Article
Cell Biology
Prince Last Mudenda Zilundu, Xiaoying Xu, Zaara Liaquat, Yaqiong Wang, Ke Zhong, Rao Fu, Lihua Zhou
Summary: Neuroprotective treatments targeting c-Jun and nNOS after brachial plexus root avulsions can lead to long-term preservation of motor neurons and their organelles, reduction in ventral horn atrophy, and improvement in forelimb function.
Article
Biology
Yaoyao Hao, Alyse Marian Thomas, Nuo Li
Summary: A study presented an autonomous workflow to survey brain regions involvement during operant behaviors in mice, revealing the utility of optogenetic approach in mapping distributed networks. Multiple regions in cortex, striatum, and superior colliculus were involved in tactile decision-making.
Article
Neurosciences
Cameron L. Woodard, Marja D. Sepers, Lynn A. Raymond
Summary: The development of novel therapies in mouse models of neurologic disorders relies on accurate behavioral assessments. An automated behavioral testing system (PiPaw) was designed to enable high-throughput longitudinal analysis of forelimb motor learning in group housed mice 24 h per day, reducing stressors associated with animal behavior. Male mice improved performance in a lever-pulling task over time, with differences observed in reward-related kinematic parameters and movement variability. This system was used to assess motor learning in mouse models of Huntington disease, with potential for preclinical drug trials in neurologic disorders.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marieke H. J. van Rosmalen, Martijn Froeling, Stefano Mandija, Jeroen Hendrikse, W. Ludo van der Pol, H. Stephan Goedee
Summary: This study used MRI to visualize intra-spinal nerve roots in patients with CIDP, MMN, and MND, and found morphological changes that were consistent with their clinical phenotype.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Bridget Kulesh, Rachel Bozadjian, Ryan J. J. Parisi, Stephanie A. A. Leong, Amanda G. G. Kautzman, Benjamin E. E. Reese, Patrick W. W. Keeley
Summary: Sequence variants modulating gene function or expression affect heritable traits such as neuron count. This study identified candidate genes and sequence variants controlling retinal neuron count using a forward-genetic approach. Analysis of mouse strains revealed three genomic loci on Chromosomes 9, 11, and 19 that contribute to variation in cell number. Two candidate genes, Dtx4 and Dixdc1, were identified as regulators of signaling pathways and their sequence variants were found to modulate gene expression and influence the number of retinal neurons.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jochem Helleman, Jaap N. E. Bakers, Evelien Pirard, Leonard H. van den Berg, Johanna M. A. Visser-Meily, Anita Beelen
Summary: Home-monitoring of vital capacity has the potential to improve care for patients with motor neuron disease by enabling early detection of respiratory dysfunction and reducing travel burden. This study evaluated the validity and feasibility of home-monitoring vital capacity in patients with MND, and found that unsupervised vital capacity testing at home is a valid and well-accepted method for remote monitoring of respiratory function.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Eleonora Volpato, Michele Vitacca, Luciana Ptacinsky, Agata Lax, Salvatore D'Ascenzo, Enrica Bertella, Mara Paneroni, Silvia Grilli, Paolo Banfi
Summary: In ALS patients, home-based adaptation to NIV is as effective as outpatient adaptation in terms of PaCO2, acceptance, and adherence, highlighting the need for further studies on the role of the environment in NIV adherence.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Mi Li, Jiawei Xu, Ying Zou, Jialing Lu, Aiyue Ou, Xinrui Ma, Jiaqi Zhang, Yizhou Xu, Lanya Fu, Jingmin Liu, Xianghai Wang, Libing Zhou, Jiasong Guo
Summary: This study investigated the potential role of RhoA in dendrite development and regeneration. The results showed that RhoA knockout in motor neurons attenuated dendrite degeneration and promoted dendrite regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Daisuke Watanabe, Hiroshi Tsukamoto, Tatsuya Abe, Ruriko Kitao, Aya Okuma, Masatoshi Mihara, Atsuko Katsumoto, Yukiko Iwahashi, Yuichi Higashiyama, Yosuke Miyaji, Hideto Joki, Hiroshi Doi, Tetsuo Komori, Fumiaki Tanaka
Summary: In this study, peripheral nerves in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were evaluated using ultrasonography. The results showed that despite similar disease severity and motor neuron loss, the peripheral nerves in SBMA patients were thinner than those in ALS patients.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia N. Singh, Shaine Hoffman, Prabhakara P. Reddi, Ravindra N. Singh
Summary: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a major genetic disorder associated with infant mortality, primarily caused by deletions or mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. The spectrum of SMA ranges from prenatal death to survival into adulthood, with all tissues potentially affected.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
M. L. Dontje, E. Kruitwagen-van Reenen, E. van Wijk, E. Baars, J. M. A. Visser-Meily, A. Beelen
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of an e-health innovation for motor neuron disease patients and explore the differences in implementation outcomes between teams with sustainable and unsustainable implementation. The findings showed that patients had positive attitudes towards the innovation, while healthcare providers had lower acceptance of its feasibility and usability. Comparisons between sustainable and unsustainable implementation teams indicated that the former better aligned with the intended goals.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Li-Li Du, Jun-Jie Sun, Zhi-Heng Chen, Yi-Xiang Shao, Liu-Cheng Wu
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that the splicing factor NOVA1 interacts with exon 7 of SMN2, promoting its inclusion and subsequently increasing the expression of the SMN protein. The expression of NOVA1 was found to decrease along with a decrease in neurons in the spinal cord in a mouse model of SMA.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Heather M. Young, Tina R. Kilaberia, Robin Whitney, Benjamin M. Link, Janice F. Bell, Orly Tonkikh, Jessica Famula, Bjorn Oskarsson
Summary: This scoping review identifies the home health/home care needs of persons with ALS and their caregivers, highlighting persistent unmet needs and the importance of proactive interventions. The study emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary consensus and expert guidance in developing a home health medical standard for ALS patients.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rasneer S. Bains, Hamish Forrest, Rowland R. Sillito, J. Douglas Armstrong, Michelle Stewart, Patrick M. Nolan, Sara E. Wells
Summary: Monitoring the activity of mice in their home cage is a powerful tool for revealing early phenotypes. Automated machine-learning technologies can improve manual annotations, and home-cage testing allows for recording of non-evoked behaviors, increasing animal welfare and reliability of results.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Shota Togai, Shusei Hamamichi, Yasuhiro Kazuki, Masaharu Hiratsuka
Summary: Cytoplasmic mislocalization of TDP-43 is a major characteristic of ALS. Researchers generated a TDP-43 A315T system on a mouse artificial chromosome and investigated its neurotoxic effects on mouse ES cell-derived neurons. Overexpression of TDP-43 A315T resulted in cytoplasmic mislocalization and subsequent cell death in motor neurons.
YONAGO ACTA MEDICA
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Remco T. Molenhuis, Lianda Hutten, Martien J. H. Kas
Summary: The acute manipulation of histamine H3 receptors mainly affected the general motor activity levels in novel environments, with some small effects on repetitive behaviors.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Iris W. Riemersma, Robbert Havekes, Martien J. H. Kas
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory differences. It is highly heterogeneous in terms of clinical presentation, genetics, and developmental trajectories. Over a thousand genes have been implicated in ASD, leading to the generation of numerous genetic mouse models. Identifying spatial and temporal gene functions in relation to the ASD phenotype is crucial, as is finding common biological processes modulated by ASD-related genes for patient stratification and personalized treatments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ilja M. J. Saris, Moji Aghajani, Niels Jongs, Lianne M. Reus, Nic J. A. van der Wee, Amy C. Bilderbeck, Inge Winter van Rossum, Celso Arango, Alejandro de la Torre-Luque, Asad Malik, Andreea Raslescu, Gerard R. Dawson, Jose L. Ayuso-Mateos, Martien J. Kas, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
Summary: Social functioning is impaired in both schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease patients. Social dysfunction may be more severe in schizophrenia patients and is more influenced by mood states than by disease severity.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alejandro De la Torre-Luque, Alba Viera-Campos, Amy C. Bilderbeck, Maria Teresa Carreras, Jose Vivancos, Covadonga M. Diaz-Caneja, Moji Aghajani, Ilja M. J. Saris, Andreea Raslescu, Asad Malik, Jenna Clark, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Nic van der Wee, Inge Winter-van Rossum, Bernd Sommer, Hugh Marston, Gerard R. Dawson, Martien J. Kas, Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos, Celso Arango
Summary: This study investigated the role of social withdrawal in neuropsychiatric patients and found that they showed poorer performance in detecting facial emotions compared to healthy individuals. Social withdrawal was associated with higher accuracy in negative emotion detection and lower misclassification of positive emotions. These findings suggest that social withdrawal may lead to heightened sensitivity to negative emotions and impact social functioning in people with severe mental illness.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suzanne D. Lanooij, Ulrich L. M. Eisel, Wilhelmus H. I. M. Drinkenburg, Eddy A. van der Zee, Martien J. H. Kas
Summary: This article provides an overview of deficits in the social and cognitive domain in psychiatric and neurological disorders and explores the extensive neurobiological basis underlying the relationship between these two domains. By mapping rodent brain regions involved in social and/or cognitive functions, it is shown that the majority of cognitive brain regions are also involved in the social domain. This neuroanatomical overlap has an evolutionary basis and aligns with the functional interactions between cognitive and social processes. Therefore, the social domain should receive more focus as an important treatment target and/or biomarker, especially considering the limited treatment strategies for these disorders.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Youri G. Bolsius, Pim R. A. Heckman, Camilla Paraciani, Sophia Wilhelm, Frank Raven, Elroy L. Meijer, Martien J. H. Kas, Steve Ramirez, Peter Meerlo, Robbert Havekes
Summary: Sleep deprivation impairs hippocampal memory processes and can cause amnesia, but it does not necessarily lead to memory loss. Instead, it results in suboptimal storage of information that cannot be retrieved without drug treatment or optogenetic stimulation.
Article
Neurosciences
Suzanne D. Lanooij, Ulrich L. M. Eisel, Eddy A. van der Zee, Martien J. H. Kas
Summary: Altered social behavior could be an early indicator of A-beta pathology in female J20 mice. Co-housing with wild type mice can have a positive influence on this social phenotype.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Sjoerd J. van Hasselt, Luisa Epifani, Danique Zantinge, Kornelija Vitkute, Martien J. H. Kas, Giancarlo Allocca, Peter Meerlo
Summary: In this study, the effects of low temperature on REM sleep in tree shrews were investigated. It was found that exposure to low temperature significantly suppressed REM sleep, but the loss of REM sleep was not recovered during the subsequent day and night. These findings support the high sensitivity of REM sleep to environmental temperature but do not support the homeostatic regulation of REM sleep in this species.
Review
Psychiatry
Anna M. Langener, Gert Stulp, Martien J. Kas, Laura F. Bringmann
Summary: This article reviews the literature on different methods used to capture the changing social environment and their relationship to well-being. The findings suggest that these methods tap into different aspects of the social environment and that combining them is essential for a holistic understanding of well-being.
JMIR MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christina Dalla, Ivana Jaric, Pavlina Pavlidi, Georgia E. Hodes, Nikolaos Kokras, Anton Bespalov, Martien J. Kas, Thomas Steckler, Mohamed Kabbaj, Hanno Wuerbel, Jordan Marrocco, Jessica Tollkuhn, Rebecca Shansky, Debra Bangasser, Jill B. Becker, Margaret McCarthy, Chantelle Ferland-Beckham
Summary: Many funding agencies have emphasized the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in experimental design to improve the reproducibility and translational relevance of preclinical research. Omitting the female sex from experimental designs in neuroscience and pharmacology can result in biased or limited understanding of disease mechanisms. This article provides methodological considerations for incorporating sex as a biological variable in in vitro and in vivo experiments, including the influence of age and hormone levels, and proposes strategies to enhance methodological rigor and translational relevance in preclinical research.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Suzanne D. Lanooij, W. H. I. M. Drinkenburg, U. L. M. Eisel, E. A. van der Zee, Martien J. H. Kas
Summary: Social factors are linked to the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. Social housing conditions have a significant effect on amyloid plaques and microglia, particularly in certain genotypes.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Hilary North, Martin Hofmann-Apitius, Martien J. H. Kas, Hugh Marston, Magali Haas
Summary: The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) is a European public-private partnership aimed at improving the drug development process and enhancing the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical sector. It funds research partnerships addressing obstacles to translating research into clinical success. This paper focuses on six initiatives that tackle foundational challenges, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases, discussing their successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johanne Gertrude de Mooij-van Malsen, Niels Rohrdanz, Anna-Sophia Buschhoff, Thomas Schiffelholz, Torfi Sigurdsson, Peer Wulff
Summary: Working memory requires maintenance and executive control, which depends on the interaction between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The nucleus reuniens plays a critical role in hippocampal-prefrontal communication. The prefrontal-hippocampal-reuniens network displays performance-related coherence and delay activity during working memory tasks.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Geeske Peeters, Almar A. L. Kok, Simone de Bruin, Cretien van Campen, Maud Graff, Minke Nieuwboer, Martijn Huisman, Barbara van Munster, Eddy van der Zee, Martien J. Kas, Marieke Perry, Debby L. Gerritsen, Elisabeth Vreede-Chabot, Anne-Mei The, Hein P. J. van Hout, Franka C. Bakker, Wilco P. Achterberg, Jenny T. van der Steen, Carolien Smits, Rene Melis, Marcel G. M. Olde Rikkert
Summary: The concept of resilience, which refers to the system's ability to bounce back after stress, is gaining interest across various fields. This paper argues that resilience is relevant throughout all stages of cognitive decline, and a socioecological, multisystem perspective is needed to understand and support individuals with cognitive decline. The paper provides evidence and examples to substantiate this argument. Resilience can help to understand responses to risk factors and inform personalized prevention, as well as interventions to strengthen recovery and coping mechanisms in care for people with cognitive decline. The application of resilience in this field opens new horizons for research and improving health and social care for the increasing population with cognitive decline.
Article
Neurosciences
Andrea Costanzo, Isabelle F. van der Velpen, M. Arfan Ikram, Myrra J. F. Vernooij-Dassen, Wiro J. Niessen, Meike W. Vernooij, Martien J. Kas
Summary: Social health is associated with specific white matter microstructure, with loneliness being associated with lower integrity of limbic and sensorimotor tracts, and better perceived social support being associated with higher integrity of association and commissural tracts.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yang He, Jun Tang, Meng Zhang, Junjie Ying, Dezhi Mu
Summary: This study investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of human placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) transplantation in a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The results showed that hPMSCs transplantation reduced apoptosis and improved long-term neurological prognosis. Furthermore, the downregulation of Sema 3A/NRP-1 expression and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway played a key role in the protective effects of hPMSCs.
Article
Neurosciences
Emily L. Isenstein, Edward G. Freedman, Jiayi Xu, Ian A. DeAndrea-Lazarus, John J. Foxe
Summary: This study evaluated electrophysiological discrimination of parametric somatosensory stimuli in healthy young adults to understand how the brain processes the duration of tactile information. The results showed that participants did not electrophysiologically discriminate between 100 and 115 ms, but they exhibited distinct electrophysiological responses when the deviant stimuli were 130, 145, and 160 ms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tactile sensitivity in different clinical conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Juliana R. Souza, Ludmila Lima-Silveira, Daniela Accorsi-Mendonca, Benedito H. Machado
Summary: This study demonstrates that A2A receptors play a crucial role in modulating synaptic transmission in the NTS neurons and are required for the enhancement of glutamatergic transmission observed under short-term sustained hypoxia conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Miki Hashizume, Rina Ito, Rie Suge, Yasushi Hojo, Gen Murakami, Takayuki Murakoshi
Summary: The basolateral amygdaloid complex (BLA) is closely involved in the formation of emotional memories, including both aversive memory and contextual fear memory. Acute sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts the acquisition of tone-associated fear memory in juvenile rats, but has no significant effect on contextual fear memory. Slow network oscillation in the amygdala contributes to the formation of amygdala-dependent fear memory in relation to sleep.
Article
Neurosciences
Qunxian Wang, Shipeng Guo, Dongjie Hu, Xiangjun Dong, Zijun Meng, Yanshuang Jiang, Zijuan Feng, Weihui Zhou, Weihong Song
Summary: GSDME plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by regulating the switch from apoptosis to pyroptosis and participating in neuroinflammatory response. Knockdown of GSDME has been shown to improve cognitive impairments, indicating that GSDME could be a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.