Objective: Cortexin is a polypeptide extract, used in clinics for its effects on memory, attention, and brain cortical processes. A synthetic analog of one Cortexin fraction, Cortagen (i.e. Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro peptide), was developed. Both agents stimulate neural growth in vitro, presumably in association with neurotrophic factors. We assessed the psychoactive effects of Cortexin and cortagen, usin...

Fulvio A. Scorza, Ricardo M. Arida, Esper A. Cavalheiro, Maurı́cio Rocha e Silva I Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), Disciplina de Neurologia Experimental, São Paulo/SP, Brazil. II Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo/SP, Brazil. III Hospital das Clı́nicas da Faculdade de Medi...

Fulvio A. Scorza, Elza M. Yacubian, Lineu Calderazzo, Carla A. Scorza, Marly de Albuquerque, Esper A. Cavalheiro I Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), Disciplina de Neurologia Experimental, São Paulo/SP, Brasil. II Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM). Departamento de Neurologia e Neurocirurgia, Unidade de Pesquisa ...

1 MD. Advanced Retinal Diagnose and Treatment Unit, Hospital de Olhos de Araraquara, Araraquara-SP, Brazil. Department of Ophthalmology, Section of Ocular Pharmacology, UNIFESP-EPM, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. 2 PharmD. Department of Ophthalmology, Section of Ocular Pharmacology, UNIFESP-EPM, Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. 3 PharmD, PhD. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University UNESP, Ara...

This study investigated the role of amygdala H(1) receptors in state-dependent memory deficits induced by l-histidine (LH). Tests using an elevated plus-maze (EPM) were performed on two consecutive days: Trial 1 (T1) and Trial 2 (T2). Before each trial, mice were intraperitoneally (IP) injected with LH (500mg/kg). Two hours later, they were microinjected with the H(1) receptor antagonist, chlor...

Protein malnutrition induces structural, neurochemical and functional alterations in the central nervous system, leading to behavioral alterations. In the present study, we used the elevated plus-maze (EPM) as a measure of anxiety to evaluate the interaction between acute immobilization and housing conditions on the behavior of malnourished rats. Pups (6 males and 2 females) were fed by Wistar ...

It has been demonstrated that the exposure of rodents to the standard elevated plus-maze (sEPM: 2 open and 2 enclosed arms) elicits defensive behavioral reactions and antinociception and also activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We have recently reported that EPM-induced antinociception is particularly observed when rats and mice are exposed to a totally open EPM (oEPM: 4 ope...

The aim of the present study is to test a hypothesis that 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors in the amygdala play an important role in the regulation of anxiety behaviors. We examined alterations in anxiety-like behaviors after manipulation of the expression of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors in the amygdala using recombinant adenovirus approaches. Recombinant adenoviruses containing a 5-HT(1A) pr...

Endogenous opioid systems regulate neurobiological responses to threatening stimuli. Stimulation of kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) produces analgesia but induces prodepressive-like effects in a variety of animal models. In contrast, KOR antagonists have antidepressant-like effects. KORs and their endogenous ligand dynorphin are expressed throughout brain areas involved in fear and anxiety, inclu...

AIMS Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial protein that reduces oxidative stress and has a protective function in chronic inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. UCP2 is strongly expressed in areas implicated in the central regulation of stress and anxiety. Therefore, we compared the neuroendocrine regulation of stress re...