A histologically derived stereotaxic atlas and substance P immunohistochemistry in the brain of the least shrew (Cryptotis parva) support its role as a model organism for behavioral and pharmacological research.

ABSTRACT: Chemotherapy is an effective treatment but difficult to tolerate due to side effects like vomiting. Studies on the etiology of chemotherapy-related emesis have implicated brainstem nuclei and the neurotransmitter substance P, among other substrates. Since rodents do not vomit, other species have been necessary as alternative models of chemotherapy-induced emesis. Of these, the least shrew (Cryptotis parva) has proven valuable due to its small size, hardiness, and close phylogenetic relationship with primates. However, very little neuroanatomical data on C. parva exist. We used histological and immunohistochemical techniques to provide neuroanatomical data to help validate C. parva as a model organism, especially for emesis research. Brains were sectioned and stained for Nissl substance or

SUBMITTER: Ray AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2730826 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature