(C) 2013 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved “
“It is still co

(C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“It is still common to encounter a partial or no response to antipsychotic treatment in clinical practice, but only individual case reports are currently available concerning the efficacy of long-acting risperidone (RLAI) in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The relationship between

RSP and 9-OH-RSP plasma levels, and clinical response or tolerability has not yet been thoroughly assessed.

This open-label, non-randomised study involved 30 outpatients with treatment-resistant 5-Fluoracil mw schizophrenia, who were prescribed RLAI for 6 months, and clinically evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement Scale (CGI-I), and the Simpson and Angus Scale for Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPSE). Plasma RSP and 9-OH-RSP levels were determined at steady-state, and the metabolic ratio (MR) was calculated as plasma 9-OH-RSP/RSP levels.

At the end of the study, 60% of the patients responded to RLAI (a a parts per thousand yen20% reduction in the PANSS score). Linear regression

analysis showed a significant positive relationship between the RSP dose and active moiety (RSP + 9-OH-RSP) (r = 0.4; p = 0.02). There was a significant positive relationship between active moiety and EPSE scores (r = 0.6; p = 0.00). CA3 concentration The BPRS responders had a significantly higher mean MR than the non-responders (3.41 +/- 1.87 SD vs 1.60 +/- 0.98 SD) (p = 0.00).

Therapeutic drug monitoring seems to be useful in optimising the dose of RLAI, especially in the case of tolerability problems. MR might be a better index of clinical response to RLAI than the value of the active moiety, although this needs to be confirmed by further data.”
“iNOS localizes to both the cytosol and peroxisomes in hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. The structural determinants for iNOS localization are not known. One plausible mechanism for iNOS localization to the peroxisome is through the interaction with peroxisomal

import proteins PEX5 or PEX7. siRNA knockdown of PEX7 reduced iNOS colocalization with the unless peroxisomal protein PMP70. Proteomic studies using MALDI-MS identified iNOS association with the 50-kD ezrin binding PDZ protein (EBP50). Confocal microscopy studies and immunoelectron microscopy confirmed iNOS association with EBP50, with greatest colocalization occurring at 8 h of cytokine exposure. EBP50 associated with peroxisomes in a PEX5 and PEX7-dependent manner. iNOS localization to peroxisomes was contingent on EBP50 expression in LPS-treated mice. Thus, iNOS targeting to peroxisomes in hepatocytes involves interaction with PEX7 and EBP50. The targeting of iNOS protein to the peroxisome may shift the balance of metabolic processes that rely on heme proteins susceptible to modification by radical oxygen and nitrogen radicals. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Schizophrenia’

This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Schizophrenia’. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Acute alcohol intake has pronounced effects on brain function. However, the exact mechanism of action is unclear. Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dwMRI) can detect subtle changes in microstructural neural states. Here we tested if dwMRI can detect Mocetinostat chemical structure such changes during alcohol intoxication. We used high-field dwMRI in four healthy subjects at different blood alcohol concentration (0.0 g/L, 0.3 g/L, 0.6 g/L and 1.0 g/L). Although neuropsychological

performances declined markedly, no changes in diffusion parameters emerged. First, this finding argues against alcohol-induced diffuse changes of microstructural state and in favour of more specific, possibly receptor-mediated actions of alcohol on brain function. Second, processes involving neurotransmitters that are primarily linked to cognitive function might not be viewable with high-field diffusion MRI. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction: High levels of tissue factor (TF) have been associated with atherosclerotic plaques. The specific pathways linked to TF expression in endothelial cells (ECs) have not been well defined. Belnacasan mouse This study compared TF expression in human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) exposed to laminar shear stress (LSS) using a parallel

flow chamber and to orbital MTMR9 shear stress (OSS) using an orbital shaker. We also compared the effects of thrombin (TH) stimulation of ECs exposed

to different shear forces on the expression of TF and investigated the role that second messengers, p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), had in the EC response.

Methods: HUVECs were subjected to 2, 4, or 6 hours of LSS or OSS in the presence or absence of 4 U/mL of TH. Western blot analysis of ERK1/2 and p38 activation and polymerase chain reaction analysis of TF in the presence of inhibitors to these second messengers was performed in HUVECs subjected to OSS or LSS in the presence or absence of TH.

Results: TF expression was increased and peaked at 2 hours in all HUVECs exposed to LSS or TH. Stimulation of static HUVECs with TH resulted in an increase in TF expression of 5.68 +/- 1.58-, 3.80 +/- 1.21-, and 2.54 +/- 0.38-fold at 2, 4, and 6 hours, respectively (n = 6 experiments). In the absence of TH, HUVECs exposed to LSS demonstrated a 9.51 +/- 0.62-, 7.31 +/- 1.43-, and 4.39 +/- 1.32-fold increase in TF expression at 2, 4, and 6 hours, respectively (n = 6 experiments). TF was increased significantly more when exposed to LSS in the presence of TH (18.85 +/- 1.43-, 15.05 +/- 0.95-, and 8.91 +/- 1.06-fold increases at 2, 4, and 6 hours, respectively [n = 6 experiments], P < .01). Between-group analysis showed a significant difference between groups (P < .001).

Methods: Two hundred seventy-six consecutive CEAs that were perfo

Methods: Two hundred seventy-six consecutive CEAs that were performed between February Bafilomycin A1 purchase 2008 and September 2009 were reviewed retrospectively with a computerized registry. After exclusion of patients with severe stroke (modified Rankin Scale of 3-5), prior contralateral and ipsilateral carotid

surgery and more than 70% stenosis of the contralateral carotid artery, 201 cases remained (E-CEA group: n = 100 vs C-CEA group: n = 101) for analysis.

Results in terms of systolic blood pressure, use of intravenous and oral vasodilators, alterations of the existing antihypertensive medications, and perioperative complications (neck hematoma, myocardial infarction, stroke, and death) were compared. Results: Groups were similar with regard to age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors except for a higher incidence of nicotine

use (59% vs 43%; P = .02) in the C-CEA group. Patients in the C-CEA group had a significantly higher percentage of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (54% vs 23%, respectively; P < .0001). Despite a lower preoperative (baseline) mean systolic blood pressure (130 mm Hg vs 135 mm Hg; P = .02) patients in the E-CEA group had a significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure in the postoperative course up to the PCI-32765 chemical structure day 4 after surgery (134 min Hg vs 126 mm Hg; P < .0001) and required more frequent intravenous (28% vs 9.9%; P = .001) and oral vasodilators (54% vs 27.7%; P = .0002) compared to those in the C-CEA group. Two-thirds (14 of 21 = 66%) of patients in the E-CEA group with preoperative high blood pressure click here (systolic blood pressure >= 140 mm Hg and diastolic pressure >= 90 mm Hg) required vasodilators and only one-third

(11 of 33 = 33%) in the C-CEA group (P = .03). Atropine use due to bradycardia was necessary after 8 cases (8%) in the C-CEA group and only after 1 case (1%) in the E-CEA group (P = .03). Furthermore, the dosage of existing antihypertensive medications was increased and/or additional medications were prescribed twofold more in the E-CEA group (33% vs 17%; P = .009). No statistically significant difference was noted in the perioperative complication rate.

Conclusion: It is concluded that E-CEA is associated with significantly higher postoperative blood pressure that persists for at least 4 days after surgery. Patients with inadequate preoperative high blood pressure control are particularly at risk after E-CEA. (J Vasc Surg 2011;54:80-6.)”
“Striatal neuropathology of Huntington’s disease (HD) involves primary and progressive degeneration of the medium-sized projection neurons, with relative sparing of the local circuit interneurons. The mechanism for such a patterned cell loss in the HD striatum continues to remain unclear. Optineurin (OPTN) is one of the proteins interacting with huntingtin and plays a protective role in several neuro-degenerative disorders.

Conclusions: Even in experienced hands the long-term complication

Conclusions: Even in experienced hands the long-term complication rate of radical cystectomy and neobladder formation are not negligible. Most complications are diversion related. The challenge of optimum care for these elderly patients with comorbidities is best mastered at high volume hospitals by high volume surgeons.”
“Visual backward masking is a versatile tool for understanding principles and limitations of visual information

processing in the human brain. However, the mechanisms underlying masking are still poorly understood. In the current contribution, the authors show that a structurally simple mathematical model can explain many spatial and temporal effects in visual masking, such as spatial layout effects on pattern masking and B-type masking. Specifically, CB-5083 DihydrotestosteroneDHT price the authors show that lateral excitation and inhibition on different length scales, in combination with the typical time scales, are capable of producing a rich, dynamic behavior that explains this multitude of masking phenomena in a single, biophysically motivated model.”
“Purpose: Metal ureteral stents are a relatively new version of a device with a long history of relieving

ureteral obstruction. Metal stents are effective for relieving ureteral obstruction but success regarding patient tolerability has been variable. We present our single institution experience with long-term metal ureteral stent placement.

Materials and Methods: The charts of patients undergoing metal ureteral stent placement for chronic ureteral obstruction were reviewed. Data collected included patient age, gender, diagnosis/cause of obstruction,

laterality, duration of indwelling metal stent, number of routine metal stent changes, complications and early discontinuations or stent changes.

Results: A total of 23 patients underwent placement of metal ureteral stents between February 2008 and September 2010. Bilateral stents were placed in 5 patients and 9 underwent a yearly metal stent exchange for a total of 42 ureteral units treated with metal ureteral stents. All metal stents were placed to relieve ureteral obstruction due to ureteral stricture, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, retroperitoneal fibrosis or extrinsic malignant obstruction. selleck compound There were 3 metal stent failures in 2 patients with malignant ureteral obstruction. There were no complications, or early discontinuations or changes due to adverse symptoms, patient dissatisfaction, worsening renal function or progressive hydronephrosis.

Conclusions: Metal ureteral stents are effective for benign and malignant ureteral obstruction in the absence of urolithiasis. Good tolerability and annual stent exchange make metal stents an appealing alternative for patients with chronic ureteral obstruction treated with indwelling ureteral stents.

For detection of CMV DNA, two commercially available assays, the

For detection of CMV DNA, two commercially available assays, the CMV HHV6,7,8 R-gene (TM) (ARGENE), and the artus (R) CMV LC PCR Kit (QIAGEN), were employed. The linearity of both assays was determined by using a clinical EDTA whole blood sample with high CMV DNA load. With the CMV HHV6,7,8 R-gene (TM) test, CMV DNA was detected in 40 EDTA whole blood and in selleck compound 19 EDTA plasma samples, while the artus

(R) CMV LC PCR Kit test detected CMV DNA in 27 EDTA whole blood and in 30 EDTA plasma samples. In conclusion, EDTA whole blood samples were found to be the superior material when using the CMV HHV6.7,8 R-gene (TM) test. However, this benefit may not exist when employing alternative assays. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Extensive practice involving sustained attention can lead to changes in brain structure. Here, we report evidence of structural differences in the lower brainstem of participants selleck chemical engaged in the long-term practice of meditation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed higher gray matter density in lower brain

stem regions of experienced meditators compared with age-matched nonmeditators. Our findings show that long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. This could account for some of the cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impact reported in several studies of different meditation practices. NeuroReport 20:170-174 (C) 2009 Wolters

Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.”
“The performance of H5 Dot ELISA, a rapid test for detection of avian H5N1 influenza virus, was evaluated using 30 H5N1 strains belonging to 10 major genetic groups of H5N1 influenza virus, 14 strains of non-H5N1 influenza virus and 652 field samples collected from healthy and diseased chickens from markets and poultry farms. The detection DNA ligase limit of the test for all 30 strains of H5N1 virus was <= 0.1 hemagglutinin (HA) units and the test yielded a negative result when tested against 100 HA units of the non-H5N1 viruses. The test gave a positive result for 87 of the 106 poultry samples from which H5N1 virus was isolated by culture and 3 of 546 culture-negative poultry samples. Compared with virus culture, the overall prediction rate of the test was determined to be 96.6%; the positive prediction rate was 96.7% and negative prediction rate, 96.6%. The false positive rate was 0.5% and false negative rate 17.9%. Considering that the test is also convenient to use, it was concluded that H5 Dot ELISA is suitable for field use in the investigation of H5N1 influenza outbreaks and surveillance in poultry. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

However, analysis of the localization of viral proteins to the cy

However, analysis of the localization of viral proteins to the cytoplasmic assembly complex FRAX597 cost shows that the essential tegument protein UL99 (pp28) exhibits aberrant localization in cells infected with the UL94stop mutant. Finally, we show that there is a complete block in secondary envelopment in the absence of UL94. Taken together, our data suggest that UL94 functions late in infection to direct UL99 to the assembly complex, thereby facilitating secondary envelopment of virions.”
“The present study examined the effect of anti-inflammatory

agents on the behavioral and plasma cortisol responses of guinea pig pups during isolation in a novel environment. In Experiment 1, intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of interleukin-10 (IL-10), across a range of doses, significantly reduced passive behaviors of isolated pups. In Experiment 2, neither ICV IL-10 nor alpha-metanocyte stimulating hormone affected

the plasma cortisol response to the separation procedure. These results provide further evidence that the passive behaviors of isolated guinea pig pups are mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and indicate that cytokines do not affect behavior indirectly by means of an action on hypothalamic-pituitary-ad renal activity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The HIV-1 Vpr protein AZD6738 order participates in the early steps of the virus life cycle by influencing the accuracy of reverse transcription. This role of Vpr was related to the recruitment of the nuclear form of the uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG2) enzyme into virus particles, but several conflicting findings have been reported regarding the role of UNG2 encapsidation on viral infectivity. Here, we report that the catalytic activity of UNG2 was not required for influencing HIV-1 mutation, and this function of UNG2 was mapped within a 60-amino-acid domain located in the N-terminal region of the protein required for direct interaction with the p32 subunit of the replication protein A (RPA) complex. Importantly, enforced recruitment of overexpressed UNG2 into virions resulted in a net increase of virus infectivity,

and this positive effect on infectivity was also independent of the UNG2 enzymatic activity. In contrast, Go6983 research buy virus infectivity and replication, as well as the efficiency of the viral DNA synthesis, were significantly reduced when viruses were produced from cells depleted of either endogenous UNG2 or RPA p32. Taken together, these results demonstrate that incorporation of UNG2 into virions has a positive impact on HIV-1 infectivity and replication and positively influences the reverse transcription process through a nonenzymatic mechanism involving the p32 subunit of the RPA complex.”
“Histamine H3 receptor functions as a presynaptic auto- and hetero-receptor on histaminergic and non-histaminergic neurons in the brain regulating the synaptic release of numerous neurotransmitters.

CONCLUSION: This report describes a novel neurosurgical applicati

CONCLUSION: This report describes a novel neurosurgical application of an existing minimally invasive robotic surgical system.”
“Everyday concepts of duration, of sequence, and of past, present, and future are fundamental to how humans make sense of experience. In culture after culture, converging evidence from language, co-speech gesture, and behavioral tasks

suggests that humans handle these elusive yet indispensable notions by construing them spatially. Where do these spatial construals come from and why do they take the particular, sometimes peculiar, spatial forms that they do? As researchers across the cognitive sciences pursue these questions on different levels – cultural, developmental – in diverse populations and with new methodologies, clear answers will depend upon a shared and nuanced set of theoretical distinctions. Time is not a monolith, JPH203 cost but rather a mosaic of www.selleckchem.com/products/GDC-0941.html construals with distinct properties and origins.”
“Exposure

to particulate matter (PM) is associated with adverse pulmonary effects, including induction and exacerbation of asthma. Recently arginase was shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. In this study, it was postulated that PM exposure might induce arginase. Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) obtained from normal individuals by endobronchial brushings cultured on an air-liquid interface were incubated with fine Chapel Hill particles (PM2.5, 100 mu g/ml) for up to 72 h. Arginase activity, protein expression, selleck chemicals and mRNA of arginase I and arginase II were measured. PM2.5 increased arginase activity in a time-dependent manner. The rise was primarily due to upregulation of arginase II. PD153035 (10 mu M), an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor antagonist, attenuated the PM2.5-induced elevation in arginase activity and arginase II expression. Treatment of HBEC with human EGF increased arginase activity and arginase II expression. Pretreatment with catalase (200 U/ml), superoxide dismutase (100

U/ml), or apocynin (5 mu g/ml), an NAD(P) H oxidase inhibitor, did not markedly affect arginase II expression. Treatment of HBEC with arginase II siRNA inhibited the expression of arginase II by 60% and increased IL-8 release induced by PM2.5. These results indicate that PM exposure upregulates arginase II activity and expression in human bronchial epithelial cells, in part via EGF-dependent mechanisms independent of oxidative stress. The elevated arginase II activity and expression may be a mechanism underlying adverse effects induced by PM exposure in asthma patients.”
“The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily member, activin A, plays a central role in the regulation of multiple physiological processes including cell differentiation, mitogenesis, embryogenesis, apoptosis and inflammation.

However, the relative importance of CMV reactivation in the devel

However, the relative importance of CMV reactivation in the development of memory inflation is uncertain, as is the potential for antiviral treatment to reverse this effect. Here, we administered valaciclovir for up to 12 months in mice with established murine CMV (MCMV) infection. Treatment

reduced the magnitude of the MCMV-specific CD8(+) T-lymphocyte response by 80%, and the residual MCMV tetramer-specific lymphocytes exhibited a less differentiated phenotype. In addition, latent MCMV infection suppressed the proportion of naive CD8(+) T cells by 60% compared to this website antiviral-treated mice or MCMV-negative animals. Furthermore, treatment led to a reduction in influenza A viral loads following a challenge in elderly MCMV-infected animals XAV-939 in vivo and also reduced the differentiation of influenza virus-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes. These observations demonstrate that MCMV-specific memory inflation is maintained by viral replication and that therapeutic intervention could lead to improved immune function.”
“The purpose of the present study

was to assess the effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in depressed patients. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was assessed by [(99m)Tc]-HMPAO-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) before and after 10 weeks of VNS in patients participating in an open, uncontrolled European multi-center study investigating efficacy and safety of VNS. Patients suffered from major depression, with a baseline score of >= 20 on the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and

had been unsuccessfully treated with at least two adequately prescribed antidepressant LDC000067 ic50 drugs. Data of 15 patients could be analyzed using SPM 2. After 10 weeks of VNS (20 Hz, 500 mu s pulse width, stimulation during 30 s every 5 min at the maximal comfortable level) rCBF was increased in the left dorsolateral/ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann areas 46 and 47) and decreased in the right posterior cingulate area, the lingual gyrus and the left insula. Our findings are in line with earlier results which showed that VNS increases rCBF in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The modulation of the activity in this region could be associated with the antidepressant efficacy of VNS. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) comprises numerous isolates with various levels of in-host diversity. Subgroup-distinctive features of the Fny and LS strains provided us with a platform to genetically map the viral control elements for genetic variation in planta.

The microscope was additionally fitted with an optical coherence

The microscope was additionally fitted with an optical coherence Selleck LY2090314 tomography-scanning module.

RESULTS: The robotized microscope was tested on model systems. It could be freely positioned, without forcing the surgeon to take the hands from the instruments or avert the eyes from the oculars. Positioning error was about 1 mm, and vibration faded in 1 second. Tracking of microscope movements, combined with an autofocus function, allowed determination of the focus position within the 3-dimensional space. This constituted a second loop of navigation independent from

conventional infrared reflector-based techniques. In the robot mode, automated optical coherence tomography scanning of large surface areas was feasible.

CONCLUSION: The prototype of a robotized optical coherence tomography-integrated operating microscope combines the advantages of a conventional manually controlled operating microscope with a remote-controlled positioning aid and a self-navigating microscope system that performs automated positioning tasks such as surface scans. This demonstrates that, in the future,

operating microscopes may be used to acquire intra-operative spatial data, volume changes, and structural data of brain or brain tumor tissue.”
“obesity (defined selleck chemicals llc as body mass index (BMI) higher than 30), is a serious and global public health problem, associated with increased morbidity and mortality and it represents a risk factor for developing various somatic and psychiatric disorders. Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently associated with increased BMI which leads to overweight INCB018424 cell line and obesity. We therefore evaluated BMI in the ethnically uniform Croatian male participants of the Caucasian origin, combat exposed veterans with or without PTSD, controlled for the effect of trauma, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and comorbid psychiatric disorders, and in age matched healthy control subjects. BMI did

not differ significantly between veterans with or without PTSD and healthy control subjects, or when participants were subdivided according to the age groups, BMI categories, or the presence of psychiatric disorders. Limitation of the study might be a small number of veterans with or without PTSD. Similar BMI was found in Croatian male veterans with or without PTSD, and age matched healthy control subjects. The data provided evidence of overweight and obesity in large number of veterans but also in healthy control subjects, and indicated that public health organizations should develop more effective strategies to prevent overweight and obesity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Baculovirus occlusion-derived virus (ODV) infects insect midgut cells under alkaline conditions, a process mediated by highly conserved per os infectivity factors (PIFs), P74 (PIF0), PIF1, PIF2, PIF3, PIF4, and PIF5 (ODV-E56).

Therefore, we postulate that research on ADHD should broaden its

Therefore, we postulate that research on ADHD should broaden its scope by including the temporal lobe as a potentially important locus of abnormalities in ADHD. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Type I interferons (IFNs), predominantly IFN-alpha and -beta, play critical roles in both innate and

adaptive immune responses against viral infections. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), a key innate immune molecule in the type I IFN signaling pathway, is essential for the type I IFN response to many viruses, including lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Here, we show that although IRF7 knockout (KO) mice failed to control the replication of LCMV in the early stages of infection, they were capable of clearing LCMV infection. Despite the see more lack of type I IFN production, IRF7 KO mice generated normal CD4(+) T cell responses, and the expansion of naive CD8(+) T cells into primary CD8(+) T cells specific for LCMV GP(33-41) was relatively normal. In contrast, the expansion of the LCMV NP396-specific CD8(+) T cells was severely impaired in IRF7 KO mice.

We demonstrated that this defective selleck compound CD8(+) T cell response is due neither to an impaired antigen-presenting system nor to any intrinsic role of IRF7 in CD8(+) T cells. The lack of a type I IFN response in IRF7 KO mice did not affect the formation of memory CD8(+) T cells. Thus, the present study provides new insight into the impact of the innate immune system on viral pathogenesis and demonstrates the critical contribution of innate immunity in controlling virus replication in the early stages of infection, which may shape the quality of CD8(+) T cell responses.”
“The basolateral amygdala (BLA) and infralimbic (IL) cortex share strong reciprocal interconnections and are key structures in conditioned fear circuitry. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) or its receptor antagonists can modulate the PDK4 conditioned fear response when exogenously administered at either of these sites, and increased release of GRP at the BLA occurs in response

to conditioned fear recall. The present study sought to determine whether a functional pathway utilizing GRP exists between the IL cortex and BLA and whether this pathway is also influenced by amygdala corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) release. To this end, we assessed the effects of intra-IL cortex injection of GRP or GRP co-administered with a receptor antagonist, RC-3095, on the downstream release of GRP and/or CRF at the BLA. Results showed that microinjection of GRP at the IL cortex increased the release of GRP, but not CRF, at the BLA, an effect blocked by co-administration of RC-3095. Administration of RC-3095 into the IL cortex on its own, however, also elicited the release of GRP (but not CRF) at the BLA. These findings suggest that a functional pathway utilizing GRP (among other factors) exists between the IL cortex and BLA that may be relevant to conditioned fear, but that GRP and CRF do not interact within this circuitry.