The Fas pathway and oxidative stress mediate neuronal death in stroke and may contribute to neurodegenerative disease. We tested the hypothesis that these two factors synergistically produce spinal motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS

The administration of single-dose methylphenidate has an effect in improving cognitive functioning following a TBI. The effects were most prominent regarding the reaction time of the working memory.

Orphanin FQ/nociceptin (NOC) has been reported to regulate dopaminergic neurotransmission in rewarding pathway, and to suppress the development of conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by certain addictive drugs. In this study, we investigated the effect of NOC on CPP induced by repeated administration of methamphetamine (MAP) in rats. Repeated administration of MAP (1 mg/kg, i.p.) induced substantial CPP. MAP-induced CPP was completely suppressed by NOC (10 nmol, i.c.v.). Pretreatment with [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)NH2 (50 nmol, i.c.v.), an antagonist of the NOC receptor, antagonized the suppressive effect of NOC on MAP-induced CPP. These results suggest that NOC blocks MAP-induced CPP by activation of the NOC receptor.

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This study aimed to define the change of serum level of nociceptin in pain patients. Seventy pain patients and 20 normal healthy subjects were enrolled. Patients were divided into three groups according to the duration of pain; (1) acute (within 4 weeks), (2) subacute (4 weeks to 6 months), and (3) chronic (> 6 months) state. Serum concentration of nociceptin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum nociceptin level was significantly higher in the patients with pain than in normal healthy subjects ( rho < 0.01). Furthermore, nociceptin level was significantly higher in the chronic pain group than acute group ( rho < 0.05). Serum nociceptin level has a relationship with the existence of pain and its duration.