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A S Wrynn

Publications and source records attributed to A S Wrynn.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

An in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging study of the olfactory bulbectomized rat model of depression.

The olfactory bulbectomized (OB) rat is a well-accepted animal model of depression. The present magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation demonstrates alterations in signal intensities in cortical, hippocampal, caudate and amygdaloid regions in OB animals, but not in sham operated controls. Ventricular enlargement was also evident in OB animals. These alterations have implications with regard to the face and construct validity of this model.

Amygdala↗

Prolonged c-Jun expression in the basolateral amygdala following bulbectomy: possible implications for antidepressant activity and time of onset.

Olfactory bulbectomy is a well established animal model of depression. Neurochemical and behavioral alterations observed following olfactory bulbectomy, are due, in part, to the neurodegeneration of specific brain structures. Amygdaloid dysfunction in particular, is known to play a substantial role in the syndrome of the olfactory bulbectomized rat. The present study examined both short- and long-term alterations in immediate early gene expression, tyrosine hydroxylase and serotonin immunoreactivity, and classical silver staining, following olfactory bulbectomy in the basolateral amygdala. The results indicated no consistent change in Fos expression observed over the experimental period. Following bulbectomy, long term (up to 64 days post-lesion) Jun expression, not coincident with silver staining, was observed in the basolateral nucleus. The basolateral nucleus was also intensely immunoreactive for serotonin at this timepoint post-bulbectomy. Thus, following bulbectomy long term alterations in Jun expression occurs in the serotonin rich basolateral amygdala. As a site of action for antidepressant compounds, alterations at the immediate early gene level in this region may have implications both for the model, and antidepressant drug action therein.

Amygdala↗

The olfactory bulbectomized rat as a model of depression: an update.

The olfactory bulbectomized (OB) rat has been proposed as an animal model of depression. The following behavioural changes have been observed following bilateral olfactory bulbectomy: hyperactivity in an enclosed arena, such as the open-field; enhanced nocturnal hyperactivity in a 24-hr home cage activity monitor; deficits in memory, as shown by passive avoidance behaviour and in the Morris maze and the 8-arm radial maze; increased open arm entries in the elevated plus-maze; and changes in food motivated and conditioned taste aversion behaviour. Alterations in the noradrenergic, serotonergic, cholinergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems are also associated with olfactory bulbectomy. The variety of immune changes following olfactory bulbectomy includes reduced neutrophil phagocytosis, lymphocyte mitogenesis, lymphocyte number and negative acute phase proteins, increased leucocyte adhesiveness/aggregation, monocyte phagocytosis, neutrophil number and positive acute phase proteins. An enhanced nocturnal secretion of corticosterone is observed in OB rats, which is normally suppressed by dexamethasone. The most commonly employed behavioural indicator of antidepressant activity is attenuation of the OB-related hyperactivity in the open-field. However, many of the other behavioural, neurotransmitter and immune changes have been shown to be attenuated by chronic (but not acute) antidepressant treatment. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine), atypical agents (mianserin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine), reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (moclobemide), as well as putative antidepressants such as 5-hydroxytryptamine1A agonists (zalospirone, ipsapirone), noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists (MK-801) and triazolobenzodiazepines (alprazolam, adinazolam), have demonstrated antidepressant-like activity in this model. As many of the changes exhibited by the OB rat are qualitatively similar to those observed in depressed patients, it may be concluded that the OB rat is a model of depression and not just a means whereby putative antidepressants may be tested.

Animals↗