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The role of cholinergic and serotonergic neocortical projections in controlling skilled movement in rats : evaluation of a model of dementia

The ascending cholinergic and serotonergic projections are central to cortical activation and normal behavior. The objective of this thesis was to determine whether unilaterally damaging both of these systems would disrupt the production of skilled movements on the contralateral side of the body. Rats received unilateral damage to either the ascending cholinergic, or serotonergic, or both projections. The respective lesions reduced neocortical leveles of acetylcholine and serotonin as assessed by acetylcholinesterase reactivity and immunohistochemical staining for serotonin. Subjects were assessed on a battery of sensorimotor tasks sensitive to neocortical integrity. The cholinergic lesion produced mild deficits on some taks but damage to both together did not abolish skilled movement. The impairments are decreased in relation to the severe effects of bilateral lesions. The results show that the sensorimotor cortex remains functional following deafferentation of both cholinergic and serotonergic afferents. / vii, 166 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:ALU.w.uleth.ca/dspace#10133/177
Date January 2002
CreatorsGharbawie, Omar A., University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
ContributorsWhishaw, Ian
PublisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2002, Arts and Science, Department of Neuroscience
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
RelationThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)

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