In vivo microdialysis allows sampling of brain regions in conscious, freely moving animals. Moreover, the in vivo microdialysis allows to administer drugs directly into specific brain areas. Both are useful in behavioral studies. The subject of this review is the methodology of brain microdialysis, that is construction of the probe, effect of temperature, composition of the perfusion medium, perfusion flow rate, characteristics of the membrane material and the role of the diffusion coefficient. Other techniques of the study of in vivo release, alternative for microdialysis, are described. Advantages and disadvantages of acute and chronic microdialysis are discussed. Chronic microdialysis is especially needed in behavioral studies. Finally, the examples of application of microdialysis in behavioral studies of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) and our own experience in these studies are described.
2
Dostęp do pełnego tekstu na zewnętrznej witrynie WWW
There are conflicting reports on the influence of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the process of learning. We decided to study this problem using the paradigm of classical eyeblink conditioning as the animal model of learning processes. During the extinction training TRH in its natural form of pGluTRH was applied into the rabbit hippocampus through a chronically implanted microdialysis probe. A Glu1TRH, analog with less biological potency than TRH as the control of specificity for TRH and a 0.9% NaCl solution as the control for both substances were applied by the same way as pGluTRH. We found that pGluTRH extended the process of extinction and enhanced the further acquisition of the reflex. The analog of TRH, Glu1TRH, was ineffective. Finally, it may be stated that TRH acting in the hippocampus prolonged process of forgetting and improved succeeding learning. The effect was specific and long lasting.
3
Dostęp do pełnego tekstu na zewnętrznej witrynie WWW
Classical conditioning of the eyelid reflex has been used for a long time to study associative learning in animals and humans. A new experimental procedure for rabbit?s eyelid conditioning was constructed and described. A phonopneumatic stimulator generated conditioned and unconditioned stimuli and a photoelectric transducer acting in close infrared converted movements of rabbits? eyelid to electric signals. An example of acquisition and extinction training is illustrated. This method of eyelid movement monitoring is noninvasive. It may be useful for chronic studies of learning processes in rabbits when used with headpieces for microdialysis probes, electrodes or cannulas which could be implanted into brain structures
4
Dostęp do pełnego tekstu na zewnętrznej witrynie WWW
The rabbit eyelid conditioned reflex has been used to compare associative learning in males and ovariectomized females. A new method for monitoring eyelid movements is described. Rabbits were trained on simple delay classical conditioning. Conditioned responses were recorded during 8 acquisition days and 6 days of extinction training. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the least significant difference (LSD) post hoc test was used to analyse the data. The results showed that males achieved significantly better learning than females during the 1st day of acquisition but later they slowly attained the best result, contrary to females. Moreover, extinction of the conditioned reflex was significantly faster in females than in males. It is postulated that females learn and extinguish faster than males because of a higher level of brain plasticity.
JavaScript jest wyłączony w Twojej przeglądarce internetowej. Włącz go, a następnie odśwież stronę, aby móc w pełni z niej korzystać.