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Biomedical subjects

J Bert

Publications and source records attributed to J Bert.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Appearance of EEG changes reminiscent of a secondary generalized epilepsy in a rhesus monkey inoculated with a strain of kuru.

In a group of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) inoculated intracerebrally and intravenously with a strain (Enage strain rhesus L6 56) of kuru already passaged in rhesus monkeys, 1 monkey presented the typical EEG pattern of epileptogenic encephalopathy reminiscent of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This observation provides no direct evidence for the viral origin of epilepsies of this type. It does, however, show that it is possible to induce an epileptogenic encephalopathy by an unconventional infectious agent.

Animals↗

[Effect of chlorimipramine on the so-called ponto-geniculo-occipitalactivity (PGO) in a primate, Papio hamadryas (author's transl)].

Three hamadryas adult baboons (female) received 24 daily injections of Chlorimipramine (1.7 mg/kg). The effects on sleep were nearly identical with the effects observed in man. PGO activity, recorded in the lateral geniculate nucleus, was much disturbed. The total number of PGO fell downward from the first recording. The number of PGO/min during paradoxial sleep was even more decreased. This fact suggests a selective influence of CL I on the mechanisms of PGO activity. Is the particular effect of importance to the treatment of depression symptoms?

Animals↗

[Alterations of sleep caused by acute and chronic adminstration of lithium].

The sleep of 2 groups of subjects receiving lithium was studied. Ten normal controls after 17 days of lithium had a significant decrease of Paradoxical Sleep duration, with an increase of PS latency. A second group of 10 manic-depressive patients had received lithium for 22 +/- 6 months when they were recorded. They had a greater amount of slow wave sleep than the control group before lithium but the difference of PS duration was only related to a first night effect. Therefore sleep changes induced by lithium are different according to the duration of lithium administration. In any case they are less important than those induced by most of the anti-depressants.

Adult↗

Nonhuman primates: laboratory animals of choice for neurophysiologic studies of sleep.

A systematic study was made of several nonhuman primates to learn more about their relative usefulness for studies of sleep. Species studied included the Guinea baboon (Papio papio), Kenya or yellow baboon (P cynocephalus), olive baboon (P anubis), sacred baboon (P hamadryas), vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), bonnet monkey (M radiata), crab-eating monkey (M fascicularis), patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), mongoose lemur (Lemur mongoz), black lemur (Lemur macaco fulvus), and bushbaby (Galago senegalensis). Comparisons were made of electroencephalographic activity, states of vigilance, and responses to sleep-waking drugs. The results showed that there were major similarities among the genera studied as well as individual intrageneric and intraspecies differences. It was concluded that the chimpanzee, olive baboon, and rhesus monkey were the best species for comparative studies, and that the rhesus monkey was the best single model because of its well defined sleep organization and ease of handling and housing.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

[The neuroendocrinology of sleep].

It is now well established that some pituitary hormones have a pattern of secretion closely linked to the sleep-waking cycle. These data open a new approach to the problem of sleep disturbances and suppose a completely new evaluation of their meaning.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

The sleep of the baboon, Papio papio, under natural conditions and in the laboratory.

The sleep pattern of sixteen baboons (Papio papio) was studied under two very different conditions: (1) in a laboratory at Marseilles, the monkey being immobilized in a restraining chair in a soundproof cubicle; (2) in an African reserve, the monkey being housed in a large cage placed in its natural environment. Some very marked differences emerged. Sleep in the laboratory was longer (by 24 min) and richer in stage 3 and paradoxical sleep. In Africa, however, the sleep showed much more stage 1, was more fragmented and stages 2 and 3 and paradoxical sleep episodes were of shorter duration. Records made in Africa indicate that sleep is independent of slight environmental changes (day length, brightness of the moon, variations in temperature, calls of predators). But the comparison of the two series of results reveals the reorganization which occurs when the monkey is exposed to such different conditions. This adaptation to the environment affects, unequally, the various slow sleep stages and paradoxical sleep. In fact, the major modifications occur in stages 1 and 3 of slow sleep and in paradoxical sleep, while stage 2 appears to constitute the stable, unmodifiable nucleus of sleep.

Animals↗

Excessive light sensitivity in Papio papio: its variation with age, sex, and geographic origin.

Excessive sensitivity (levels 3 and 4) in a population of 1,122 Papio papio was related with age, sex, and geographical origin. (1) Age. There was no clinical response to intermittent light stimulation under the age of 5 months. These was no difference between animals 6 months to 2 years (J1) and those aged 2 to 4 years (J2). Adult females were less often light sensitive (levels 3 and 4 = 32.9%) than immature females (52.4%). Adult males could usually not be tested, but were probably less often sensitive than immature males. (2) Sex. Immature females (J1 + J2) were more often light sensitive (52.4%) than immature males (38.1%). (3) Geographical origin. No animals from East Senegal (Sansande Region) were very light sensitive. Animals from Casamance were more often light sensitive (56.2%) than those from the Niokolo-Koba National Park (N.K.N.P.) (20%). Of two samples taken at one spot between these two regions, one group resembled the population from Casamance and the second resembled that from the N.K.N.P. This observation raises several questions about the respective roles of genetic, ecological, and ethological factors.

Age Factors↗