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Možná asociace polymorfismů v genu pro dopaminový receptor D2 (\kur{DRD2}) s lidským chováním
JANDOVÁ, Linda
This study is focused on the dopamine D2 receptor and the linkage between TaqIA and - 141C Ins/Del polymorphisms in DRD2 gene and novelty seeking behaviour, as well as the linkage between Val158Met polymorphism in COMT gene and novelty seeking behaviour. Novelty seeking behaviour is characterized as a personality trait with a tendency to look for novel stimulation and extravagances at any cost of legal, physical and social risk to reward cues. DRD2 and COMT genes are associated with the function of dopamine, which is essential for motoric function and reward-motivated behaviour. Therefore, the aim of this study is to ascertain the potential linkage among the three studied polymorphisms and novelty seeking behaviour.
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Interval Timing and Emotional Modulation
Šafránková, Kristýna ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Telenský, Petr (referee)
This bachelor thesis focuses on time perception, a field of study pursued extensively by psy- chologists, neuroscientists, and cognitive linguistic researchers. More specifically, this paper will examine the issue of "interval timing" (i.e. an individual's ability to perceive time intervals in seconds or minutes). Time perception is influenced by several factors, of which emotional modulation has been postulated as the most crucial. Examining the physiological mechanisms of emotional modulation and pacemaker-accumulator, the striatal model of time perception along with its role in emotional modulation form the contributions of this thesis. Key words: interval timing, dopamine, emotions, the striatal beat-frequency model
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Optimization of the PCR-RFLP method for the Val / Met polymorphism analysis in the COMT gene.
VOKÁLKOVÁ, Lenka
The topic of this bachelor thesis is the optimalization of the method PRC-RFLP for the analysis of polymorphism Val/Met in the gene COMT. The first goal of this thesis was to familiarization with factors of congenital risks for schizophrenia. The theoretical part is devoted to this matter, in which the disease of schizophrenia is defined. In the First part the history and etiology of this disease is mentioned. Then the clinical signs of schizophrenia, the diagnostics and threatment of the disease. The important part is also the explanation of the connection between the schizophrenia and polymorphisms in the gene COMT and the role of dopamine connected with it. Next to this issue, the connection of the onset of schizophrenia with other non-genetic factors is being explained. In the next chapters the function of the gene COMT and the role of the enzyme COMT is being described. Other chapters are devoted to the polymorphism val158/met in the gene COMT and the methods appropriate for detection of this type of mutation. Primarily the methods used in the practical part of this bachelor thesis are being developed. I have set as other goals of my bachelor thesis the optimalization of the method PRC-RFLP for the examination of polymorphisms Val/Met in the gene COMT, which are increasing the risks of schizophrenia and also the analysis of several samples of individuals with the incidence of schizophrenia in the family. The practical part of this thesis is dedicated to these goals, in which the above procedures, that helped me to archive my results, are being described. I have used the method PRC-RFLP and also the method ARMS-PCR. The suitability of the use of these methods is discused in the last part of this bachelor thesis.
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Molecular mechanisms engaged in the development of drug addiction
Pallag, Gergely ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Nerandžič, Vladimír (referee)
Drug use is part of the human life from the ancient times. Besides their recreational utilization, sustained misuse of these substances can lead to the development of drug addiction especially in susceptible individuals and thus cause serious health and social problems. The aim of this thesis is to briefly introduce brain structures which are affected by addictive substances, and describe some of the mechanisms and molecules that contribute to addiction. A crucial brain structure which plays a role in drug addiction is the reward system, with dopamine as the main neurotransmitter. After repeated use of drugs, in neurons of this system certain molecules and epigenetic changes are accumulating that promote chronic nature of addiction. Especially important is the highly stable transcription factor ΔFosB, which in cooperation with other molecules promotes relapse even after several months or years of the last drug use. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Computer modeling of ion protein interactions: Allo steric effects of phenolic ligands and ions on insulin hexamer struct ure
Palivec, Vladimír ; Jungwirth, Pavel (advisor) ; Fišer, Jiří (referee)
Title: Computer modeling of ion protein interactions: Allosteric effects of phenolic ligands and ions on insulin hexamer structure Author: Vladimír Palivec Department: Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry Faculty of Science UK Advisor: prof. RNDr. Pavel Jungwirth, DSc., IOCB AS CR, v.v.i. Advisor's email address: pavel.jungwirth@uochb.cas.cz Abstract: Insulin hexamer is an allosteric protein capable of undergoing conformational changes between three states: T6, T3R3, and R6. Transitions between them, as well as the formation of insulin hexamers, are mediated through binding of phenolic ligands or ions. This thesis presents a molecular dynamics study of allosteric behavior of insulin using empirical force fields. Two effects are closely inspected - cation (Zn2+ , Ca2+ , K+ , and Na+ ) binding to the insulin hexamers and a possible binding of two neurotransmitters - dopamine and serotonin to the phenolic pocket. The results show that high charge density cations (Zn2+ and Ca2+ ) are mostly localized in the B13 glutamate cavity, slow- down diffusion, while preventing other cations from entering. In contrast, low charge density cations (Na+ and K+ ) do not have this effect. Concerning neurotransmitters, dopamine does not bind to the phenolic pocket whereas serotonin binds in a similar way like...
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Neuropharmacology of spatial navigation, cognitive coordination and flexibility tests in animal models
Prokopová, Iva ; Stuchlík, Aleš (advisor) ; Vyklický, Ladislav (referee) ; Blahoš, Jaroslav (referee)
Spatial navigation, cognitive coordination and behavioral flexibility belong amongst cognitive functions, which play a role in many neuropsychiatric disorders. Behavioral tasks have proved to be useful paradigms to test these functions in pharmacological or genetic animal models. First aim was to determine a potential interaction between β-adrenergic and α1-adrenergic or D2-dopaminergic systems. Spatial navigation and coordination were impaired in both studies during co-aplication of subthreshold doses of drugs. Used substances belong to group of widely prescribed drugs, thus our results could be implicated in clinical practice. Another study examined an acute effect of MK-801 (animal model of schizophrenia) on behavioral flexibility in Carousel maze and the Morris water maze (MWM). Carousel maze showed higher sensitivity with impairments from 0.08 mg.kg-1 compared to 0.10 mg.kg- 1 in MWM. The final experiment aimed at testing the effect of reduced expression of Nogo-A protein on spatial navigation and behavioral flexibility of rats. A battery of tests in the Carousel maze revealed impairment in cognitive functions, MWM showed unaffected working memory of rats. Our results support the hypothesis linking Nogo-A knock-down rats with neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive disorders. Key words:...
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