Article
Neurosciences
Cui Liu, Nan-Wei Kang, Ying Wang, Yan Xue, Xin-Yi Chen, Lei Chen
Summary: The present study investigated the effects of apelin on the spontaneous firing activity of nigral dopaminergic neurons and found that it may serve as a neuroprotective factor in Parkinson's disease.
Article
Neurosciences
Cui Liu, Nan-Wei Kang, Ying Wang, Yan Xue, Xin-Yi Chen, Lei Chen
Summary: The neuropeptide apelin modulates the firing activity of nigral dopaminergic neurons and may serve as a neuroprotective factor in Parkinson's disease.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
L. Darbinyan, K. Simonyan, L. E. Hambardzumyan, L. P. Manukyan, S. H. Badalyan, V. H. Sarkisian
Summary: Curcumin has a neuroprotective effect and can improve the electrical activity of dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease induced by rotenone.
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Amrita Kulkarni, Kumari Preeti, Kamatham Pushpa Tryphena, Saurabh Srivastava, Shashi Bala Singh, Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
Summary: Protein dyshomeostasis plays a key role in age-related neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, characterized by the deposition of Lewy bodies composed of alpha-synuclein protein aggregates. The proper functioning of proteostasis, including unfolded protein response, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and autophagy-lysosome pathway, is crucial for protein synthesis, folding, confirmation, and degradation. Mutational changes in the genes involved in these pathways, as well as epigenetic modifications and microRNA-mediated transcriptional changes, contribute to proteostasis dysregulation. Defective proteostasis leads to the deposition of proteins, which can serve as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Targeting different aspects of proteostasis machinery holds promise for delaying the accumulation of pathological hallmarks.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ernest W. W. Wang, Gregory L. L. Brown, Mechelle M. M. Lewis, Leslie C. C. Jellen, Cunfeng Pu, Melinda L. L. Johnson, Hairong Chen, Lan Kong, Guangwei Du, Xuemei Huang
Summary: This retrospective study found that susceptibility MRI metrics in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) are associated with glial density and tau burden, key neuropathologic features in parkinsonism. The results highlight the importance of MRI in assessing the pathological characteristics of SNc in Parkinson's disease.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sergio Vegas-Suarez, Teresa Morera-Herreras, Catalina Requejo, Jose Vicente Lafuente, Rosario Moratalla, Cristina Miguelez, Luisa Ugedo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist buspirone and antagonist WAY-100635 on cortico-nigral and cortico-entopeduncular transmission in normal and dopamine loss conditions. The results suggest that buspirone potentiates direct pathway transmission and dopamine loss modulates responses related to the hyperdirect pathway. These findings contribute to understanding the role of 5-HT1A receptors and dopamine in motor cortico-basal ganglia circuitry functionality.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Young Hee Sung, Young Noh, Eung Yeop Kim
Summary: Thin-section neuromelanin-sensitive MRI provides insights into the affected regions of the substantia nigra pars compacta in early-stage Parkinson's disease, with specific areas (nigrosome 1 and 2) showing significant spatial differences between patients and healthy subjects.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Cheng-Neng Chen, Mao-Hsien Wang, Hung-Sheng Soung, Shu-Mei Chen, Chih-Hsiang Fang, Yi-Wen Lin, Hsiang-Chien Tseng
Summary: A study found that L-theanine, a major component of green tea, has therapeutic effects on behavioral and neurochemical dysfunction induced by rotenone. L-theanine exhibits antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, protects mitochondrial function, reduces neuroinflammation and apoptosis, and improves neurochemical deficiency. This study provides evidence for the potential role of L-theanine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
NEUROTOXICITY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yining Gao, Hongxia Li, Huoqing Luo, You Ni, Yifan Feng, Lu He, Qinming Zhou, Ji Hu, Sheng Chen
Summary: This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of movement disorders caused by anti-IgLON5 antibodies. The results showed that mice injected with these antibodies exhibited persistent movement impairments for up to 3 months, which may be related to impaired dopaminergic pathway and neurodegenerative changes induced by the antibodies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander Pilski, Steven M. Graves
Summary: Methamphetamine (meth) is a neurotoxic psychostimulant that affects axonal and somatic compartments of neurons in the brain, leading to degeneration of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and locus coeruleus (LC) neurons. This study found that chronic meth use results in axonal deficits in SNc and LC neurons in male mice before somatic loss occurs, while female mice are resistant to these effects. MAO inhibition showed neuroprotective effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for meth-induced degeneration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiang-Peng Fan, Hui-Zhen Geng, Ya-Wei Ji, Tao Jia, Jennifer B. Treweek, An-An Li, Chun-Yi Zhou, Viviana Gradinaru, Cheng Xiao
Summary: Key components in the nigrostriatal DA system exhibit distinct aging patterns and may contribute to age-related alterations in locomotion and coordination.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kamil Pradel, Gniewosz Drwiega, Tomasz Blasiak
Summary: Dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain are controlled by various brain structures, with the superior colliculus providing sensory input to the contralateral rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), an inhibitory input to dopaminergic neurons. Activation of the contralateral superior colliculus excites RMTg neurons, while stimulation of the ipsilateral side leads to both excitatory and inhibitory responses, suggesting a role of this pathway in orienting and motivation-driven locomotion of animals.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Adelie Salin, Virginie Lardeux, Marcello Solinas, Pauline Belujon
Summary: This study found that dopamine activity in the VTA is decreased in rats with extended access to cocaine, while there were no changes in dopamine activity in the SNc. These changes in VTA dopamine activity may contribute to the negative emotional state and the incubation of drug seeking during abstinence.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Tiaosi Xing, Giorgia Nanni, Cameron R. Burkholder, Kirsteen N. Browning, R. Alberto Travagli
Summary: A monosynaptic pathway connecting the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) to neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) modulates the tone and motility of the proximal colon, and impairment of this pathway may contribute to colonic transit reduction and constipation.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Carmela Conte, Angela Ingrassia, John Breve, John J. J. Bol, Evelien Timmermans-Huisman, Anne-Marie van Dam, Tommaso Beccari, Wilma D. J. van de Berg
Summary: This study found an increased expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the brains of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, which colocalized with phosphorylated α-synuclein (pSer129-aSyn) at the site of damage, suggesting a potential role in mediating the neuroinflammatory response in PD.
Article
Neurosciences
Mei-Fang Liu, Yan Xue, Cui Liu, Yun-Hai Liu, Hui-Ling Diao, Ying Wang, Yi-Peng Pan, Lei Chen
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Cell Biology
Ying Wang, An-Qi Chen, Yan Xue, Mei-Fang Liu, Cui Liu, Yun-Hai Liu, Yi-Peng Pan, Hui-Ling Diao, Lei Chen
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yi-Peng Pan, Cui Liu, Mei-Fang Liu, Ying Wang, Kang Bian, Yan Xue, Lei Chen
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Li Li, Bo Gao, Meifang Liu
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
(2020)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cui Liu, Yan Xue, Mei-Fang Liu, Ying Wang, Lei Chen
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Meifang Liu, Haoxin Jia, Yang He, Yu Huan, Zhe Kong, Nuo Xu, Xiangju Cao, YueTong Duan, Zhaoliang Li, Luyuan Yang, Wen-Ping Wei, Lifang Wang, Li Li
Summary: Ilex cornuta aqueous extract (ICAE) has preventive effects on high-fat diet-induced obesity and fatty liver in mice, exerting beneficial effects upon hepatic injury induced by high-fat diet. The mechanisms may be related to the downregulation of PPARγ and ADRP protein expression in the liver.
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pei-Yang Gao, Ya-Nan Ou, Yi-Ming Huang, Zhi-Bo Wang, Yan Fu, Ya-Hui Ma, Qiong-Yao Li, Li-Yun Ma, Rui-Ping Cui, Yin-Chu Mi, Lan Tan, Jin-Tai Yu
Summary: Liver function may play a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that as AD progressed, certain liver function markers increased while others decreased. The relationship between liver function and CSF AD biomarkers indicates a potential mediation effect on cognition.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2024)