Thesis (doctoral)--Umeå Universitet, 1985. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Ampelopsis grossedentata is a wildly used herb in South China as sleep aid beverage for many years. Yet the active ingredients and mechanisms of this herb were unknown. In the present study, extract from Ampelopsis grossedentata which we named ECBRC-AG, and one of its active ingredient myricetin were proved having significant hypnotic/sedative effects in multiple animal models. ECBRC-AG shortened sleep latency, increase NREM sleep and decrease locomotor activity when treated before the onset of light period in rats. ECBRC-AG could decrease active awake and increase REM sleep in the late part of light period. ECBRC-AG also decreased the caffeine induced hyperactivity in rats. Among the three suspected active ingredients from ECBRC-AG, myricetin showed similar active profile with ECBRC-AG. Myricetin increased NREM and REM sleep, decreased sleep latency, decreased locomotor activity and also active awake. All the above evidences have implicated that myricetin is the most important active ingredient of ECBRC-AG ECBRC-AG and myricetin did not show any obvious side effects on rats. / Based on these findings, we propose that myricetin facilitates GABA function on PVN neurons through a T-type calcium channel and CaM-KII mechanism. The hypnotic/sedative effects of ECBRC-AG and myricetin are mediated by PVN. ECBRC-AG treatment decreased corticosterone levels in rats, which also indicated that PVN/HPA axis was the target of these herbal derivates. PVN has broad interactions with GABAergic, hypocretinergic, cytokine and NPY system and all these systems are proved to be deeply involved in sleep regulation. / In conclusion, the present study has identified that myricetin is the most important active ingredient of the herbal extract ECBRC-AG. We confirmed the hypnotic/sedative effects of ECBRC-AG and myricetin on rats, and also revealed the different action profiles of these herbal derivates compared with zolpidem. T-type calcium channels and the HPA axis were shown to be involved in the mechanisms of ECBRC-AG and myricetin, indicating that they may be the new targets for insomnia treatment with these herbal derivates. / Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and affects about one third of the general population. Insomnia is always combined with physical and mental illness, as either a consequence or a contributing factor. Insomnia produces sleepiness, impairment in psychomotor performance, absenteeism, frequent accidents, memory impairment and a high risk of depression. Pharmacologic therapies are the most important interventions for insomnia. However, the currently available hypnotics are associated with residual effects and risks of abuse and dependence. More efficient and safe hypnotics are needed. / The DNA array and RT-PCR studies revealed that GABA, hypocretin, cytokine and NPY systems were involved in the mechanisms of ECBRC-AG and myricetin. In calcium imaging study, we found that myricetin induced a transient Ca 2+ influx in the primary culture of rat hypothalamus neurons. This Ca2+ influx could be blocked by T-type channel blocker mibefradil. RT-PCR study also showed that ECBRC-AG and myricetin treatment changed the mRNA expression level of T-type calcium channel al G subunit in rat hypothalamus. The present results are consistent with our previous study showing that myricetin enhanced GABA function in the neurons of rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and that blocking CaM-KII pathway eliminated this effect. / Zhang, Xiaohu. / "March 2008." / Adviser: Chan Hsiao Chang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-03, Section: B, page: 1516. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 156-174). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Anaesthesiology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Misuse of prescription anxiolytic and sedative medication is a widespread phenomenon in Canada and a topic of increasing concern among health care providers. While anxiolytics and sedatives have important therapeutic uses in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, these substances have psychoactive properties that render them vulnerable to misuse. Understanding the correlates and contexts of misuse is essential for developing targeted treatment and prevention strategies. This dissertation is comprised of a series of four studies conducted with adults in the Halifax Regional Municipality, recruited from the community and from a local substance use disorder treatment program. Study 1 investigated misuse of anxiolytics and sedatives among currently prescribed users of these medications in the general community. Misuse and diversion were associated with a more extensive history of other substance use and with personality dimensions, including hopelessness and impulsivity. Study 2 investigated motives for misuse among non-prescribed anxiolytic and sedative users recruited from the community. This study also included non-prescribed stimulant medication users to facilitate comparisons across differing classes of psychiatric medications. Non-therapeutic motives were associated with substance use history and, for anxiolytics and sedatives, with the personality dimension sensation-seeking. Study 3 involved an analysis of prescription regimens and misuse among all participants of Studies 1 and 2 who had ever held a prescription for an anxiolytic or sedative. Misuse of benzodiazepine anxiolytics and sedatives was more frequent than that of non-benzodiazepines, but was unrelated to prescription regimen. Study 4 examined the misuse of quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic medication with anxiolytic and sedative effects, among clients of a methadone maintenance program. Misuse of quetiapine was widespread, but was typically associated with therapeutic motives. Quetiapine misuse was linked with a history of misusing other anxiolytic and sedative drugs. Collectively, these studies provide evidence that anxiolytic and sedative misuse is a heterogeneous phenomenon encompassing varying patterns of use and motives for misuse. Furthermore, these investigations suggest that anxiolytic and sedative misuse is linked to individual-level and medication-related variables. By providing a more comprehensive characterization of this important public health issue, these findings have practical implications in both clinical and research contexts.

Includes bibliographical references. / 1 v. (various paging) : / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (D.Nurs.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical Nursing, 2002

published_or_final_version / Anaesthesiology / Master / Doctor of Medicine

published_or_final_version / Pharmacology and Pharmacy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.