Article
Neurosciences
Oscar Bolivar-Baquero, Julieta Troncoso
Summary: Facial nerve injury has been widely used in rats to study the changes in motoneurons and other central nervous system structures related to sensorimotor processing. Recent studies have found that this injury is associated with a decrease in long-term potentiation, increased corticosterone levels, impairment in spatial memory consolidation, and hippocampal microglial activation. In this study, the neuronal morphology of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in rats with reversible or irreversible facial nerve injury was analyzed. The results showed significant decreases in dendritic tree complexity, dendritic length, branch points, and spine density of hippocampal neurons in both types of injuries, but the timing and sensitivity varied depending on the hippocampal area, dendritic area, and lesion type.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Maria Rubega, Emanuela Formaggio, Franco Molteni, Eleonora Guanziroli, Roberto Di Marco, Claudio Baracchini, Mario Ermani, Nick S. Ward, Stefano Masiero, Alessandra Del Felice
Summary: This study investigated the fractal changes in resting-state EEG signals after stroke, finding that both Higuchi index and Tortuosity values were significantly lower in stroke survivors, indicating less complex brain activity. These metrics show promise in tracking behavioral changes post-stroke and may be reliable biomarkers for neurorehabilitation.
Article
Physiology
Conor Rowland, Bruce Harland, Julian H. Smith, Saba Moslehi, John Dalrymple-Alford, Richard P. Taylor
Summary: The study explores the relationship between fractal scaling of neuronal dendrites and connectivity, considering the impact of pathological states on this optimization process. Rats exposed to enriched housing and spatial memory training exhibited higher complexity and connectivity in dendritic arbors. The findings suggest that morphological differences induced by lesions are not significant enough to affect the optimization process in achieving an optimal balance between connectivity and material cost.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zeeshan Ali, G. Sivakumar, Krishnamoorthi Prabhu, Chinmay Ajit Suryavanshi, Sareesh Naduvil Narayanan
Summary: This report describes a novel digitised neuronal tracing method using widefield microscopy and compares its effectiveness with the traditional camera lucida aided neuronal tracing method. The study found that this technology-enabled method is less demanding, equally accurate, and can replace manual tracing and analysis of neurons.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
H. Lu, C. T. Sello, C. Liu, Y. Sui, C. Xu, Y. Sun, J. Liu, Y. Zhou, S. Li, W. Yang, P. Msuthwana, J. Hu
Summary: This study investigated the expression levels and protein localization of ERK, HRAS, and MEK1 genes in ovarian prehierarchical follicles of geese. The results showed differential expression of these candidate genes at mRNA and protein levels during prehierarchical follicle development. These findings suggest that ERK, HRAS, and MEK1 might play a role in regulating folliculogenesis in geese.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Shokouh Arjmand, Gregers Wegener, Anne M. Landau, Amanda Eskelund
Summary: Behavioural animal experimentation is a crucial method for studying human behavior, diseases, and their underlying mechanisms. This article discusses common issues and provides solutions and suggestions to ensure the excellence of research in this field while considering animal welfare and experimental design.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Shokouh Arjmand, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira, Gregers Wegener
Summary: With a significant number of patients not responding well to treatments for major depression, the management of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has been a challenge. Recently, the term TRD has been replaced with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD) to address some limitations and barriers. Quasi-tenacious depression (QTD) is suggested as an alternative, emphasizing the importance of proper treatment and the measurement of the tenacity index (TI) for achieving remission. QTD acknowledges the need for continuous pursuit of new treatments and understanding contributing factors to high TI.
EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Zita Dosa, Jose Luis Nieto-Gonzalez, Betina Elfving, Karin Sorig Hougaard, Mai Marie Holm, Gregers Wegener, Kimmo Jensen
Summary: Prenatal stress can lead to changes in the foetal brain, increasing the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders. This study investigated GABAergic neurotransmission in a rat model of depression. The results suggests that altered GABA release may be an essential feature in the depressive-like phenotype of low birth weight rats.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Rachele Rossi, Simone Larsen Baerentzen, Majken B. Thomsen, Caroline C. Real, Gregers Wegener, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira, Albert Gjedde, Anne M. Landau
Summary: This study explores whether the density of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) in target brain areas associated with cocaine-induced boost of dopaminergic neurotransmission changes after a single exposure during adolescence. The results show a significant increase in SV2A density in the hippocampus 7 days after cocaine administration, but no differences were observed 1 hour after injection.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shokouh Arjmand, Marie Vadstrup Pedersen, Nicole R. Silva, Anne M. Landau, Samia Joca, Gregers Wegener
Summary: This study aims to investigate the impact of sex and estrous/menstrual cycle on the antidepressant action of ketamine. The results showed that both male and female rats exhibited similar antidepressant effects of ketamine, and the fluctuations in the estrous cycle did not affect its efficacy. These findings provide important scientific evidence for the use of ketamine in treating depression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne Marlene Landau, Steen Jakobsen, Majken Borup Thomsen, Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup, Dariusz Orlowski, Jan Jacobsen, Gregers Wegener, Arne Mork, Jens Christian Hedemann Sorensen, Doris J. Doudet
Summary: This study combines PET and microdialysis to explore the use of [C-11]yohimbine in assessing changes in synaptic noradrenaline during acute pharmacological challenges. The results suggest that [C-11]yohimbine can be used to evaluate acute variations in synaptic noradrenaline concentrations after pharmacological challenges.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Okko Alitalo, Gemma Gonzalez-Hernandez, Marko Rosenholm, Piia Kohtala, Nobuaki Matsui, Heidi Kaastrup Mueller, Wiebke Theilmann, Anders Klein, Olli Karkkainen, Stanislav Rozov, Tomi Rantamaki, Samuel Kohtala
Summary: This study examines the mechanisms of acute antidepressant drug-induced activation of TrkB neurotrophin receptors. The results suggest a close relationship between TrkB activation, sedation, and hypothermia, as well as a connection between metabolic activity and neurotrophic signaling. The maintenance of body temperature plays a role in preventing the activation of TrkB and other targets associated with antidepressant effects.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Simone Hyldgaard Andersen, Tallan Black, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira, Gregers Wegener
Summary: Early-life exposure to high fructose may increase the risk of developing anxiety or depression-like behaviors, but the current evidence is weak and contradictory, further research is needed.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Bardia Varastehmoradi, Karen L. Smith, Heidi Kaastrup Mueller, Betina Elfving, Connie Sanchez, Gregers Wegener
Summary: Depression is a common disorder that has a significant impact on individuals and society. While there are various available treatments, not all patients respond adequately. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of the opioid system in depression, specifically the kappa opioid receptor. This study aimed to investigate the effects of activating the kappa opioid receptor on stress hormones and stress-related protein expression.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Stine Thorhauge Bak, Martin Haupt-Jorgensen, Anete Dudele, Gregers Wegener, Tobias Wang, Anders Lade Nielsen, Sten Lund
Summary: Obesity and associated comorbidities are globally prevalent. Paternal obesity increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the next generation through epigenetic inheritance. Recent studies suggest that altered levels of tsRNAs in sperm cells can transmit the effects of paternal obesity to offspring. In this study, the anti-inflammatory agent 5-ASA was used to intervene in the transmission of epigenetic inheritance of paternal obesity.
JOURNAL OF DIABETES AND ITS COMPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Birgitte S. Kousholt, Kirstine F. Praestegaard, Jennifer C. Stone, Anders F. Thomsen, Thea T. Johansen, Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga, Gregers Wegener, Johnny Roughan, Laura Calvillo
Summary: Currently, there is insufficient reporting of 3Rs approaches in preclinical publications to guide researchers. Other strategies such as education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and 3Rs funding initiatives are needed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shokouh Arjmand, Dirk Bender, Steen Jakobsen, Gregers Wegener, Anne M. Landau
Summary: This article discusses the role of estrogen receptors in brain function and disorders, as well as the limitations of using PET tracers for imaging ERs in the brain. The authors propose avenues for developing efficient PET tracers to study the dynamics of ERs and neuropsychiatric diseases associated with their malfunction.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pedro Henrique Gobira, Jacob LaMar, Jade Marques, Ariandra Sartim, Kennia Silveira, Luana Santos, Gregers Wegener, Francisco S. Guimaraes, Ken Mackie, Hui-Chen Lu, Samia Joca
Summary: This study investigates the involvement of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the antidepressant and psychostimulant effects induced by ketamine. The results suggest that CB1R mediate the psychostimulant side effects of ketamine, but do not play a role in its antidepressant properties. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of CB1R has similar antidepressant effects, but does not potentiate the effects of ketamine.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)