Stress, depression, and anhedonia: caveats concerning animal models.

https://www.mpikg.mpg.de/th/people/dimova/publications/Dimova%20AdvCollInterfSci%2014.pdf

Recent developments in the field of bending rigidity measurements on membranes.

AGING is a multifactorial process that results in heterogeneous patterns of progressive morbidity and disability (1–3). This complex process is influenced by multiple internal homeostatic mechanisms which are, in turn, influenced by the external stimuli or stressors. One of the best characterized homeostatic response systems is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which coordinates multiple neuroendocrine and metabolic response to stressors. Interest in possible age-related changes in homeostatic regulation, and in HPA functioning in particular, has been stimulated by the fact that men and women who are 65 and over represent one of the fastest growing segments of the population (4). Estimates for the United States alone project that by the year 2000 there will be more than 35 million people aged 65 and over and more than 51 million by the year 2020 (5). The needs of this population in terms of healthcare resources have focused attention on identifying the factors that influence their patterns of ...

Aging and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response to challenge in humans

Buspirone hydrochloride (HCl)1 is a new anxiolytic with a unique chemical structure. Its mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. Unlike the benzodiazepines, buspirone lacks hypnotic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant properties, and hence has been termed 'anxioselective'. As evidenced by a few double-blind clinical trials, buspirone 15 to 30 mg/day improves symptoms of anxiety assessed by standard rating scales similarly to diazepam, clorazepate, alprazolam and lorazepam. Like diazepam, buspirone is effective in patients with mixed anxiety/depression, although the number of patients studied to date is small. In several studies, a 'lagtime' of 1 to 2 weeks to the onset of anxiolytic effect has been noted; hence motivation of patient compliance may be necessary. Sedation occurs much less often after buspirone than after the benzodiazepines; other side effects are minor and infrequent. In healthy volunteers, buspirone does not impair psychomotor or cognitive function, and appears to have no additive effect with alcohol. Early evidence suggests that buspirone has limited potential for abuse and dependence. Thus, although only wider clinical use for longer periods of time will more clearly define some elements of its pharmacological profile, with its low incidence of sedation buspirone is a useful addition to the treatments available for generalised anxiety. It may well become the preferred therapy in patients in whom daytime alertness is particularly important.

Buspirone. A preliminary review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy as an anxiolytic.

Drugs differing in their primary mechanism of action but having in common the ability to act as antidepressants such as fluoxetine (10 mg/kg SC), clomipramine (10 mg/kg IP), imipramine (10 mg/kg IP), desipramine (10 mg/kg IP) and (+/-) 8-OHDPAT (0.03 mg/kg SC) increase extracellular concentrations of dopamine in the rat prefrontal cortex but not in the medial nucleus accumbens. Buspirone (1 mg/kg SC) increased dopamine both in the prefrontal cortex and in the nucleus accumbens. Extracellular 5HT was increased by fluoxetine, clomipramine and imipramine but not by desipramine while 8-OHDPAT and buspirone decreased it. These results raise the possibility that the property of stimulating dopamine transmission in the prefrontal cortex has a role in the antidepressant properties of these drugs.

Increase of extracellular dopamine in the prefrontal cortex: a trait of drugs with antidepressant potential?

Changes in monamines and their metabolite levels in some brain regions of aged rats

Age-related modification of dopaminergic and β-adrenergic receptor system: Restoration to normal activity by modifying membrane fluidity with s-adenosylmethionine

G. Vantini

Papers

Changes in monamines and their metabolite levels in some brain regions of aged rats

Age-related modification of dopaminergic and β-adrenergic receptor system: Restoration to normal activity by modifying membrane fluidity with s-adenosylmethionine

Dopaminergic effects of buspirone, a novel anxiolytic agent

Changes with age in rat central monoaminergic system responses to cold stress

In vivo and in vitro evidence of dopaminergic system down regulation induced by chronic L-DOPA.