Article
Neurosciences
Alexandra B. Nelson, Allison E. Girasole, Hsien-Yang Lee, Louis J. Ptacek, Anatol C. Kreitzer
Summary: Abnormal involuntary movements, or dyskinesias, are observed in various neurologic disorders, and may be caused by alterations in neural activity or connectivity. This study shows that dysfunction in the indirect pathway of the striatum contributes to the development of dyskinesia in a mouse model, suggesting that hypoactivity in the indirect pathway may be a key mechanism for involuntary movements in other disorders.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
David L. Haggerty, Braulio Munoz, Taylor Pennington, Gonzalo Viana Di Prisco, Gregory G. Grecco, Brady K. Atwood
Summary: Binge drinking alcohol leads to glutamatergic synaptic adaptations between the anterior insular cortex (AIC) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS), which maintain the behavioral sequences of binge consumption. These changes may serve as a circuit-based biomarker for the development of alcohol use disorder.
Editorial Material
Biology
Leigh C. Walker, Paulo Pinares-Garcia, Andrew J. Lawrence
Summary: A neural pathway related to goal-oriented behaviors is dysregulated in binge drinking and alcohol use disorder.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel B. Dorman, Kim T. Blackwell
Summary: Synaptic plasticity, the experience-induced change in connections between neurons, plays a crucial role in learning and memory. This study investigates how spatiotemporal synaptic input patterns produce plasticity under in vivo-like conditions. The findings reveal the robustness of plasticity to trial-to-trial variability of spike timing and derive general rules describing the control of plasticity by spatiotemporal patterns of synaptic inputs.
Article
Neurosciences
Mariangela Scarduzio, Ellen J. Hess, David G. Standaert, Karen L. Eskow Jaunarajs
Summary: This review provides an overview of synaptic dysfunctions and neurochemical alterations in hyperkinetic movement disorders, including changes in synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
G. Martella, P. Bonsi, P. Imbriani, G. Sciamanna, H. Nguyen, L. Yu-Taeger, M. Schneider, S. M. Poli, R. Lutjens, A. Pisani
Summary: Impairment of long-term synaptic plasticity is a unique endophenotype of certain forms of dystonia. Broad-spectrum antimuscarinic drugs and negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes may be potential therapeutic options for dystonia treatment. The findings suggest common signaling pathway dysfunction among distinct dystonia genes and indicate the potential of dipraglurant as a novel therapeutic agent for this debilitating disorder.
Article
Cell Biology
Core Baimel, Emil Jang, Samantha L. Scudder, Kasra Manocheri, Adam G. Carter
Summary: Cholinergic interneurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) are modulated by ventral hippocampus and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, with the former causing an inhibitory pause in firing. This inhibition is mediated by local parvalbumin interneurons and reflects fundamental differences in connectivity compared to the dorsal striatum.
Review
Immunology
Andrea Mancini, Veronica Ghiglieri, Lucilla Parnetti, Paolo Calabresi, Massimiliano Di Filippo
Summary: The basal ganglia network, traditionally known for its role in motor learning and movement execution, is now recognized as a key regulator of cognitive and emotional processes. The striatum acts as an input station in the circuit, influencing the functional output of the whole system through synaptic plasticity. The immune system's regulation of synaptic activity in the striatum may play a role in inflammatory and degenerative CNS diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Paolo Calabresi, Giulia Di Lazzaro, Gioia Marino, Federica Campanelli, Veronica Ghiglieri
Summary: The critical role of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease has been discovered, but current treatments still face challenges. Developing cellular and animal models helps understand the physiological and pathological functions of alpha-synuclein, as well as the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
Article
Immunology
Ziyi Li, Olivia Ewi Vidjro, Gengni Guo, Yanfeng Du, Yao Zhou, Qian Xie, Jiaxin Li, Keqiang Gao, Li Zhou, Tengfei Ma
Summary: This study found that inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome can reduce alcohol intake and anxiety-like behavior by regulating glutamatergic transmission in corticostriatal circuits. These findings provide a potential anti-inflammatory target for treating alcohol use disorders.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Imbriani, Giuseppe Sciamanna, Ilham El Atiallah, Silvia Cerri, Ellen J. Hess, Antonio Pisani
Summary: Alcohol consumption affects motor behavior and control, but the therapeutic mechanism for movement disorders like myoclonus-dystonia remains unclear, with few systematic trials on GABA drugs mimicking alcohol effects. This survey aims to summarize the impact of EtOH on striatal function and provide a mechanistic explanation for alcohol-responsive movement disorders, suggesting potential drug repositioning based on different hypotheses.
Article
Neurosciences
Federica Campanelli, Gioia Marino, Noemi Barsotti, Giuseppina Natale, Valeria Calabrese, Antonella Cardinale, Veronica Ghiglieri, Giacomo Maddaloni, Alessandro Usiello, Paolo Calabresi, Massimo Pasqualetti, Barbara Picconi
Summary: The study reveals that sex-specific neural modulation may result in abnormalities in corticostriatal plasticity in mice. Furthermore, the interaction between dopaminergic and serotonergic systems plays a crucial role in controlling striatal synaptic plasticity.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Francesco Matrisciano, Valentina Locci, Erbo Dong, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Alessandro Guidotti, Dennis R. Grayson
Summary: The study revealed high expression and function of mGlu5 receptors in the striatum of BTBR mice, with sensitivity to MTEP treatment. Changes in gene expression related to excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity were observed. BTBR mice exhibited repetitive stereotypical behaviors and deficits in social interactions, which were reversed by MTEP injections.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Ilham El Atiallah, Paola Bonsi, Annalisa Tassone, Giuseppina Martella, Gerardo Biella, Antonio N. Castagno, Antonio Pisani, Giulia Ponterio
Summary: This review discusses the expanded understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying dystonia through animal models in recent years, emphasizing the common synaptic alterations found in different forms of dystonia. Particularly, the abnormal motor network and synaptic dysfunction are key elements in the pathophysiology of dystonia.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Gwenaelle Laverne, Jonathan Pesce, Ana Reynders, Etienne Combrisson, Eduardo Gascon, Christophe Melon, Lydia Kerkerian-Le Goff, Nicolas Maurice, Corinne Beurrier
Summary: Striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) play an important regulatory role in cortico-striatal transmission and striatal-dependent motor-skill learning, which is dependent on the integrity of dopaminergic inputs.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fubo Cheng, Wenxu Zheng, Peter Antony Barbuti, Paola Bonsi, Change Liu, Nicolas Casadei, Giulia Ponterio, Maria Meringolo, Jakob Admard, Claire Marie Dording, Libo Yu-Taeger, Huu Phuc Nguyen, Kathrin Grundmann-Hauser, Thomas Ott, Henry Houlden, Antonio Pisani, Rejko Kruger, Olaf Riess
Summary: Using epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches combined with multiple model systems, Cheng et al. show that mutations in THAP1 give rise to DYT6 dystonia via dysregulation of genes within the SP1 family. The latter could serve as therapeutic targets for a range of neurological diseases.
Article
Neurosciences
Paola Bonsi, Antonella De Jaco, Laurent Fasano, Paolo Gubellini
Summary: This review provides an overview of the synaptic dysfunction caused by mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-linked genes affecting the postsynaptic neuronal compartment. The effects of ASD-associated genes can vary depending on developmental time and subcellular site of expression. Better modeling ASD in experimental animals is needed to improve understanding of these disorders and increase the translational value of preclinical studies.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Montanari, Giuseppina Martella, Paola Bonsi, Maria Meringolo
Summary: Disturbances in the glutamatergic system have been observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review summarizes evidence from patient samples, postmortem studies, and animal models to explore the role of glutamate in the pathophysiology of ASD and its potential as a therapeutic target.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Giulia Ponterio, Gaia Faustini, Ilham El Atiallah, Giuseppe Sciamanna, Maria Meringolo, Annalisa Tassone, Paola Imbriani, Silvia Cerri, Giuseppina Martella, Paola Bonsi, Arianna Bellucci, Antonio Pisani
Summary: This study reveals the relationship between TA and alpha-Syn and demonstrates that alterations in alpha-Syn and SNAREs characterize the synaptic dysfunction underlying DYT1 dystonia.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tommaso Schirinzi, Illari Salvatori, Henri Zenuni, Piergiorgio Grillo, Cristiana Valle, Giuseppina Martella, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Alberto Ferri
Summary: A study found that mitochondrial respiratory activity increases in the blood leukocytes of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, possibly as compensatory adaptations to disease progression. This finding, which is correlated with clinical features and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, provides preliminary evidence for further exploration of PD treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Paola Imbriani, Giuseppina Martella, Paola Bonsi, Antonio Pisani
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disorder with genetic and environmental factors playing a part. Mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress are important mechanisms in PD, supported by PD-associated genes involved in mitochondrial function. Dysfunction of mitochondria is closely linked to synaptic dysfunction, which is an early event before nigrostriatal neurodegeneration in PD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yi He, Graziella Madeo, Ying Liang, Cindy Zhang, Briana Hempel, Xiaojie Liu, Lianwei Mu, Shui Liu, Guo-Hua Bi, Ewa Galaj, Hai-Ying Zhang, Hui Shen, Ross A. McDevitt, Eliot L. Gardner, Qing-Song Liu, Zheng-Xiong Xi
Summary: Physical exercise activates a specific neural pathway, producing exercise reward and reducing cocaine intake. The increased activity of a specific part of the red nucleus is associated with the projection to dopamine neurons.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annalisa Tassone, Maria Meringolo, Giulia Ponterio, Paola Bonsi, Tommaso Schirinzi, Giuseppina Martella
Summary: Strong evidence suggests that the decline in mitochondrial function is correlated with degenerative diseases. Various types of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's chorea and Parkinson's disease, share mitochondrial bioenergy dysregulation as a common feature. These diseases have different manifestations and genetic factors, but they both involve neuronal dysfunction and striatal impairment. This review focuses on describing the onset and development of both diseases in relation to mitochondrial dysfunction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Montanari, Paola Imbriani, Paola Bonsi, Giuseppina Martella, Antonella Peppe
Summary: The enteric nervous system (ENS), composed of neurons and glial cells, regulates the motor and secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Dysfunction of the connections between the brain and the GI tract is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD). Alterations in the ENS, including α-synuclein aggregation, occur early in the disease and spread to the central nervous system. This review highlights the role of the ENS in PD pathogenesis and its potential as a target for new therapeutic approaches.
Review
Neurosciences
Ilham El Atiallah, Paola Bonsi, Annalisa Tassone, Giuseppina Martella, Gerardo Biella, Antonio N. Castagno, Antonio Pisani, Giulia Ponterio
Summary: This review discusses the expanded understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying dystonia through animal models in recent years, emphasizing the common synaptic alterations found in different forms of dystonia. Particularly, the abnormal motor network and synaptic dysfunction are key elements in the pathophysiology of dystonia.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppina Martella
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)