Article
Immunology
Md Abdul Alim, Mirjana Grujic, Paul W. Ackerman, Per Kristiansson, Pernilla Eliasson, Magnus Peterson, Gunnar Pejler
Summary: Mast cells play a role in communication between peripheral nerves and immune cells, expressing glutamate receptors and being sensitive to glutamate signaling. Glutamate induces upregulation of various glutamate receptors and gene expression in mast cells, including pro-inflammatory components and transcription factors. The presence of a functional glutamate-glutamate receptor axis in mast cells is supported by in vitro and in vivo evidence, revealing a novel principle of communication between immune cells and nerve cells.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Xi Chu, Eelke Snoeren, Per Sodersten, Anders Agmo
Summary: The study found that treatment with androgens in rats can lead to masculinization of sexual motivation and behavior, while non-aromatizable androgens have a weaker effect on sexual motivation. Simultaneous actions on androgen and estrogen receptors are needed for significant masculinization during the period studied.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Belgin Yalcin, Michelle Monje
Summary: Developmental myelination is a prolonged process with cell-intrinsic mechanisms and microenvironmental interactions guiding every aspect of myelination. Neuron-oligodendroglial interactions fine-tune neural circuit dynamics and promote healthy neurological function during development and throughout adult life.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Dolores Piniella, Francisco Zafra
Summary: This article discusses the functions of NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) in the central nervous system and their interaction with other endogenous ligands. The activity of NMDARs depends on the coincidental binding of glutamate with other cellular signals and is modulated by allosteric modulators such as zinc and protons. The GlyT1 transporter plays an important role in maintaining glycine concentration in the microenvironment of NMDARs. Although the inhibition of GlyT1 has been investigated as a treatment for schizophrenia, the results from phase III clinical trials have been disappointing. However, further research and the newly published 3D structure of GlyT1 may lead to the design of more effective drugs.
Article
Neurosciences
Faming Zhao, Tingting Zhang, Qing Shen, Kaili Yin, Yu Wang, Guo Zhang
Summary: Research indicates that Tak1 expressed in the astrocytes of mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) plays a crucial role in anxiety-like behavior in mice, with its deficiency increasing anxiety levels and its activation mitigating anxiety-like behavior.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Pittaluga, Alessandra Roggeri, Giulia Vallarino, Guendalina Olivero
Summary: Somatostatin plays a role in controlling synaptic transmission efficiency in the central nervous system, mainly by modulating presynaptic glutamate exocytosis or by modulating glutamate receptors that are functionally coupled with somatostatin receptors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chintha Venkataramaiah, Sholapuri Payani, Bandila Lakshmi Priya, Jangampalli Adi Pradeepkiran
Summary: The glutamate and dopamine hypotheses are leading theories in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and new neuroprotective compounds from medicinal plants could offer benefits. A novel bioactive compound found in Celastrus paniculatus shows potential neuroprotective effects in ketamine-induced schizophrenia, particularly in regulating glutamate metabolism.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Azmat Rozjan, Weibi Shan, Qiaoling Yao
Summary: By selectively knocking out HIF1a in the neurons of the mediobasal hypothalamus, mice showed significant increases in body weight and food intake, as well as abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism. Insulin-induced AKT phosphorylation levels decreased and Glut4 mRNA expression was reduced in the absence of hypothalamic neuronal HIF1a.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sadaf Jahan, Neeru Singh Redhu, Arif Jamal Siddiqui, Danish Iqbal, Johra Khan, Saeed Banawas, Mohammed Alaidarous, Bader Alshehri, Shabir Ahmad Mir, Mohd Adnan, Aditya Bhushan Pant
Summary: Excitotoxicity is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by excessive activation of glutamate receptors. This study identified nobiletin as a potential neuroprotectant through computational screening, and demonstrated its good drug-like behavior and non-toxic nature through ADMET analysis.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Najm Alsadat Madani, David O. Carpenter
Summary: Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides have adverse effects on nervous system function, including increased risk of Parkinson's disease and autism, impaired synaptic transmission through mechanisms such as oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, glyphosate-based herbicides alter the gut microbiome, which in turn affects susceptibility to neurological diseases.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Delia N. Chiu, Brett C. Carter
Summary: NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play a crucial role in glutamatergic synaptic signaling in the mammalian central nervous system. The unique biophysical properties of NMDARs, including their ligand- and voltage-dependence, allow them to function as synaptic coincidence detectors, controlling the influx of synaptic Ca2+. Experimental results show that NMDARs contribute to synaptic currents and Ca2+ influx even in the presence of extracellular Mg2+ and absence of AMPAR depolarization. This suggests that NMDARs have an important role in synaptic signaling.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kun Qiao, Zhuoying Liang, Aoxue Wang, Qiong Wu, Siyu Yang, Yongfang Ma, Shuying Li, Sabrina Schiwy, Jinhua Jiang, Shengli Zhou, Qingfu Ye, Henner Hollert, Wenjun Gui
Summary: In this study, the effects of tebuconazole on the sex differentiation and hormone levels in zebrafish were investigated. The results showed that long-term exposure to tebuconazole significantly increased the proportion of males and led to an increase in testosterone levels and a decrease in estradiol and aromatase gene expression. However, chemically activated luciferase gene expression assays suggested that the male-biased sex differentiation was not caused by direct binding of tebuconazole to sex hormone receptors. Molecular docking and activity assays further confirmed the interaction between tebuconazole and aromatase. These findings highlight the potential threat of tebuconazole in inducing gender imbalance in fish populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bethany H. Dennis, Stuart A. Neale, Fiona E. N. LeBeau, Thomas E. Salt
Summary: Aberrant cortical oscillations in the beta and gamma range are associated with symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions. Activation of Group II mGlu receptors, and mGlu2 specifically, with orthosteric agonists reduced the power of both beta and gamma oscillations in ACC without a significant effect on oscillation peak frequencies.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Hua Zhang, Jing-Jing Zhou, Jian-Ying Shao, Zhao-Fu Sheng, Jingxiong Wang, Peiru Zheng, Xunlei Kang, Zhenguo Liu, Zixi Jack Cheng, David D. Kline, De -Pei Li
Summary: Elevated levels of CRH and CRHR1 in the PVN are associated with increased sympathetic outflow in primary hypertension, potentially contributing to the hyperactivity of PVN presympathetic neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Niccolo P. Pampaloni, Irene Riva, Anna L. Carbone, Andrew J. R. Plested
Summary: The study shows that in addition to the previously known fast-acting AMPA receptors, slow AMPA receptors with prolonged activity are also expressed in the hippocampal CA1 region. These slow AMPA receptors may play a significant role in synaptic transmission, short-term potentiation, and triggering of action potentials.
Review
Developmental Biology
Jonathan W. VanRyzi, Lindsay A. Pickett, Margaret M. McCarthy
DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY
(2018)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margaret M. McCarthy
Review
Neurosciences
Margaret M. McCarthy
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Kathryn M. Lenz, Lindsay A. Pickett, Christopher L. Wright, Katherine T. Davis, Aarohi Joshi, Margaret M. McCarthy
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Psychiatry
Christopher L. Wright, Jessica H. Hoffman, Margaret M. McCarthy
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2019)
Review
Neurosciences
Jonathan W. VanRyzin, Ashley E. Marquardt, Lindsay A. Pickett, Margaret M. McCarthy
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Margaret M. McCarthy
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY A-NEUROETHOLOGY SENSORY NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Liisa A. M. Galea, Elena Choleris, Arianne Y. K. Albert, Margaret M. McCarthy, Farida Sohrabji
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sheryl E. Arambula, Margaret M. McCarthy
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Margaret M. McCarthy
Summary: Placental allopregnanolone deficiency affects cerebellar development in mice, leading to impaired social and communication skills in male offspring but not in female offspring. Replacing allopregnanolone can restore normal myelination and behavior.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Rashmi Joglekar, Marty Cauley, Taylor Lipsich, David L. Corcoran, Heather B. Patisaul, Edward D. Levin, Joel N. Meyer, Margaret M. McCarthy, Susan K. Murphy
Summary: Nicotine exposure during development may affect the sexual differentiation of the developing brain, potentially influencing adult sexual behavior in rodents. This study found that developmental nicotine exposure had an impact on the sexual differentiation of the preoptic area (POA) in rats, with the normal sex differences in male sexual behavior and POA area eliminated in nicotine-treated animals. In neonates, nicotine exposure also induced changes in gene expression and DNA methylation levels at sexually-dimorphic regions, suggesting the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the masculinization of the rat POA.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
S. L. Stockman, K. E. Kight, J. M. Bowers, M. M. McCarthy
Summary: This study reveals sex-specific regulation of cell genesis in the dentate gyrus of rodents, with DNA methylation playing a critical role in males and histone acetylation being essential for cell genesis in females.
BIOLOGY OF SEX DIFFERENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wahid Zada, Jonathan W. VanRyzin, Miguel Perez-Pouchoulen, Samantha L. Baglot, Matthew N. Hill, Ghulam Abbas, Sarah M. Clark, Umer Rashid, Margaret M. McCarthy, Abdul Mannan
Summary: Modulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS) shows potential in treating depressive disorders, and isoflavonoids as FAAH inhibitors are promising therapeutic targets.
PHARMACOLOGY RESEARCH & PERSPECTIVES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lindsay A. Pickett, Jonathan W. VanRyzin, Ashley E. Marquardt, Margaret M. McCarthy
Summary: The SDN-POA is a sexually dimorphic brain structure that is larger in males and is associated with mating preference. Microglia play a crucial role in reducing the size of the SDN in females by engulfing more neurons. Inhibiting microglia phagocytosis increases the SDN volume in females and affects their preference for male odors in adulthood.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Jonathan W. VanRyzin, Ashley E. Marquardt, Margaret M. McCarthy
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLAY
(2020)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Farrah N. Madison, Verner P. Bingman, Tom Smulders, Christine R. Lattin
Summary: Although research on the avian hippocampus has been limited, it is crucial for understanding its evolution and changes over time. The avian hippocampus plays important roles in spatial cognition as well as regulating anxiety, approach-avoidance behavior, and stress responses. Future research should focus on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms, including endocrinology, to resolve outstanding questions about avian hippocampal function and organization.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Judith A. H. Smit, Riet Vooijs, Peter Lindenburg, Alexander T. Baugh, Wouter Halfwerk
Summary: This study investigates the effects of urbanization on hormone levels in tungara frogs and found that urban frogs and forest frogs have different endocrine phenotypes. Exposure to urban noise and light pollution led to an increase in testosterone and a decrease in corticosterone in urban frogs, while forest frogs showed no endocrine response to sensory pollutants. These results suggest that urbanization can modulate hormone levels and influence behavior in frogs.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Hannah D. Fulenwider, Yangmiao Zhang, Andrey E. Ryabinin
Summary: Social hierarchies have significant effects on overall health of individuals in animal groups, particularly the lowest-ranking individuals. Tube test can be used to determine social rank in male and female mice, and the complex interactions between social rank, sex, environment, and testing length influence peptide levels.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2024)