The mouse model should be a useful tool in testing hypotheses about the neural mechanisms underlying the learning deficits present in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Moreover, a mouse prenatal ethanol model should increase the opportunity to use the power of genetically defined and genetically altered mouse populations.
The serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor is thought to play a role in the reward pathway and drug abuse by modulating dopamine release within the mesolimbic pathway. Dopamine release stimulated by cocaine and methamphetamine is blocked by administration of 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists. Animal studies demonstrate that 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists decrease cocaine and methamphetamine preference. We have developed a 5-HT(3) receptor over-expressing mouse to study the role of this receptor in substance abuse. No changes in either the dopamine receptors (D1, D2, D3, and D4) or in the dopamine transporter (DAT) were found over a wide range of brain regions. 5-HT(3) receptor over-expressing mice failed to develop conditioned place preference to 10 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg cocaine but showed a modest preference for 4 mg/kg cocaine. 5HT(3) receptor over-expressing mice were more sensitive to the locomotor activating effects of low dose cocaine and methamphetamine. Further, brain slices from the transgenic mice release more dopamine in response to low concentrations of cocaine. These data suggest that 5HT(3) receptor over-expression in the forebrain decreases cocaine preference and increases acute sensitivity with a corresponding increase in the amount of dopamine released in response to cocaine.
the LBP, which were further classified according to pain severity. A severity index was developed based on frequency of treatment for LBP. Ulna, lower arm, hand width, hand length, wrist width, and third proximal phalange lengths were measured in 109 patients with LBP and 122 controls in four hospitals and clinics in Southern California. Information on the duration and cause of the LBP was obtained by questionnaire. We postulated that the highest incidence of FA would be found in subjects with chronic LBP stemming from non-event-related causes, which might be due to developmental errors. Furthermore, we suspected that the severity of LBP would be directly related to the size of FA. Our results indicated that persons with LBP of more than 6 months' duration had significant rightward asymmetry in the ulna (p 5 .04) and a trend to rightward asymmetry in the composite of six hand and arm traits (p 5 .056). Results indicated no difference between event-related causes, non-event-related causes, and control FA of the ulna. We also found no significant relationship between the LBP severity index and measures of FA or of directional asymmetry. These findings support the results in the previous study showing elevated rightward directional asymmetry in chronic LBP patients. Although our data do not support a relationship between ulnar asymmetry and cause and severity of LBP, other traits, not yet analyzed, may demonstrate such a relationship. Background: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been shown to increase perfusion in ischemic cardiac tissue and increase autograft healing in both animal models and clinical studies. To help clarify the mechanisms by which ESWT induces tissue healing, we studied the propagation of focused and unfocused shock wave sources in animal tissue by comparing the cavitation pattern in polyacrylamide gel and porcine tissue. Study Design and Method: Fifteen percent polyacrylamide blocks, marble-embedded polyacrylamide, and porcine thigh were treated with a focused shock wave source with an Ossatron TM machine and unfocused shock wave source with a Storz TM device. Cavitation patterns were visualized using a MicroMaxx TM ultrasound machine immediately after a S 1 0 6 J o u r n a l o f I n v e s t i g a t i v e M e d i c i n e
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