DSTYK (Dual serine/threonine and tyrosine protein kinase) is a putative dual Ser/Thr and Tyr protein kinase with unique structural features. It is proposed that DSTYK may play important roles in brain because of its high expression in most brain areas. In the present study, a DSTYK knockout (KO) mouse line with the ablation of C-terminal of DSTYK including the kinase domain was generated to stu...

Snakebites are a public health problem, especially in tropical countries. However, treatment with antivenom has limited effectiveness against venoms' local effects. Here, we investigated the ability of Abarema cochliacarpos hydroethanolic extract (EAc) to protect mice against injection of Bothrops leucurus venom. Swiss mice received perimuscular venom injection and were subsequently treated ora...

We investigated the role of the two calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin D-28k (CB) in the locomotor activity and motor coordination using null-mutant mice for PV (PV-/-), CB (CB-/-) or both proteins (PV-/-CB-/-). These proteins are expressed in distinct, mainly non-overlapping populations of neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system and PV additionally in fast-twi...

Acute depletion of brain tryptophan (TRP) levels in humans has been used as a biochemical model of depression. In this study, we examined the effects of consumption of a diet low in TRP on emotional behavior in mice. Specifically, we assessed various parameters of emotional behavior in mice fed a TRP-limited diet for at least 1 mo. TRP-limited mice showed increased defensive, but not offensive,...

Effects of combined exposure to toluene and m-xylene in the conditions of subchronic inhalation experiments in rats were examined. Rats were exposed to vapours of individual solvents and their 1:1 mixture at concentrations of 1000 ppm or 100 ppm, 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 3 or 6 months, respectively. In rats exposed for 3 or 6 months to toluene, m-xylene and their mixtures (1:1) at concentratio...

The present study was undertaken to compare medicinal plants against mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MAD) to evaluate their potency in combating MAD disorders. Previous studies from our lab have shown that Bacopa monniera (BM), and Panax quniquefolium (PQ) have significant adaptogenic properties. Hence, we have further confirmed their activity in stress related disorders like anxiety and dep...

A series of 5,7-dibromoisatin semicarbazones have been synthesized in good yield, involving aryl urea and aryl semicarbazide formation. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of their spectral data. All the compounds were evaluated for anticonvulsant and CNS depressant activities. Anticonvulsant activity was determined after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration...

Paracetamol has recently been suggested to affect emotion processing in addition to alleviating pain in humans. We investigated in adult male Hannover-Wistar rats whether acute intraperitoneally administrated paracetamol affects behavior in tests measuring anxiety, mood, motor activity, and memory. Unoperated rats received saline or a low (50 mg/kg) or high (300 mg/kg) dose of paracetamol, whil...

GYKI 52466 [1,4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine], a non-competitive AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, administered i.p. at the dose of 5 mg/kg, exerted a significant anticonvulsant effect, as it decreased seizure and afterdischarge durations, being ineffective at 2 mg/kg. Subsequently, GYKI 52466 (2 mg/kg) was combined with antiepileptic drugs at doses ineffective...

Understanding sex differences in motor abilities is important for understanding motor development in children as well as many disease phenotypes. However, whether there are biologically based differences in motor abilities of both human children and mice is still in debate. There are sex differences in the cerebellum of juvenile mice which suggests that sex differences in motor coordination are...