Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Loredana Raciti, Caterina Formica, Gianfranco Raciti, Angelo Quartarone, Rocco Salvatore Calabro
Summary: Neurosteroids are synthesized de novo in the nervous system, mainly regulating neuronal excitability. They cross the blood-brain barrier and are stored in the brain. Neurosteroidogenesis occurs in brain regions such as the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Neurosteroids play a vital role in sexual steroid-induced hippocampal synaptic plasticity, enhancing spine density and long term potentiation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Gerson D. Hernandez, Roberta D. Brinton
Summary: Chronic stress can alter brain structure and function, potentially contributing to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The remodeling of neural architecture in response to stress can indicate successful adaptation, but persistent changes after stress ends suggest failed resilience. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis plays a crucial role in neuroendocrine homeostasis and stress response. Neurosteroids, such as allopregnanolone, fluctuate depending on the duration of stress and may have therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, particularly in promoting neuroregeneration.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ilias Goranitis, Stephanie Best, Zornitza Stark, Tiffany Boughtwood, John Christodoulou
Summary: The study used a discrete choice experiment to estimate the societal value of genomic sequencing for pediatric neurological disorders in Australia. Results showed statistically significant preferences for genomic sequencing across all attributes, with society willing to pay more for this service compared to standard care. Decision makers should consider a wide range of risks and benefits associated with genomic information to ensure fair prioritization.
GENETICS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Sean L. Thompson, Georgia H. O'Leary, Christopher W. Austelle, Elise Gruber, Alex T. Kahn, Andrew J. Manett, Baron Short, Bashar W. Badran
Summary: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a well-established form of neuromodulation with potential applications in various disorders, but there is currently a lack of consensus on the optimal stimulation parameters. This therapy has shown promise in treating conditions such as epilepsy, depression, and post-stroke rehabilitation. The article provides a historical perspective on the evolution and applications of VNS in different fields.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alexandra Balshi, Elena Taylor, Yishang Huang, Danielle Obando, Ashley Miles, Michael Comisac, Yujie Wang, Scott D. Newsome
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of non-neurological autoantibodies and associated conditions in a large cohort of people with Stiff Person Syndrome Spectrum Disorders (SPSD), and found that autoimmune comorbidities were weakly associated with disease burden.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Syed Suhail Andrabi, Pooja Kaushik, Sayed Md Mumtaz, Mohammad Mumtaz Alam, Heena Tabassum, Suhel Parvez
Summary: The study investigated the neuroprotective effects of pregnenolone on ischemic injury, showing that pregnenolone can improve neurological function by reducing mitochondrial ROS, but does not affect mitochondrial bioenergetics.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiao Wang, Yushuo Xiao, Chengyu Liu, Yixue Huang, Robert B. Petersen, Ling Zheng, Kun Huang
Summary: MeCP2 plays a crucial role in both neurological and non-neurological disorders, including causing Rett syndrome in the former and cardiac dysfunction, liver injury, respiratory disorders, and other conditions in the latter. Research suggests that MeCP2 can influence various physiological and pathological processes in a DNA methylation-dependent or independent manner.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Pascal Jorratt, Jan Ricny, Christian Leibold, Saak V. Ovsepian
Summary: The impairment of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity has been associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. This study examined the effects of different endogenous modulators of NMDAR on neuronal viability, glutamate release, and dendritic morphology in rat cortical cultures. The results showed that the exposure to NMDAR modulators did not affect glutamate release or neuronal viability. However, prolonged treatment with physiological concentrations of NMDAR modulators led to enhanced dendritic field expansion, particularly with spermidine and pregnenolone sulfate. These findings suggest that constitutive glutamatergic activity mediated by NMDAR controls dendritic field expansion and may influence the integrative properties of cortical neurons.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
James Beharry, David Palmer, Teddy Wu, Duncan Wilson, Campbell Le Heron, Deborah Mason, Jon Reimers, John Fink, Roger Mulder, Roderick Duncan
Summary: A study at Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand found that FND patients accounted for a significant proportion of acute neurology admissions, with high healthcare resource utilization. Patients were mainly female with an average age of 40, and most had a hospital stay of around 3 days. The rate of acute inpatient admission for FND varied in different areas.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Ahad Behboodi, Walker A. Lee, Victoria S. Hinchberger, Diane L. Damiano
Summary: This scoping review examines the effectiveness of BCI-based neurofeedback methods for improving motor outcomes in adults with non-progressive neurological injuries, particularly stroke. The findings confirm previous evidence of the effectiveness of BCI-based neurofeedback training in improving motor outcomes and suggest the potential for enhanced neuroplasticity. The emergence of associative learning paradigms may offer feasible and effective methods for neurorehabilitation. Further clinical trials are needed, particularly in pediatric and adult neurorehabilitation, to refine methods and compare with other evidence-based training strategies.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xiaoxia Liu, Xiangjian Zhang, Junmin Chen, Degang Song, Cong Zhang, Rong Chen, Renhao Xu, Wei Jiang, Li Li
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Chrysophanol (CHR) in the chronic phase of stroke and its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that CHR alleviated tissue damage, promoted neural plasticity, and improved neurological function. In vitro experiments revealed that CHR enhanced the complexity of neurons and spine density by modulating microglial polarization and reducing the expression of microglia-associated inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6. In vivo experiments demonstrated that CHR inhibited microglia activation and downregulated inflammatory cytokines. Further investigation suggested that IL-6-STAT3 signaling played a significant role in this process.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Stefan Williams, Clea Southall, Samantha Haley, Thamer Ba Dhafari, Steven Kemp, Samuel D. Relton, Jane E. Alty, Owen Johnson, Christopher D. Graham, Melissa Maguire
Summary: Patients with acute FND tend to follow looping pathways through hospital healthcare events, centered around the emergency department, with low rates of documented diagnosis and referral for psychological therapy. When better practice occurs, it is associated with lower risk of emergency department reattendance.
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Brice T. Cleland, Sangeetha Madhavan
Summary: The study found that in stroke patients, ipsilateral pathways show increased excitability to the paretic limb during dynamic tasks, and transcallosal inhibition is greater in the ipsilesional hemisphere and during dynamic tasks. Greater ipsilesional transcallosal inhibition is associated with better ankle movement accuracy, while greater contralateral excitability to the nonparetic limb is linked to improved walking symmetry.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Helena Lahoda Brodska, Jiri Klempir, Jan Zavora, Pavel Kohout
Summary: Micronutrients are essential for basic metabolic reactions in the human body, and their abnormal levels have been linked to the etiopathogenesis and complications of neurological diseases.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mehar Sahu, Rahul Tripathi, Niraj Kumar Jha, Saurabh Kumar Jha, Rashmi K. Ambasta, Pravir Kumar
Summary: Sleep disorders are becoming more prevalent among the elderly population, especially those with neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. This article reviews the mechanisms and effects of sleep dysfunction in these disorders, including disturbed circadian rhythm, gene regulation, brainwave perturbations, and ocular manifestations. Non-pharmacological treatments are gaining importance due to the limitations of pharmacological approaches.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
