Behavioral Measures

The solution of equation 16 is a decreasing, simple exponential where = k ([A ] + [P ]) + k. The perturbation approach generates small deviations in concentrations that permit use of the linearized differential equation and is another instance of pseudo-first-order behavior. Measurements over a range of [A ] + [T ] allow the kineticist to plot against that quantity and determine / ftom the slope and from the intercept. 

Undei damped behavior. Measurement devices with mechanical components often have a natural harmonic and can exhibit underdamped behavior. The displacer type of level measurement device is capable of such behavior. 

Lai, H. Gianutsos, G. and Puri, S.K. A comparison of narcotic analgesics with neuroleptics on behavioral measures of dopaminergic activity. Life Sci 17 29-32, 1975. 

Loeomotor aetivity has historically been used as an index of psychostimulant effects. Simple assessment of amount of loeomotor activity can provide the basis for anatomical as well as pharmaeologieal analysis of the neural substrates that mediate the behavioral expression of stimulant action. More sophisticated behavioral measurement systems ean reeord multiple measures of activity and describe spatial and temporal patterning of loeomo-tion. In such systems, qualitative aspects of behavioral activation can be evaluated by examining the entire activity profile. A comparison of the effects of novel drugs with those produced by well-characterized substanees may lead to a better understanding of their mechanisms of action and subjective properties. 

Hastings, L., H. Zenick, P. Succop, T.J. Sun, and R. Sekeres. 1984. Relationship between hematopoietic parameters and behavioral measures in lead-exposed rats. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 73 416-422. 

Numerous behavioral measures have been evaluated for their usefulness in providing a sensitive index of exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation-related mental retardation is the most likely type of behavioral abnormality in humans sensitivity peaked between 8 and 15 weeks of conception... 

However, some studies report only marginal effects of early odor exposure on adult odor preference. These contradictory findings may be due to differences either in the behavioral measures or species tested. For example, although Moore, Jordan and Wong (1996) observed decreases in ejaculation latencies similar to those observed by Fillion and Blass (1986), the author found no effect of early odor... 

Hopper, D. (1986). Behavioral measures in toxicology screening. In Safety Evaluation of Drugs and Chemicals (Lloyd W., Ed.). Hemisphere Publishing, New York, pp. 305-321. 

Sedative and anxioiytic effects A number of flavonoids have been shown to bind to benzodiazepine receptors and have anxiolytic effects (Medina et al. 1997). The anxiolytic effects of chrysin were examined in mice (Wolfman et al. 1994). Chrysin (1 mg/kg IP) reduces behavioral measures of anxiety (elevated-plus maze) in a manner similar to diazepam (0.3-0.6 mg/kg), which was reversed by pretreatment with a benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788. The anxiolytic effect is not likely due to sedation because there is no concurrent reduction in motor activity at the doses used. Unlike diazepam, chrysin does not produce muscle relaxation at higher doses. 

The in vivo microdialysis procedure has corroborated many theories of memory function that were derived originally from studies examining the effects of drugs or lesions on behavioral measures of memory. In vivo microdialysis has provided neurochemical correlates of memory and has also proven to be a useful tool for studying pharmacological interactions within and between brain areas during memory-related processes. 

Based on effects caused in monkeys and rats, the following are expected in humans 20,000 ppm for 60 minutes, coma and possibly death 10,000 ppm for 30 minutes, marked incoordination 2000ppm for 5 minutes, disturbance of equilibrium. Human subjects exposed to 900-1000ppm for 20 minutes experienced light-headedness, incoordination, and impaired equilibrium transient eye irritation has also been reported at similar concentrations. Impairments in psychomotor task performance such as reaction time, perceptual speed, and manual dexterity have been demonstrated at levels around 350ppm. Other studies at similar exposure levels have failed to show any impairment, but the type of task chosen to test behavioral effects and the times at which behavioral measures were sampled during the course of exposure may explain the variations from study to study." ... 

Animal behavioral models can be used to evaluate the effect of antidepressants on depression [Thiebot et al. 1992]. If TMS and ECT exert antidepressant effects by a similar mechanism, animal models for depression that are sensitive to electroconvulsive shock [ECS] should also be sensitive to TMS. ECS has effects on known animal models for depression. These effects may be displayed after recovery from the immediate effects of the convulsions [Thiebot et al. 1992]. We evaluated the effects of TMS on the forced swimming test and on apomorphine-induced stereotypy, a sensitive behavioral measure for the effects of repeated ECS. 

Bradberry, Charles W., Rand J. Gruen, Craig W. Berridge, and Robert H. Roth. 1991. "Individual Differences in Behavioral Measures Correlations with Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine Measured by Microdialysis." Pharmacology... 

Consider a leader you admire. First, write briefly on what you admire about that person s leadership. Then, consider the ways his or her behavior measures up against the five features of exemplary leadership. 

Figure 8. Fluctuational behavior measured and calculated for an electronic model of the nonequilibrium system (17) with A = 0.264, D — 0.012. The man figure plots the prehistory probability density (pk x,t]Xf,0) and posthistory distribution to/from the remote state Xf — —0.63, t — 0.83, which lies on the switching line. In the top plane, the fluctuational (squares) and relaxational (circles) optimal paths to/from this remote state were determined by tracing the ridges of the distribution [62],...

The magnitude of behavioral abnormalities produced by neonatal treatment with RSD drug depends on the dose of the drug. Vogel et al. reported that abnormalities of six sexual variables are found to be dependent on the neonatal treatment dose of clomipramine (CLI). The 30 mg/kg/day dose caused deficiencies in some, but not all, sexual behavior measures higher doses caused deficiencies in all measures of sexual behavior (49). There is also a dose-response characteristic... 

The principal nonpharmacological countermeasures that have been shown to have consistent beneficial effects on cognitive performance are (a) napping (36,37 see also Chap. 22), and (b) behavioral measures to protect sleep. 

Activity and exploration are also frequently measured in behavioral teratological research. Many different test situations can be chosen, e.g. small or large open fields, 8-maze, holeboard, activity cages, activity wheels, etc.. Although the behavior measured in different tests is indicated by the same terms, it should not be expected that activity in one situation is affected in other test situations in exactly the same way. Each test is likely to elicit slightly different aspects of activity and/or explorative behavior. 

Behavioral measurements can be recorded automatically with appropriate software and include time spent in the central area, distance traveled in the center as a ratio of total distance traveled, ambulation duration, time spent immobile (freezing), defecation score, and vertical activity such as rearing and wall leans (12) (see Notes 7 and 8). 

---