Abstract: The invention provides a method of identifying a compound that alters vigilance. The method consists of contacting an invertebrate with a candidate compound, evaluating a vigilance property in the contacted invertebrate, and determining if the candidate compound alters the vigilance property in the contacted invertebrate. A candidate compound that alters the vigilance property in the contacted invertebrate is identified as a compound that alters vigilance. The invention also provides a method of identifying a vigilance enhancing compound that modulates homeostatic regulation or a vigilance diminishing compound that modulates homeostatic regulation. The method consists of contacting an invertebrate with a compound that increases or decreases vigilance, and determining the effect of the compound on a homeostatic regulatory property of vigilance.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of identifying a compound that alters vigilance. The method consists of contacting an invertebrate with a candidate compound, evaluating a vigilance property in the contacted invertebrate, and determining if the candidate compound alters the vigilance property in the contacted invertebrate. A candidate compound that alters the vigilance property in the contacted invertebrate is identified as a compound that alters vigilance. The invention also provides a method of identifying a vigilance enhancing compound that modulates homeostatic regulation or a vigilance diminishing compound that modulates homeostatic regulation. The method consists of contacting an invertebrate with a compound that increases or decreases vigilance, and determining the effect of the compound on a homeostatic regulatory property of vigilance.

Abstract: Novel pharmaceutical therapeutic compositions and methods for using same for the treatment of pain experienced by an individual are provided. The compositions contain at least one member selected from among anandamide and palmitylethanolamide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system. The method consists of administering a test compound to an invertebrate, and measuring a geotactic behavior of the invertebrate, where a compound that modulates the geotactic behavior of said invertebrate is characterized as a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system. The method consists of administering a test compound to an invertebrate, and measuring a geotactic behavior of the invertebrate, where a compound that modulates the geotactic behavior of the invertebrate is characterized as a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating or preventing disorders such as mental diseases, inflammation and pain by inhibiting the enzyme anandamide amidohydrolase. A therapeutically effective level of an anandamide amidohydrolase inhibitor is administered such as a therapeutically effective level of a haloenol lactone. Preferably, the haloenol lactone is of the formula: wherein R is hydrogen, R1 is a halogen, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of aryl, aryloxy, and heteroaryl radicals, derivatives of said haloenol lactones, and mixtures thereof. The haloenol lactone, E-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyrane-2-one, is most preferred.

Abstract: Novel pharmaceutical therapeutic compositions and methods for using same for the treatment of pain experienced by an individual are provided. The compositions contain at least one member selected from among anandamide and palmitylethanolamide.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating or preventing disorders such as mental diseases, inflammation and pain by inhibiting the enzyme anandamide amidohydrolase. A therapeutically effective level of an anandamide amidohydrolase inhibitor is administered such as a therapeutically effective level of a haloenol lactone. Preferably, the haloenol lactone is of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, R.sub.1 is a halogen, and R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of aryl, aryloxy, and heteroaryl radicals, derivatives of said haloenol lactones, and mixtures thereof. The haloenol lactone, E-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyrane-2-one, is most preferred.

Abstract: An apparatus for categorizing objects employs a neural network having a plurality of cells each having memory for storing a state variable, and a plurality of synaptic junctions connecting cells of the network and having memory for storing a synaptic strength variable. A computer is used to modify the synaptic strength variable in accordance with a heterocellular synaptic modification rule. That modification rule includes both the passage of time and the values of the state variables of each cell and of those other cells having specific spatial locations with respect to the cell in three dimensional space.

Abstract: Apparatus which segments visual scenes into discrete objects. The apparatus is able to perceptually group the elements corresponding to a coherent figure, and to segregate them from the background or from another figure. Reentrant signaling among rhythmically active neuronal groups is used to correlate responses along spatially extended contours. The efficacy of the connections is allowed to change on a fast time scale resulting in active reentrant connections which amplify the correlations among neuronal groups and provides the desired segmentation.