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Biomedical subjects

B Thierry

Publications and source records attributed to B Thierry.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The tail suspension test: a new method for screening antidepressants in mice.

A novel test procedure for antidepressants was designed in which a mouse is suspended by the tail from a lever, the movements of the animal being recorded. The total duration of the test (6 min) can be divided into periods of agitation and immobility. Several psychotropic drugs were studied: amphetamine, amitriptyline, atropine, desipramine, mianserin, nomifensine and viloxazine. Antidepressant drugs decrease the duration of immobility, as do psychostimulants and atropine. If coupled with measurement of locomotor activity in different conditions, the test can separate the locomotor stimulant doses from antidepressant doses. Diazepam increases the duration of immobility. The main advantages of this procedure are the use of a simple, objective test situation, the concordance of the results with the validated "behavioral despair" test from Porsolt and the sensitivity to a wide range of drug doses.

Animals↗

Searching-waiting strategy: a candidate for an evolutionary model of depression?

The model proposed here assumes that depressive disorders could reflect an extreme state of a current behavioral strategy. According to this model, a subject facing a problem of survival without apparent solution may choose between two behavioral patterns: searching for a solution or waiting for that solution to occur. This choice can be made after one or several estimations of the cost and benefit attached to each of these alternatives. Two of the main behavioral models of depression are interpreted according to this model: namely, infant response to maternal separation in monkeys and "behavioral despair" in rodents. Practical and theoretical consequences of this model are discussed.

Adaptation, Biological↗

[Conservative surgery of the spleen].

Conservative surgery of the spleen only has to overcome certain prejudices to become generally accepted. Today, we are convinced of the essential role of the spleen in the body's anti-infection defence mechanisms and the surgeon now has the means to repair a damaged spleen. We report the simplicity, effectiveness and reliability of three techniques of splenorraphy. Two of these techniques are our own and have been well tested in very extensive animal experiments and in our first clinical applications. Capsular sutures or partial splenectomy can treat the great majority of the lesions seen. When this is not possible, devascularisation of the spleen or autotransplantation of the splenic tissue are simple palliative measures, although there functional value has not been clearly established. The results of this approach are now numerous with adequate follow-up and have revealed no complications, immediate or delayed, inherent in the technique.

Humans↗

[Uretral cytology patterns during pregnancy and post partum period (author's transl)].

During pregnancy and post partum period, uretral cytology shows qualitative and quantitative changes which may be compared to those of vaginal and urinary cytology. However, as the cellular types or uretral cytology are most numerous, the different patterns are not so uniform and seem to offer a more various picture according to the different hormonal status. The relation between glandular cells and trigonal looking epidermoid cells is essential. The trigonal cells lowering, in favour of glandular cells, is rather linked to hormonal deficiency. These different facts may let us hope a better detection of pregnancy and post-maturity hormonal deficiency.

Female↗

Adaptation of the tail suspension test to the rat.

In the tail suspension test (TST), the rat is suspended by the tail for 6 min during which the animal shows periods of agitation and immobility. The duration of the immobility is measured. Desipramine decreased the duration of immobility. The main advantages of this procedure are: the use of a simple, objective test situation; the concordance of the results (for desipramine) with the "behavioral despair" test described by Porsolt; the avoidance of the hypothermia induced by immersion in the Porsolt test.

Animals↗