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Effects of raclopride on exploratory locomotor activity, treadmill locomotion, conditioned avoidance behaviour and catalepsy in rats: behavioural profile comparisons between raclopride, haloperidol and preclamol.

Raclopride, a new potential antipsychotic agent blocking central dopamine (D2) receptors, was found to suppress exploratory locomotor activity, treadmill locomotion and conditioned avoidance response in rats. The threshold dose for effects in these test situations was about 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally. A considerably higher dose, 16 mg/kg intraperitoneally, was needed to produce maximal catalepsy. Maximal effects were obtained within 1-2 hrs and the duration of the effect was 2-8 hrs, depending on the test situation. The behavioural profile of raclopride is different from the classic antipsychotic haloperidol, blocking central dopamine (DA) receptors, as well as from the partial DA agonist preclamol, which inhibits central DA neurotransmission by activating DA autoreceptors. Thus, although similar to haloperidol in other respects, comparatively high doses of raclopride are needed to produce catalepsy, indicating less propensity to produce severe extrapyramidal side effects. Raclopride and preclamol are about equipotent in suppressing exploratory locomotor activity. However, raclopride is more potent than preclamol in suppressing treadmill locomotion, conditioned avoidance behaviour and catalepsy.

Animals↗

The hierarchical cluster analysis of oral health attitudes and behaviour using the Hiroshima University--Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) among final year dental students in 17 countries.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe international oral health attitudes/ behaviours among final year dental students. METHODS: Validated translated versions of the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) questionnaire were administered to 1,096 final-year dental students in 17 countries. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted within the data to detect patterns and groupings. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 72%. The cluster analysis identified two main groups among the countries. Group 1 consisted of twelve countries: one Oceanic (Australia), one Middle-Eastern (Israel), seven European (Northern Ireland, England, Finland, Greece, Germany, Italy, and France) and three Asian (Korea, Thailand and Malaysia) countries. Group 2 consisted of five countries: one South American (Brazil), one European (Belgium) and three Asian (China, Indonesia and Japan) countries. The percentages of 'agree' responses in three HU-DBI questionnaire items were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. They include: "I worry about the colour of my teeth."; "I have noticed some white sticky deposits on my teeth."; and "I am bothered by the colour of my gums." CONCLUSION: Grouping the countries into international clusters yielded useful information for dentistry and dental education.

Asia↗

The physiology of wandering behaviour in Manduca sexta. III. Organization of wandering behaviour in the larval nervous system.

The locomotor patterns typical of wandering behaviour were studied electromyographically in abdominal segments of freely moving larvae of Manduca sexta. Crawling locomotion consisted of stereotyped, anteriorly-directed, peristaltic waves of intersegmental muscle contraction. During burrowing the intersegmental muscles of all abdominal segments contracted simultaneously for several consecutive cycles and then performed a single bout of the crawling pattern. Sensory inputs determined which motor patterns were used and how they were modified. Local sensory inputs could modify patterns in the specific segments affected. The neural circuitry that was required to generate the peristaltic and bracing patterns was repeated among the thoracic and abdominal ganglia, and normally wa activated by the suboesophageal ganglion (SEG) and brain. In the absence of connections with the SEG and brain the segmental motor pattern generators could be activated by strong sensory stimuli. When the thoracic and abdominal segments lacked connections with the SEG, spontaneous movements were infrequent prior to wandering, but increased markedly at wandering or following 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) infusion. Prior to wandering the SEG drives spontaneous locomotion in debrained larvae, but this function disappears in wandering larvae, or following 20-HE infusion. Prior to wandering the brain exerted a net inhibitory influence on locomotion. Removal of the medial region of the brain abolished this inhibition, resulting in strong, continuous locomotion which was driven by the lateral region of the brain. This lateral excitatory function of the brain was not altered by 20-HE infusion prior to wandering, nor did it change with the appearance of wandering behaviour. We conclude that the locomotor patterns used during wandering are produced by pattern generators in the segmental ganglia and are modified by sensory information. The circuitry responsible for activating these motor pattern generators is associated with the SEG, and is under the control of the brain. The brain exerts a net inhibitory influence prior to wandering, which becomes excitatory during wandering. Ecdysteroids appear to alter locomotor function by acting at various levels including the segmental ganglia, the SEG and the brain. A model is advanced describing this effect.

Animals↗

The physiology of wandering behaviour in Manduca sexta. IV. Hormonal induction of wandering behaviour from the isolated nervous system.

Prior to exposure to ecdysteroids, the isolated central nervous system (CNS) of the fifth instar Manduca sexta larvae exhibited infrequent motor bursts over a 24-h period of extracellular recording from segmental motor nerves. In contrast, the CNS isolated from wandering larvae was characterized by persistent, frequent spontaneous motor bursts throughout the 24-h incubation. The motor bursts generated by the isolated CNS of wandering larvae were similar to those observed in deafferented segments of partially dissected wandering larvae during locomotion. In both cases bursts in the deafferented ganglia were synchronous and had a lower frequency than in intact animals. Removal of the brain from a CNS isolated prior to ecdysteroid exposure resulted in the appearance of spontaneous bursts, which were abolished by removing the suboesophageal ganglion (SEG). By contrast, when the brain was removed from the isolated CNS of wandering larvae, spontaneous bursts ceased. These results parallel the behavioural effects of the same lesions in intact larvae of the respective stages. The CNS isolated from larvae prior to ecdysteroid exposure initiated sustained frequent bursting after an average latency of 15 h following incubation in haemolymph taken from larvae during the interval of ecdysteroid secretion. Incubations of the CNS with 1 microgram ml-1 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) resulted in the onset of the same pattern of sustained motor activity. In a CNS isolated prior to ecdysone release, it was necessary and sufficient to expose the brain to 20-HE in order to induce the state of persistent motor bursts characteristic of wandering. We conclude that the spontaneous persistent motor bursts observed in the isolated CNS of wandering larvae are directly related to the sustained locomotion seen during the wandering behaviour. 20-HE acts directly on the CNS, specifically the brain, to induce this state of neural activity.

Animals↗

Behavioural surveillance of sexually-related risk behaviours for the cross-border traveller population in Hong Kong: the evaluation of the overall effectiveness of relevant prevention programmes by comparing the results of two surveillance surveys.

The present study reports the results of 2 surveys of the first behavioural surveillance system (BSS) set up to monitor sexually-related risk behaviours practised by Hong Kong-China cross-border travellers. The 2 studies interviewed 1263 and 1448 male adult Hong Kong residents in 1997 and 1998 respectively. About one-third of the respondents had had sexual intercourse with a commercial sex worker (CSW) in the past 6 months; about 20% had had sexual intercourse with a CSW or a non-regular sex partner in a single trip; about 35-40% of the CSW clients had not used a condom during the intercourse and about 20% of the respondents reported that they had contracted STD. When the results of the 2 surveys were compared, no significant changes in the outcomes of the surveillance indicators were detected; instead, some unfavourable changes in terms of condom use were observed. The effectiveness of the relevant prevention programmes in Hong Kong is not evident.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Early learning and adaptive behaviour in toddlers with Down syndrome: evidence for an emerging behavioural phenotype?

BACKGROUND: Though the Down syndrome behavioural phenotype has been described as involving relative strengths in visuo-spatial processing and sociability, and relative weaknesses in verbal skills and motor planning, the early emergence of this phenotypic pattern of strengths and weaknesses has not yet been fully explored. METHOD: In this study, we compared the performance of eighteen 2 to 3-year-olds with Down syndrome to an MA-matched comparison group of nineteen 2 to 3-year-olds with mixed developmental disabilities, and an MA-matched comparison group of 24 children with typical development on two developmental measures: the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales. RESULTS: While the specificity of the Down syndrome profile was (for the most part) not yet evident, results showed that toddlers with Down syndrome in this study did show emerging areas of relative strength and weakness similar to that which has been described in older children and young adults with Down syndrome. This pattern included relatively stronger social skills, weaker expressive language, and poor motor coordination. When this pattern of strengths and weaknesses was compared to the developmental profiles of the two comparison groups, socialisation strengths differentiated the Down syndrome group from the mixed developmental disabilities group.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

A modified Rutter children's behaviour questionnaire. Its reliability and validity in screening for behaviour disturbances in part-Aboriginal children.

The Rutter Children's Behaviour Questionnaire was completed by the teachers of 108 Aboriginal pupils at two rural schools in the far west of New South Wales. The questionnaire ratings were compared with a contemporaneous psychiatric study of behaviour disturbance for each child. Some modification of the questionnaire was required because of cultural factors. The modified questionnaire was found to be of acceptable reliability and validity in screening for emotional disturbance in Aboriginal children. It is suggested that it would be a useful case finding instrument for teachers of part-Aboriginal children.

Adolescent↗

Health behaviours in a Canadian community college sample: prevalence of drug use and interrelationships among behaviours.

This study investigated the prevalence of drug use among a Canadian college sample and the covariation of drug taking and other health-related behaviours. A representative sample of students at a community college in Alberta were interviewed using telephone surveys, mail-in questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Data was collected on drug, alcohol and caffeine use, cigarette smoking, eating habits, sleep habits and exercise. While use of illicit drugs did not appear to be widespread, alcohol appeared to be a primary substance abuse problem for a minority of subjects. Factor analysis indicated that the various health habits did not form one dimension of health-related behaviours. Four separate factors emerged: abusive drinking, eating habits, a drug use factor (caffeine intake, smoking, cannabis and hallucinogen use), and exercise levels. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research, treatment and intervention.

Adolescent↗

The environmental dependency syndrome, imitation behaviour and utilisation behaviour as presenting symptoms of bilateral frontal lobe infarction due to moyamoya disease.

The environmental dependency syndrome, imitation behaviour and utilisation behaviour may be the earliest and most subtle signs of bifrontal lobe dysfunction. A case is described in which these signs constituted the predominant deficits. The lesions responsible were bifrontal infarcts caused by moyamoya disease. The patient made an excellent recovery.

Adult↗

Analysis of referral behaviour: responses to simulated case histories may not reflect real clinical behaviour.

In an attempt to develop a measure of the referral behaviour of general practitioners, 21 simulated case histories were constructed which presented between three and six stages at which a decision was required whether or not refer a 'patient' to hospital. Twenty general practitioners completed the case histories and their responses were compared with their referral rates to outpatient departments. No significant correlations were found between the doctors' responses to the vignettes and their actual referral rates, and the repeatability of the vignettes was disappointing. The fact that the case histories appeared realistic to the doctors who completed them was not reflected in objective measures of their validity. Simulated case histories should not be used as a method of measuring doctors' behaviour without establishing their validity and reliability.

Decision Making↗

Behavioural elements of the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis). I. Regularities of defensive behaviour.

Elements of behaviour were described for the paradise fish on the basis of the topography, location and orientation of the animal observed in various seminatural and laboratory environments. Correlations and repeatability of the parameters of observation were analyzed. Environmental influences, such as periods of the day, housing, feeding, raising conditions, presence of various frightening stimuli and species, and strain differences, were studied. Several functional connections were found among the behavioural elements.

Animals↗

Clinical and behavioural assessments: a study on the outcome of behaviour therapy in neurotic patients.

The present study compares two independent evaluations of the outcome of behavioural therapy in 33 phobic patients. The raters were a psychiatrist not involved in the therapeutic process and behaviour therapists. Assessments were done before and after four months of therapy. They concerned intensity of fears, anxiety, depressive affects, social impairment. The results indicated a significant agreement on the symptomatic level and on the global evaluation. No significant agreement was found on the level of "well-being".

Attitude↗

Risk-taking behaviour of Cape Peninsula high-school students. Part II. Suicidal behaviour.

The prevalence of a wide range of risk-taking behaviour among high-school students in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, was investigated. In this article, the results for suicidal behaviour are presented. Cluster sampling techniques produced a sample of 7,340 students from 16 schools in the three major education departments. A self-administered questionnaire was completed in a normal school period. Estimates for each education department were weighted to produce an overall estimate. During the previous 12 months, 19% of students had seriously thought about harming themselves in a way that might result in their death, 12.4% had told someone that they intended to put an end to their life, and 7.8% had actually tried to put an end to their life. There were different trends according to gender, standard and language(s) spoken at home. Of those who had made a suicide attempt during the previous 12 months, 85.7% indicated that they had seriously thought about doing so, while 57.7% had told someone that they intended putting an end to their life. There is in many cases no continuity from suicidal ideation to communicating suicidal intent to an actual attempt.

Adolescent↗

Neuroanatomical aspects of cognitive-behavioural therapy response in obsessive-compulsive disorder. An evolving perspective on brain and behaviour.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has demonstrated that cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can systematically modify cerebral metabolic activity in a manner which is significantly related to clinical outcome. METHOD: A substantial body of research is reviewed which supports an involvement of neural circuitry connecting the orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate gyrus and basal ganglia in the expression of the symptoms of OCD. RESULTS: Data are presented which expand upon previous work demonstrating effects of CBT on functional interactions between limbic cortex and the basal ganglia. CONCLUSIONS: The relevance of these effects of CBT on brain function is discussed in the context of recent advances in our knowledge of cortical-basal ganglia physiology. The clinical importance of these data is best appreciated when they are seen to reflect the interactive nature of the relationships between cognitive choice, behavioural output and brain activity.

Behavior Therapy↗

Combination of behaviour therapy with fluvoxamine in comparison with behaviour therapy and placebo. Results of a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the combination of multi-modal behaviour therapy (BT) with fluvoxamine is superior to BT and placebo in the acute treatment of severely ill in-patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHOD: In a randomised, double-blind design, 30 patients were treated for nine weeks with BT plus placebo and 30 patients with BT plus fluvoxamine (maximum dosage 300 mg, mean dose 288.1 mg). BT included exposure with response prevention, cognitive restructuring and development of alternative behaviours. RESULTS: Both groups showed a highly significant symptom reduction after treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups concerning compulsions. Obsessions were significantly more reduced in the fluvoxamine and BT group than in the placebo and BT group. Furthermore, the group BT plus fluvoxamine showed a significantly higher response rate (87.5 v. 60%) according to a previously defined response criterion. Severely depressed patients with OCD receiving BT plus placebo presented a significantly worse treatment outcome (Y-BOCS scores) than all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that BT should be combined with fluvoxamine when obsessions dominate the clinical picture and when a secondary depression is present.

Adult↗

The effects of compounds related to gamma-aminobutyrate and benzodiazepine receptors on behavioural responses to anxiogenic stimuli in the rat: choice behaviour in the T-maze.

Two methods were used to test rats' responses to novelty in the T-maze: (1) a test of spontaneous alternation allowing separate measurement of place and body turn alternation; and (2) a test of entry into an arm of changed brightness ("response to stimulus change"). Chlordiazepoxide reduced spontaneous alternation by specifically weakening body turn alternation and eliminated the response to stimulus change. These findings are similar to those previously reported for the barbiturate sodium amylobarbitone. The same pattern of change in the two tests was seen after a low dose of the GABAA agonist muscimol (0.00125 mg/kg); when the dose of muscimol was raised (0.01 and 0.25 mg/kg), place alternation was also reduced. Picrotoxin but not bicuculline (both GABAA blockers) reversed the effects of muscimol and partially those of chlordiazepoxide on the response to stimulus change; in the spontaneous alternation test picrotoxin only marginally affected the response to 0.25 mg/kg muscimol and actually enhanced the effect of 0.000125 mg/kg. The GABAB agonist baclofen (1 mg/kg) acted in the test of response to stimulus change like chlordiazepoxide and muscimol; however, when baclofen was combined with muscimol, the two drugs tended to show mutual blocking. These results are generally consistent with the hypothesis that GABAergic mechanisms play a role in anxiolytic behavioural activity, but many details are difficult to explain.

Animals↗

Correlation of the dynamic behaviour of deefferented primary muscle spindle endings with their static behaviour.

20 deefferented primary muscle spindle endings, 8 afferents from the extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) and 12 from the tibialis anterior muscle (TA), were investigated in 12 anesthetized cats. Dynamic responses of muscle spindles to ramp stretches were correlated with their static responses. The variation in the state and dynamic behaviour was found to be interdependent. The correlation coefficients were higher for EDL spindles than for TA spindles. The correlation coefficients depended upon the definition of the dynamic responses.

Animals↗

Effects of tianeptine on stress-induced behavioural deficits and 5-HT dependent behaviour.

The novel tricyclic antidepressant drug tianeptine had an antidepressant-like effect on a rat model of depression based on the deficit in open field activity observed on the day after 2 h restraint. Thus, when tianeptine (10 mg/kg IP) was given 2 h after the end of the restraint to either untreated rats or to animals previously given 10 mg/kg of the drug per day for 13 days, then the deficit was opposed. Tianeptine, given acutely but not chronically, moderately enhanced the 5-HT1C receptor-dependent hypolocomotor effect of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) but did not alter other 5-HT1 receptor subtype-dependent behaviour. Acute but not chronic tianeptine also decreased 5-HT2 receptor-dependent body shakes induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan. Shakes induced by the 5-HT2 agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2 aminopropane (DOI) were unaffected. The results are discussed in relation to the possible mechanism of antidepressant action of tianeptine.

Animals↗