Structural Organization of Cerebral Basolateral Nucleus of the Amygdaloid Complex in WAG-Rij Rats with Different Genotypes by the TAQ 1A Locus of Dopamine 2 Receptor Gene (DRD2).

Anxiety levels and structural organization of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdaloid complex were analyzed in WAG/Rij rats with genotypes A1/A1 and A2/A2 by DRD2 locus Taq 1A. Association of anxious behavior with A2/A2 genotype and the relationship between the structural organization of the nucleus and polymorphic variants of this locus are detected.

[The Amygdala in mechanisms of alcohol dependence].

In the present review for the first time systematized literature data about reactive changes, of neurons in the basolateral and medial nuclei of the Amygdala which occur in response to acute and chronic exposure of ethanol. Summarized information about the mechanisms of disturbances in glutamatergic-and GABAergic systems of the basolateral nucleus that determining an increased level of anxiety, which is seen as a main motivating factor of desire for alcohol, thus involved to the manifestation of alcohol dependence. Reviewed molecular and genetic aspects of rsearchs involvement of medial nucleus in the mechanisms of alcoholism.

[THE CYTOARCHITECTONICS AND NEURONAL ORGANIZATION OF THE BASOLATERAL NUCLEUS OF THE AMYGDALA OF THE BRAIN IN ALCOHOL-PREFERRING AND ALCOHOLNONPREFERRING RATS].

Analysis of cytoarchitectonics of the basolateral nucleus (BLN) of the brain amygdala was performed in cresyl violetstained frontal paraffin sections of the brain in 10 alcoholpreferring (AP) and 10 alcohol-nonpreferring (ANP) rats (with an equal number of male and female animals in each group). The presence of large and small neurons was detected in BLN. Most of the large neurons in AP rats had the character of chromoneutral and moderately chromophilic cells, while in ANP rats these cells were moderately chromophobic. Application of Golgi method demonstrated that the equivalents of large neurons were long-axonal densely branched pyramid-like neurons, and those of small-sized neurons ­ short-axonal neurons. The determination of the ratio of large and smallsized neurons showed that in AP rats the proportion of latter was 12.3±0.6%, while in the ANP rats it was significantly greater ­ 19.70±0.23%. These results help to explain the previously obtained data on larger specific area of BLN in amygdala of ANP rats by the presence of greater number of interneurons than in AP rats.

[IMPAIRMENTS OF GLUTAMATERGIC TRANSMISSION IN THE BASOLATERAL NUCLEUS OF THE AMYGDALA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE].

In this review for the first time systematized literature data about the impairments of glutamatergic transmission in the basolateral nucleus of the Amygdala which leading to increased levels of anxiety. It is known that increased anxiety is seen as a main motivating factor of desire for alcohol, thus involved in the manifestation of alcohol dependence. Reviewed structural-functional alterations in ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors in acute, chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal. Presents the data on the role of glutamate transporters in the pathogenesis of alcoholism.

[THE BASOLATERAL NUCLEUS IN THE SYSTEM OF REPRODUCTIVE CENTERS OF THE AMYGDALA].

In this review contains the systematized data available in modern literature, which characterize the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala as one of the sexual dimorphism zones (SDZ) and its relationship with other reproductive centers of the amygdala. The basolateral nucleus, as the structure of the phylogenetically new part of the amygdala--receives the major amount of the pheromone and olfactory information through phylogenetically old--corticomedial division of the amygdala. Integrating it with the sensory signals of different modality, coming from the thalamus and cortical formations, the basolateral nucleus, together with the SDZ of corticomedial division, participates in the organization of sexual behavior and regulation of gonadotropin secretion. Sexual dimorphism of the basolateral nucleus, which is involved in the functional system of emotion formation and memory mechanisms, determines sex-dependent features of their behavioral manifestations, especially in stress reactions.

[NEUROENDOCRINE REPRODUCTIVE CENTERS OF CORTICOMEDIAL DIVISION OF THE AMYGDALA].

In this review for the first time systematized available in modern literature data, which characterize the structural and functional organization of the reproductive centers of corticomedial division of the Amygdala. Given information about physiological mechanisms of their involvement in the organization of sexual behavior, regulation of secretion and excretion of gonadotropines, influence on the processes of sexual maturation of organisms. Involvement of Amygdala in functional systems of the brain, which determine reproductive functions, predefined its participation in the processes of sexual differentiation of the brain. Important role in the implementation of reproductive functions plays the olfactory stimuli, which through the Amygdala switches to the centers of the pre-optic-hypothalamic region, which controls the secretion of gonadotropins and sexual behavior.

[Paleoamygdala as the Neuroendocrine Center of Regulation of Reproductive Processis].

This review contains modern information about the representation of serotoninergic system in the Amygdala with detailed characteristics of the localization of serotonine fibers and serotonine receptors in nuclear and paleocortical structures. These data indicate the joint participation of serotonine and sex steroids in the regulation of the neuroedocrine function of Amygdala, which have a modulating effect on the secretion and release gonadotropine centers and sexual behavior centers in the hypothalamic area of the brain. The survey also gives information about changes in the exchange of serotonine in the Amygdala's structures in the process of alimentary, maternal, aggressive-defensive and emotional behavior. Systematizes the data on the role of serotonin and sex steroids in the mechanisms involved in the stress response of Amygdala, and its participation in the formation of mood, emotions and the genesis of depression. Presented data on changes in morphometric characteristics of brain structures caused by polymorphic variants of genes of serotoninergic systems and data on the asymmetry of its content.

[Paleoamygdala: the morphogenesis of nuclear-type, paleocortical and intermediate formations in the perial of postnatal development in rats].

The cytoarchitectonics and expression of apoptosis (as an indicator of stabilization of formative processes) in nuclear, paleocortical, and intermediate formations of the paleoamygdala of the rat ondays 21, 24, 28, and 31 of postnatal development was studied. The results of analysis suggest that the morphogenesis of these formations is characterized by heterochrony due to the complexity of their structural organization predefined by the phylogenetic age. On day 21 of postnatal development of the rat, only the dorsomedial nucleus is well differentiated; on days 24-28, the posterior medial nucleus is well differentiated. The medial part of the posterior cortical nucleus (intermediate formation) is differentiated from the lateral part of this nucleus on day 28. The lateral part of the posterior cortical nucleus, which exhibits the characteristics of a paleocortical formation, acquires the cytoarchitectonics characteristic of an adult animal on day 31 of postnatal development. The dynamics of changes in the apoptotic index reflects the stabilization of morphogenetic processes characterized on the basis of cytoarchitectonic criteria. The results of this study and the neurogenetic data, indicating the presence of spatiotemporal gradients in the formation of the amygdaloid complex and the multiplicity of the original histogenetic domains, confirm the correctness of the previous concept (Akmaev and Kalimullina, 1993) on the substrate of this brain structure as a nuclear-paleocortical component of the brain.

Paleoamygdala: morphogenesis of the posterior cortical nucleus of the rat amygdaloid complex of the brain during the early juvenile period.

Sex-related differences and the dynamic of formation of the posterior cortical nucleus of the rat amygdaloid complex were revealed in the early juvenile period by planimetric characteristics, numbers of neurons and glial cells, and glial and apoptotic indexes reflecting morphological restructuring on postnatal days 21, 24, 28, and 31.

[Structural and quantitative characteristics of the amygdala and primary somatosensory cortex of alcohol-preferring and alcohol non-preferring rats].

The aim of the study was the structural and planimetric characteristics of the nuclei and intermediate formations of corticomedial and basolateral groups of structures of the amygdala and the primary somatosensory cortex in 10 alcohol-preferring (AP) and 10 alcohol non-preferring (ANP) rats, as well as demonstration of the ifferences in concentration of dopamine and its metabolite--3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAK) in the amygdala. Measurements of absolute and specific areas of the structures studied were conducted on the cytoarchitectonic slides stained using Nissl cresyl violet method. No differences in the specific area of corticomedial and basolateral amygdala groups of structures were detected between two groups of rats studied. In ANP rats higher specific areas of the primary somatosensory cortex and of the amygdala in the left hemisphere were found, predetermined by the larger sizes of basolateral group. Analysis of DOPAK concentration in the amygdala revealed it in nearly equal quantities in AP and ANP rats, while, concentration of dopamine was significantly greater in AP rats. DOPAK/dopamine ratio was twice greater in AP rats which is indicative of dopamine accelerated metabolism.

[The main statements of a new concept about the substrate of paleoamygdala].

A new concept is presented about the substrate of paleoamygdala--a complex of the gray matter located in the periventricular zone of the lower horn of the lateral ventricle at the territory of the posterior part of the phylogenetically ancient cortical-medial grouping of the amygdalar complex. The argumentation is based on results of cytoarchitectonical analysis, consideration of peculiarities of neuronal organization, regularities of ontogenesis, and the literature data characterizing results of hodological and functional investigations.

[Structural and functional organization of cart peptide-expressing neurons in brain amygdala].

The aim of the study was to identify the specific features of structural and functional organization of the neurons in dorsomedial nucleus of amygdala containing immunoreactive CART peptide. The study was carried out on 15 Wistar rats using an immunocytochemical demonstration of CART peptide and Golgi method. CART peptide-expressing neurons in subependymal zone of the nucleus were shown to be neuroblastoformal, while those located in its central zones were short-dendritic. These data demonstrate that CART peptide-expressing neurons are belong to a sparcely branched neuronal system. The results obtained in this work together with the analysis of the literature and the provisions of A.L. Polenov (1993) concept on the origin and evolution of the neuroendocrine cells and neurohormonal regulation in Metazoa, suggest that CART peptide appeared during the early stages of the formation of the regulatory chemical communication in the multicellular organisms.

Paleoamygdala and biogenic amines: effect of gender factor and sex steroid content on their content and metabolism.

The content of biogenic amines and their metabolism in the ancient part of the amygdala (paleoamygdala) differ in male and female rats and depended on the phase of the estrous cycle.

[Serotonine and sex steroids in the system of neuroendocrine regulation of amygdala functions].

This review contains modern information about the representation of serotoninergic system in the Amygdala with detailed characteristics of the localization of serotonine fibers and serotonine receptors in nuclear and paleocortical structures. These data indicate the joint participation of serotonine and sex steroids in the regulation of the neuroedocrine function of Amygdala, which have a modulating effect on the secretion and release gonadotropine centers and sexual behavior centers in the hypothalamic area of the brain. The survey also gives information about changes in the exchange of serotonine in the Amygdala's structures in the process of alimentary, maternal, aggressive-defensive and emotional behavior. Systematizes the data on the role of serotonin and sex steroids in the mechanisms involved in the stress response of Amygdala, and its participation in the formation of mood, emotions and the genesis of depression. Presented data on changes in morphometric characteristics of brain structures caused by polymorphic variants of genes of serotoninergic systems and data on the asymmetry of its content.

[Experimental approaches to investigation into the role of the genotype by the locus TAG 1A of dopamine D2-receptors in epileptogenesis].

The effect of genotype in locus TAG 1A of gene receptor dopamine second type on characteristics of peak-and-wave EEG pattern in somatosensory, parietal and occipital areas of the cortex was studied in two groups of rats. Quantitative analysis showed that the peak-wave discharge of the first type in rats with A1/A1 genotype had a significantly longer duration, occurred more frequently leading to a significant increase in their peak-wave index. The results are of clinical interest creating a theoretical basis for improved diagnosis of absence epilepsy and selection of anticonvulsants.

[Cajal body in the neuroendocrine neurons of the paleoamygdala].

The article demonstrates the ultrastructure of Cajal body (CB) that was detected during the electron microscopic study of nucleoplasm of the neuroendocrine neurons of the paleoamygdala of the adult Wistar rats in the study of the dynamics of their functional states throughout the estrous cycle. CB is located in the nucleoplasm close to the nucleolus and appears as a polygon structure, having the size of 0.4 x 0.5 microm, consisting of twisted strands of 40 to 60 nm thickness, which are separated from each other by the material of low electron density, obviously, a continuation of the nucleoplasm. Structural association of CB with other nuclear domains--nucleoli, interchromatin granule clusters were not noticed. CB was found in neurons only at the stage of "return to the initial state", which characterizes the completion of the functional activity of neurons. The number of these neurons was increased at the stage of metestrus. They are characterized by a segregation of nucleolar components, indicating the blockade of the protein synthesis. This fact is associated with the restructuring of CB modular organization, caused by the functional state of neurons.

[Paleoamygdala: a comparative analysis of structural and functional organization in wAG/Rij and Wistar rats].

A comparative analysis of structural and functional organization of paleoamygdala was performed in 22 male WAG/Rij and Wistar rats using light microscopy (Nissl staining method and computer morphometric analysis), electron microscopy (using the criteria of the evaluation of the functional state of neurons) and the TUNEL method for apoptotic cell labeling. The results obtained suggest the involvement of the limbic brain structures in the pathogenesis of absence epilepsy. It was shown that the area occupied in the sections by amygdala was significantly greater in WAG/Rij rats (model of absence epilepsy). The assessment of ultrastructural characteristics of neurons in all the structures of paleoamygdala (dorsomedial, posterior medial and posterior cortical nuclei) has shown the signs of the reduction of their functional activity in WAG/Rij rats. In addition, WAG/Rij rats demonstrated the increased numbers of pyknomorphic neurons with the signs of apoptosis, as identified by the TUNEL method, which is indicative of the destructive processes.

[Sex steroids and monoamines in the system of neuroendocrine regulation of amygdala functions].

The aim of this review is a review of literature data, which characterize participation of monoamines brain systems and sex steroids in regulation (modulation) of the amygdalas' functions. Shown were characteristic noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems and their representation in amygdala. Effect ofnoradrenaline, dopamine and serotonine on neurons of Amygdala was shown realized from appropriate cell receptors under modulated influence of sex steroids. Combined participation of monoamines and sex steroids occur in regulation of activity in cyclic centre of secretion and releasing of gonadotropins, constituted a base of forming adaptive (sexual, food and aggressive-defensive) behaviour, including stress reaction. The presented data could be used for understanding influence of gender factor on personality characteristics of humans, cognitive abilities and behavioural reactions, and also in application to development of optimal medicinal treatment of psychoneurological diseases.

[The system of neuroendocrine regulation of amygdala functions: the role of dopamine and sex steroids].

This review contains the data on the representation of dopaminergic system in the amygdala and its functional importance in the realization of neuroendocrine functions of the amygdala as a reproductive center. The evidence presented indicate the combined participation of dopamine and sex steroids in the regulation of amygdala activity, which exerts a modulating influence both on the centers of gonadotropin secretion and release and on centers of sexual behavior in the hypothalamic area of the brain. It is shown that a significant role in this process belongs to the chemosensory information coming to amygdala from the olfactory bulbs, in which the functional activity of dopaminergic system is also controlled by the amount of sex steroids. This review also presents the data indicating the changes in dopamine metabolism in amygdala structures in the process of formation of the stress-response, food, maternal, aggressive-defensive and deviant behavior.

[Neuroendocrine regulation of amygdala functions: the role of sex steroids and noradrenaline].

The aim of this review was to summarize the literature data, which characterize the participation of brain noradrenergic system and sex steroids in the regulation/modulation of amygdala functions. Structural organization of noradrenergic system and its representation in corticomedial and basolateral divisions of amygdala is described. This is important for further development of the understanding of the heterogeneity and structural organization complexity of the amygdale, which possesses functional multiplicity. The evidence is presented that may help in comprehension of the influence of gender factor on human personality characteristics, cognitive abilities and behavioral reactions. These data may also be applied for development of optimal clinical medicinal treatment of psychoneurological diseases.