Browsing by Author "Weeden, Christy Samantha Star"

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Neuroprotective potential of methamphetamine : behavioral and histological analysi
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2007) Weeden, Christy Samantha Star; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael Babcock
Stroke is a leading cause of death and ischemic stroke is the most common form. The deficits that follow ischemic stroke include memory and learning impairment. There are presently no treatments that can combat the effects of ischemia after the attack has occurred. Immediately following insult, locomotor activity increases in rodent models. The goal of the current research is to determine if methamphetamine administration following ischemic attack will have neuroprotective effects and prevent changes in locomotor behavior that are observed following insult. Ischemic insult was induced in gerbils by clamping the carotid arteries for 5 mins. Subjects in the sham surgical condition underwent similar surgical procedures, but the carotids were not clamped. Then, subjects were assigned randomly to saline or methamphetamine (5 mg/kg) injection groups. Drug treatment was administered within 2 mins of surgery. Measures of distance traveled, average speed, and number of line crossings were evaluated.