Study summary · research use only
[Intranasal epitalon infusion modulates neuronal activity in the rat neocortex]
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
In this rat study, the tetrapeptide epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly), based on a pineal peptide extract, was delivered by intranasal infusion, described as a noninvasive route to the CNS. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with urethane (1 g/kg), and extracellular unit activity was recorded with glass microelectrodes (1-2 MOhm). After 10-15 min of baseline recording, a 2 ng intranasal infusion of epitalon was followed by 30 min of recording. The authors report activation of neural activity within a few minutes, with neuronal spike frequency 2-2.5-fold higher, and describe a multiphasic response with phases at 5 to 7 min, 11-12 min, and 17-18 min. The increase was attributed to higher firing of already active units and recruitment of previously silent cells, with the first phase attributed to direct action on motor cortex cells.
Abstract
Properties of tetrapeptide epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) constructed on the basis of pineal peptide extract, have been studied. The intranasal infusions: a noninvasive way to deliver this peptide to CNS hypassing the blood-brain barrier, was used. The aim of the study is to estimate epitalon action on rat motor cortex spontaneous activity. Wistar male rats were anesthetized with urethane (1 g/kg). Extracellular unit recording was made using glass microelectrodes (1-2 MOhm). After recording of spontaneous activity (10-15 min), epitalon intranasal infusion (2 ng) was followed by 30-minute recording. Within a few minutes after the infusion, significant activation of neural activity was observed (2-2.5-fold higher frequency of neuronal spikes). Complex response consisting of several phases was identified in some recordings. The spikes frequency growth during 5 to 7 min (first phase) after the infusion was followed by the second (11-12 min) and the third (17-18 min) phases. An increase of neuronal spontaneous activity was conditioned by the higher frequency of already active units and by the involvement of previously silent cells. At least the first phase of epitalon action can be explained by direct action of the peptide on the cells of the motor cortex.
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