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Biomedical subjects

R Raffaele

Publications and source records attributed to R Raffaele.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Convergence pattern of cortical and interposital influences on rubrospinal neurons of the cat.

In adult semi-chronically implanted sedated cats discharges of single rubrospinal (RS) neurons were tested for selective activation of movement-evoking foci within pericruciate cortex (CX; area 4) and anterior division of cerebellar interpositus nucleus (IN). It was found that a very high incidence of neuronal responses was obtained only when stimulating IN and CX foci which controlled the same joint with respect to that moved from activation of the rubral foci including the recorded neurons. In these cases very frequent convergence phenomena were observed by activating IN and/or CX foci. Analysis of response patterns showed that RS neurons included in a focus controlling a given muscle were excited by IN foci for the same muscle (agonist foci) and inhibited from IN foci for the antagonist muscle (antagonist foci). In contrast, the same RS neurons were inhibited by agonist CX foci and excited by antagonist CX foci. Such an organization suggests that the motor cortex plays a competitive role in modulating the action of the interposito-rubrospinal system.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Behavioral changes induced by the thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue, RGH 2202.

The behavioral activity of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogue, L-6-ketopiperidine-2- carbonyl-leucyl-L-prolinamide (RGH 2202), has been studied in the rat. The number of errors in a radial maze test was reduced after acute intraperitoneal (IP) injection of RGH 2202 at the dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg. Grooming activity was increased with a lower dose, 1 mg/kg. Hypoxia-induced amnesia, as assessed with active and passive avoidance behavior tests, was reversed in rats treated with 5 or 10 mg/kg of the drug. The loss of learning and memory capacity shown by aged rats in the same behavioral tests was also reduced after injection of RGH 2202. In a test for sexual activity of male rats, the higher dose of the drug induced a facilitation of mounting and ejaculations, while smaller doses were ineffective. The rotorod test revealed a decreased number of falls in animals treated with 5 or 10 mg/kg of RGH 2202. In all behavioral tests, the same doses of natural thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were less effective, indicating that this analogue may be qualified as a potentially active drug in human pathologies.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of RGH 2202 on cognitive and motor behavior of the rat.

The behavioral activity of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogue, L-6-ketopiperidine-2-carbonyl-leucyl-L-prolinamide (RGH 2202), has been studied in animal models of central neurotransmission disruption. In 24-month-old rats, repeated administration of the peptide (5 or 10 mg/kg/day, injected IP for 20 days) was followed by a facilitated acquisition of active avoidance behavior in the shuttle-box test and retention of passive avoidance reaction in a step-through passive avoidance task. Also, ambulation in an open field was increased and motor performance and co-ordination in the rotorod test was facilitated by the treatment. Scopolamine-induced amnesia was reverted by RGH 2202 in adult rats tested both in active and passive avoidance tasks. Cognitive deficits induced in rats by prenatal manipulation with methylazoxymethanol (MAM) were reduced in adulthood by repeated administration with RGH 2202. These results indicate that the TRH-analogue, RGH 2202 may improve cognitive and motor disturbances in aging or induced by central neurotransmission disruption. It is possible that the peptide is functioning, at least in part, by intervening with the central cholinergic neurotransmission.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dementia with Lewy bodies: a review.

The dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second major type of senile, degenerative dementia, after the Alzheimer disease (AD). It is characterized by the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions of alpha-synuclein in the cerebral cortex and in the nuclei of the brain stem. DLB patients frequently have complex visual hallucinations, depressive symptoms, Parkinsonian manifestations and cognitive deficits, showing important associations with the Parkinson disease and the AD. The DLB should be differentiated from atypical Parkinsonisms, but the differential diagnosis often remains difficult and unsafe. Clinical and neuropathological findings, as well as neuroimaging are valuable tools in establishing specific diagnosis of DLB. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, dopamine-agonists, benzodiazepines of short or medium half-life, and antidepressants may be useful in the treatment of DLB, depending on the dominant symptoms of the given patients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transient global amnesia and cerebral infarct: a case report.

Transient global amnesia refers to a sudden and isolated dysfunction of memory for recent events, lasting a few hours. The pathogenesis of this neurological disorder is still uncertain. The most accepted hypotheses concern ischaemic, epileptic and migraine causes. We now report a case of transient global amnesia associated with computed tomography evidence for a hypodense area in the left thalamus 10 days after the transient memory dysfunctions.

Amnesia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Demystifying values assessment.

The current climate of networking and restructuring among healthcare providers calls for measurable methods to assess an organization's adherence to its fundamental values. In response to that need, the SSM Health Care System (SSMHCS) prepared a guide to assessing values integration. This innovation tool has proven to be adaptable for many uses: it helps organizations examine the compatibility of potential partners' values, as well as their own progress toward integration of their stated mission, values, and philosophy. The guide outlines 10 key areas that serve to focus and define the values assessment: Vision. Serving the poor. Serving the community. Continuous quality improvement. Employment practices. Role of leaders. Stewardship Advocacy. Wellness. Church. The guide includes a discussion of the significance of each of these key areas: the implications of including each area; and key indicators, or standards statements, for assessment. Users' response to the guide has been overwhelmingly positive. This guide should provide valuable systemwide data and identify areas of strength or needed growth.

Community-Institutional Relations↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome: a systematic review].

Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome is more frequent than once believed. This syndrome is a chronic disorder whose long term outcome is generally favourable, characterized by a fluctuating course. The etiopathogenesis of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome has not been ascertained, although the frontal-subcortical neural pathways seem to be involved. This extrapyramidal syndrome is frequently associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and behaviour problems. A correct diagnosis is the first step for a proper management of this disorder, which makes use of behavioural and pharmacological interventions.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of acetyl-l-carnitine on experimental models of learning and memory deficits in the old rat.

Experimental models of learning and memory deficits in aged rats can be studied by means of behavioural tests that provide an important tool for evaluating the effect of drugs on these parameters. Active and passive avoidance tests showed a clear impairment of learning and memory capacity of old rats. These tests were also used to study the behavioural effect of acetyl-l-carnitine in aged rats. The subchronic treatment with this drug was followed by a significant improvement of acquisition and retention of avoidance responses, indicating a facilitation of learning and memory capacity of aged rats.

Acetylcarnitine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of short-term reserpine treatment on generalized and focal dystonic-dyskinetic syndromes.

We report that low dose reserpine treatment (0.25 mg/day for 7 days) improves the dystonic-dyskinetic disability score in patients affected by idiopathic dystonias, iatrogenic dystonic-dyskinetic syndromes and Sydenham's chorea. The results support the idea that the particular antidopaminergic activity exerted by reserpine or other dopamine-depleting agents may produce good therapeutical efficacy, although reserpine can precipitate Parkinsonism and induce dopamine-receptor supersensitivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Physiopathological and clinical aspects of Parkinson disease. Current problems].

Some interpretative hypotheses of the most important symptoms of Parkinson's disease are formulated, on the ground of acquired neurohistopathologic elements and in the light of new observations of experimental neuro-physiology. The possible role of the inferior olivary body in the genesis of parkinsonian tremor is pointed out. The psycho-behavioural disorders and among these the severe weakness of pulsional control and the scanty elaboration of the affective-emotional motivation would be in relation, according to the Authors, to the involvement of the pallido-habenular pathways and the habenuloreticular midbrain outflow (limbic midbrain area).

Animals↗