Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martino Caramia, Roman A. Romanov, Spyridon Syderomenos, Zsofia Hevesi, Ming Zhao, Marharyta Krasniakova, Zhi- Qing David Xu, Tibor Harkany, Tomas G. M. Hoekfelt
Summary: The locus coeruleus (LC), a small nucleus in the pons, plays a crucial role in the functioning of the central nervous system, particularly in wakefulness. This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify different subtypes of neurons in the LC and characterized their neuropeptide and receptor profiles. The results showed that NE neurons expressed various neuropeptide transcripts, with galanin being a notable one. Surprisingly, Galr1, a galanin receptor, was highly expressed in GABA neurons surrounding the NE ensemble. Functional experiments revealed that GalR1 agonist can inhibit a significant proportion of NE neurons. These findings provide insights into the role of the galanin system in NE function and have implications for understanding the actions of other peptides and their receptors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yuxiao Zhang, Yan Chen, Yushi Xin, Beibei Peng, Shuai Liu
Summary: Reward learning is crucial for survival and attention plays a key role in the recognition of reward cues and formation of reward memories. However, the neurological processes of the interaction between reward and attention are not well understood due to the diverse neural substrates involved in these processes.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alexa F. Iannitelli, David Weinshenker
Summary: The noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) is an early affected region in both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), but the reasons for this selective vulnerability are not fully understood. This review focuses on the presence of neuromelanin (NM), a dark pigment unique to catecholaminergic cells, as a contributing factor to dysfunction and degeneration of LC neurons. The authors discuss the limitations of historical approaches and introduce a new human tyrosinase (hTyr) model for studying NM production and its potential therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Theodoros Tsetsenis, Julia K. Badyna, Rebecca Li, John A. Dani
Summary: Processing of contextual information is crucial for learning and memory. This study demonstrates that increasing noradrenergic activity in the hippocampus enhances contextual associative learning, and this effect requires activation of specific receptors. Additionally, it shows that increasing norepinephrine release can ameliorate contextual fear learning impairments caused by dopaminergic dysregulation in the hippocampus.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
David Ullrich, David William Mac Gillavry
Summary: Post-traumatic stress disorder involves multiple neuroendocrine systems, with unclear interactions and lacking a unified theory. Research suggests that galanergic suppression of dopaminergic neurons may be a key factor in breaking the post-traumatic feedback loop. Additionally, studies on negative cross-antagonism in brain region propose behavioral patterns as novel avenues for PTSD treatment and prevention.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Gloria Lazzeri, Carla L. Busceti, Filippo S. Giorgi, Francesca Biagioni, Francesco Fornai
Summary: This article provides an overview of the therapeutic/neuroprotective effects of Lithium (Li+) in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, with a focus on its significant impact through autophagy. The effects of Li+ on the autophagy machinery are key molecular mechanisms that explain its protective effects in neurodegenerative diseases, offering potential therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders and emphasizing the interconnectedness of autophagy, neurodegenerative disorders, and mood stabilization.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Yoo Hyun Um, Sheng-Min Wang, Dong Woo Kang, Nak-Young Kim, Hyun Kook Lim
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the alterations of locus coeruleus functional connectivity (LC FC) in patients with insomnia after a 4-week transdermal trigeminal electrical neuromodulation (TTEN). The results showed a significantly decreased LC FC with occipital and temporal cortices after TTEN. However, there was no significant correlation between LC FC changes and changes in insomnia severity index and polysomnography parameters.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yiting Huang, Siyi Yu, Georgia Wilson, Joel Park, Ming Cheng, Xuejun Kong, Tao Lu, Jian Kong
Summary: The study revealed reduced connectivity of LC and VTA with the postcentral gyrus in boys with ASD, indicating potential roles of NE and DA in modulating somatosensory cortex function. Increased connectivity of VTA with bilateral thalamus in ASD was correlated with repetitive and restrictive features. Altered functional connectivity of both LC and VTA with brain regions such as the angular gyrus, middle temporal gyrus visual area, and occipital face area in the ASD group was also observed.
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISEASE AND TREATMENT
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Joost M. Riphagen, Maxime van Egroo, Heidi I. L. Jacobs
Summary: The study indicates that elevated NE-metabolism can predict decline in learning, supporting the role of the LC-NE system in early Alzheimer's disease processes.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Seong Su Kang, Eun Hee Ahn, Xia Liu, Matthew Bryson, Gary W. Miller, David Weinshenker, Keqiang Ye
Summary: ApoE4 enhances Tau neurotoxicity by inhibiting VMAT2, leading to LC neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Billie J. Matchett, Lea T. Grinberg, Panos Theofilas, Melissa E. Murray
Summary: The locus coeruleus plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease, with degeneration of its neurons contributing to dysregulation of neuroprotection and exacerbating pathology. Preserving the LC-NE system could be a potential therapeutic target for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases affected by LC degeneration.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Allan I. Levey, Deqiang Qiu, Liping Zhao, William T. Hu, Duc M. Duong, Lenora Higginbotham, Eric B. Dammer, Nicholas T. Seyfried, Thomas S. Wingo, Chadwick M. Hales, Malu Gamez Tansey, David S. Goldstein, Anees Abrol, Vince D. Calhoun, Felicia C. Goldstein, Ihab Hajjar, Anne M. Fagan, Doug Galasko, Steven D. Edland, John Hanfelt, James J. Lah, David Weinshenker
Summary: The study demonstrated that atomoxetine, a clinically approved noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, improved multiple Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Treatment with atomoxetine significantly reduced CSF levels of Tau and pTau, normalized CSF protein biomarker panels linked to synaptic function, brain metabolism, and glial immunity, and increased brain activity and metabolism in key temporal lobe circuits.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaojing Zhai, Dongyu Zhou, Yi Han, Ming-Hu Han, Hongxing Zhang
Summary: Resilience is an active adaption process in response to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or stress. The neurobiological mechanisms of resilience have provided new insights for preclinical research and drug development for stress-related disorders. The locus coeruleus norepinephrine system plays a key role in mediating stress susceptibility versus resilience and has gained significant attention in recent years. This review article discusses resilience-related concepts, rodent paradigms for studying susceptibility and resilience, recent findings on neuronal and molecular substrates of active resilience in the locus coeruleus, and potential future directions for resilience research.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Alexandre Berger, Simone Vespa, Laurence Dricot, Manon Dumoulin, Evelina Iachim, Pascal Doguet, Gilles Vandewalle, Riem El Tahry
Summary: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. The involvement of norepinephrine (NE) in the antiepileptic effects of VNS is critical, with studies showing potential for personalizing stimulation parameters for improved therapeutic outcomes. However, the biological requisites to become a responder to VNS are still unknown.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Nico Bast, Sebastian B. Gaigg, Dermot M. Bowler, Veit Roessner, Christine M. Freitag, Melanie Ring
Summary: This study investigates pupil dilation during a memory task in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The results show that adults with ASD have reduced memory accuracy compared to neurotypical individuals (TD), and this is related to altered pupil responses during encoding and retrieval processes. Higher pupil dilation during encoding and lower pupil dilation during retrieval are associated with decreased recognition accuracy, suggesting an altered modulation of memory encoding and retrieval in ASD.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Andreia Biolchi Mayer, Henrique de Oliveira Amaral, Danilo Gustavo R. de Oliveira, Gabriel Avohay Alves Campos, Priscilla Galante Ribeiro, Solange Cristina Rego Fernandes, Adolfo Carlos Barros de Souza, Raffael Hinio Araijo de Castro, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca, Marcia Renata Mortari
Summary: This study synthesized three bioinspired peptides based on fraternine and tested their effects in a Parkinson's disease model. The peptides fra-10 and fra-14 improved motor coordination, but most of the peptides were toxic at the applied doses. All three peptides reduced the intensity of lesion-induced rotations. The peptide fra-24 increased the number of TH+ neurons in the substantia nigra and reduced the concentration of the cytokine TNF-alpha, suggesting it has neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease.
