Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam Wojtas, Agnieszka Bysiek, Agnieszka Wawrzczak-Bargiela, Zuzanna Szych, Iwona Majcher-Maslanka, Monika Herian, Marzena Mackowiak, Krystyna Golembiowska
Summary: Clinical studies suggest that ketamine and psilocybin may have potential as fast-acting antidepressants. This study used microdialysis to investigate the effect of these drugs on neurotransmitter levels in rat brain regions. The findings showed that both ketamine and psilocybin affected neurotransmitter levels, but did not significantly alter animal behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mareli Roets, Linda Brand, Stephan F. Steyn
Summary: During the peripartum period, women are at an increased risk of developing perinatal distress. Animal studies have shown that pregnancy can alter the bio-behavioural profile of rats, and postpartum stressors can exacerbate these effects. These findings suggest that pregnancy influences postpartum behaviour in a strain-dependent manner.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Kowalczyk, Modestos Nakos-Bimpos, Alexia Polissidis, Christina Dalla, Nikolaos Kokras, Krystyna Skalicka-Wozniak, Barbara Budzynska
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the sex-dependent effects of imperatorin on antidepressant effects. The results showed that only males responded to imperatorin treatment and exhibited antidepressant effects, while serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex of females decreased. This suggests that imperatorin may have antidepressant potential, but only in males.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiao-Ting Huang, Jun-Xiao Yang, Zun Wang, Chen-Yu Zhang, Zi-Qiang Luo, Wei Liu, Si-Yuan Tang
Summary: The study highlights the role of the glutamate/NMDAR axis in obesity-related metabolic syndrome, with evidence showing that targeting NMDAR can be a promising therapeutic strategy. In obese mice, increased glutamate levels and blockade of NMDAR by Memantine improved insulin sensitivity and reduced hepatic steatosis, while NMDA treatment induced obesity and metabolic disorders. In vitro studies demonstrated that NMDAR activation promoted lipid accumulation and impaired fatty acid oxidation through PPARa signaling, suggesting a potential mechanism for NMDAR-mediated metabolic syndrome in obesity.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christiane Brandwein, Cathalijn H. C. Leenaars, Laura Becker, Natascha Pfeiffer, Ana -Maria Iorgu, Melissa Hahn, Gaia A. Vairani, Lars Lewejohann, Andre Bleich, Anne S. Mallien, Peter Gass
Summary: This systematic mapping review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution and commonly used set-ups of the Porsolt Forced Swim Test in rats. By offering detailed technical aspects and a list of existing publications, it enhances the reproducibility and comparability of this experiment, aiming to reduce animal usage and unnecessary replication.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammed H. Elkomy, Fatma I. Abo El-Ela, Randa Mohammed Zaki, Omar A. Alsaidan, Mohammed Elmowafy, Ameeduzzafar Zafar, Khaled Shalaby, Mohamed A. Abdelgawad, Hany A. Omar, Rania Salama, Hussein M. Eid
Summary: This study developed and optimized a drug-loaded thermosensitive gel for intranasal administration to combat depression. The results demonstrated that compared to other formulations, this thermosensitive gel significantly improved behavioral performance and alleviated neural tissue changes in depressed rats. Further research is needed to determine its effectiveness in humans.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastien Bullich, Sarah Delcourte, Nasser Haddjeri, Bruno P. Guiard
Summary: The study found that 5d-RFSS mice exhibited strong depressive characteristics in the FST, but the model has limitations in replicating the broad spectrum of depressive symptoms observed in other chronic models. However, it showed a significant impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Shuang Chen, Da Xu, Liu Fan, Zhi Fang, Xiufeng Wang, Man Li
Summary: This article reviews the regulation of NMDAR and its possible mechanisms in epilepsy, discussing the role of NMDAR in onset, development, and treatment, and providing more evidence for future studies.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Lucas Rischka, Chrysoula Vraka, Verena Pichler, Sazan Rasul, Lukas Nics, Gregor Gryglewski, Patricia Handschuh, Matej Murgas, Godber M. Godbersen, Leo R. Silberbauer, Jakob Unterholzner, Christoph Wotawa, Ahmed Haider, Hazem Ahmed, Roger Schibli, Thomas Mindt, Markus Mitterhauser, Wolfgang Wadsak, Andreas Hahn, Rupert Lanzenberger, Marcus Hacker, Simon M. Ametamey
Summary: This study reports on the performance characteristics of (R)-C-11-Me-NB1, a radioligand used to map GluN2B-enriched NMDARs in the human brain. The radioligand demonstrated high and heterogeneous uptake and a high test-retest reliability. It shows promise in deepening our understanding of the role of GluN2B-containing NMDARs in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases such Alzheimer's disease and major depression.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Corey A. Calhoun, Christine Lattouf, Victoria Lewis, Heidi Barrientos, S. Tiffany Donaldson
Summary: This study used female Long-Evans rats bred for high and low anxiety-like behavior to investigate the relationship between anxiety and depression. The results showed that high anxiety rats exhibited more swimming and less floating behavior in the forced swim test, and had lower body weight. Additionally, after chronic mild stress, high anxiety rats showed increased mobility and decreased food consumption.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Josh Allen, Raquel Romay-Tallon, Milann A. Mitchell, Kyle J. Brymer, Jenessa Johnston, Carla L. Sanchez-Lafuente, Graziano Pinna, Lisa E. Kalynchuk, Hector J. Caruncho
Summary: Chronic stress is a significant risk factor for depression. Reelin protein can rapidly restore depressive-like behavior and neurochemical abnormalities induced by chronic stress through intravenous injections.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Amir Parsa Abhari, Masoud Etemadifar, Niloufar Yazdanpanah, Nima Rezaei
Summary: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a crucial role in regulating physiological processes in the brain and nervous system. Dysfunction of NMDARs can contribute to various pathologies, including cell death and brain dysfunction. Research has shown the significant involvement of NMDARs in demyelinating disorders and anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
MINI-REVIEWS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suk-Yun Kang, Su Yeon Seo, Se Kyun Bang, Seong Jin Cho, Kwang-Ho Choi, Yeonhee Ryu
Summary: This study demonstrated that intrathecal administration of the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine significantly reduced carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain in mice, potentially through the inhibition of NMDA receptor phosphorylation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Emily R. Trunnell, Constanca Carvalho
Summary: Despite the prevalence of treatment-resistant depression, many pharmaceutical companies have abandoned the development of new antidepressants due to low quality preclinical tests, such as over-reliance on animal behavioral screens like the forced swim test (FST). A retrospective review found that out of 109 compounds tested in the FST, only 28% were explored for antidepressant effects in humans, and only three showed potential efficacy, but are not approved for treating depression. This suggests that the FST may not be a useful screening tool for identifying novel antidepressants.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Joanna Kowalczyk, Modestos Nakos-Bimpos, Alexia Polissidis, Christina Dalla, Nikolaos Kokras, Krystyna Skalicka-Wozniak, Barbara Budzynska
Summary: This study found that xanthotoxin can reduce depressive behaviors in male mice, while female mice have lower immobility levels compared to males, which may be related to higher levels of serotonin in the female prefrontal cortex. Additionally, xanthotoxin can lead to a dose-dependent increase in serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the female prefrontal cortex.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)