Neurological patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)often deteriorate to a worsening nutritional status. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status and food intake after nutrition education in patients with ALS. Clinical, anthropometric and functional variables were analyzed. Fifty-three patients were monitored at an early stage of the disease. The average score on th...

Proteoglycans like syndecan-3 have complex signaling roles in addition to their function as structural components of the extracellular matrix. Here, we show that syndecan-3 in the lateral hypothalamus has an unexpected new role in limiting compulsive cocaine intake. In particular, we observe that syndecan-3 null mice self-administer greater amounts of cocaine than wild-type mice. This effect ca...

Introduction: Dopamine plays an important role in the central nervous system for modulating food intake. Dopamine receptors are distributed within the hypothalamus, and expression of D1 receptors is significant in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Therefore, the aim of this study was to find if PVN-microinjected SKF38393, D1 receptor agonist, may modulate food intake. Methods: Gui...

Glucagon-like peptide 1-(7-36) amide (GLP-1) potently inhibits rat feeding behavior after central administration. Because third ventricular injection of GLP-1 appeared to be less effective than lateral ventricular injection, we have reexamined this issue. In addition, we attempted to identify brain regions other than the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus that are sensitive toward GLP-...

Abdominal surgery inhibits food intake and induces c-Fos expression in the hypothalamic and medullary nuclei in rats. Rikkunshito (RKT), a Kampo medicine improves anorexia. We assessed the alterations in meal microstructure and c-Fos expression in brain nuclei induced by abdominal surgery and the modulation by RKT in mice. RKT or vehicle was gavaged daily for 1 week. On day 8 mice had no access...

introduction: dopamine plays an important role in the central nervous system for modulating food intake. dopamine receptors are distributed within the hypothalamus, and expression of d1 receptors is significant in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (pvn). therefore, the aim of this study was to find if pvn-microinjected skf38393, d1 receptor agonist, may modulate food intake. methods: guide c...

Histidine is an amino acid precursor of neuronal histamine. It is evident that peripheral injection of histidine produces effects that resemble to centrally administered histamine. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of histamine and inraperitoneal (IP) injection of histidine on food intake in rabbits. ICV injections of histamine (1...

Assemblies of electrodes and a cannula were stereotaxically implanted in the ventromedial (VMH), lateral (LHA) and paraventricular (PVH) hypothalamic areas in male albino rats. Electrical activity of these regions was recorded electrographically before and following intracranial injection (ICI) of GABA, muscimol and picrotoxin. In another set of animals, food intake and water intake were also m...