Effects of Melatonin on Behavioral Reactions and on the Expression of NCAM in Rats

We studied the effects of i.p. injection of melatonin in pharmacotherapeutic doses and of constant illumination (a melatonin synthesis-suppressing factor) on the behavior of rats in the open-field test and on the content of the main isoforms of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in the hippocampus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurophysiology (New York) 2003-03, Vol.35 (2), p.102
Main Authors: Nedzvetsky, V S, Nerush, P A, Kirichenko, S V
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We studied the effects of i.p. injection of melatonin in pharmacotherapeutic doses and of constant illumination (a melatonin synthesis-suppressing factor) on the behavior of rats in the open-field test and on the content of the main isoforms of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and neocortex of these animals. In the studied brain structures of the rats kept under conditions preventing the melatonin synthesis, we observed suppression of the behavioral activity of animals and a decrease in the expression of the NCAM180 isoform. In rats injected with 10 mg/kg melatonin, changes in the behavioral activity were insignificant. In the hippocampus and neocortex of rats of this group, the NCAM180 content increased. Our experiments showed that melatonin can be involved in the control of balance of the expression of different NCAM isoforms. Such a balance is a crucial factor determining plastic rearrangements of the synaptic contacts.
ISSN:0090-2977
1573-9007
DOI:10.1023/A:1026012724578