Article
Clinical Neurology
Ana Belen Sanz-Martos, Jesus Fernandez-Felipe, Beatriz Merino, Victoria Cano, Mariano Ruiz-Gayo, Nuria Del Olmo
Summary: Our study demonstrates that butyric acid has a positive influence on long-term potentiation (LTP) and hippocampus-dependent spatial memory, suggesting its potential beneficial effects on memory.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Radu Gugustea, Zhengping Jia
Summary: AMPARs are crucial for fast excitatory synaptic transmission and key mechanisms of learning and memory. Studies show multiple forms of LTP and LTD at the hippocampal CA1 synapse regulated by different AMPAR subunits and induction protocols, emphasizing the necessity to understand the mechanisms of each form and their impact on memory and brain disorders.
Article
Neurosciences
Madeleine Kyrke-Smith, Lenora J. Volk, Samuel F. Cooke, Mark F. Bear, Richard L. Huganir, Jason D. Shepherd
Summary: Research shows that mice lacking the Arc gene do not exhibit deficits in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), indicating that Arc is not necessary for LTP in the hippocampus.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ana Belen Sanz-Martos, Esmeralda Fuentes-Verdugo, Beatriz Merino, Lidia Morales, Vicente Perez, Roberto Capellan, Ricardo Pellon, Miguel Miguens, Nuria del Olmo
Summary: In a previous study, it was shown that intermittent ethanol administration impaired hippocampus-dependent spatial memory in male adolescent animals. In this current study, both male and female Wistar rats were subjected to an alcohol schedule-induced drinking (SID) procedure. Male rats that consumed alcohol exhibited spatial memory deficits and inhibition of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, while alcohol did not modify hippocampal gene expression of certain glutamate receptor subunits in either sex.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Karl Peter Giese
Summary: Autophosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) plays a critical role in synaptic potentiation by allowing kinase signaling to outlast NMDA receptor-dependent calcium influx. However, the role of CaMKII is conditional, depending on the developmental stage and location of the synapse.
Article
Neurosciences
Nicholas K. Smith, Veronika Kondev, Thomas R. Hunt, Brad A. Grueter
Summary: Social interactions are crucial for human experience, and disruptions in these behaviors are commonly seen in psychiatric disorders. Research has found that neuro-peptide Y (NPY) modulates excitatory synaptic transmission, affecting social behavior. Understanding how NPY regulates neurotransmission may offer new therapeutic strategies for psychiatric disorders.
Article
Neurosciences
C. B. Greer, J. Wright, J. D. Weiss, R. M. Lazarenko, S. P. Moran, J. Zhu, K. S. Chronister, A. Y. Jin, A. J. Kennedy, J. D. Sweatt, G. A. Kaas
Summary: Research has found that there are two different isoforms of the Tet1 gene in the adult mouse brain, with Tet1(S) being highly enriched in neurons and Tet1(FL) more abundant in glia, suggesting their roles are at least partially cell type-specific. Using neuron-specific molecular tools, it has been demonstrated that each Tet1 isoform serves a distinct role in the mammalian brain.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
John McDaid, Clark A. Briggs, Nikki M. Barrington, Daniel A. Peterson, Dorothy A. Kozlowski, Grace E. Stutzmann
Summary: Studies have shown that repeated concussions result in more severe and sustained symptoms on hippocampal circuits and synaptic responsivity compared to single concussions, leading to abnormal neuronal synaptic activity and elevated Ca2+ signaling. This may contribute to the development of neuropathology and long-term cognitive symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Lorenzo More, Lucia Privitera, Daniel D. Cooper, Marianthi Tsogka, J. Simon C. Arthur, Bruno G. Frenguelli
Summary: Positive experiences, such as social interaction, cognitive training, and physical exercise, can improve cognitive abilities and synaptic plasticity associated with ageing. However, the mechanisms through which the environment influences neuronal response and adaptation to these positive sensory experiences remain unclear.
Article
Neurosciences
Karl Foley, Cody McKee, Angus C. Nairn, Houhui Xia
Summary: Protein phosphatases, like PP1, play a crucial role in regulating synaptic plasticity and neuronal function by counteracting protein kinases and modulating enzymatic substrate specificity through interactions with subunits. Understanding the regulation of PP1 is important for studying memory formation and neurological disorders, as well as for developing potential therapeutic strategies targeting PP1 function.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Michael J. Seibert, Chantell S. Evans, Kevin S. Stanley, Zhenyong Wu, Edwin R. Chapman
Summary: SYT9 is a Ca2+ sensor in neuroendocrine cells, but its function in neurons is unclear. In this study, it was found that SYT9 does not trigger rapid synaptic vesicle exocytosis in mouse cortical, hippocampal, or striatal neurons unless it is overexpressed. Loss of SYT9 in striatal neurons reduced the frequency of spontaneous neurotransmitter release events. Further investigation revealed that SYT9 is localized to dense-core vesicles containing substance P, and loss of SYT9 impaired SP release, causing the observed decrease in mini frequency. The study also showed that Ca2+ binding to the C2A domain of SYT9 triggered membrane fusion in vitro, and mutations disrupting this activity abolished SYT9's ability to regulate SP release and mini frequency. Therefore, it can be concluded that SYT9 indirectly regulates synaptic transmission in striatal neurons by controlling SP release.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ericks Sousa Soares, Felipe Vanz, Vagner Fagnani Linartevichi, Helena Cimarosti, Thereza Christina Monteiro de Lima
Summary: Memory is the ability to store, retrieve and use information, and it relies on a time-dependent consolidation process. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in processing all types of information, particularly spatial memory. This study investigates the involvement and recruitment of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors in the consolidation of spatial memory. The results demonstrate that NPY injection impairs memory consolidation, and previous stress enhances this effect. Additionally, selective antagonists for NPY receptors Y-1 and Y-2 show that both receptors are key players in spatial memory consolidation. The findings suggest that NPY modulates aversive and adaptive memory formation through receptor activation.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meimei Li, Boliao Li, Qi Yang, Yanying Li, Junxiang Wu, Xiangli Xu
Summary: In this study, we identified 50 neuropeptides including neuropeptide Y (NPY) of Mythimna separata using transcriptome sequencing. The spatial and temporal expression profile of NPY indicated its important role in feeding regulation and energy metabolism. Knockdown of NPY significantly inhibited food uptake and body weight, delayed developmental duration, and altered energy storage in M. separata larvae.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Mara Yone D. Fernandes, Joao Pedro Lopes, Henrique B. Silva, Geanne M. Andrade, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Angelo R. Tome
Summary: Caffeic acid, a polyphenolic compound found in many dietary components, has been shown to reduce brain ischemia and attenuate various brain diseases. This study investigated whether caffeic acid directly affects synaptic transmission and plasticity, and found that it does not have a direct effect but can indirectly correct synaptic dysfunction.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Sheeja Navakkode, Jing Zhai, Yuk Peng Wong, Guang Li, Tuck Wah Soong
Summary: The CACNA1C gene, encoding the Ca(V)1.2 channel, is associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Our study found that deletion of exon 33 of the Ca(V)1.2 channel affects synaptic plasticity and behavior, including enhancing long-term potentiation, lacking long-term depression, and decreasing social behavior.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Sanjay M. Sisodiya, Christopher D. Whelan, Sean N. Hatton, Khoa Huynh, Andre Altmann, Mina Ryten, Annamaria Vezzani, Maria Eugenia Caligiuri, Angelo Labate, Antonio Gambardella, Victoria Ives-Deliperi, Stefano Meletti, Brent C. Munsell, Leonardo Bonilha, Manuela Tondelli, Michael Rebsamen, Christian Rummel, Anna Elisabetta Vaudano, Roland Wiest, Akshara R. Balachandra, Nuria Bargallo, Emanuele Bartolini, Andrea Bernasconi, Neda Bernasconi, Boris Bernhardt, Benoit Caldairou, Sarah J. A. Carr, Gianpiero L. Cavalleri, Fernando Cendes, Luis Concha, Patricia M. Desmond, Martin Domin, John S. Duncan, Niels K. Focke, Renzo Guerrini, Khalid Hamandi, Graeme D. Jackson, Neda Jahanshad, Reetta Kalviainen, Simon S. Keller, Peter Kochunov, Magdalena A. Kowalczyk, Barbara A. K. Kreilkamp, Patrick Kwan, Sara Lariviere, Matteo Lenge, Seymour M. Lopez, Pascal Martin, Mario Mascalchi, Jose C. V. Moreira, Marcia E. Morita-Sherman, Heath R. Pardoe, Jose C. Pariente, Kotikalapudi Raviteja, Cristiane S. Rocha, Raul Rodriguez-Cruces, Margitta Seeck, Mira K. H. G. Semmelroch, Benjamin Sinclair, Hamid Soltanian-Zadeh, Dan J. Stein, Pasquale Striano, Peter N. Taylor, Rhys H. Thomas, Sophia I. Thomopoulos, Dennis Velakoulis, Lucy Vivash, Bernd Weber, Clarissa Lin Yasuda, Junsong Zhang, Paul M. Thompson, Carrie R. McDonald
Summary: Epilepsy is a common and serious neurological disorder. MRI has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of epilepsy, and the ENIGMA-Epilepsy project aims to strengthen epilepsy research by increasing sample sizes and collaborating with scientists and clinicians.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Santamaria, Edoardo Brandi, Pietro La Vitola, Federica Grandi, Giovanni Ferrara, Francesca Pischiutta, Gloria Vegliante, Elisa R. Zanier, Francesca Re, Antonio Uccelli, Gianluigi Forloni, Nicole Kerlero de Rosbo, Claudia Balducci
Summary: Research shows that systemic administration of secretome collected from MSC exposed to AD mouse brain homogenates can replicate cell-mediated neuroreparative effects. Memory recovery was achieved in younger mice with a single intravenous administration, while sustained treatment through intranasal route was needed for long-term effects in aged mice. This approach has shown potential for developing a multi-reparative cocktail drug without the need for MSC implantation.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
P. La Vitola, C. Balducci, M. Baroni, L. Artioli, G. Santamaria, M. Castiglioni, M. Cerovic, L. Colombo, L. Caldinelli, L. Pollegioni, G. Forloni
Summary: The study demonstrates that peripherally induced neuroinflammation can potentiate the detrimental effects of alpha-synuclein oligomers and worsen cognitive deficits in A53T mice. Fine management of neuroinflammation may offer a promising therapeutic approach to prevent or slow down some behavioral aspects in alpha-synucleinopathies.
NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lauren Elizabeth Walker, Graeme John Sills, Andrea Jorgensen, Tiina Alapirtti, Jukka Peltola, Martin J. Brodie, Anthony Guy Marson, Annamaria Vezzani, Munir Pirmohamed
Summary: This study found that blood levels of HMGB1 can serve as a biomarker for drug-resistant epilepsy and can highly distinguish patients with drug-resistant seizures from those who respond well to medication.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nikolaj Riis Christensen, Christian Parsbok Pedersen, Vita Sereikaite, Jannik Nedergaard Pedersen, Maria Vistrup-Parry, Andreas Toft Sorensen, Daniel Otzen, Kaare Teilum, Kenneth Lindegaard Madsen, Kristian Stromgaard
Summary: The organization of the postsynaptic density (PSD) is mediated by specific protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and plays a crucial role in synaptic transmission. PSD-95 interacts with various proteins, including TARPs, and this study reveals the essential peptide responsible for the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) formation of PSD-95 and other key protein constituents of the PSD. The study also highlights the role of affinity and multivalency in LLPS systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nikita Mikhailov, Anais Virenque, Kseniia Koroleva, Elisa Eme-Scolan, Matei Teleman, Ali Abdollahzadeh, Raisa Giniatullina, Oleg Gafurov, Georgii Krivoshein, Tarja Malm, Riikka H. Hamalainen, Alejandra Sierra, Jussi Tohka, Rejane Rua, Francesco M. Noe, Rashid Giniatullin
Summary: Malfunctioning of the lymphatic system in the meninges affects the balance of pro- and anti-migraine mediators, but does not directly trigger meningeal nociceptive state.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Andreas Toft Sorensen, Joscha Rombach, Ulrik Gether, Kenneth Lindegaard Madsen
Summary: Well-tolerated and effective drugs are urgently needed for treating chronic pain conditions. Central sensitization plays a key role in chronic pain. PICK1 could be a potential drug target for treating inflammatory and neuropathic pain conditions with reduced side effects and abuse liability.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Annamaria Vezzani, Teresa Ravizza, Peter Bedner, Eleonora Aronica, Christian Steinhauser, Detlev Boison
Summary: Epilepsy affects millions of people worldwide, and current antiseizure medications have limitations in controlling seizures. This review highlights the important role of astrocytes in the development and progression of epilepsy, and explores strategies to modify their dysfunction for potential therapeutic interventions.
NATURE REVIEWS NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Matthew D. Lycas, Aske L. Ejdrup, Andreas T. Sorensen, Nicolai O. Haahr, Soren H. Jorgensen, Daryl A. Guthrie, Jonatan F. Stoier, Christian Werner, Amy Hauck Newman, Markus Sauer, Freja Herborg, Ulrik Gether
Summary: This study reveals the dynamic distribution and regulation mechanism of dopamine transporter (DAT) in synaptic varicosities using super-resolution microscopy techniques. The DAT exists in a dynamic equilibrium between inward-facing nanodomains and outward-facing unclustered configuration, which is regulated by excitatory drive and DA D2 autoreceptor activation. The DAT nanodomains overlap with PIP2 nanodomains but show little overlap with D2 autoreceptor, syntaxin-1, and clathrin nanodomains.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Annamaria Vezzani, Rossella Di Sapia, Valentina Kebede, Silvia Balosso, Teresa Ravizza
Summary: Status epilepticus (SE) is a heterogeneous clinical condition that is often difficult to treat. Animal models suggest that neuroinflammation occurs during SE due to the activation of innate immune mechanisms in brain cells. Clinical evidence also supports the presence of neuroinflammation in patients with SE, regardless of the underlying cause. Therefore, understanding the role of neuroinflammation may lead to novel anti-inflammatory treatments for controlling SE and its consequences.
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Aurelie Hanin, Jorge Cespedes, Anita Huttner, David Strelnikov, Margaret Gopaul, Marcello DiStasio, Annamaria Vezzani, Lawrence J. Hirsch, Eleonora Aronica
Summary: New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) is a severe form of status epilepticus and its subtype with a preceding febrile illness, known as FIRES, remains largely unexplained. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms and long-term consequences of cryptogenic NORSE is crucial for improving patient management and preventing secondary neuronal injury and drug-resistant post-NORSE epilepsy. Neuropathological evaluations have been helpful in identifying the etiologies of some previously unknown cases. This study summarizes the findings of neuropathology studies in NORSE patients, highlighting cases where neuropathology findings aided in diagnosis or treatment selection.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fredrik Berglind, Adrien Boulot, Ana Gonzalez-Ramos, Esbjorn Melin, Antonino Bono, Andreas Toft Sorensen, Marco Ledri
Summary: Epileptogenesis is a complex process involving molecular, cellular and network level changes. This study investigated the activity of neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus during early epileptogenesis using a viral vector mediated approach. The findings suggest that mossy cells and GABAergic interneurons play an important role in excitability control during early epileptogenesis.
Article
Neurosciences
Emma Kragelund Christensen, Ainoa Konomi-Pilkati, Joscha Rombach, Raquel Comaposada-Baro, Huan Wang, Yulong Li, Andreas Toft Sorensen
Summary: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a widely expressed peptide in the nervous system, but its low endogenous concentration and diffuse distribution make it challenging to study its actions and dynamics directly. In this study, a fluorescent NPY sensor was used to directly detect and characterize the release of endogenous NPY in cultured cortical neurons. The results showed that exogenous NPY application induced a dose-dependent fluorescent signal in almost all neurons, and pharmacologically evoked neuronal activity also increased the fluorescent signal in some neurons. However, the fluorescent signal declined in other neurons, indicating a potential interference from biological factors. The development of next-generation NPY GRAB sensor technology is expected to overcome these limitations and enable further studies on endogenous NPY release dynamics.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Anais Virenque, Hennariikka Koivisto, Salli Antila, Emma Zub, Erin Jane Rooney, Diana Miszczuk, Adrian Mueller, Enija Stoka, Nicola Marchi, Kari Alitalo, Heikki Tanila, Francesco Mattia Noe
Summary: Understanding the pathological mechanisms of chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) could lead to new therapeutic approaches. This study examined the role of meningeal lymphatic vessel dysfunction in modifying post-TBI pathology. The results showed that preexisting dysfunction of meningeal lymphatic vessels did not impact the structural brain damage and post-TBI behavior, but was associated with increased activation of microglia over time.
BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, & IMMUNITY - HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Aristea S. Galanopoulou, Wolfgang Loescher, Laura Lubbers, Terence J. O'Brien, Kevin Staley, Annamaria Vezzani, Raimondo D'Ambrosio, H. Steve White, Harald Sontheimer, John A. Wolf, Roy Twyman, Vicky Whittemore, Karen S. Wilcox, Brian Klein
Summary: Epilepsy is a common chronic brain disease with the need for therapies to prevent, ameliorate, or cure the condition and its comorbidities being a priority. A workshop in 2018 discussed accelerating the development of new therapies for epilepsy, bringing together experts to propose a roadmap for antiepileptogenic and disease-modifying treatments. Discussions focused on preclinical research initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and challenges in epilepsy research to optimize translation to clinical trials.