Quisqualate lesions of rat NBM: Selective effects on working memory in a double Y-maze

Some authors have reported that quisqualic acid lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM), although producing large cortical cholinergic losses, have little effect on memory. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of quisqualic acid lesions of the NBM on working and reference memory in a double Y-maze. Each trial started with placement into one of the two end arms of the first Y-maze, and the correct response was to go down the stem (reference memory). Access was then given to the second Y-maze, the correct response being conditional upon the side of the first Y-maze from which that trial had begun (working memory). Rats were trained to an 88% correct criterion and were then given either bilateral quisqualic acid (60 nM, 0.5 microliters) or sham lesions (0.9% saline, 0.5 microliters) of the NBM. One week postsurgery, rats were tested on the double Y-maze task with delays of 0, 5 or 30 seconds being introduced prior to both the working and reference memory choice. NBM lesions produced a 63.2 +/- 6.2% decrease of cortical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) compared to unoperated controls. Delays affected only the working memory of the sham group. Rats with lesions showed a significant impairment of working memory at all delays, but no change in reference memory. Results indicate that quisqualic acid lesions of the NBM that produce significant reductions in cortical ChAT selectively impair working memory.     

The effects of peripherald-amphetamine, 4-OH amphetamine, and epinephrine on maintained discharge in the locus coeruleus with reference to the modulation of learning and memory by these substances

d-Amphetamine, 4-OH amphetamine, and epinephrine have been shown in many behavioral studies to facilitate memory when given post-training. The effect of these drugs on the maintained discharge of cells in the locus coeruleus (LC) was investigated using a route of administration (intraperitoneal) and a log-dose range of these drugs comparable to those used in the behavioral experiments.d-Amphetamine profoundly suppressed maintained discharge: an inhibitory effect was observed at every dose (0.1, 1.0, 10.0 mg/kg). In contrast, only the highest dose of 4-OH amphetamine (8.2 mg/kg) inhibited activity in the LC, and this effect was a modest one. Unlike the amphetamines, epinephrine (500 μ/kg) elevated maintained discharge. These results are discussed in the contex of the hypothesized involvement of the LC in the enhancement of memory by these drugs.     

"五四"新文学的内倾化形态

这种形态的文学其最为显著的标志是内倾化即自剖，暴露作家的思想观念，心灵情绪直到作家的私生活，包括作家的性心理与性行为等在一般社会眼中视为卑微的东西。作家们弘扬个人的心灵欲望，宣泄“食与色”的双重焦虑与痛苦，其思想内涵无疑带有强烈的反封建色彩。其批判的向度指向内外两个方面，既有对自我心灵严酷的审视，又有对于社会与国家的无情拷问。     

Memory function in normal aging

Basic findings obtained on memory functions in normal aging are presented and discussed with respect to five separate but interacting memory systems. These systems are: episodic memory, semantic memory, short-term memory, perceptual representation system and procedural memory. All available evidence from cross-sectional research shows that there is a linear, decreasing memory performance as a function of age for episodic memory. Longitudinal studies suggest, however, that this age deficit may be an overestimation, by showing a relatively stable performance level up to middle age, followed by a sharp decline. Studies on semantic memory, short-term memory, perceptual representation system, and procedural memory show a relatively constant performance level across the adult life span, although some tasks used to assess short-term memory and procedural memory have revealed an age deficit. Disregarding the mixed results for these latter two memory systems, it can be concluded that episodic memory is unique in showing an age deficit. Episodic memory is also unique in the sense that it is the only memory system showing gender differences in performance throughout the adult life span with a significantly higher performance for women.     

Learning and retention of movement sequences in Parkinson's disease.

The purpose of this study was to examine motor learning and retention given extensive practice in two fundamentally different movement sequences. One sequence was a memory-driven task (performing a series of whole body positions from memory) and the other a context-driven task (buttoning). Practice took place over 3 weeks, with performance measured weekly; retention was measured weekly for 3 weeks after practice. There were 7 people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 7 age-matched neurologically healthy people who participated in this study. Both groups improved performance on both tasks with practice, with the majority of the change for the PD group occurring between 1 and 2 weeks of practice. Although those with PD did not necessarily perform as well as age-matched controls, they learned both sequences in a manner similar to age-matched controls, and exhibited retention across the 3-week retention interval. If people with PD are given sufficient practice they can learn and retain both memory-based and context-driven movement sequences as well as age-matched controls. The results provide support for maintaining physical activity and for intervention through movement therapy.     

Temazepam impairs effortful but not automatic processing of stimulus elements

The experiment investigated the effects in healthy volunteers of a single dose of temazepam (30 mg, oral) on effortful and automatic processing, by measuring memory for information and its context. Effortful processing was impaired, as shown by significant impairments in free recall of an 18-item list, but automatic processing was spared, as evidenced by no impairments in recall of the frequency of presentation, the colour, size or form of the items. In a second task, temazepam significantly impaired both recognition and recency memory of 30 items, although these scores were not correlated. Temazepam caused significant sedation, measured by an objective test and by subjective ratings, but this did not correlate with the memory impairments. The pattern of results is discussed with reference to the hypothesis that the memory impairments resulting from benzodiazepines are due to a reduction in information processing resources and thus affect effortful processing more than automatic processing.     

高原老年人和红细胞增多症病人返回平原后记忆功能的“脱适应”研究

15例离退休健康男性老人和9例红细胞增多症男性病人返回平原后,记忆功能改变的特点:①两组受试者除5例成绩下降外,苏州记忆成绩高于西宁成绩(p<0.01)。②记忆成绩降低现象存在于20%左右的人中。③高原缺氧和返平原脱适应均主要影响短时记忆。     

西脉式环抱器用于骨折内固定术护理配合要点

目的:探讨西脉镍钛形状记忆合金环抱器用于骨折内固定术有关的护理配合问题。方法:12例不同部位骨折病人(其中男性8例、女性4例、年龄15～62岁)采用西脉镍钛(TiNi)形状记忆合金环抱器人实施内固定手术,观察术中护理配合要点和实际效果。结果:骨折复位满意,手术持续时间<2h。所有病人术后均无感染迹象,手术切口愈合良好。结论:围术期护理配合质量(如器械选择、塑形准备、无菌操作等)的优劣,是手术成功与否的重要因素之一。     

A longitudinal study of age-associated memory impairment

An 8-year longitudinal study of elderly people has provided data concerning age-associated impairment (AAMI). In 1985 a random sample of 146 persons aged 65 years or more, living in their own homes, were assessed using the Guild Memory Test the Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) and other ratings. After excluding 21% of the sample because they scored less than 24 on the MMSE, and another 34% who fulfilled other exclusion criteria, some 48% of the remainder (22% of the total sample) clearly fulfilled NIMH criteria for AAMI and a further 36% (16% of the total sample) were recorded as forgetful. The NIMH criteria are appropriate for certain research purposes but not in assessing prevalence of memory disorders. Follow–up interviews were conducted after 2, 4, 6 and 8 years. The mortality rate and development of dementia among those fulfilling criteria for AAMI appeared similar to the other non-demented groups of subjects; the mortality rate of those with MMSE scores below 24 was significantly higher. Guild test results at 2-yearly intervals showed considerable changes; half of those scoring least well who were retested showed improvement.     

The effects of acute and repeated doses of moclobemide on psychomotor performance and cognitive function in healthy elderly volunteers

The effects of moclobemide, a new selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitor, on cognitive function and psychomotor performance were measured in 12 healthy elderly male volunteers (with a mean age of 72.5 years). Subjects received moclobemide 200 mg, amitriptyline (positive internal control) 25 mg or placebo twice daily and were assessed on a battery of psychometric tests on the mornings following the first (acute) day and seventh (sub-chronic) day. The tests were: Choice Reaction Time; Tracking; Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold; Memory Scanning; Continuous Attention Task; the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire and a Visual Line Analogue Rating Scale. The results show that amitriptyline produced impairment of cognitive and psychomotor functions. Moclobemide, however, did not disrupt sleep or cause daytime sedation, and remained neutral in the assessment of behavioural toxicity.