Article
Neurosciences
Joseph Cichon, Andrzej Z. Wasilczuk, Loren L. Looger, Diego Contreras, Max B. Kelz, Alex Proekt
Summary: This study demonstrates that ketamine can cause a switch in the active population of excitatory neurons in the cortical layers, which leads to impairments in sensory processing and dissociative-like state. These findings provide insights into how the brain can become disconnected from the environment while maintaining internal subjective experiences.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Walaa F. Alsanie, Sherin Abdelrahman, Majid Alhomrani, Ahmed Gaber, Hamza Habeeballah, Heba A. Alkhatabi, Raed I. Felimban, Charlotte A. E. Hauser, Hossam H. Tayeb, Abdulhakeem S. Alamri, Bassem M. Raafat, Sirajudheen Anwar, Khaled A. Alswat, Yusuf S. Althobaiti, Yousif A. Asiri
Summary: Research has shown that gabapentin interferes with the development of fetal ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons, affecting morphology and expression of key developmental genes. This suggests that the use of gabapentin may lead to serious complications for pregnant women and their babies, warranting caution in prescription decisions.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jia Shang, Bin Li, Han Fan, Peidi Liu, Wen Zhao, Tao Chen, Pu Chen, Longqiu Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of sevoflurane on the midbrain's development using human physiologically-relevant midbrain organoids. The results showed that long-term exposure to sevoflurane could promote premature differentiation of midbrain organoids and inhibit cell proliferation, indicating a potential adverse effect on the midbrain development in fetuses.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Amanda R. Burmeister, Juozas Gordevicius, Emmanuel N. Paul, Christina Houck, Sonia George, Martha L. Escobar Galvis, Qiong Sha, Patrik Brundin, J. Andrew Pospisilik, Karen Racicot, Lena Brundin
Summary: In this study, a mouse maternal infection model was used to investigate the impact of maternal herpesvirus infection on the development and physiology of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in adult offspring. The results suggested that maternal infection with Herpesviridae, specifically MHV68, can trigger changes in midbrain development that affect dopamine neuron physiology in adulthood. This study is important for understanding the neuronal susceptibility underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Marianna Tolve, Ayse Ulusoy, Nikolaos Patikas, K. Ushna S. Islam, Gabriela O. Bodea, Ece Oeztuerk, Bianca Broske, Astrid Mentani, Antonia Wagener, Karen M. J. van Loo, Stefan Britsch, Pengtao Liu, Walid T. Khaled, Emmanouil Metzakopian, Stephan L. Baader, Donato A. Di Monte, Sandra Blaess
Summary: The transcription factor BCL11A is expressed in subsets of murine and human dopamine neurons, forming specific subcircuits within the dopamine system. These Bcl11a-expressing neurons are vulnerable to neurodegeneration, as inactivation of Bcl11a increases susceptibility and results in motor behavior deficits. BCL11A is crucial for establishing and maintaining the physiological characteristics of dopamine neuron subpopulations.
Article
Cell Biology
Walaa F. Alsanie, Majid Alhomrani, Ahmed Gaber, Hamza Habeeballah, Heba A. Alkhatabi, Raed I. Felimban, Sherin Abdelrahman, Charlotte A. E. Hauser, Adeel G. Chaudhary, Abdulhakeem S. Alamri, Bassem M. Raafat, Abdulwahab Alamri, Sirajudheen Anwar, Khaled A. Alswat, Yusuf S. Althobaiti, Yousif A. Asiri
Summary: This study found that early exposure to pregabalin could interfere with the development of ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons, which is crucial for clinical consideration of its use during pregnancy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryan N. Delgado, Denise E. Allen, Matthew G. Keefe, Walter R. Mancia Leon, Ryan S. Ziffra, Elizabeth E. Crouch, Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, Tomasz J. Nowakowski
Summary: Studies have shown that human cortical progenitors are capable of generating both excitatory neurons and cortical interneurons, expanding our understanding of the origins of neuronal diversity in the human cortex. By utilizing a new cellular barcoding tool called STICR, researchers were able to trace the clonal lineage of human cortical progenitors and identify transcriptional similarities between cortically born GABAergic neurons and cortical interneurons born from the ganglionic eminences.
Article
Cell Biology
Yuria Hori, Reiho Tsutsumi, Kento Nasu, Alex Boateng, Yasuhiko Ashikari, Masaharu Sugiura, Makoto Nakajima, Yuki Kurauchi, Akinori Hisatsune, Hiroshi Katsuki, Takahiro Seki
Summary: The study identified ar-turmerone analogs that directly and potently protected dopaminergic neurons, even independently of microglial activation inhibition, possibly involving nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hidehiko K. Inagaki, Susu Chen, Margreet C. Ridder, Pankaj Sah, Nuo Li, Zidan Yang, Hana Hasanbegovic, Zhenyu Gao, Charles R. Gerfen, Karel Svoboda
Summary: The study reveals distinct patterns of motor cortex activity during the planning and execution of motor behaviors. By investigating the multi-regional neural circuits, the researchers identified the key signal transmission pathway during the transition from auditory cue to execution. This study provides insights into how the brain controls rapid and precise motor behaviors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Walaa F. Alsanie, Sherin Abdelrahman, Majid Alhomrani, Ahmed Gaber, Ebtisam Abdulah Alosimi, Hamza Habeeballah, Heba A. Alkhatabi, Raed Felimban, Charlotte A. E. Hauser, Hossam H. Tayeb, Abdulhakeem S. Alamri, Abdulwahab Alamri, Bassem M. Raafat, Khaled A. Alswat, Yusuf S. Althobaiti, Yousif A. Asiri
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of quetiapine fumarate (QEPF) on fetal brain development using primary mouse embryonic neurons. The results showed that QEPF reduced the expression of specific genes in dopaminergic neurons and had variable effects on non-dopaminergic neurons. These findings have important implications for therapeutic decision-making when prescribing second-generation antipsychotics to pregnant women.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yi Han Ng, Soham Chanda, Justyna A. Janas, Nan Yang, Yuko Kokubu, Thomas C. Sudhof, Marius Wernig
Summary: Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells can be achieved through signaling pathways activation or transcription factor programming, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Research findings suggest that specific combinations of transcription factors can efficiently induce the generation of functional dopaminergic neurons.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jin Yi Han, Eun-Hye Lee, Sang-Mi Kim, Chang-Hwan Park
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity. Stem cell-based therapy using astrocytes as a source for dopamine neurons shows potential as a treatment option. By overexpressing certain transcription factors, astrocytes can be directly converted into dopamine neurons and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). This direct conversion strategy may provide a cell therapy approach for neurodegenerative diseases.
BIOMOLECULES & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Razan Sheta, Maxime Teixeira, Walid Idi, Marion Pierre, Aurelie de Rus Jacquet, Vincent Emond, Cornelia E. Zorca, Benoit Vanderperre, Thomas M. Durcan, Edward A. Fon, Frederic Calon, Mohamed Chahine, Abid Oueslati
Summary: Using human derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons provides a valuable experimental model for investigating the mechanisms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, current approaches have limitations such as lengthy protocols and variability in neuron yield. This study presents an improved method that combines neurogenin-2 programming with commercially available midbrain differentiation kits to quickly and efficiently generate mature and functional induced DA neurons. The resulting neurons showed similarities to A9 midbrain neurons and exhibited selective vulnerability to 6-hydroxydopamine, making them a suitable in vitro model for studying PD and screening neuroprotective compounds.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Soroush Darvish-Ghane, Brendan Lyver, Amanda Facciol, Diptendu Chatterjee, Loren J. Martin
Summary: The study demonstrates that chronic inflammatory injury leads to mechanical hypersensitivity and transient anxiety. Inflammatory pain induces alterations in dopaminergic inputs and excitatory transmission in pain-related cortical regions.
Article
Neurosciences
Sandra Blaess, Sabine Krabbe
Summary: In this article, recent studies investigating various aspects of dopaminergic heterogeneity are reviewed, including how development, behavior, and disease influence subtype characteristics. The potential future approaches to gain a more inclusive picture of dopaminergic diversity are outlined, which could be crucial for understanding the functional architecture of this system.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Andrew F. Scheyer, Milene Borsoi, Anne-Laure Pelissier-Alicot, Olivier J. J. Manzoni
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karine Guillem, Serge H. Ahmed
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Youna Vandaele, Karine Guillem, Serge H. Ahmed
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Andrew F. Scheyer, Milene Borsoi, Anne-Laure Pelissier-Alicot, Olivier J. J. Manzoni
Article
Neurosciences
Salma Tannous, Florence Darlot, Martine Cador, Stephanie Caille
Summary: Flavor additives increase nicotine oral consumption and help maintaining operant behavior in mice. Moreover, flavors can be very attractive and can have high reinforcing value by themselves. Thus, it is crucial that the investigation on how taste signals play an important role in modulating oral nicotine intake in rodent models remains explored.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Youna Vandaele, Magalie Lenoir, Caroline Vouillac-Mendoza, Karine Guillem, Serge H. Ahmed
Summary: This study examines the decision-making mechanisms between drug and nondrug rewards by comparing response latencies during sampling and choice trials. Rats engage deliberative decision-making mechanisms after limited training, but adopt a habit-like response selection mechanism after extended training. The DCM and SCM may not be general choice models, but can be dynamically engaged to control choice behavior during early and extended training.
Article
Neurosciences
Anne-Emilie Allain, Oceane Aribo, Maria-Carmen Medrano, Marie-Line Fournier, Sandrine S. Bertrand, Stephanie Caille
Summary: The deletion of TRPV1Rs gene reduces nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization and acts as a regulator of inhibitory synaptic transmission in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pauline Guily, Olivier Lassalle, Pascale Chavis, Olivier J. Manzoni
Summary: This study compared the morphology and function of basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons in male and female rats during puberty and adulthood. The results showed that BLA neurons in adult males were more excitable than those in females. During puberty, male rats had smaller and shorter action potentials, while females had larger fast afterhyperpolarizations. Additionally, there were sex-specific differences in spine length, synaptic properties, and the developmental courses of long-term potentiation and depression.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giulia R. Fois, Karl Y. Bosque-Cordero, Rafael Vazquez-Torres, Cristina Miliano, Xavier Nogues, Carlos A. Jimenez-Rivera, Stephanie Caille, Francois Georges
Summary: The brain has the ability to handle novelty, and exploring a novel environment activates different brain circuits, with the locus coeruleus, ventral tegmental area, and hippocampus playing critical roles. However, the control mechanism of these brain regions on cocaine's impact on dopamine neuron plasticity remains unclear.
Review
Substance Abuse
Anette K. Bolling, Nadja Mallock, Efthimios Zervas, Stephanie Caille-Garnier, Thibault Mansuy, Cecile Michel, Jeroen L. A. Pennings, Thomas Schulz, Per E. Schwarze, Renata Solimini, Jean-Pol Tassin, Constantine Vardavas, Miguel Merino, Charlotte G. G. M. Pauwels, Lotte E. van Nierop, Claude Lambre, Anne Havermans
Summary: The study found significant limitations in the methodology used by international tobacco companies in their reports, rendering them unsuitable for determining whether priority additives should be banned in tobacco products according to the Tobacco Products Directive.
TOBACCO PREVENTION & CESSATION
(2022)
Review
Substance Abuse
Anne Havermans, Nadja Mallock, Efthimios Zervas, Thibault Mansuy, Jeroen L. A. Pennings, Thomas Schulz, Per E. Schwarze, Renata Solimini, Jean -Pol Tassin, Constantine I. Vardavas, Miguel Merino, Charlotte G. G. M. Pauwels, Lotte E. van Nierop, Claude Lambre, Anette K. Bolling
Summary: This study evaluates the 15 priority additives in the European Union Tobacco Products Directive. The industry reports were found to be insufficient and methodologically limited, and the issues of toxicity, addictiveness, and attractiveness of the additives were not adequately addressed. Alternative approaches such as the precautionary principle are recommended.
TOBACCO PREVENTION & CESSATION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Myriam Abarkan, Giulia R. Fois, Caroline Vouillac-Mendoza, Serge H. Ahmed, Karine Guillem
Summary: Nicotine addiction develops after prolonged drug use and escalation of drug intake. Access to unusually high doses of nicotine leads to a rapid escalation of nicotine intake and increased motivation for the drug in rats. This escalation also induces long-lasting changes in specific neuronal activity in the brain.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Daniela Iezzi, Alba Caceres-Rodriguez, Pascale Chavis, Olivier J. J. Manzoni
Summary: This study evaluated the sex-dependent neonatal behavior of progeny exposed to CBD during gestation using behavioral approaches and deep learning analysis. The results showed that male pups gained more weight, while female pups emitted more high frequency calls compared to their control counterparts. There were also qualitative changes in syllabic USV repertoire and differences in homing behavior, with CBD-exposed females showing reduced motor and discriminatory abilities. These findings suggest a sexual divergence in the consequences of in utero CBD exposure on neonates, highlighting the need for further studies on the effects of perinatal CBD exposure.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Gian Pietro Serra, Adriane Guillaumin, Bianca Vlcek, Lorena Delgado-Zabalza, Alessia Ricci, Eleonora Rubino, Sylvie Dumas, Jerome Baufreton, Francois Georges, Asa Wallen-Mackenzie
Summary: This study investigates the causal relationship between the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and aversion using optogenetics in mice. The results demonstrate the influence of STN and its adjacent region para-STN on aversive behavior. STN stimulation induces conditioned avoidance and disrupts sugar self-administration, confirming STN as a source of aversive learning.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andrew F. Scheyer, Steven R. Laviolette, Anne-Laure Pelissier, Olivier J. J. Manzoni
Summary: The consumption of cannabis during adolescence presents scientific, medical, and economic challenges, due to changes in the social and political perception of the drug. With the wave of cannabis legalization, there is a need to educate the public about the potential risks and known dangers associated with both recreational and medical cannabis.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)
