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Biomedical subjects

V Nohria

Publications and source records attributed to V Nohria.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dopamine D2 receptor occupancy in vivo by the novel atypical antipsychotic olanzapine--a 123I IBZM single photon emission tomography (SPET) study.

We have studied striatal D2 dopamine binding in schizophrenic patients treated with the novel atypical antipsychotic drug, olanzapine. 123I iodobenzamide (IBZM) single photon emission tomography (SPET) was used to estimate striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding in vivo. Patients were recruited from a prospective, double blind controlled trial of olanzapine versus haloperidol treatment. In vivo striatal D2 binding data from olanzapine treated patients (n = 6) were compared with previously reported data from typical antipsychotic responsive (n = 10); clozapine (n = 10); and risperidone (n = 6) treated patient groups. Mean % Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score (BPRS) improvement following olanzapine treatment was 49% (SD 44). The hypothesis that clinical improvement in olanzapine treated patients would be associated with higher mean striatal D2 binding of 123I IBZM (reflecting lower levels of D2 occupancy) than typical antipsychotic (1.25 +/- 0.05) or risperidone (1.24 +/- 0.04) treatment was confirmed. Olanzapine treated patients had similar levels of striatal D2 binding in vivo (1.41 +/- 0.06) as those treated with clozapine (1.49 +/- 0.04). This preliminary evidence suggests olanzapine is another atypical antipsychotic drug in which therapeutic response is not associated with a high degree of striatal D2 receptor occupancy in vivo.

Adult↗

Torticollis acquired in late infancy due to a cerebellar gangliocytoma.

Torticollis in infancy is a common disorder and is typically benign and self-limiting. However, in some instances it is the presentation of serious disease. A critical distinction is whether the condition is congenital or acquired. We present a case of acquired late infantile torticollis caused by a cerebellar gangliocytoma that underscores the importance of making this determination prior to initiating a treatment plan. A gangliocytoma presenting with torticollis has not been previously described.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

A splice junction mutation in a new myopathic variant of phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency (PGK North Carolina).

We report on a 12-year-old boy with the myopathic form of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) deficiency, and unique kinetic and physical characteristics of the mutant enzyme (PGK North Carolina). A G-to-T substitution at the 5' end of intron 4 was identified in the PGK gene of this patient. The mutation destroys the consensus sequence GT at the 5' splice junction of the intron. Activation of a cryptic splice site within intron 4 causes the insertion into the transcript of a 30-bp fragment at the 5' end of intron 4. This insertion results in ten additional amino acids within the "nose" of the PGK molecule, but does not generate a frameshift or a premature stop codon.

Base Sequence↗

The Chédiak-Higashi syndrome: CT and MR findings.

Chédiak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder postulated to result from lack of regulation of fusion of the primary lysosomes. In this report we present the MR and CT features of the brain in a patient with known CHS. These findings include diffuse atrophy of the brain with diffuse periventricular decreased density identified with CT, as well as increased signal on the T2-weighted images and lack of enhancement on the T1-weighted images in the periventricular and corona radiata regions.

Atrophy↗

The action of dazopride to enhance gastric emptying and block emesis.

The substituted benzamide derivatives, dazopride and metoclopramide, enhanced field stimulation-induced contractions of guinea-pig stomach strips and gastric emptying in the guinea-pig after peripheral, intracerebroventricular and intrahypothalamic injection. In the isolated vagal nerve preparation from the rabbit, both compounds were shown to be 5-hydroxytryptamine M-receptor antagonists. Dazopride and metoclopramide were equipotent in antagonising cisplatin-induced emesis in the ferret, whereas metoclopramide was approximately 200 times more potent than dazopride in antagonising the emesis caused by the dopamine agonist 2-di-n-propylamino-5,6-dihydroxytetralin in the marmoset. In behavioural tests which indicate dopamine receptor antagonism in the rat, metoclopramide induced catalepsy, antagonised amphetamine-induced stereotypy and the hyperactivity induced by the intrastriatal injection of dopamine, caused body asymmetry on unilateral injection into the striatum and also antagonised apomorphine-induced climbing and circling behaviour in the mouse. In contrast, dazopride had little or no action in these tests and failed to displace [3H]spiperone in radioligand binding assays. The use of dazopride provides evidence to dissociate a dopamine receptor blockade from an ability to facilitate gastric emptying and to antagonise cisplatin-emesis, and indicates that antagonism of 5-hydroxytryptamine M-receptors is the essential basis of action for dazopride and plays an important role in the actions of metoclopramide.

Animals↗

Measurement of carbon dioxide production rate in sick ventilated premature infants.

A new method is described for measuring the rate of carbon dioxide production, and hence for estimating energy expenditure, in preterm infants receiving assisted ventilation. In a validation study, the mean error in carbon dioxide measurement was 1.9%. Measurements were made, over a 45-min period, on 11 sick, ventilated subjects and carbon dioxide production rate was 5.2 +/- 0.7 (SD) ml/min X kg body weight. We suggest that continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide output will contribute to the clinical assessment of the effects of different ventilator settings on pulmonary gas exchange and that estimated values for energy expenditure will be of value in nutritional studies on sick ventilated infants.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Long-term variation in oxygen consumption rate in preterm infants.

An investigation was made of long-term variation in oxygen consumption rate (VO2) in preterm infants. Four subjects (gestational age 27-34 weeks, postnatal age 17-38 days, weight at study 1.1-2.6 kg) were studied for 5 days each using open-circuit, indirect calorimetry. The mean VO2 for each subject (11.0-11.5 litres/kg/day) was within the reported range. However, the between-subject coefficient of variation during the study (2.1%) was smaller than the mean between-measurement coefficient of variation for daily VO2 (3.8%, range 1.7-6.3%). In addition, the between-measurement coefficient of variation was increased further for measurement intervals of less than 24 h (reaching a mean of 8.3% for 1-hour periods), and a relationship between measurement duration and the precision of estimating VO2 over 3 or 5 days is described. Thus, even 24-hour measurements of VO2 in these preterm infants were less representative of the individual's VO2 over 3 days than the group mean estimate. This finding is of relevance to future studies in this area, particularly those in which short-term measurements of energy expenditure are combined with a nutrient balance study to determine the composition of weight gain, because even small errors in the estimate of total energy expenditure can lead to unacceptably large errors in calculated energy deposition.

Calorimetry, Indirect↗

Comparison of the doubly labeled water (2H2(18)O) method with indirect calorimetry and a nutrient-balance study for simultaneous determination of energy expenditure, water intake, and metabolizable energy intake in preterm infants.

The doubly labeled water method was compared with indirect calorimetry and a nutrient-balance study for simultaneous determination of rates of CO2 production, energy expenditure, and water intake over 5 days in four preterm infants. Additionally, metabolizable energy (ME) intake estimated using the isotope procedure (as energy expenditure plus an estimate for energy deposition based on weight gain), was compared to ME intake measured in the balance study. Compared to values obtained by traditional methods, calculated CO2 production, energy expenditure, and water intake differed by -1.4 +/- 4.8% (SD), +0.3 +/- 2.6%, and +5.7 +/- 1.4%, respectively; the difference in water intake was significant (p less than 0.05). Calculated ME intakes were 5.3 +/- 19.3% less than measured intakes, but the difference was not significant. These findings indicate that the doubly labeled water method can provide accurate information on rates of CO2 production, energy expenditure, and water intake in preterm infants, but individual estimates of ME intake may be subject to substantial error.

Calorimetry, Indirect↗

Synthesis and dopaminergic properties of some exo- and endo-2-aminobenzonorbornenes designed as rigid analogue of dopamine.

Stereospecific syntheses of exo-2-amino-5,6-dihydroxybenzonorbornene (11f), exo-2-amino-6,7-dihydroxybenzonorbornene (11h), exo-2-amino-7,8-dihydroxybenzonorbornene (11g), and endo-2-amino-6,7-dihydroxybenzonorbornene (14d), rigid analogues of dopamine, are described. Compounds 11 h and 14d, their N-methyl (11i and 11j) and N,N-dimethyl (14i and 14j) derivatives, and compounds 11f and 11g were inactive as dopamine agonists when evaluated for dopaminergic activity by their ability to induce stereotyped behavior in mice after subcutaneous injection and by their ability to cause hyperactivity in rats after bilateral injection into the nucleus accumbens. However, compounds 11f, 11g, 11h, and the N-methyl derivatives 11i and 14d were all effective in displacing [3H]-2-amino-6,7-dihydroxytetralin ([3H]ADTN) and [3h[-N-n-propylnorapomorphine ([3H]NPA) from rat striatal membranes.

Animals↗

Use of the intracerebral injection technique to elucidate mechanisms of apomorphine climbing and its antagonism in the mouse.

Climbing behavior induced by peripherally administered apomorphine in the mouse was reduced by 0.25-10 microgram bilateral intra-accumbens fluphenazine, (+/-) and (-) sulpiride and by serotonin, but not by (+)sulpiride, dl-propranolol, phentolamine, atropine or methysergide. A specific antagonism of climbing could not be shown when fluphenazine was injected into the striatum, hypothalamus, thalamus, reticular formation, frontal cortex or cerebellum, but was apparent when a large dose of fluphenazine was placed below (but not above) the accumbens nucleus. 6-Hydroxydopamine denervation of the nucleus accumbens did not alter the climbing antagonism afforded by fluphenazine, although sulpiride was three-fold more effective following denervation. The data indicates an accumbens involvement in the climbing phenomenon, that sulpiride more effectively antagonises climbing after accumbens denervation and that the presumed dopamine agonist-antagonist interaction in the accumbens, which controls climbing, may also involve serotonergic function. The studies emphasise the value of the intra-cerebral injection technique to an analysis of drug action in the mouse.

Animals↗

5,7-Dihydroxy-2-aminotetralin derivatives: synthesis and assessment of dopaminergic and adrenergic actions.

Replacement of the catechol 3,4-dihydroxylation pattern of certain adrenergic beta-phenethylamines by a resorcinol 3,5-dihydroxylation pattern has led to a greater selectivity of adrenergic agonist effects in certain molecules. This strategy has been applied to a series of dopaminergic agents derived from 2-aminotetralin, leading to a 5,7-dihydroxylation pattern. Traditional literature approaches to formation of a tetralin ring with this oxygenation pattern failed. A method was used which involved cyclization of 3,5-dimethoxybenzylsuccinic acid derivatives with pyridinium poly(HF) and subsequent modification of the tetralin ring. The resorcinol-derived 2-aminotetralins were less potent and less active dopaminergic agents than their catechol-derived isomers (5,6-dihydroxy and/or 6,7-dihydroxy). Certain of the subject compounds demonstrated alpha- and beta 1-adrenoceptor activating properties.

Animals↗

Differential effect of benserazide (Ro4-4602) on the concentration of indoleamines in rat pineal and hypothalamus.

1 Low doses (50 and 80 mg/kg) of benserazide (Ro4-4602), an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, markedly reduced 5-hydroxytryptamine and melatonin in the rat pineal gland without affecting hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine. 2 This differential effect shows that inhibition of the pineal gland decarboxylase activity is possible, and confirms that the rat pineal gland is accessible to peripherally acting agents.

Animals↗

Dopamine antagonist properties of atypical neuroleptics may be revealed following mesolimbic denervation.

A mesolimbic denervation, caused by bilateral intra-accumbens 6-hydroxydopamine, increased the potency of apomorphine in two behavioural tests of dopamine agonist activity, climbing behaviour and circling (combinations of the accumbens denervation with unilateral electrolesion of the striatum). Of a number of neuroleptics tested, haloperidol, fluphenazine, sultopride, tiapride, sulpiride and thioridazine, only the latter two showed greater effectiveness than normal to antagonize the apomorphine responses after mesolimbic denervation. Sulpiride and thioridazine cause remarkably little change in 'normal' tests for antipsychotic activity; their effectiveness in the clinic may reflect a more unique ability to act on dopamine receptor mechanisms of changed sensitivity.

Animals↗

The mesolimbic system, denervation and the climbing response in the mouse.

Bilateral intra-accumbens 6-OHDA (2 micrograms in the presence of DMI and tranylcypromine, 14th postoperative day) enhanced the climbing responses of mice to apomorphine and 2-(N,N-dipropyl)amino-5,6-dihydroxytetralin causing parallel shifts of the normal log dose-response curves to the left. The enhancement of the apomorphine response was shown to be dependent on the dose of 6-OHDA, 0.5 micrograms being threshold and 2 micrograms maximum. Increased climbing was apparent by the 5th postoperative day, maximum by the 10th day, and was then maintained throughout the experimental period (6-8 weeks). 0.25-2 micrograms intra-accumbens 6-OHDA caused dose-related decreases in the dopamine content of mesolimbic areas (nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium) without causing significant changes in mesolimbic noradrenaline or striatal dopamine. In the absence of DMI/tranylcypromine, 2 and 4 micrograms 6-OHDA also decreased mesolimbic noradrenaline and striatal dopamine content. 16 micrograms 6-OHDA injected into the striatum (after DMI/tranylcypromine) decreased the striatal dopamine content by 85% (without altering mesolimbic dopamine or noradrenaline content) but this treatment failed to modify apomorphine climbing (2nd-12th postoperative days). Haloperiod, sulpiride, thioridazine, clozapine ad metoclopramide each caused a dose-dependent decrease in apomorphine climbing in both normal and 6-OHDA-treated mice. Haloperidol and metoclopramide were approximately equipotent in both groups of animals whilst sulpiride and thioridazine were approximately 4x more potent in the 6-OHDA-treated mice (the development of muscular hypotonia made an interpretation of clozapine effects difficult). The data indicate that an important role for the mesolimbic nucleus accumbens in the mediation of apomorphine climbing, and indicate that the antagonism by sulpiride and thioridazine may be specifically increased when mesolimbic mechanisms are rendered 'supersensitive'.

Animals↗

(-)N-(chloroethyl)norapomorphine inhibits striatal dopamine function via irreversible receptor binding.

beta-Haloalkylamine derivatives such as phenoxybenzamine are thought to irreversibly inactivate noradrenaline receptors by a process involving the formation of a reactive ethyleneimmonium cation which is followed by ring scission yielding the reactive carbonium ion which can then react further with a nucleophilic centre located on the receptor. Further study of catecholamine function has awaited the development of similar agents which can alkylate the dopamine receptor. We report here on the structure (Fig. 1) and evaluation of one agent with such potential, (--)N-(chloroethyl)norapomorphine [(--)NCA], and that this compound may be of significant value as a pharmacological and biochemical probe of the dopamine receptor.

Animals↗