Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rachel Price, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Ada Ledonne
Summary: PARs, a unique class of GPCRs, play crucial roles in regulating neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, particularly through modulating glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission. In normal conditions, PARs are important regulators of synaptic efficacy and plasticity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Ruotong Li, Yong Wang, Yaxin Yang, Zhongheng Wu, Ling Wang, Guoyi Tang, Jie Yang, Jian Liu
Summary: This study found that GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory transmission in the avBNST is involved in Parkinson's disease (PD)-related anxiety. Injection of GABAA receptor agonist produced anxiolytic-like effects, inhibited the firing activity of GABAergic neurons and activated the dopaminergic neurons in VTA and serotonergic neurons in DRN, leading to an increase in dopamine and 5-HT release in the amygdala.
Article
Neurosciences
Kanghoon Jung, Minhyeok Chang, Andre Steinecke, Benjamin Burke, Youngjin Choi, Yasuhiro Oisi, David Fitzpatrick, Hiroki Taniguchi, Hyung-Bae Kwon
Summary: Chandelier cells (ChCs), a type of inhibitory interneurons, establish cortical microcircuits to organize neural coding through selective synaptic plasticity. They contribute to organized motor control by enhancing population coding of direction-tuned premotor neurons, with tuning refined through suppression of irrelevant activity. ChCs mediate learning by establishing inhibitory circuit motifs over individual pyramidal neurons and redistributing inhibitory weights during learning, allowing for efficient cortical computation.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Reesha R. Patel, Sarah A. Wolfe, Michal Bajo, Shawn Abeynaike, Amanda Pahng, Vittoria Borgonetti, Shannon D'Ambrosio, Rana Nikzad, Scott Edwards, Silke Paust, Amanda J. Roberts, Marisa Roberto
Summary: This study found that chronic alcohol exposure alters the brain's immune landscape, leading to a decrease in the anti-inflammatory mediator IL-10 levels in the amygdala, affecting GABA neurotransmission and regulating anxiety behavior and alcohol intake. Overexpression of IL-10 in the amygdala can reduce anxiety-like behaviors and suppress excessive alcohol intake, providing a potential therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Kaitlin C. Reeves, Nikhil Shah, Braulio Munoz, Brady K. Atwood
Summary: Opioids mediate their effects through opioid receptors, which regulate neurotransmission and neuronal function in the brain. The expression pattern and mechanism of opioid receptors vary across different brain regions, determining the effects of opioids on brain function.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yuxiao Yao, Diego Baronio, Yu-Chia Chen, Congyu Jin, Pertti Panula
Summary: This study found that the absence of the hrh1 gene in zebrafish leads to deficits in the dopaminergic and hypocretin systems during early development, but these deficits are compensated for in adulthood. However, adult fish exhibit impaired sociability and anxious-like behavior, along with downregulation of choline O-acetyltransferase and LIM homeodomain transcription factor Islet1.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erika Bolneo, Pak Yan S. Chau, Peter G. Noakes, Mark C. Bellingham
Summary: The normal development and function of the central nervous system depend on a balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. Down-regulated inhibitory signaling is associated with various neurological disorders. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian forebrain and its down-regulated signaling is linked with multiple neurological diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengwei Li, Mingxian Chang
Summary: Oxidative stress plays a significant role in inflammatory diseases, characterized by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Inflammatory signaling cascades are initiated through the recognition of DAMPs and PAMPs by PRRs, with different PRRs families affecting the production of ROS and/or oxidative stress. Studying the correlation between oxidative stress and PRRs-mediated signaling pathways is crucial for future therapeutic strategies in inflammatory diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alexander Gallo, Tim MacDonald, Kellie Bennett, Gioiamia Basso-Hulse, Gary Hulse
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether continuous low-dose flumazenil is anxiogenic like bolus doses. The results showed that there was no significant increase in state anxiety levels after continuous low-dose flumazenil infusion, and trait anxiety was significantly reduced one month after the treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Goran Simic, Mladenka Tkalcic, Vana Vukic, Damir Mulc, Ena Spanic, Marina Sagud, Francisco E. Olucha-Bordonau, Mario Vuksic, Patrick R. Hof
Summary: Emotions are generated by activations of specific neuronal populations in the cerebral cortex, while feelings are conscious emotional experiences of these activations that contribute to enhancing neuronal networks mediating thoughts, language, and behavior. Contemporary theories of emotion highlight the central role of the amygdala as a subcortical emotional brain structure.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Derya Gurcan-Yildirim, Tulin Gencoz
Summary: This study examined the impact of self-discrepancies on depression and anxiety in a Turkish population, and investigated the moderating roles of emotion regulation and resilience in the relationship between self-discrepancies and negative emotions. The findings indicated that ideal self-discrepancy was related to depression, while both ought self-discrepancy and undesired self-discrepancy were associated with both depression and anxiety. Resilience moderated the relationships between ideal self-discrepancy and depression, as well as undesired self-discrepancy and depression. Furthermore, both resilience and emotion regulation moderated the relationship between ought self-discrepancy and anxiety.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xin Fu, Eric Teboul, Grant L. Weiss, Pantelis Antonoudiou, Chandrashekhar D. Borkar, Jonathan P. Fadok, Jamie Maguire, Jeffrey G. Tasker
Summary: The authors study how the modulation of Gq activity in basolateral amygdala parvalbumin interneurons mediates the transitions between brain and behavioral states, particularly fear-related ones.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Flavia S. Mueller, Rene Amport, Tina Notter, Sina M. Schalbetter, Han-Yu Lin, Zuzana Garajova, Parisa Amini, Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer, Enni Markkanen
Summary: This study found a link between deficient DNA repair leading to unrepaired DNA damage in the forebrain and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. The effects of this DNA damage on anxiety-like behaviors were found to be sex-dependent, and alterations to the GABAergic neurotransmitter system may contribute to this effect.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonella Comitato, Rita Bardoni
Summary: Recent studies have shown that presynaptic GABAergic receptors in the spinal cord dorsal horn play a crucial modulatory role in sensory information processing, particularly in states of sensitization induced by chronic pain. Techniques such as opto- and chemogenetic stimulation have provided valuable insights into this topic, highlighting the importance of regulating neurotransmitter release for integrating postsynaptic responses and coding sensory information.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bich Phuong Bui, Phuong Linh Nguyen, Ha Thi Thu Do, Jungsook Cho
Summary: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) exhibits anxiolytic effects in immobilized mice through enhanced serotonin and GABA transmissions and BDNF expression.
JOURNAL OF GINSENG RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Giannina Descalzi
NEUROSCIENCE BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pojeong Park, John Georgiou, Thomas M. Sanderson, Kwang-Hee Ko, Heather Kang, Ji-il Kim, Clarrisa A. Bradley, Zuner A. Bortolotto, Min Zhuo, Bong-Kiun Kaang, Graham L. Collingridge
Summary: Long-term potentiation at hippocampal CA1 synapses can be achieved by increasing the number and/or single-channel conductance of AMPA receptors, with CaMKII and PKA working together to increase single-channel conductance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elaine Pirie, Chang-Ki Oh, Xu Zhang, Xuemei Han, Piotr Cieplak, Henry R. Scott, Amanda K. Deal, Swagata Ghatak, Fernando J. Martinez, Gene W. Yeo, John R. Yates, Tomohiro Nakamura, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: This study reveals that environmentally induced nitrosative stress can trigger protein aggregation and cell-to-cell spread, leading to abnormal aggregation of TDP-43 in ALS/FTD. These processes also interfere with neuronal function, contributing to the progression of the diseases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomohiro Nakamura, Chang-ki Oh, Xu Zhang, Steven R. Tannenbaum, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: Physiological concentrations of nitric oxide and related reactive nitrogen species play important roles in mediating signaling pathways in the nervous system. S-nitrosylation, particularly through transnitrosylation, is a critical chemical mechanism for transduction of redox-mediated events. Future studies should focus on understanding how transnitrosylation regulates various neuronal attributes in aging, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Stuart A. Lipton, Paschalis-Thomas Doulias, Tomohiro Nakamura, Henry Scott, Abdullah Sultan, Scott R. McKercher, Amanda Deal, Matthew Albertolle, Harry Ischiropoulos
Summary: Both HIV-1 and methamphetamine use lead to increased oxidative and nitrosative stress in the brain, potentially contributing to cognitive impairment and worsening effects of drug abuse. Enhanced S-nitrosylation of proteins derived from nitric oxide may disrupt protein activity, particularly impacting TCA enzymes and leading to energy collapse observed in HAND and methamphetamine use.
JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dorit Trudler, Kristopher L. Nazor, Yvonne S. Eisele, Titas Grabauskas, Nima Dolatabadi, James Parker, Abdullah Sultan, Zhenyu Zhong, Marshall S. Goodwin, Yona Levites, Todd E. Golde, Jeffery W. Kelly, Michael R. Sierks, Nicholas J. Schork, Michael Karin, Rajesh Ambasudhan, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: Parkinson's disease is associated with the accumulation of alpha-synuclein and activation of microglia, potentially leading to neuronal death. This study shows that alpha-synuclein can activate NLRP3 inflammasome in human microglia and that alpha-synuclein-antibody complexes can exacerbate inflammation in a human context.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Qi-Yu Chen, Xu-Hui Li, Jing-Shan Lu, Yinglu Liu, Jung-Hyun Alex Lee, Yu-Xin Chen, Wantong Shi, Kexin Fan, Min Zhuo
Summary: This study found that GluN2C/2D subunits are expressed in the pyramidal cells of the ACC in adult mice. A selective antagonist of GluN2C/2D, UBP145, significantly reduced NMDAR-mediated currents without affecting synaptically evoked EPSCs. UBP145 also did not impact postsynaptic long-term potentiation (post-LTP), presynaptic LTP (pre-LTP), or LTD, but did decrease the frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) without affecting their amplitude.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomohiro Nakamura, Chang-ki Oh, Xu Zhang, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are characterized by progressive degeneration of synapses and neurons, often attributed to accumulated misfolded/aggregated proteins. Excessive reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the brain may contribute to protein misfolding, potentially exacerbated by genetic mutations and environmental factors. Understanding the role of reactive nitrogen species in post-translational modifications of proteins could lead to therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hongxu Xian, Yuan Liu, Alexandra Rundberg Nilsson, Raphaella Gatchalian, Timothy R. Crother, Warren G. Tourtellotte, Yi Zhang, German R. Aleman-Muench, Gavin Lewis, Weixuan Chen, Sarah Kang, Melissa Luevanos, Dorit Trudler, Stuart A. Lipton, Pejman Soroosh, John Teijaro, Juan Carlos de la Torre, Moshe Arditi, Michael Karin, Elsa Sanchez-Lopez
Summary: The study found that metformin can attenuate COVID-19-induced ARDS by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1 beta and IL-6 secretion, and by blocking ATP and mtDNA synthesis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dorit Trudler, Swagata Ghatak, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease, represent a significant social and economic burden due to increasing prevalence and lack of effective therapies. Lack of reliable models has hindered the development of treatments, but human-induced pluripotent stem cell technology offers a promising alternative to complement animal models for disease modeling and drug discovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jung-Hyun Alex Lee, Zhuang Miao, Qi-Yu Chen, Xu-Hui Li, Min Zhuo
Summary: The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is crucial for processing pain-related information in the brain, with studies on synaptic connections within the ACC shedding light on basic cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain functions such as pain, emotion, and cognition. A new mapping technique combining single neuron whole-cell patch-clamp recording with multi-channel field potential recording was developed to investigate excitatory inputs into ACC neurons, revealing heterogeneous excitatory synaptic innervations from different ACC subregions. Pyramidal neurons in the ACC show faster conduction velocity with increasing stimulation distance, while different types of interneurons exhibit varying inactivation and activation properties in response to synaptic transmission modulation.
Article
Neurosciences
Chang-Ki Oh, Nima Dolatabadi, Piotr Cieplak, Maria T. Diaz-Meco, Jorge Moscat, John P. Nolan, Tomohiro Nakamura, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: This article investigates the mechanism by which dysregulation of autophagic pathways leads to the accumulation of abnormal proteins and damaged organdies in neurodegenerative disorders. The authors found that pathologic protein S-nitrosylation of p62 is a critical factor for autophagic inhibition and cell-to-cell spread.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takumi Satoh, Dorit Trudler, Chang-Ki Oh, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: This article reviews the potential applications of carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol (CS) in rosemary for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and COVID-19. It highlights the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects of CA, as well as its potential to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome. The article suggests that CA-related compounds could serve as therapeutics for acute and chronic neurological effects caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ki-Ryeong Kim, Eun-Jung Cho, Jae-Won Eom, Sang-Seok Oh, Tomohiro Nakamura, Chang-ki Oh, Stuart A. Lipton, Yang-Hee Kim
Summary: This study reveals that S-nitrosylation of lysosomal protease cathepsin B (CTSB) inhibits its activity, blocks autophagic flux, and contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Jing-Shan Lu, Qi-Yu Chen, Xiang Chen, Xu-Hui Li, Zhaoxiang Zhou, Qin Liu, Yuwan Lin, Miaomiao Zhou, Ping-Yi Xu, Min Zhuo
Summary: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, often accompanied by chronic pain. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is the key mechanism of Parkinson's disease, leading to dysfunction in the nociceptive system.
