Article
Cell Biology
Takuya Hikima, Christian R. Lee, Paul Witkovsky, Julia Chesler, Konstantin Ichtchenko, Margaret E. Rice
Summary: Research suggests that somatodendritic dopamine release in the substantia nigra pars compacta autoinhibits the neuron that releases it.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bok-Seok Kim, Taeik Jang, Sung-Eun Yoo, Jae Moon Lee, Eunhee Kim
Summary: The impairment of protein clearance mechanisms in dopaminergic neurons leads to the accumulation of alpha-synuclein, contributing to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Fas-associated factor 1 (FAF1) was found to disrupt alpha-synuclein clearance through the autophagy-lysosome pathway, indicating a novel role as a negative regulator of autophagic alpha-synuclein clearance. This disturbance ultimately leads to alpha-synuclein accumulation and autophagy dysregulation in PD model mice.
Article
Neurosciences
Estelle Moubarak, Yanis Inglebert, Fabien Tell, Jean -Marc Goaillard
Summary: The shape of action potential (AP) is crucial in regulating neurotransmitter release and distinguishing neuronal populations. While variations in AP shape between different neuronal types are mainly attributed to differences in ion channel expression, the influence of dendritic morphology on AP shape has been suggested. This study investigates the relationship between dendritic morphology and AP shape in rat SNc DA neurons. The results demonstrate that dendritic morphology plays a significant role in defining the electrophysiological properties of SNc DA neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Sage S. Frehner, Kip T. Dooley, Michelle C. Palumbo, Aaron L. Smith, Mark M. Goodman, Karen L. Bales, Sara M. Freeman
Summary: This study found significantly lower levels of OXTR in females with autism compared to other groups. There were no differences in mRNA levels for either gene across the four groups. These results suggest that dysregulation in OXTR protein translation or increased OXTR internalization/recycling may contribute to the differences in social symptoms seen in females with autism.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
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
Neurosciences
Keyrian Louis Le Gratiet, Christopher K. Anderson, Nagore Puente, Pedro Grandes, Charlotte Copas, Patrick C. Nahirney, Kerry R. Delaney, Raad Nashmi
Summary: We have identified three types of monosynaptic cholinergic inputs onto medial substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in mice. These inputs have different effects on neuronal excitability, with cotransmitted ACh/GABA enhancing excitability.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Arianna Sala, Silvia Paola Caminiti, Luca Presotto, Andrea Pilotto, Claudio Liguori, Agostino Chiaravalloti, Valentina Garibotto, Giovanni Battista Frisoni, Marcello D'Amelio, Barbara Paghera, Orazio Schillaci, Nicola Mercuri, Alessandro Padovani, Daniela Perani
Summary: The study found significant reductions in [123I]FP-CIT binding in both AD-MCI and AD-D patients compared to controls, particularly in the major targets of the ventrotegmental-mesocorticolimbic pathway. Molecular connectivity assessment revealed a widespread loss of inter-connections among subcortical and cortical targets of the mesocorticolimbic network only, highlighting potential therapeutic strategies for AD.
ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Theodoros Tsetsenis, Julia K. Badyna, Julianne A. Wilson, Xiaowen Zhang, Elizabeth N. Krizman, Manivannan Subramaniyan, Kechun Yang, Steven A. Thomas, John A. Dani
Summary: This study identifies a cluster of midbrain dopamine neurons near the hippocampus that send direct projections and play a crucial role in aversive memory formation. The neuromodulation of midbrain dopamine in the hippocampus is sufficient to maintain aversive memory formation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Kujin Kwon, Hwapyeong Cho, Soyeon Lee, Eun Jeong Cho, Weonjin Yu, Catherine Yen Li Kok, Hyunsoo Shawn Je, Jae-Ick Kim, Hyung Joon Cho, Taejoon Kwon
Summary: Progressive iron accumulation in the substantia nigra is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. The study examined how neurons in the substantia nigra respond to age-related iron accumulation, with results showing an increase in stress response genes in older animals. This research provides insights into the neuronal response to excessive iron accumulation in relation to age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ezia Guatteo, Nicola Berretta, Vincenzo Monda, Ada Ledonne, Nicola Biagio Mercuri
Summary: This article focuses on the functional properties of nigral dopaminergic neurons and summarizes the shared or unique features of neuronal dysfunction in different stages of PD animal models, with the goal of illustrating the functional modifications occurring in these neurons during disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Malte Brammerloh, Markus Morawski, Isabel Friedrich, Tilo Reinert, Charlotte Lange, Primoz Pelicon, Primoz Vavpetic, Steffen Jankuhn, Carsten Jaeger, Anneke Alkemade, Rawien Balesar, Kerrin Pine, Filippos Gavriilidis, Robert Trampel, Enrico Reimer, Thomas Arendt, Nikolaus Weiskopf, Evgeniya Kirilina
Summary: In Parkinson's disease, monitoring the depletion of iron-rich dopaminergic neurons in nigrosome 1 with MRI could serve as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Peibo Xu, Hui He, Qinqin Gao, Yingying Zhou, Ziyan Wu, Xiao Zhang, Linyu Sun, Gang Hu, Qian Guan, Zhiwen You, Xinyue Zhang, Wenping Zheng, Man Xiong, Yuejun Chen
Summary: This study provides insights into the cellular heterogeneity during midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neuron differentiation and establishes a strategy to generate highly purified donor cells for stable and predictable therapeutic outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lei Chen, Cui Liu, Yan Xue, Xin-Yi Chen
Summary: Parkinson's disease is characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to altered firing activity. The firing rate of nigral dopaminergic neurons decreases before complete neuronal death and symptomatic onset. Neuropeptides, such as CCK, ghrelin, neurotensin, orexin, tachykinins, and apelin, play important roles in modulating the firing activity of dopaminergic neurons, impacting motor control and disorders. This review provides insights into the involvement of neuropeptides in Parkinson's disease and may guide further investigations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica IChi Lai, Alessandra Porcu, Benedetto Romoli, Maria Keisler, Fredric P. P. Manfredsson, Susan B. B. Powell, Davide Dulcis
Summary: This study investigated the mechanism of how nicotine-induced dopamine (DA) plasticity protects substantia nigra (SN) neurons against nigrostriatal damage in Parkinson's disease (PD). The results showed that chronic nicotine treatment led to upregulation of transcription factor Nurr1 and DA-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in GABAergic neurons in the SN. Nicotine also reduced the number of alpha-synuclein-expressing neurons and rescued motor deficits in PD mice. Importantly, the activation of GABA neurons and Nurr1 overexpression were sufficient to mimic nicotine-mediated dopamine plasticity. This study provides insights into developing new strategies for neurotransmitter replacement in PD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sarah N. Kraeutner, Cristina Rubino, Jennifer K. Ferris, Shie Rinat, Lauren Penko, Larissa Chiu, Brian Greeley, Christina B. Jones, Beverley C. Larssen, Lara A. Boyd
Summary: This study examined the age-related changes in brain function and baseline brain structure that support motor skill acquisition. The findings showed that older adults experienced decreases in functional connectivity during motor skill acquisition, while younger adults experienced increases. Additionally, regardless of age group, lower baseline microstructure in a frontoparietal tract was associated with slower motor skill acquisition.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Karen Nuytemans, Farid Rajabli, Melissa Jean-Francois, Jiji Thulaseedhara Kurup, Larry D. Adams, Takiyah D. Starks, Patrice L. Whitehead, Brian W. Kunkle, Allison Caban-Holt, Jonathan L. Haines, Michael L. Cuccaro, Jeffery M. Vance, Goldie S. Byrd, Gary W. Beecham, Christiane Reitz, Margaret A. Pericak-Vance
Summary: This study conducted genetic research on African American AD families and identified a significant linkage signal associated with AD, highlighting the importance of diverse population-level genetic data in understanding the genetic determinants of AD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kazuya Suwabe, Ryuta Kuwamizu, Kazuki Hyodo, Toru Yoshikawa, Takeshi Otsuki, Asako Zempo-Miyaki, Michael A. Yassa, Hideaki Soya
Summary: Physical exercise has a positive impact on hippocampal memory decline with aging. Recent studies have shown that even light exercise can improve memory and this improvement is mediated by the ascending arousal system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of light-intensity exercise on hippocampal memory function in healthy older adults and found that pupil dilation during exercise played a role in the memory improvement.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Ajay Sood, Ana Werneck Capuano, Robert Smith Wilson, Lisa Laverne Barnes, Alifiya Kapasi, David Alan Bennett, Zoe Arvanitakis
Summary: The objective of this study was to explore the impact of metformin on cognition and brain pathology. The results showed that metformin users had slower decline in global cognition, episodic memory, and semantic memory compared to non-users. However, the relationship between metformin use and certain brain pathology remains uncertain.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Brian N. Lee, Junwen Wang, Molly A. Hall, Dokyoon Kim, Shana D. Stites, Li Shen
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory and functional impairments. This study analyzed participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and found differential associations between cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)/neuroimaging biomarkers and cognitive/functional outcomes, as well as variations between sexes. These findings suggest that sex differences may play a role in the development of AD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Madeline R. Hale, Rebecca Langhough, Lianlian Du, Bruce P. Hermann, Carol A. Van Hulle, Margherita Carboni, Gwendlyn Kollmorgenj, Kristin E. Basche, Davide Bruno, Leah Sanson-Miles, Erin M. Jonaitis, Nathaniel A. Chin, Ozioma C. Okonkwo, Barbara B. Bendlin, Cynthia M. Carlsson, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Tobey J. Betthauser, Sterling C. Johnson, Kimberly D. Mueller
Summary: This study demonstrates a relationship between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and the ability to recall proper names in the preclinical phase of Alzheimer's disease.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Thomas T. Austin, Christian L. Thomas, Ben Warren
Summary: This study investigated the effects of age on the robustness and resilience of auditory system using the desert locust. The researchers found that gene expression changes were mainly influenced by age rather than noise exposure. Both young and aged locusts were able to recover their auditory nerve function within 48 hours of noise exposure, but the recovery of transduction current magnitude was impaired in aged locusts. Key genes responsible for robustness to noise exposure in young locusts and potential candidates for compensatory mechanisms in auditory neurons of aged locusts were identified.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)