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Biomedical subjects

L K Blumstein

Publications and source records attributed to L K Blumstein.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The changing private practice environment: how to analyze opportunities.

The search by physicians for opportunities to improve the short-term performance and long-term value of their practices has resulted in the creation of a range of affiliation and group practice structures and changed the traditional private practice profile. The resulting ability to structure an environment that is optimal for each practitioner or group of practitioners can enhance the delivery of medical care and serve to attract an array of individuals to private practice. In order for this evolution to be successful, however, the entities must be developed with thoughtful and detailed analysis and should be flexible enough to adapt to the continually changing environment.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1987

Neuropeptide modulation of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behavior.

The nucleus accumbens contains many neuropeptides whose functions are presently unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which these neuropeptides act in conjunction with the mesolimbic dopamine system. Microinjections of cholecystokinin, neurotensin, met-enkephalin, somatostatin, bombesin, as well as glutamate and muscimol, were made into the medial nucleus accumbens after systemic injection of apomorphine. Cholecystokinin and neurotensin, in nanogram doses, potentiated apomorphine-induced stereotypy. Met-enkephalin reduced, while somatostatin and bombesin were without effect on, apomorphine-induced stereotypy. In addition, both glutamate and muscimol potentiated this effect. These results suggest that several neuropeptides and amino acids act in the nucleus accumbens to modulate apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Cholecystokinin potentiates dopamine-mediated behaviors: evidence for modulation specific to a site of coexistence.

Cholecystokinin coexists with dopamine in mesolimbic neurons in mammalian brain. When injected directly into the nucleus accumbens, cholecystokinin (CCK) potentiated dopamine (DA)-induced hyperlocomotion and apomorphine-induced stereotypy. These effects were not mimicked by nonsulfated CCK, but were blocked by proglumide, a putative CCK antagonist, as well as by antisera raised against sulfated CCK. CCK alone had no effect on locomotion or sterotypy, indicating that this peptide acts primarily as a modulator of DA-mediated behaviors in the mesolimbic pathway. In addition, CCK did not potentiate DA-induced hyperlocomotion or apomorphine-induced stereotypy when injected into the caudate nucleus, where CCK and DA are localized in separate neurons in rats. Facilitation of DA-mediated behaviors by CCK may represent a functional interaction specific to the neuromodulator-neurotransmitter coexistence phenomenon.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Anxiolytic-like properties of fominoben.

Fominoben, a centrally acting antitussive, has been shown recently to bind to the brain benzodiazepine binding site and to antagonize pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures. The present study reports the ability of fominoben to produce anti-anxiety effects analogous to diazepam in a mouse exploratory model for anxiolytics. This action of fominoben was blocked by Ro15-1788, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, implicating a brain benzodiazepine binding site in this anxiolytic action of fominoben.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Further characterization of a simple, automated exploratory model for the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines.

Anxiolytics specifically increase the number of exploratory transitions in a two-chambered model system for anxiety in mice. Characterization of parameters to optimize and standardize this model required analysis of multiple use of test animals, intertrial interval, and circadian variability. Time of day did not affect exploratory activity in mice treated with vehicle or diazepam between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Intertrial intervals of 1, 3, 5, or 7 days were equally effective. The diazepam-induced increase in exploratory activity was significant over the first three uses of test animals. These data recommend reuse of mice to a maximum of three trials, throughout the daytime or evening hours of their lighting schedule.

Animals↗