Article
Biology
Daniel Sobrido-Camean, Ramon Anadon, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias
Summary: Our study focused on investigating the expression of neuropeptide urocortin 3 in the brains of both larval and adult sea lampreys. The distribution of urocortin 3-expressing neurons revealed significant differences between the two life stages of sea lampreys. Additionally, the comparison with other vertebrates showed a lack of evolutionary conservation in the expression of urocortin 3.
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)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Juan Facundo Morici, Gabrielle Girardeau
Summary: A new study reveals that infra-slow cortical norepinephrine oscillations play a crucial role in shaping the micro-structure of sleep and transitions between wakefulness, micro-arousals, and REM sleep. Furthermore, prolonged descending phases of these oscillations enhance the occurrence of spindle-rich intermediate sleep, which is involved in memory consolidation.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Elijah A. Petter, Isabella P. Fallon, Ryan N. Hughes, Glenn D. R. Watson, Warren H. Meck, Francesco Paolo Ulloa Severino, Henry H. Yin
Summary: Animals can learn through reinforcement learning, and previous research has shown the importance of dopaminergic projections to the basal ganglia in this process. However, little is known about the role of the hippocampus. This study found that a specific population of hippocampal neurons, receiving dopaminergic input from the locus coeruleus and expressing D1 dopamine receptors, is involved in operant self-stimulation.
Article
Biology
Alison M. Luckey, Lauren S. McLeod, Yuefeng Huang, Anusha Mohan, Sven Vanneste
Summary: Non-invasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the greater occipital nerve (NITESGON) during learning elicited a long-term memory effect by enhancing memory consolidation via modulation of dopaminergic input. This finding may have significant implications for neurocognitive disorders that inhibit memory consolidation such as Alzheimer's disease.
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adrien T. Stanley, Michael R. Post, Clay Lacefield, David Sulzer, Maria Concetta Miniaci
Summary: In this study, it is found that mice release norepinephrine in the cerebellum after experiencing a noxious event, and this release is potentiated during fear acquisition. Additionally, inhibiting the locus coeruleus-cerebellum pathway can block fear memory formation without impairing motor function. Therefore, norepinephrine release in the cerebellum is modulated by experience and contributes to aversive learning.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siddhartha Joshi
Summary: In addition to norepinephrine and acetylcholine, serotonin is found to be associated with pupil dilation during goal-directed behavior.
Article
Biology
Jose Ernesto Canton-Josh, Joanna Qin, Joseph Salvo, Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
Summary: This study reveals the expression of dopamine type 1 receptors in unipolar brush cells of the mouse cerebellum, showing that their activation can increase firing rate. Evidence supports the hypothesis of dopaminergic co-release from locus coeruleus axons. It is also found that Purkinje cells directly inhibit Drd1-positive UBCs, forming a dopamine-sensitive recurrent circuit in the vestibulo-cerebellar system.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Niels Hansen, Alina Isabel Rediske
Summary: Studies suggest that in delirium states, excessive or low arousal directly affects the release and transmission of noradrenaline, leading to deficits in cognitive function and attention.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Tony James, Bartosz Kula, Seowon Choi, Shahzad S. Khan, Lane K. Bekar, Nathan A. Smith
Summary: Catecholamine neurons of the locus coeruleus play a crucial role in regulating various functions such as attention, arousal, sleep, learning, memory, anxiety, pain, mood, and brain metabolism. The release of norepinephrine and dopamine from LC terminals in the hippocampus is involved in all stages of hippocampal memory processing. The firing modes of LC neurons in awake animals have different effects on post-synaptic dendritic spines, regulating long-term potentiation and depression in the hippocampus. Loss of catecholaminergic regulation from LC degeneration in Alzheimer's disease contributes to memory dysfunction and impaired attention and task completion functions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alejandro Borja Grau-Perales, Fernando Gamiz, Milagros Gallo
Summary: Research has shown that the hippocampal administration of 6-OHDA disrupts context-dependent taste recognition memory, indicating that auditory background can modulate safe taste memory acquisition through catecholaminergic activity in the hippocampus.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rola A. Bekdash
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease, are associated with dysregulation of cholinergic and adrenergic signaling systems, leading to the degeneration of specific neurons. Understanding and targeting these systems may have therapeutic implications for treating Alzheimer's disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jelena Katic, Yuichi Morohashi, Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama
Summary: Social interactions play a crucial role in vocal learning, and the neural circuitry in the brain can authenticate real social information to support accurate and robust song learning in birds.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcus Grueschow, Nico Stenz, Hanna Thoern, Ulrike Ehlert, Jan Breckwoldt, Monika Brodmann Maeder, Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos, Roland Bingisser, Christian C. Ruff, Birgit Kleim
Summary: Individuals show varied responses to stressful events, with research findings indicating that fMRI-measured responsivity of the human brainstem arousal system and associated pupil responses are related to the severity of psychopathological symptoms triggered by prolonged real-life stress.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Nidia de Sousa, Diogo Santos, Susana Monteiro, Nuno Silva, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias, Antonio J. Salgado
Summary: Spinal cord injury affects millions of people worldwide, leading to severe motor and sensory impairments. Spasticity is a common neurological complication in SCI, and its management can be achieved through various approaches, with baclofen being the most effective drug. Recent data suggest that baclofen may also have a neuroprotective role in SCI, offering promise for developing new pharmacological strategies for functional recovery.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Julian Yanez, Monica Folgueira, Iban Lamas, Ramon Anadon
Summary: The study of the connections in the adult zebrafish pallium revealed poor interconnectivity between different areas within the pallium, suggesting dedicated modules for different neural processes. The connections between the pallium and extrapallial regions also show compartmental organization, with distinct afferents and efferents for each pallial region. This comprehensive analysis complements existing knowledge on the neuroanatomical organization of the brain and provides valuable insights for neurogenetic studies during early developmental stages.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Anabel Alba-Gonzalez, Monica Folgueira, Antonio Castro, Ramon Anadon, Julian Yanez
Summary: The expression of neurogranin in the brain and sensory organs of adult zebrafish differs from that in mammals, indicating divergent evolution from a common ancestor.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Daniel Sobrido-Camean, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ismael Hernandez-Nunez, Maria Vivero-Lopez, Ana Quelle-Regaldie, Willem J. DeGrip, Laura Sanchez, Angel Concheiro, Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo, Eva Candal, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias
Summary: Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness worldwide. Studies have shown that hyperglycemia during early retinal development can lead to decreased cell numbers and altered cell differentiation. This study on zebrafish embryos found that hyperglycemia increases cell death and decreases cell proliferation in the developing retina, which could contribute to the decline in mature retinal cells.
HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Quelle-Regaldie, Monica Folgueira, Julian Yanez, Daniel Sobrido-Camean, Anabel Alba-Gonzalez, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias, Maria-Jesus Sobrido, Laura Sanchez
Summary: In this study, we characterized a vertebrate model with loss of function of the nop56 gene, which exhibited severe neurodegenerative phenotypes. This study is important for further understanding the role of NOP56 in central nervous system function and development.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Anabel Alba-Gonzalez, Julian Yanez, Ramon Anadon, Monica Folgueira
Summary: This study analyzes the development of Nrgn-like immunoreactivity in the brain and sensory structures of zebrafish embryos and larvae. The results show that Nrgn-like positive neurons appear in restricted areas of the brain and reach an adult-like pattern by 6 days post-fertilization. The late expression of Nrgn in zebrafish neurons may be related to functional maturation of higher brain centers and suggests that it may be a useful marker for specific neuronal circuitries.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Vivero-Lopez, Chiara Sparacino, Ana Quelle-Regaldie, Laura Sanchez, Eva Candal, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias, Fernando Huete-Toral, Gonzalo Carracedo, Ana Otero, Angel Concheiro, Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
Summary: This study successfully addressed the limitations of resveratrol, an antioxidant agent, by preparing single and mixed micelles of Pluronic (R) F127 and casein. These micelles significantly increased the solubility of resveratrol, remained stable, and exhibited potent antioxidant properties. They also showed antimicrobial activity. However, mixed micelles displayed lower permeability through the sclera compared to single micelles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Daniel Sobrido-Camean, Laura Gonzalez-Llera, Ramon Anadon, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias
Summary: The expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (PmCRH) and CRH-binding protein (PmCRHBP) mRNA in sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus was studied. PmCRH expressing cells were mainly observed in the magnocellular preoptic nucleus-paraventricular nucleus and in the superior and medial rhombencephalic reticular formation. The distribution of PmCRHBP expressing neurons differed from that of PmCRH cells, with cells mainly present in various brain regions.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Andreia G. Pinho, Susana Monteiro, Valentina Liberato, Diogo J. Santos, Jonas Campos, Jorge R. Cibra, Nuno A. Silva, Nidia de Sousa, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias, Antonio J. Salgado
Summary: This study aimed to understand the potential of baclofen as a treatment to promote recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that baclofen can improve locomotor and bladder function control in mice after SCI, and it may modulate the immune response. Although further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind the functional improvements produced by baclofen, this study opens up new avenues for designing pharmacological strategies to promote SCI recovery.
Review
Neurosciences
Gabriel Nicolas Santos-Duran, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias
Summary: DYRK2 plays a key role in the nervous system, participating in neuronal development and function, particularly regulating axon growth and branching. It may be involved in multiple brain functions and is associated with nervous system diseases.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Marina Rodriguez-Arrizabalaga, Ismael Hernandez-Nunez, Eva Candal, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias
Summary: Work in the catshark Scyliorhinus canicula reveals that postnatal neurogenesis in vertebrates originated earlier than previously assumed. This makes the catshark an interesting model for studying postnatal neurogenic processes and their evolution in vertebrates. However, the lack of genetic tools in sharks inhibits in-depth research on the genes involved in neurogenesis. In this study, the researchers developed a method using Vivo-Morpholinos to knock down genes in the catshark retina, specifically targeting the proliferation marker PCNA. The method was found to effectively reduce mitotic activity in the peripheral retina, providing a valuable tool for studying the role of other genes in postnatal neurogenesis in this animal model.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Francesco Lamanna, Francisca Hervas-Sotomayor, A. Phillip Oel, David Jandzik, Daniel Sobrido-Camean, Gabriel N. Santos-Duran, Megan L. Martik, Jan Stundl, Stephen A. Green, Thoomke Bruening, Katharina Moessinger, Julia Schmidt, Celine Schneider, Mari Sepp, Florent Murat, Jeramiah J. Smith, Marianne E. Bronner, Maria Celina Rodicio, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias, Daniel M. Medeiros, Detlev Arendt, Henrik Kaessmann
Summary: By studying the sea lamprey, researchers have created a comprehensive cell type atlas of the primitive vertebrate brain, which has revealed the cellular and molecular architecture of the ancestral vertebrate brain and identified key tissues and cell types that arose later in evolution.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Gonzalez-Llera, Daniel Sobrido-Camean, Gabriel N. Santos-Duran, Anton Barreiro-Iglesias
Summary: Sea lampreys are a vertebrate model that is of interest in the study of spontaneous axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. Recent research has shown that the descending CRH axons in sea lampreys can fully regenerate after a complete spinal cord injury. This study provides a new model for studying spontaneous and successful axonal regeneration in a specific neuronal type with small caliber axons using simple immunohistochemical methods.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
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.