Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Post-mortem studies of the human brain indicate that certain GABA(A) receptor subtypes may be differentially altered in schizophrenia. Increased binding to the total population of GABA(A) receptors using [H-3]muscimol is observed in the post-mortem schizophrenic brain, yet a proportion of these receptors which bind benzodiazepines and are labelled with 1,3 H]flunitrazepam, show decreased or unaltered expression. Data from animal studies suggest that antipsychotic

drugs alter GABA(A) receptor expression in a subtype selective manner, but in the opposite direction to that observed in MDV3100 cell line schizophrenia. To broaden our understanding of the effects of antipsychotic drugs on GABA(A) receptors, we examined the saturation binding maximum (B-max) and binding affinity (K-D) of [H-3]muscimol and [3 H]flunitrazepam in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus and thalamus of male SD rats Danusertib ic50 that received a sucrose solution containing

either haloperidol (1.5 mg/kg), olanzapine (6.5 mg/kg) or no drug daily for up to 28 days using quantitative receptor autoradiography. [3 H]Muscimol binding density was increased most prominently in the PFC after 7 days, with larger and more prolonged effects being induced by the atypical antipsychotic drug olanzapine in subcortical regions. While no changes were observed in [H-3]muscimol binding in any region after 28 days of drug administration, [H-3]flunitrazepam binding density (B-max) was increased for both antipsychotic treatments in the PFC only. These findings confirm that the subset of GABA(A) receptors sensitive to benzodiazepines are regulated differently from other ALOX15 GABA(A) receptor subtypes following antipsychotic drug administration, in a time- and region-dependent manner. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), the process of sequence-specific gene silencing initiated by double-stranded

RNA (dsRNA), has broadened our understanding of gene regulation and has revolutionized methods for genetic analysis. A remarkable property of RNAi in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and in some other multicellular organisms is its systemic nature: silencing signals can cross cellular boundaries and spread between cells and tissues. Furthermore, C. elegans and some other organisms can also perform environmental RNAi: sequence-specific gene silencing in response to environmentally encountered dsRNA. This phenomenon has facilitated significant technological advances in diverse fields including functional genomics and agricultural pest control. Here, we describe the characterization and current understanding of environmental RNAi and discuss its potential applications.”
“Objective: To prospectively examine the influence of the oestrogen-a receptor (ESR1) Pvull polymorphism on changes in memory performance over a 2-year period among 80 midlife postmenopausal Australian women.