The present study examined speci®c effects of sodium cyanide (CN) on the membrane potential (MP), spontaneous discharge (SD) and voltage-gated ion current of the identi®ed bulbospinal rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neuron in the rat pup brainstem slice. 125 mM CN rapidly depolarized MP in the RVLM neuron by 11.6 mV as well as enhanced the SD rate by 300%. In contrast, the same dose of CN ...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has previously been shown to destroy serotonin terminals in the rat brain. Despite profound and prolonged loss of serotonin innervation, long-term behavioral effects of MDMA have not previously been reported. In this study, we monitored the short- and long-term effects of MDMA administration on the ultrasonic isolation call of the rat pup. At 30 to 60 mi...

Rat pup odor preference learning follows pairing of bulbar beta-adrenoceptor activation with olfactory input. We hypothesize that NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated olfactory input to mitral cells is enhanced during training, such that increased calcium facilitates and shapes the critical cAMP pattern. Here, we demonstrate, in vitro, that olfactory nerve stimulation, at sniffing frequencies, paired...

NOONAN, M. AND M. B. KRJSTAL. Effects (~fmedial preoptic lesions on placentophaRia and on the onset ofmaternal be­ havior in the rat. PHYSJOL. BEHAV. 22(6) 1197-1202, 1979.-Lesions of the medial preoptic area (MPO) were produced through permanently indwelling electrodes 24 hr prior to parturition in pregnant rats, or 24 hr prior to donor-placenta presentation in virgin rats determined in a pret...

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of maternal protein and energy restriction during lactation on the bodyweight and skull dimensions of pups at weaning. At parturition, Wistar rat dams were randomly assigned to the following groups: (i) control group (C), free access to a standard laboratory diet containing 23% protein; (ii) protein-energy-restricted group (PER), free...