Safyeh Soufian, Masomeh Sofian,
Volume 13, Issue 5 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background: Recent advances in biology and medicine have revolutionized human knowledge on the brain and neurology. This has resulted in the emergence of psychological theories on religious beliefs and experiences in different cultures. This review article deals with religious experiences from a neurologic perspective. Materials and Methods: Functional imaging techniques such as SPECT, positron emission tomography (PET), and functional MRI (fMRI) allow for the study of brain functions of religious individuals. Religious acts activate a circuit in the brain site which is known as religious circuit that involves the amygdale, the hippocampus, the limbic system, the anterior temporal lobe, the orbito-frontal, and dorsomedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. The religion circuit is regulated by serotonin and dopamin. Long-term religious exercises, such as meditation, activate the frontal lobes which give human beings greater control over the functions of the “self”. The word “self” has been referred to as the nafs in Quran which consists of ‘that which incites to evil’ (alnafs al-ammara), ‘the nafs that blames’ (al-nafs al-lawwama), and ‘the serene self’ (al-nafs al-mutma’inna). Conclusion: Survival of ethical behaviors belonging to the inhibitory behavior depends on the formation of brain connections which can only be obtained through consistent long-term religious exercises.
Marzieh Kamkar, Samad Zare, Farrin Babaei,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (8-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Food restriction (FR) affects on depression and anxiety behavior. Previous studies have pointed to the role of sulpiride in the treatment of depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of dopaminergic system and food restriction on depression and anxiety.
Materials and Methods: Forty two adult male Wistar rats (180-220g) were divided into 7 groups including: control, sham, 25%, 50%, 75% FR, 75% FR with sulpiride and sulpiride(50µg/rat). The treatment period was 21 days. Day 19 surgery and cannulation was performed and Sulpiride was injected intracrebroventricularly (icv) on the 21st day. Depression and anxiety tests (Tail suspension test and Elevated Plus Maze), was taken from the rats on the 21st day. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test.
Ethical Considerations: Ethical points were observed according to the declaration of Helsinki and acts of Bioethics Committee at Urmia University (Ref No: AECVU-180-2018).
Findings: Mobility time in FR groups and sulpiride compared to control and in 75% with sulpiride compared to 75% had significant increase. immobility time in FR and sulpiride had significant decrease compared to control. Open arm entry in 75% FR had significantly decreased compared to control and in 75% FR with sulpiride had significantly increased compared to 75%. Open arm spend time in 75% FR with sulpiride had significant increase compared to 75%. Motor activity was reduced in FR groups and injection sulpiride.
Conclusion: It seems that sulpride and FR play a role in improving
semi-depression circumstances. Sulpiride also play a role in controlling the anxiety behavior induced by FR. |
Miss Zahra Mortezaei, Dr Somayeh Rajabi, Dr Sayyed-Javad Ziaolhagh,
Volume 26, Issue 3 (9-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Methamphetamine increases the release of dopamine from nerve terminals. Binding of dopamine to dopamine receptors increases the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element (CREB) protein and changes the transcription of downstream genes.The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of methamphetamine induction followed by aerobic training and Berberine on dopamine receptor 4 and CREB gene expression in the heart tissue of methamphetamine-addicted female rats during the withdrawal period.
Methods: 30 rats were randomly divided into 5 control groups, methamphetamine, methamphetamine + aerobic training, methamphetamine + Berberine, methamphetamine + aerobic training + Berberine. Intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg of methamphetamine was performed for 5 days, and during the withdrawal period, aerobic training was performed for 4 weeks and simultaneously the consumption of berberine 100 mg/kg as a solution in drinking water was considered. Real Time PCR method was used to measure gene expression. Independent T-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and SPSS24 software were used at the level of 0.05 to analyze the data. The code of ethics in the research was received with number IR.IAU.SHAHROOD.REC.1402.015.
Results: The results showed that methamphetamine use caused a non-significant increase (97%) in CREB expression and a non-significant decrease (52%) in dopamine 4 receptor compared to the control group (P>0.05). The implementation of interventions during the withdrawal period, such as Berberine consumption and the combination of berberine with aerobic training, produced non-significant increasing and decreasing effects on dopamine 4 receptor gene expression and CREB in the heart of methamphetamine-addicted rats, respectively (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: Short-term induction of methamphetamine did not cause significant changes in the expression of dopamine 4 receptor and CREB genes in the heart. Therefore, these genes could not undergo a significant change as a result of interventions such as Berberine and exercise. More studies are needed to investigate exact genetic changes in heart tissue.
