Pharmacological correlates of ECS induced disruption of a passive avoidance task in mice

Ecological and topological differentiation of biotopes in the Mountain Crimea

The article provides results of the quantitative score assessment of environmental conditions of plant communities (biotopes) and comparative analysis of the topological (altitude) gradient of changes using the method of synphytoindication and the Mountain Crimean geobotanical zone as an example. Of the 126 biotopes listed for the Mountain Crimea, we selected for the analysis 68 forest, shrub, grassland and petrophytic types, reflecting the patterns of topological differentiation, i.e. β-coenotic diversity within five geobotanical regions and altitudinal zones of the southern and northern macroslopes. In the article, we highlight the specifics of the methodology of field research and data processing, based on geobotanical relevés entered into the database in the TURBOVEG software and selected ecological and coenotic profiles. At the next stage, we assessed the living conditions of the biotopes by applying modern methods and programs TWISPAN, STATISTICA-7. On the basis of key biotopes, we identified combinations within the altitude zones treated as mesocombinations and those within the macroslopes – as macrocombinations. In the article, distribution of biotopes by mesocombinations, macrocombinations and geobotanical regions is provided. The model ecological-coenotic profiles of each geobotanical region of shrub-forest and petrophytic-grass series were built showing distribution of biotopes and graphs of the indicators of major ecological factors. The regularities of altitude changes and the nature of correlation were established. For climatic factors (thermo-, cryoregime, humidity, and climate continentality), we calculated relevant indicators and coefficients used in climatology. The obtained data form the basis for assessing the differentiation of biotopes, comparative analysis of the ecological conditions and forecasting potential changes.

Effect of a novel CNS-selective cholinesterase inhibitor, SM-10888, on habituation and passive avoidance responses in mice

The effects of the tacrine (THA) derivative SM-10888 (9-amino-8-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,4-methanoacridine citrate) on habituation and passive avoidance responses were studied in mice. We examined its effects on habituation of exploratory activity, measured by photo-cell beam interruptions in a small, simple cage and cycloheximide (CXM)- or electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced stepdown type passive avoidance response (PAR) failures in comparison with those of THA, amiridin, HP-029 and physostigmine. SM-10888 (6 mg/kg, p.o.) administered post-acquisition session enhanced the retention of habituation. CXM- and ECS-induced PAR failures were improved by SM-10888 (6 mg/kg, p.o.) administered at pre-training or post-training, respectively. THA enhanced the retention of habituation and improved CXM-induced PAR failure at 30 mg/kg, p.o., but did not affect ECS-induced PAR failure at 1-15 mg/kg, p.o. Amiridin and HP-029 were also effective on habituation and CXM-induced PAR failure at 40-50 mg/kg, p.o., but did not affect ECS-induced PAR failure at the tested doses. Physostigmine showed a moderate improvement only in CXM-induced PAR failure. The results indicate that SM-10888 enhanced habituation and improved PAR failures at much lower doses than THA. This seems to depend on its high selectivity to the central nervous system.

Behavioral and reproductive differences in mice as a function of inbreeding

Twenty brother-sister pairs of mice were randomly selected from a genetically heterogeneous population of mice to begin a schedule of inbreeding that lasted for six generations (F = 0 to F = .732). We examined a number of indices of reproductive behavior and found that all declined as a function of inbreeding. Specifically, there was a consistent decline in the number of fertile matings, in the number of offspring that survived to weaning, and in the weight of the pups at the time of weaning (21 days of age). We also examined a number of behaviors with the following results: there was a systematic increase in the number of trials required to learn an active avoidance task and a consistent decrease in the number of trials required to extinguish this habit. We observed a statistically significant difference in the retention of a passive avoidance habit, but these results were quite variable and not consistent across generations of inbreeding. Finally, we observed that inbreeding had little effect on measures of locomotor behavior.

Different forms of post-training memory processing

Memories are not acquired in their definitive form, but can be considerably modified in the period that follows after acquisition, both quali- and quantitatively. This may happen either by a process of consolidation or strengthening of each memory trace or by the incorporation of further information to each experience. This further information may be provided by the action of drugs, including that of endogenous substances released by each training experience, and by the addition of information provided by other tasks or events. Evidence in favor of the existence of these various post-training processes, and of their importance for memory formation, is discussed. All of these processes are time dependent, all may depend on stimulus aftereffects, each is differently affected by drugs given in the post-training period, and all may interact with each other.

Pharmacological investigations of neurotransmitter involvement in passive avoidance responding: a review and some new results

The roles of acetylcholine (ACh), noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in passive avoidance responding are examined by reviewing previous studies of the effects on this task of drugs which alter the functioning of these neurotransmitter systems and also by presenting the results of a new study. This new study includes a number of drugs which do not seem to have been examined before, namely pilocarpine, pempidine, pentolinium, tetrabenazine, desipramine, clonidine, isoprenaline, pimozide, fluoxetine, L-tryptophan, methysergide and cyproheptadine. Because there is large variability in the effects of any one drug or class of drugs on passive avoidance responding, it is difficult to determine the exact involvement of the various neurotransmitter systems. There is also little good evidence that drug effects on performance of the passive avoidance response are caused by drug-induced changes in learning and memory processes or by state-dependent effects. Three other factors which may influence performance of the passive avoidance response-shock sensitivity, the biochemical response to stress and locomotor activity-are discussed and may be responsible for many of the drug-induced changes in passive avoidance responding.

Memory performance after flurothyl treatment in rainbow trout

Fingerling rainbow trout (N = 436) were trained in one trial with brief electric shock (2.0 V/cm) to suppress their spontaneous upstream swimming into a quiet well. Memory retention one day later was not influenced by the temperature at which they had been acclimated, trained and tested (10 degrees C, 15 degrees C or 20 degrees C). When exposed 4 min after training for 2 min, to a flurothyl solution (10, 25, 50, 100 or 200 mul/l) trout convulsed and overturned. The onset of overturn was concentration- and temperature-dependent. Flurothyl altered the one-day retention of avoidance behavior; low concentrations enhanced, whereas high concentrations impaired. Memory-enhancing low concentrations of flurothyl, applied after post-training amnesic treatment with carbon dioxide, reversed the carbon dioxide amnesia.