Distribution of Galanin and Galanin Receptor 2 in the Pre-optic Area of the Female Guinea Pig.

This study describes the distribution of galanin (Gal) and galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) in the pre-optic area (POA) of the female guinea pig. Frozen sections were undergone for a routine immunofluorescence labelling. Gal and GalR2 display immunoreactivity in all parts of the pre-optic area. Gal shows reactivity both in perikarya and fibres, whereas GalR2 was observed only in perikarya. Gal- and GalR2-immunoreactive (-ir) perikarya were the most numerous in the medial pre-optic area (MPA) with the highest reactivity in its dorsal part. In the median pre-optic nucleus (MPN) and periventricular pre-optic nucleus (PPN), only single Gal- and GalR2-ir neurons were observed. The highest density of Gal-ir fibres was revealed in the PPN and the lowest in the lateral pre-optic area (LPA). The results of this study indicate that the distribution pattern of Gal containing neurons overlaps well with the distribution pattern of GalR2-positive neurons, especially in the MPA. This may suggest GalR2-dependent activity in this brain region.

Colocalization pattern of calbindin and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript in the mammillary body-anterior thalamic nuclei axis of the guinea pig.

The study describes for the first time the colocalization pattern of calbindin (CB) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) in the mammillary body (MB) and anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) - structures connected in a topographically organized manner by the mammillothalamic tract (mtt). Immunohistochemical study was performed on fetal (E40, E50, E60), newborn (P0) and postnatal (P20, P80) brains of the guinea pig, but the coexistence pattern of the substances was invariable throughout the examined developmental stages. CB and CART colocalized in the perikarya of the lateral part of the medial mammillary nucleus (MMl), whereas in its medial part (MMm) only CB was detected. In the mtt, which originates from the MB, both the substances were present and colocalized in single fibers. Next, fibers from the mtt spread toward the ATN in a particular way: fibers containing CB ran to both the anteromedial thalamic nucleus (AM) and anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AV), while fibers containing CART ran mostly to the latter one. In the ventral part of AV, CB and CART colocalized vastly in the neuropil. The lateral mammillary nucleus and anterodorsal thalamic nucleus were virtually devoid of CB- and CART-positive structures. Based on the known connections between the MB and ATN, we conclude that the studied substances may cooperate in the MMl-AV part of the axis and CB plays a significant role in the MMm-AM part.

[Depressive syndromes in patients dependent on alcohol with regard to mental disorders in the family]. / Zespoly depresyjne u chorych uzaleznionych od alkoholu z uwzglednieniem chorób psychicznych w rodzinie.

We looked for the present and past history of functional disorders, especially mood disorders among 215 inpatients with diagnosis of alcohol dependence using Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia--Life-time Version (SADS-L). This same was determined in their first degree relatives using Family History--Research Diagnostic Criteria (FH--RDC). The incidence of mood disorders among probands was rather low--9.8% (bipolar--0.9%, recurrent depression--2.8%, minor depression--6.0%), the occurrence of other functional disorders was much more rare: 2 patients--panic disorder, 2--general anxiety disorders. Among first degree relatives only two had history of depression. The incidence of alcoholism was rather high, especially in men.

[Depressive symptoms in alcohol dependent subjects]. / Zespoly depresyjne u osób uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

In the presence of contradictory estimations of frequency of depression among alcoholics, 84 in-patients from Department of Psychiatry, Medical Academy in Gdansk, and from psychiatric hospitals in Starogard Gdanski and in Frombork were studied; 64 were male and 22 female. The RDC criteria as well as SADS-L were used. In 13 subjects (15.5%) past depressive episodes were diagnosed; among them in 7 patients major depression, and in 6--minor depressive disorders were established. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder was made in 2 patients and unipolar--in 4 cases. In a half of patients the affective disorders preceded the alcohol initiation.