg/L) on the 6th day of gestation and continued until the 21st Postnatal Day. From Postnatal Day (PND) 28 to 47, the female and male pups received 17β-estradiol and testosterone, respectively. The mild treadmill exercise began 30 minutes after the sex hormones or vehicle administration. On PND 48, electrophysiological experiments were performed on brain slices.
Results: Increase of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) was observed in sedentary-non-hormone female rats of TCH group, compared with that of the control. The exercise enhanced LTP in control rats, but the hormones showed no significant effect. The effect of exercise and sex hormone was not significant in the TCH group. The combination of exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in TCH male rats, while the combination of exercise and estradiol or each of them individually did not produce such an effect on LTP in TCH female rats.
Conclusion: The study findings showed an increase in excitatory transmission despite the returning of thyroid hormone levels to normal range in TCH female rats. Also a combination treatment including exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in male rats of TCH group, which was a gender-specific event.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1074-en.pdf
Exercise
Hypothyroid
Sex hormones
Long-Term Potentiation
eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
137
146
article
Age of Acquisition Effect: Evidence From Single-Word Reading and Neural Networks
Ahmad Sohrabi
sohrabya@gmail.com
1
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
Introduction: Many studies show that words learned early in life are read more easily than the ones learned later and are less vulnerable to brain damage.
Methods: the first part of the current study, 25 primary school students in the 5th grade read the word groups learned initially during a previous grade. The words used in the experiments were 327 Farsi monosyllable words matched on the other factors involved in Farsi word naming.
Results: The analysis of covariance (the consistency and frequency as covariates) showed that words learned in earlier grades were read more easily than the ones learned later, showing the known effect of the Age of Acquisition (AoA). In the second part of the study, it was tried to simulate AoA in word naming by a neural network model developed earlier based on connectionist approach. While previous studies used random patterns, in the current study words from primary school books were used. Likewise, words learned early by the model were read better than words learned later. However, there was a failure in replicating previous simulation of AoA in English reading by an algorithm called Quick prop for Farsi. In addition, the model was lesioned by removing some hidden units to see its effect on word reading. As a result, words learned earlier were less vulnerable to damage compared with the ones learned later.
Conclusion: The findings showed that words learned earlier, compared to those learned later, were read better and were less vulnerable to damage. These effects are explained by considering the nature of learning in neural networks trained by error back-propagation.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-505-en.pdf
Reading
Neural networks
Age of acquisition
Word recognition
Connectionism
eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
147
156
article
Prediction of Brain Connectivity Map in Resting-State fMRI Data Using Shrinkage Estimator
Atiye Nazari
atiyenazari@yahoo.com
1
Hamid Alavimajd
alavimajd@sbmu.ac.ir
2
Nezhat Shakeri
3
Mohsen Bakhshandeh
4
Elham Faghihzadeh
5
Hengameh Marzbani
6
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Radiology Technology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction: In recent years, brain functional connectivity studies are extended using the advanced statistical methods. Functional connectivity is identified by synchronous activation in a spatially distinct region of the brain in resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data. For this purpose there are several methods such as seed-based correlation analysis based on temporal correlation between different Regions of Interests (ROIs) or between brain’s voxels of prior seed.
Methods: In the current study, test-retest Resting State functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data of 21 healthy subjects were analyzed to predict second replication connectivity map using first replication data. A potential estimator is “raw estimator” that uses the first replication data from each subject to predict the second replication connectivity map of the same subject. The second estimator, “mean estimator” uses the average of all sample subjects' connectivity to estimate the correlation map. Shrinkage estimator is made by shrinking raw estimator towards the average connectivity map of all subjects' first replicate. Prediction performance of the second replication correlation map is evaluated by Mean Squared Error (MSE) criteria.
Results: By the employment of seed-based correlation analysis and choosing precentral gyrus as the ROI over 21 subjects in the study, on average MSE for raw, mean and shrinkage estimator were 0.2169, 0.1118, and 0.1103, respectively. Also, percent reduction of MSE for shrinkage and mean estimator in comparison with raw estimator is 49.14 and 48.45, respectively.
Conclusion: Shrinkage approach has the positive effect on the prediction of functional connectivity. When data has a large between session variability, prediction of connectivity map can be improved by shrinking towards population mean.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1040-en.pdf
Resting-State fMRI
Functional connectivity
Shrinkage estimator
Mean Squared Error
Seed-based correlation analysis
eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
157
164
article
Curcumin-Loaded BSA Nanoparticles Protect More Efficiently Than Natural Curcumin Against Scopolamine-Induced Memory Retrieval Deficit
Roksana SoukhakLari
mmoosavi_2000@yahoo.com
1
Leila Moezi
moezil@sums.ac.ir
2
Fatema Pirsalami
dibasalami@gmail.com
3
Morteza Abkar
mortezaabkar@gmail.com
4
Maryam Moosavi
marmoosavi@sums.ac.ir
5
Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Nanobiology and Nanomedicine Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Nanobiology and Nanomedicine Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Introduction: There is evidence indicating that the rate of AD is lower in curry consuming populations. Then, there is an effort to elucidate if curcumin -as the main ingredient of turmeric- might affect the process of AD. However, in clinical trials of AD, a six-month curcumin treatment failed to show any progress, which might be attributable to its low bioavailability. In this line, a recent human study revealed that a more bioavailable solid lipid curcumin enhances cognition in aged adults. By the application of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), the current study aimed at converting curcumin to nano sizes and assessing its protective effects against scopolamine-induced passive avoidance memory retrieval deficit.
Methods: Nanocurcumin was prepared via dissolution method. Male NMRI mice (20-25 g body weight) were used. The effective doses of nanocurcumin were selected according to the initial pilot test. The mice were treated with nanocurcumin 15 or 20 mg/kg/p.o or distilled water for 10 days. The animals were habituated and trained in passive avoidance apparatus on the day 10. The retention test was performed 24 hours later. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg/i.p.) or saline was injected 30 minutes before memory retention trial.
Results: The findings indicated that nanocurcumin in doses 15 or 20 mg/kg/p.o prevented the retrieval deficit induced by scopolamine while natural curcumin in its equivalent doses did not have such an effect. Furthermore, nanocurcumin by itself improved memory retention comparing with the control group.
Conclusion: These findings implied that the potential anti-amnesic effects of curcumin might be observed by producing and using its nanoformulation form.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1141-en.pdf
Curcumin
Albumin
Memory
Nanotechnology
Mice
eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
165
174
article
Cognitive Profile of Children and its Relationship With Academic Performance
Abbas Nesayan
anesayan@gmail.com
1
Malahat Amani
malahat_amani@yahoo.com
2
Roghayeh Asadi Gandomani
psy.assady@gmail.com
3
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Bojnord, Bojnord, North Khorasan, Iran.
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Bojnord, Bojnord, North Khorasan, Iran.
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Bojnord, Bojnord, North Khorasan, Iran.
Introduction: Cognitive abilities are necessary for successful learning. Children with different cognitive ability levels may have diverse performances. The current study aimed at investigating the cognitive profile in children and its relationship with Academic Performance.
Methods: The population of the current cross sectional study consisted of all students in Jajarm City, Iran. The subjects were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling; and 289 students aged 6 to 13 years were included in the study. Data were collected using the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test, coding subtest from Wechsler intelligence scale and behavioral rating inventory of executive functions. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the Scheffe post hoc test were used for data analysis.
Results: The obtained results showed that ‘processing speed’, ‘perceptual organizational ability’, ‘monitoring’, ‘planning’, ‘working memory’, ‘initiate’, ‘emotional regulation’, ‘shifting’, and ‘inhibit ‘ were significantly correlated with Academic Performance (P<0.001).
Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between cognitive profile and Academic Performance. Thus, teachers need to consider the variable of cognitive abilities in academic success.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1085-en.pdf
Cognitive profile
Children
Academic Performance
eng
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
2008-126X
2228-7442
2019-03
10
2
175
184
article
Amelioration of Prenatal Lead-Induced Learning and Memory Impairments by Methanolic Extract of Zataria Multiflora in Male Rats
Farahnaz Taheri
taherifarahnaz@gmail.com
1
Gholamreza Sepehri
gsepehri@yahoo.com
2
Vahid Sheibani
vsheibani2@yahoo.com
3
Fariba Sharififar
sharififar@yahoo.com
4
Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Introduction: The current study aimed at evaluating the effects of Zataria Multiflora (ZM) on learning and memory of adult male offspring rats with prenatal lead-exposure.
Methods: Pregnant rats in the case group received tap water containing 0.2% lead acetate throughout the gestation period. Control rats had free access to lead-free tap water. Two male offspring (two-month-old, weighing 180-200 g) from each mother were randomly selected and treated with either Z. Multiflora (50, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/ Intraperitoneally (I.P) /20 day) or saline. Spatial memory of the control, saline, and ZM-treated rats was evaluated by a training trial and probe test using Morris water maze (6-8 rat/group).
Results: The obtained results showed memory deficits including increased escape latency, and a greater traveled distance, as well as decrements in the frequency of crossings into target quadrants in prenatally lead-exposed male offspring compared with the controls. ZM treatment (200 mg/kg/i.p) ameliorated the memory deficits in male offspring by increasing the time spent and traveled distance in the trigger zone (P<0.01 vs. saline).There was no significant difference in swimming speed between the groups.
Conclusion: The results showed memory deficits in prenatally lead-exposed male offspring. ZM treatment (especially 200 mg/kg) had beneficial effects on cognitive behavior and was indicated as the improvement of lead-induced memory deficits in prenatally lead-exposed male rats. The exact mechanism(s) is not determined yet, but it could be mediated through the anticholinesterase and antioxidant effects and also alterations in Central Nervous System (CNS) and neurotransmission in the central nervous system.
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-927-en.pdf
Lead
Prenatal exposure
Zataria Multiflora
Spatial learning and memory
Rats