Article
Immunology
Vanessa C. Bobbo, Daiane F. Engel, Carlos Poblete Jara, Natalia F. Mendes, Roberta Haddad-Tovolli, Thais P. Prado, Davi Sidarta-Oliveira, Joseane Morari, Licio A. Velloso, Eliana P. Araujo
Summary: IL6 in the hypothalamus induces neurogenesis-related gene expression in both wild-type and IL6 knockout mice, potentially offering a approach to prevent or attenuate obesity.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Fuyuko Takata, Shinsuke Nakagawa, Junichi Matsumoto, Shinya Dohgu
Summary: Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of various neurodegenerative diseases, involving glial cell activation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of blood-brain barrier impairment by inflammatory mediators released by perivascular cells may lead to novel treatments for neurological diseases associated with neuroinflammation.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Fatemeh Khodadadei, Allen P. Liu, Carolyn A. Harris
Summary: The study suggests that shear forces in hydrocephalus shunts lead to increased cytokine secretion by astrocytes, contributing to shunt failure. Real-time imaging confirmed the importance of reducing shear stress activation of cells to prevent shunt failure.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mengqi Zhang, Haojun Yang, Zhuohui Chen, Xinhang Hu, Tong Wu, Weiping Liu
Summary: The study revealed that long noncoding RNA XIST promotes the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-treated CTX-TNA2 cells by sponging miR-29c-3p and regulating NFAT5 expression. Silencing XIST expression or increasing miR-29c-3p expression can inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors and promote the transport of glutamate in LPS-treated CTX-TNA2 cells.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Marie J. Pietrowski, Amr Ahmed Gabr, Stanislav Kozlov, David Blum, Annett Halle, Kevin Carvalho
Summary: Purinergic signaling plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal and glial cell functions in the healthy central nervous system, but becomes dysregulated in neurodegenerative diseases, affecting the function of glial cells. By studying the changes in cell-specific expression patterns of purinergic signaling components and the dysregulation of glial purinergic signaling and crosstalk in neurodegeneration, there is promising potential for the development of new therapeutic options for neurodegenerative diseases.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jessica Rauch, Johanna Friederike Steffen, Birgit Muntau, Jana Gisbrecht, Kirsten Poertner, Christiane Herden, Hans Helmut Niller, Markus Bauswein, Dennis Rubbenstroth, Ute Mehlhoop, Petra Allartz, Dennis Tappe
Summary: Human Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) encephalitis is characterized by an increasing immune activation, pro-inflammatory pattern and dysbalanced growth factor levels. The presence of inflammatory biomarkers and chemokines attracts immune cells and contributes to the inflammation and tissue damage. This dysregulated and pro-inflammatory state may play a crucial role in the fatal outcome of human BoDV-1 encephalitis and could be a potential target for treatment.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jian Luo
Summary: Astrocytes are highly polarized neuroglial cells that play diverse roles in the brain. In response to pathological insults, they transition from a dormant state to a reactive and migratory state, known as reactive astrogliosis. Dysregulation of cell polarity proteins during astrogliosis may impact astrocyte reactivity and disease progression, making them potential therapeutic targets.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sukanya Sarkar, Subhas C. Biswas
Summary: This paper discusses the research on different subtypes of reactive astrocytes in AD, exploring their functions and cytokine profiles, and proposing a new approach of subtype-specific treatment for AD.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yong-Soo Han, Jun-Hwee Jang, Won-Seok Lee, Jun-Sung Oh, Eun-Jung Lee, Bo-Eun Yoon
Summary: In this study, graphene oxide was coated onto titanium using electrophoretic deposition to enhance its bioactivity. The graphene oxide-coated titanium improved cell adhesion and proliferation of astrocytes and upregulated the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and neuroprotective factors. These findings suggest that the graphene oxide-coated titanium has the potential to induce neuroprotective effects by regulating cell activity.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Indira Priya Siva Venkatesh, Meenakshi Bhaskar, Anirban Basu
Summary: Astrocytes play a significant role in Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-mediated neuroinflammation, despite not being a central nervous system immune cell.
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrey Y. Abramov
Summary: The brain is the organ that coordinates the entire body, and neurons and glia have evolved to be highly specialized and regulated by diverse receptors and neurotransmitters. Unique features such as the brain-blood barrier, high-energy demand, and electrical activity make neurons and astrocytes diverse components that vary across brain regions. This Special Issue includes 19 review articles that cover various aspects of neuroscience, including neurodevelopment, physiology, memory formation, and the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hao Zhu, Yu Yang, Min Zhu, Xiao Shi, Le Ye, Song Zhang, Hongwei Fang, Wenjuan Yu
Summary: The study revealed that MK-801 treatment enhanced astrocytic viability, elevating the expression and secretion levels of IL1β, IL6, and TNFα, while decreasing IL10 expression, possibly through the regulation of the ERK1/2 and PI3K signaling pathways.
Review
Biology
Hidenori Tabata
Summary: This review discusses the interactions between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, two types of glial cells, and endothelial cells in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). It is found that astrocytes play crucial roles in the formation and development of neuro-vascular units and also in maintaining the blood-brain barrier (BBB). They promote blood vessel growth by providing a scaffold and secreting trophic factors. Oligodendrocyte progenitors also have interactions with blood vessels. However, our understanding of the detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions is still limited and further research is needed.
Editorial Material
Biology
Alexis Cooper, Benedikt Berninger
Summary: Recent findings question the idea that suppressing the RNA-binding protein PTBP1 can induce astrocytes to transform into dopaminergic neurons.
Review
Neurosciences
Jianhui Liu, Xuanran Feng, Yi Wang, Xiaohuan Xia, Jialin C. Zheng
Summary: Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the brain, have been found to be GABAceptive and play a role in regulating neurotransmission and brain function by capturing and releasing GABA.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
D. Veiga-Canuto, M. Cifrian-Perez, I Pitarch-Castellano, J. F. Vazquez-Costa, F. Aparici
Summary: The study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture is a safe and effective method for treating spinal muscular atrophy patients with complex spine diseases, with a high success rate and few observed adverse events.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marina Frasquet, Ricard Rojas-Garcia, Herminia Argente-Escrig, Juan Francisco Vazquez-Costa, Nuria Muelas, Juan Jesus Vilchez, Rafael Sivera, Elvira Millet, Marisa Barreiro, Jordi Diaz-Manera, Janina Turon-Sans, Elena Cortes-Vicente, Luis Querol, Laura Ramirez-Jimenez, Dolores Martinez-Rubio, Ana Sanchez-Monteagudo, Carmen Espinos, Teresa Sevilla, Vincenzo Lupo
Summary: This study confirms the genetic heterogeneity of distal hereditary motor neuropathies and establishes biallelic SORD mutations as a cause of the disease in different populations. The study also reveals the genetic diagnostic rate, most common genetic mutations, and prevalence of the disease.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Maria Isabel Moreno-Gambin, Jose Tembl, Miguel Mazon, Antonio Jose Canada-Martinez, Luis Marti-Bonmati, Teresa Sevilla, Juan F. Vazquez-Costa
Summary: The absence of nigrosome 1 is associated with male sex, UMN impairment, and shorter survival in ALS patients. This suggests that constitutional factors and the degree of pyramidal involvement are related to substantia nigra involvement in ALS, serving as a marker of multisystem degeneration and poor prognosis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tessa Kliest, Ruben P. A. Van Eijk, Ammar Al-Chalabi, Alberto Albanese, Peter M. Andersen, Maria Del Mar Amador, Geir BrAthen, Veronique Brunaud-Danel, Lev Brylev, William Camu, Mamede De Carvalho, Cristina Cereda, Hakan Cetin, Delia Chaverri, Adriano Chio, Philippe Corcia, Philippe Couratier, Fabiola De Marchi, Claude Desnuelle, Michael A. Van Es, JesUs Esteban, Massimiliano Filosto, Alberto GarcIa Redondo, Julian Grosskreutz, Clemens O. Hanemann, Trygve Holmoy, Helle Hoyer, Caroline Ingre, Blaz Koritnik, Magdalena Kuzma-Kozakiewicz, Thomas Lambert, Peter N. Leigh, Christian Lunetta, Jessica Mandrioli, Christopher J. Mcdermott, Thomas Meyer, Jesus S. Mora, Susanne Petri, MOnica Povedano, Evy Reviers, Nilo Riva, Kit C. B. Roes, Miguel A. Rubio, FranCois Salachas, Stayko Sarafov, Gianni SorarU, Zorica Stevic, Kirsten Svenstrup, Anette Torvin Moller, Martin R. Turner, Philip Van Damme, Lucie A. G. Van Leeuwen, Luis Varona, Juan F. VAzquez Costa, Markus Weber, Orla Hardiman, Leonard H. Van den Berg
Summary: In Europe, conducting clinical studies on the effect of therapy in children with ALS is not feasible. Pediatric ALS has a very low prevalence and recruiting pediatric patients may involve lengthy periods, high costs, ethical/legal implications, challenges in trial design, and limited information.
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Herminia Argente-Escrig, Juan J. Vilchez, Marina Frasquet, Nuria Muelas, Inmaculada Azorin, Roger Vilchez, Elvira Millet-Sancho, Inmaculada Pitarch, Miguel Tomas-Vila, Juan F. Vazquez-Costa, Fernando Mas-Estelles, Clara Marco-Marin, Carmen Espinos, Pablo Serrano-Lorenzo, Miguel A. Martin, Vincenzo Lupo, Teresa Sevilla
Summary: Three patients with infantile-onset demyelinating neuropathy showed intellectual disability, cerebellar abnormalities, and severe demyelinating neuropathy, all carrying compound heterozygous variants of the TRMT5 gene.
NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juan F. Vazquez-Costa, Monica Povedano, Andres E. Nascimiento-Osorio, Antonio Moreno Escribano, Solange Kapetanovic Garcia, Raul Dominguez, Jessica M. Exposito, Laura Gonzalez, Carla Marco, Julita Medina Castillo, Nuria Muelas, Daniel Natera de Benito, Nancy Carolina Nungo Garzon, Inmaculada Pitarch Castellano, Teresa Sevilla, David Hervas
Summary: The study assessed the safety and efficacy of nusinersen in adult SMA patients, finding significant improvements in multiple motor scales in the treated group, with most patients experiencing some degree of improvement with treatment. However, the most severely affected patients with complex spines may have a less favorable risk-benefit ratio.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Juan F. Vazquez-Costa, Mercedes Martinez-Moreno, Marcos Madruga-Garrido, Francina Munell, Andres Nascimento, Inmaculada Pitarch-Castellano, Samuel Ignacio Pascual-Pascual, Monica Povedano, Maria Grazia Cattinari
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juan F. Vazquez-Costa, Monica Povedano, Andres E. Nascimiento-Osorio, Antonio Moreno Escribano, Solange Kapetanovic Garcia, Raul Dominguez, Jessica M. Exposito, Laura Gonzalez, Carla Marco, Julita Medina Castillo, Nuria Muelas, Daniel Natera de Benito, Nancy Carolina Nungo Garzon, Inmaculada Pitarch Castellano, Teresa Sevilla, David Hervas
Summary: This study evaluated the validity and limitations of assessment scales for adult SMA patients, finding that bedside functional scales have some advantages but limited responsiveness.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juan F. Vazquez-Costa, Maria Branas-Pampillon, Julita Medina-Cantillo, Monica Povedano, Inmaculada Pitarch-Castellano, Mercedes Lopez-Lobato, Joaquin A. Fernandez-Ramos, Miguel Lafuente-Hidalgo, Ricard Rojas-Garcia, Jose M. Caballero-Caballero, Ignacio Malaga, Jesus Eiris-Punal, Mencia De Lemus, Maria G. Cattinari, Rosana Cabello-Moruno, Paola Diaz-Abos, Victoria Sanchez-Menendez, Pablo Rebollo, Jorge Maurino, Marcos Madruga-Garrido
Summary: The psychometric properties of a set of existing questionnaires and new items for assessing the impact of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were evaluated. The results showed that these measures demonstrated adequate reliability, construct validity, and discriminant validity, and can serve as a valuable option for measuring symptom severity in SMA patients.
NEUROLOGY AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juan F. Vazquez-Costa, Daniel Borrego-Hernandez, Carmen Paradas, Maria Teresa Gomez-Caravaca, Ricardo Rojas-Garcia, Luis Varona, Monica Povedano, Tania Garcia-Sobrino, Ivonne Jerico Pascual, Antonio Gutierrez, Javier Riancho, Janina Turon-Sans, Abdelilah Assialioui, Jordi Perez-Tur, Teresa Sevilla, Jesus Esteban Perez, Alberto Garcia-Redondo
Summary: This study investigated the frequency and distribution of SOD1 mutations in ALS patients in Spain. It found 29 mutations, including 7 novel mutations, in all five exons of SOD1. The frequency of these mutations varied among regions. Older age of onset and female sex were associated with faster disease progression and poorer survival.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Raquel Baviera-Munoz, Lidon Carretero-Vilarroig, Juan Francisco Vazquez-Costa, Carlos Morata-Martinez, Marina Campins-Romeu, Nuria Muelas, Isabel Sastre-Bataller, Irene Martinez-Torres, Julia Perez-Garcia, Rafael Sivera, Teresa Sevilla, Juan J. Vilchez, Teresa Jaijo, Carmen Espinos, Jose M. Millan, Luis Bataller, Elena Aller
Summary: This study aimed to determine the diagnostic efficacy of clinical exome-targeted sequencing (CES) and spinocerebellar ataxia 36 (SCA36) screening in a real-life cohort of patients with cerebellar ataxia (CA) from Eastern Spain. The results showed that CES identified different pathogenic variants in a majority of the patients, but many cases remained undiagnosed.
NEUROLOGY-GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nancy Carolina Nungo Garzon, Inmaculada Pitarch Castellano, Teresa Sevilla, Juan Francisco Vazquez-Costa
Summary: This study presents the experience of using risdiplam in a series of type 2 non-sitter SMA patients over 16 years old. The results suggest that risdiplam is safe and may be effective in these patients. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Maggie C. Walter, Pascal Laforet, W. Ludo van der Pol, Elena Pegoraro
NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Juan Francisco Vazquez-Costa
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Amparo Vazquez Polo, Eduardo Lopez Briz, Jose Luis Poveda Andres, Juan Francisco Vazquez Costa
Summary: The alteration of pharmaceutical form and interaction with enteral nutrition pose safety risks and loss of treatment efficacy for ALS patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).
NUTRICION HOSPITALARIA
(2022)