Article
Cell Biology
Kumiko A. Percival, Jacqueline Gayet, Roupen Khanjian, W. Rowland, Teresa Puthussery
Summary: Midget and parasol ganglion cells play important roles in transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. On-type cells are more linear in their response to contrast changes compared to Off-type cells. A study shows that a calcium-permeable AMPA receptor antagonist can block background spiking and sustained light-evoked firing in On-type cells, while preserving transient light responses. This effect is specific to On-type cells and involves AII amacrine cells and gap-junction signaling.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felipe V. Gomes, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: Although currently available antipsychotic drugs can reduce psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia patients, they have numerous side effects and are not effective against negative and cognitive symptoms. Developing new drugs that target the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the brain may offer a more effective approach in treating schizophrenia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Md Abdul Alim, Mirjana Grujic, Paul W. Ackerman, Per Kristiansson, Pernilla Eliasson, Magnus Peterson, Gunnar Pejler
Summary: Mast cells play a role in communication between peripheral nerves and immune cells, expressing glutamate receptors and being sensitive to glutamate signaling. Glutamate induces upregulation of various glutamate receptors and gene expression in mast cells, including pro-inflammatory components and transcription factors. The presence of a functional glutamate-glutamate receptor axis in mast cells is supported by in vitro and in vivo evidence, revealing a novel principle of communication between immune cells and nerve cells.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bethany H. Dennis, Stuart A. Neale, Fiona E. N. LeBeau, Thomas E. Salt
Summary: Aberrant cortical oscillations in the beta and gamma range are associated with symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions. Activation of Group II mGlu receptors, and mGlu2 specifically, with orthosteric agonists reduced the power of both beta and gamma oscillations in ACC without a significant effect on oscillation peak frequencies.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lu Wang, Min Zhang, Jing Wen, Yalan Xiang, Xiaoyu Duan, Changwei Yu, Miao Yan, Bikui Zhang, Pingfei Fang
Summary: Acute neurotoxicity of Semen Strychni can lead to hippocampal neuronal degeneration, while isoliquiritigenin may alleviate this effect by restoring neurotransmitter metabolic pathways, potentially through the activation of NMDA receptors.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Biographical-Item
Psychology, Clinical
Mary V. Seeman
Summary: Philip Seeman's discovery of the dopamine D2 receptor's isolation is an example of how a small step can lead to a major shift in our understanding of the etiology of schizophrenia.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Leah Waldman, Brittany Richardson, John Hamilton, Panayotis Thanos
Summary: Olanzapine treatment significantly decreases NMDAR expression in certain brain regions, while haloperidol treatment and a high-fat diet have no effect on NMDAR expression.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Moritz Armbruster, Saptarnab Naskar, Jacqueline Garcia, Mary Sommer, Elliot Kim, Yoav Adam, Philip G. Haydon, Edward S. Boyden, Adam E. Cohen, Chris G. Dulla
Summary: This study reveals a novel form of communication between astrocytes and neurons, where neuronal activity induces significant depolarizations in astrocyte processes. These depolarizations are driven by presynaptic potassium efflux and glutamate transporters, and they inhibit astrocyte glutamate clearance, enhancing neuronal activation by glutamate.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kah Kheng Goh, Tzu-Hua Wu, Chun-Hsin Chen, Mong-Liang Lu
Summary: In patients with schizophrenia, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulator supplements, when used in conjunction with antipsychotic medications, can improve certain symptoms, particularly negative symptoms, with satisfactory side effects and safety profiles.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Barbara Lombardo, Marco Pagani, Arianna De Rosa, Marcella Nunziato, Sara Migliarini, Martina Garofalo, Marta Terrile, Valeria D'Argenio, Alberto Galbusera, Tommaso Nuzzo, Annaluisa Ranieri, Andrea Vitale, Eleonora Leggiero, Anna Di Maio, Noemi Barsotti, Ugo Borello, Francesco Napolitano, Alessandra Mandarino, Marco Carotenuto, Uriel Heresco-Levy, Massimo Pasqualetti, Paolo Malatesta, Alessandro Gozzi, Francesco Errico, Francesco Salvatore, Lucio Pastore, Alessandro Usiello
Summary: The study suggests that D-aspartate plays an important role in neurodevelopment and functioning, and the dysmetabolism of D-aspartate is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia. Using a mouse model, the researchers found that early occurrence of D-aspartate can influence neurodevelopment and lead to social recognition memory deficits.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Dolores Piniella, Francisco Zafra
Summary: This article discusses the functions of NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) in the central nervous system and their interaction with other endogenous ligands. The activity of NMDARs depends on the coincidental binding of glutamate with other cellular signals and is modulated by allosteric modulators such as zinc and protons. The GlyT1 transporter plays an important role in maintaining glycine concentration in the microenvironment of NMDARs. Although the inhibition of GlyT1 has been investigated as a treatment for schizophrenia, the results from phase III clinical trials have been disappointing. However, further research and the newly published 3D structure of GlyT1 may lead to the design of more effective drugs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian Bonansco, Waldo Cerpa, Nibaldo C. C. Inestrosa
Summary: Synaptic transmission requires precise regulation, and Wnt signaling has been implicated in various forms of synaptic plasticity. Understanding the functional role of cellular signaling pathways involved in brain development is possible through the analysis of synapses from an electrophysiological perspective. The application of quantal theory can help dissect the function of structural changes associated with the birth and maturation of synapses. This article focuses on the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in regulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission and the conversion of silent synapses into functional synapses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Deborah K. Park, Samuel Petshow, Margarita Anisimova, Eden V. Barragan, John A. Gray, Ivar S. Stein, Karen Zito
Summary: This study shows that decreased D-serine levels associated with schizophrenia enhance ion flux-independent NMDAR signaling, leading to destabilized dendritic spines. This hypothesis was tested using the serine racemase knockout mouse model and the results support the hypothesis.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anastasiia S. Boiko, Irina A. Mednova, Elena G. Kornetova, Anastasiia A. Goncharova, Arkadiy Semke, Nikolay A. Bokhan, Svetlana A. Ivanova
Summary: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common complication of schizophrenia that is exacerbated by long-term use of antipsychotics. The study found that levels of leptin were significantly increased in MetS patients, while ghrelin levels were significantly decreased. There were fewer significant correlations between ghrelin and other hormones in MetS patients compared to those without MetS.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Pittaluga, Alessandra Roggeri, Giulia Vallarino, Guendalina Olivero
Summary: Somatostatin plays a role in controlling synaptic transmission efficiency in the central nervous system, mainly by modulating presynaptic glutamate exocytosis or by modulating glutamate receptors that are functionally coupled with somatostatin receptors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Eric W. Prouty, Daniel J. Chandler, Wen-Jun Gao, Barry D. Waterhouse
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Psychiatry
Melissa A. Snyder, Wen-Jun Gao
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Yan-Chun Li, Priyalakshmi Panikker, Bo Xing, Sha-Sha Yang, Cassandra Alexandropoulos, Erin P. McEachern, Rita Akumuo, Elise Zhao, Yelena Gulchina, Mikhail Pletnikov, Nikhil M. Urs, Marc G. Caron, Felice Elefant, Wen-Jun Gao
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sarah A. Monaco, Andrew J. Matamoros, Wen-Jun Gao
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Bo Xing, Nancy R. Mack, Kai-Ming Guo, Yu-Xiang Zhang, Billy Ramirez, Sha-Sha Yang, Li Lin, Dong V. Wang, Yan-Chun Li, Wen-Jun Gao
Summary: The study identified the characteristics and functions of social-associated neurons in the mPFC, showing that these neurons play a crucial role in social memory.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Nancy R. Mack, Wen-Jun Gao
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Wen-Jun Gao, Nancy R. Mack
Summary: PSD-95 knockout mice exhibit hyposociability during adolescence but hypersociability in adulthood, with the adolescent deficiency accompanied by NMDAR hyperfunction in the mPFC and delayed mPFC maturation until adulthood.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Jun Gao, Sha-Sha Yang, Nancy R. Mack, Linda A. Chamberlin
Summary: The neurobiology of schizophrenia encompasses genetic basis, neurochemical and neurophysiological changes, as well as systemic neural circuitry. The aberrant maturation and connectivity of the prefrontal cortex are key factors in the complex symptoms seen in different stages of the disease.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Sha-Sha Yang, Nancy R. Mack, Yousheng Shu, Wen-Jun Gao
Summary: Prefrontal cortical GABAergic interneurons play a crucial role in executing complex behaviors, with long-range afferents from subcortical structures activating parvalbumin-expressing and somatostatin expressing interneurons to regulate specific PFC-dependent behaviors.
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Bo Xing, Nancy R. Mack, Yu-Xiang Zhang, Erin P. McEachern, Wen-Jun Gao
Summary: Neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) controls dominance hierarchies, and dopamine plays a key role through D1 and D2 receptors. D1R+ neurons determine dominance while D2R+ neurons determine subordination. The synaptic strengths of D1R+ neurons and neuronal excitability of D2R+ neurons are important factors in intermale social rank determination.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yu-Xiang Zhang, Bo Xing, Yan-Chun Li, Chun-Xia Yan, Wen-Jun Gao
Summary: Through experiments using FosTRAP mice, it was found that repetitive social training can enhance mPFC involvement in social memory retrieval by increasing NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, resulting in stable social memory.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Nancy R. Mack, Suixin Deng, Sha-Sha Yang, Yousheng Shu, Wen-Jun Gao
Summary: This article reviews studies on the relationship between changes in neural activity in the prefrontal cortex and avoidance behavior, as well as recent research on the unique contribution of specific prefrontal cortex circuits and cell types to anxiety-related avoidance behaviors. The integration of different pathways, particularly interaction between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, provides an exciting opportunity for understanding anxiety.
Article
Neurosciences
Linda A. Chamberlin, Sha-Sha Yang, Erin P. McEachern, Joshua T. M. Lucas, Owen W. McLeod Ii, Claire A. Rolland, Nancy R. Mack, Brielle R. Ferguson, Wen-Jun Gao
Summary: The cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia impose a significant clinical burden and are resistant to treatment. The underlying neural mechanisms are unclear, but abnormalities in GABAergic signaling are likely involved. Perturbations in prefrontal PV-expressing FS interneurons have been consistently found in SZ patients and animal models. Our study demonstrates that upregulating prefrontal PV interneuron activity can restore E/I balance and improve cognition in an animal model of SZ, supporting the hypothesis that reduced PV cell activity disrupts GABA transmission and leads to cognitive impairments. These findings provide novel insights into the role of PV cells in cognitive function and have clinical implications for SZ pathophysiology and management.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
L. Taylor Flynn, Wen-Jun Gao
Summary: Psychedelic substances are being explored as a potential therapeutic option for psychiatric conditions. This review proposes alterations to DNA methylation as a potential mechanism for the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, specifically focusing on the N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD). The review provides evidence linking aberrant DNA methylation to NMDAR dysfunction and proposes an epigenetic mechanism for the therapeutic effects of psychedelic substances in the context of these disorders.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Jessica R. Barson, Nancy R. Mack, Wen-Jun Gao
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)