Biomedical subjects

G Hennebry

Publications and source records attributed to G Hennebry.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Effects of corticosterone on place conditioning to ethanol.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Effects of corticosterone on place conditioning to ethanol were investigated in mice using two conditioning schedules; the conventional method and a rapid conditioning schedule in which exposure to the CS+ followed immediately on exposure to the CS-. METHODS: Effects of administration of corticosterone, 10 mg/kg, on the acquisition of place conditioning produced by ethanol, 1-2.5 g/kg, were investigated using the conventional method of conditioning, with exposure to the CS+ and the CS- on alternate days, and also using the rapid conditioning method. Total and free blood corticosterone concentrations were measured after administration of ethanol and corticosterone. RESULTS: In the conventional, alternate day, conditioning schedule, ethanol produced significant place preference at 2 and at 2.5 g/kg, but when these alcohol doses were given with corticosterone 10 mg/kg, significant place conditioning was not seen. In contrast, in the rapid, same day, conditioning schedule corticosterone significantly decreased the dose at which ethanol produced an apparent place preference, with significant place conditioning being seen with ethanol at 1 and 1.5 g/kg in combination with corticosterone, 10 mg/kg. Total and free corticosterone concentrations were increased after ethanol, 1.5 g/kg, compared with controls, and administration of corticosterone, 10 mg/kg, caused a significantly greater increase. There were no significant differences in spontaneous locomotor activity or brain alcohol concentrations between any of the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of corticosterone on ethanol-induced place conditioning are substantially affected by the conditioning schedule used.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Nimodipine prevents the effects of ethanol in tests of memory.

The effects of acute administration of the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, nimodipine, were studied on the actions of ethanol in the radial arm maze and the object recognition test. In the former test, the effects of the drugs were examined on the performance in finding the four baited arms, after previous training in this task. Ethanol, at 1 g/kg, increased both the number of re-entries into baited arms (counted as errors of working memory) and the total number of arm choices required to complete the task. Administration of nimodipine, 10 mg/kg, with the ethanol, completely prevented the deleterious effects on memory in this task, but had no effects on the performance when given in the absence of ethanol. In the object recognition task, ethanol, 1 g/kg, significantly decreased the differences in the time spent exploring novel and familiar objects. Nimodipine, 10 mg/kg, given with the ethanol, completely prevented this effect, but nimodipine alone had no effects. The lack of changes in total exploration times indicated that the effects of ethanol in these tests were not due to loss of motor co-ordination or of alertness. The results are discussed in the light of the known actions of the drugs on brain function.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Young people's views on provision of sexual health services.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the sexual health needs of young people in order to establish a service suited to these needs. METHODS: A peer designed questionnaire piloted to a small group of young people was followed by a more widely distributed, amended questionnaire. The questionnaire survey was delivered to 744 pupils aged 11-18 years in six secondary schools and a pupil exclusion unit in central London. Factors encouraging or discouraging the use of young people's sexual health services were measured. RESULTS: Several findings challenged existing models of care for young people's sexual health services. Notably, pupils wanted clinics to run more frequently than the usual once a week; the staff attributes that were most important were attitudinal rather than to do with sex, age, or physical appearance; and they did not mind if the waiting room contained older people. Many findings, however, agreed with existing data-young people wanted the clinic to be open after school; girls preferred to attend with a friend; a confidential, walk-in service was preferred. CONCLUSIONS: Large financial outlays are not necessary for the establishment of effective sexual health services for young people. Existing facilities and staff may be utilised with training of these staff to be sensitive to, and aware of, the needs of young people. Clinic opening times should coincide with school closing times. Although pupils stated a preference for female staff, this was not a high priority. More important was feeling that staff would listen to them and take their problems seriously, and that confidentiality would be maintained.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Being heard.

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Emergency Services, Psychiatric↗