Article
Neurosciences
Akihiro Matsumoto, Weaam Agbariah, Stella Solveig Nolte, Rawan Andrawos, Hadara Levi, Shai Sabbah, Keisuke Yonehara
Summary: Through two-photon glutamate imaging, it was discovered that direction selectivity arises early at bipolar cell outputs, with individual bipolar cells containing distinct populations of axon terminal boutons with different preferred directions. Tuning at these boutons relies on cholinergic excitation and GABAergic inhibition, contributing to the incremental refinement of directional tuning in the excitatory visual pathway.
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Kohei Mito, Toshiya Sato, Rina Ishikawa, Ratna Ramadhani, Yunosuke Okada, Yuri Hirohata, Tetsuro Saito, Hisayoshi Ishii
Summary: Young rats showed significant increases in MBF during LN stimulation, whereas these increases were significantly reduced in old rats. The cholinergic parasympathetic reflex vasodilation evoked by trigeminal afferent inputs is reduced by aging, possibly due to the suppression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor expression in the masseter muscle.
MICROVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margherita Zaupa, Seyedeh Maryam Alavi Naini, Maroun Abi Younes, Erika Bullier, Erik R. Duboue, Herve Le Corronc, Hedi Soula, Sebastien Wolf, Raphael Candelier, Pascal Legendre, Marnie E. Halpern, Jean-Marie Mangin, Elim Hong
Summary: The study reveals how animals' survival depends on the correct selection of an appropriate behavioral response to external stimuli through the competition among neural circuits. The evolutionarily conserved forebrain to midbrain habenulo-interpeduncular nucleus (Hb-IPN) pathway consists of cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons that mediate different aversive behaviors. The findings demonstrate a hardwired mode of competition at the terminals of two excitatory neuronal populations, providing a physiological framework to explore the relationship between different aversive responses.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Yuanpeng Liu, Yunlong Wang, Xiao Shen, Jian Wang, Yuan Shen
Summary: In this article, a relative localization scheme for terminals aided by unmanned aerial vehicles is proposed, featuring a distributed algorithm with low computational complexity. Numerical results show that the proposed localization algorithm significantly outperforms existing algorithms.
IEEE INTERNET OF THINGS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Caitlin E. M. Vink, Tim P. van de Hoef, M. J. W. Goette, E. C. Eringa, Yolande Appelman
Summary: INOCA, a subtype of ischemic heart disease, is more common in women. MBV may be reduced in INOCA patients, potentially due to conditions like diabetes and obesity.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yugandhar Ramakrishna, Marco Manca, Elisabeth Glowatzki, Soroush G. Sadeghi
Summary: Vestibular nerve afferents can be categorized into regular and irregular groups based on the variability of interspike intervals in their resting discharge. Most afferents receive inputs from different types of hair cells, with calyx terminals containing KCNQ potassium channels and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and being regulated by cholinergic efferent inputs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin Friedman, Ane Larranaga-Vera, Cristina M. Castro, Carmen Corciulo, Piul Rabbani, Bruce N. Cronstein
Summary: The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is related to imbalanced chondrocyte homeostasis and increased cellular senescence in cartilage. Activation of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) promotes cartilage regeneration and chondrocyte homeostasis. A2AR activation reduces chondrocyte senescence and attenuates OA progression.
Article
Biology
Pradeep Bhandari, David Vandael, Diego Fernandez-Fernandez, Thorsten Fritzius, David Kleindienst, Cihan Onal, Jacqueline Montanaro, Martin Gassmann, Peter Jonas, Akos Kulik, Bernhard Bettler, Ryuichi Shigemoto, Peter Koppensteiner
Summary: The study found that KCTD8 and KCTD12b directly bind to Cav2.3 and co-localize in the rostral IPN. These KCTDs modulate synaptic strength by regulating Cav2.3-mediated release, independent of GBR activation.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Nicole L. Reitz, Polliana T. Nunes, Lisa M. Savage
Summary: Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure in rats can lead to damage in the critical circuit for learning and memory, resulting in spatial behavior impairments during aging. There are differences in cognitive impairments among rats of different sexes and ages, especially in tasks related to ethanol exposure.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Menendez-Herrero, Julen Munarriz, Evelio Francisco, Angel Martin Pendas
Summary: Real space chemical bonding descriptors have been widely used in electronic structure theory to provide chemically intuitive spatial images of bonded and non-bonded interactions. In this study, the spatial position of the N electrons of an atom at the maximum of the wavefunction square is examined as a shell structure descriptor for ground state atoms. The results show that Born shells are closer to the nucleus compared to other descriptors and are well preserved in simple molecules.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alice Courties, Juliette Petit, Ariane Do, Manon Legris, Ines Kouki, Audrey Pigenet, Pradeep K. Sacitharan, Francois-Paul Ehkirch, Francis Berenbaum, Jeremie Sellam
Summary: This study investigated the role of non-neuronal cholinergic system in osteoarthritis (OA). The results showed that the cholinergic system, through alpha 7nAchR, can counteract the effects of inflammation on osteoblasts. Deletion of alpha 7nAchR may limit cartilage degradation in age-related OA. Therefore, enhancing the cholinergic system could be a potential therapeutic target, although it may depend on CHRFAM7A expression.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco Q. Goncalves, Pedro Valada, Marco Matos, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Angelo R. Tome
Summary: The adenosine modulation system is mainly composed of inhibitory A(1) receptors and less abundant facilitatory A(2A) receptors, which are selectively activated during high-frequency stimulation associated with synaptic plasticity processes in the hippocampus. A(2A) receptors are activated by adenosine derived from extracellular ATP through ecto-5'-nucleotidase or CD73-mediated catabolism. This study investigated how adenosine receptors modulate the synaptic release of ATP using hippocampal synaptosomes.
PURINERGIC SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Casper Soendenbroe, Jesper L. Andersen, Abigail L. Mackey
Summary: This article discusses the impact of motor neuron denervation on physical function decline with age, emphasizing the importance of physical activity in preserving neuromuscular function. Research suggests that inactivity is not just a bystander, but plays an active role in denervation by producing signals hostile to neuron survival.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matilde S. Rodrigues, Samira G. Ferreira, Cesar Quiroz, Christopher J. Earley, Diego Garcia-Borreguero, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Francisco Ciruela, Attila Kofalvi, Sergi Ferre
Summary: Brain iron deficiency (BID) is a primary mechanism in restless legs syndrome (RLS), and BID in rodents has been used as an animal model for RLS. Previous studies have shown that BID leads to increased sensitivity of cortical pyramidal cells to glutamate release, which is correlated with the motor hyperexcitability observed in RLS patients. It has also been found that BID in rodents causes changes in the adenosinergic system, specifically a downregulation of inhibitory adenosine A(1) receptors (A(1)Rs) and an upregulation of excitatory adenosine A(2A) receptors (A(2A)Rs). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between A(1)Rs and A(2A)Rs in cortico-striatal and thalamo-striatal glutamatergic terminals of control and BID rats using a FACS-based synaptometric analysis. The results showed a selective decrease in the A(1)R/A(2A)R ratio in VGLUT1 positive-striatal terminals in BID rats.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Rutger G. T. Feenstra, Coen K. M. Boerhout, Janneke Woudstra, Caitlin E. M. Vink, Marianne E. Wittekoek, Guus A. de Waard, Yolande Appelman, Etto C. Eringa, Koen M. J. Marques, Robbert J. de Winter, Marcel A. M. Beijk, Tim P. van de Hoef, Jan J. Piek
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic value of additional endothelial function testing in diagnosing vasomotor dysfunction in patients with INOCA. The results showed that endothelial dysfunction was prevalent in the vast majority of patients with INOCA with inducible CAS and/or impaired adenosine-mediated vasodilation.
CIRCULATION-CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Matilde S. Rodrigues, Claudia Ferreira, Candida Dias, Anna Pliassova, Lisiane Souza, Ana Ledo, Joao Laranjinha, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Attila Kofalvi
Summary: In this study, a simple complementary ex vivo technique for quantifying the activity of key enzymes involved in the production and degradation of 2-AG in brain samples was optimized. The results showed that this technique has potential applications in assessing changes in 2-AG production in neuropsychiatric disorders and health condition models.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catia R. Lopes, Ines M. Amaral, Marlene F. Pereira, Joao P. Lopes, Daniela Madeira, Paula M. Canas, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Paula Agostinho
Summary: This study found that astrocytes play an important role in regulating hippocampal long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). Additionally, it was discovered that astrocytes are responsible for the shift from LTD to LTP in AD conditions, suggesting that targeting astrocytes may help restore memory and synaptic plasticity deficits in early AD.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro Valada, Sonja Hinz, Christin Vielmuth, Catia R. Lopes, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Christa E. Mueller, Joao Pedro Lopes
Summary: Inosine has neuroprotective effects by indirectly modifying the activity of adenosine receptors and controlling synaptic transmission and plasticity. It acts as a ligand of adenosine receptors with low affinity and shows higher affinity towards the rat A(3) receptor. The impact of inosine on synaptic transmission and plasticity is mediated by modification of extracellular levels of adenosine through equilibrative nucleoside transporters.
PURINERGIC SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinli Xu, Rui O. Beleza, Francisco Q. Goncalves, Sergio Valbuena, Sofia Alcada-Morais, Nelio Goncalves, Joana Magalhaes, Joao M. M. Rocha, Sofia Ferreira, Ana S. G. Figueira, Juan Lerma, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Ricardo J. Rodrigues, Joana M. Marques
Summary: This study reveals that adenosine A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R) contribute to circuit remodeling in the mature brain, specifically in the hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) sprouting found in diseases like temporal lobe epilepsy. A(2A)R activation in dentate granule cells induces the formation of abnormal secondary axons, which is activated by extracellular ATP-derived adenosine. These findings highlight the role of the CD73-A(2A)R axis in regulating circuit remodeling in the mature brain.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ligia Fao, Patricia Coelho, Ricardo J. Rodrigues, A. Cristina Rego
Summary: This study explores the impact of altered Fyn levels in Huntington's disease (HD) on the function and localization of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) at the post-synaptic density (PSD), as well as their role in intracellular neuroprotective pathways and cell survival. The results demonstrate that decreased Fyn levels in HD mouse striatal neurons are associated with reduced phosphorylation of GluN2B-composed NMDARs at the synapse, along with increased activity of extrasynaptic NMDARs and induction of cell death pathways. Activation of Fyn restores NMDARs localization and function at the PSD, and promotes activation of neuroprotective pathways and cell survival in HD neurons.
Article
Neurosciences
Francisco Q. Goncalves, Filipe C. Matheus, Henrique B. Silva, Joana I. Real, Daniel Rial, Ricardo J. Rodrigues, Jean-Pierre Oses, Antonio C. Silva, Nelio Goncalves, Rui D. Prediger, Angelo R. Tome, Rodrigo A. Cunha
Summary: The increased release of ATP and the subsequent formation of extracellular adenosine, which activates A(2A)R, play a key role in the abnormal synaptic plasticity associated with the onset of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Cristina de Bem Alves, Ana Elisa Speck, Hemelin Resende Farias, Leo Meira Martins, Naiara Souza dos Santos, Gabriela Pannata, Ana Paula Tavares, Jade de Oliveira, Angelo R. Tome, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Aderbal S. Aguiar Jr
Summary: Caffeine enhances exercise performance by altering neuroplasticity and mitochondrial metabolism.
PURINERGIC SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catia R. Lopes, Andreia Oliveira, Ingride Gaspar, Matilde S. Rodrigues, Joana Santos, Eszter Szabo, Henrique B. Silva, Aangelo R. Tome, Paula M. Canas, Paula Agostinho, Rui A. Carvalho, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Ana Patricia Simoes, Joao Pedro Lopes, Samira G. Ferreira
Summary: Moderate caffeine intake can antagonize adenosine receptors and protect neurons without affecting behavior and synaptic plasticity. It increases the metabolic competence of synapses and enhances their antioxidant capacity.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brigida R. Pinho, Ana I. Duarte, Paula M. Canas, Paula I. Moreira, Michael P. Murphy, Jorge M. A. Oliveira
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Daniela Madeira, Catia R. Lopes, Ana P. Simoes, Paula M. Canas, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Paula Agostinho
Summary: The study found that silencing the A(2A)R gene in astrocytes leads to deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory. Astrocytic A(2A)R control astrocytic morphology and influence hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory in adult mice.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Catia Reis, Luisa K. Pilz, Achim Kramer, Luisa V. Lopes, Teresa Paiva, Till Roenneberg
Summary: Due to time zones, sun time and local time rarely match. The impact of daylight saving time (DST) on patients with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) worsens their sleep debt, as it adds 1 hour to the difference between local and sun time.
JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jiang -Fan Chen, Doo-Sup Choi, Rodrigo A. Cunha
Summary: Dysfunction of goal-directed behaviors under stress or pathology leads to impaired decision-making and inflexible thoughts and behaviors, which are associated with various behavioral deficits. Caffeine, through targeting adenosine A2A receptors, could potentially improve goal-directed behavior and cognitive flexibility in psychiatric disorders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catia R. Lopes, Francisco Q. Goncalves, Simao Olaio, Angelo R. Tome, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Joao Pedro Lopes
Summary: Adenosine regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity through A(1) and A(2A) receptors. Supramaximal activation of A(1)R blocks hippocampal synaptic transmission, and A(2A)R activation decreases A(1)R-mediated inhibition during high-frequency-induced LTP.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Madeira, Joana Domingues, Catia R. Lopes, Paula M. Canas, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Paula Agostinho
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunction of astrocytes, a type of glial cell, plays a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. This dysfunction is characterized by altered astrocytic morphology and increased activity of astrocytic hemichannels, which are composed mainly of connexin 43 (Cx43). The activity of these hemichannels is found to be modulated by adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), and blocking A2AR can prevent the dysregulation of astrocytic hemichannels induced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques. Overall, our findings indicate that the dysfunction of astrocytic hemichannel activity is an early event in Alzheimer's disease and can be controlled by targeting A2AR.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Margarida Beatriz, Ricardo J. Rodrigues, Rita Vilaca, Conceicao Egas, Paulo S. Pinheiro, George Q. Daley, Thorsten M. Schlaeger, Nuno Raimundo, A. Cristina Rego, Carla Lopes
Summary: The study focused on EVs and their role in reversing the abnormal GABAergic phenotype in Huntington's disease-derived neurons. It was found that EVs from control fibroblasts reversed the deficits in GABAergic synaptic transmission, while EVs from HD-derived fibroblasts had the opposite effects on control neurons. Analysis of miRNAs in EVs identified differentially expressed miRNAs between HD and control lines with predicted synaptic targets.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sarah N. Kraeutner, Cristina Rubino, Jennifer K. Ferris, Shie Rinat, Lauren Penko, Larissa Chiu, Brian Greeley, Christina B. Jones, Beverley C. Larssen, Lara A. Boyd
Summary: This study examined the age-related changes in brain function and baseline brain structure that support motor skill acquisition. The findings showed that older adults experienced decreases in functional connectivity during motor skill acquisition, while younger adults experienced increases. Additionally, regardless of age group, lower baseline microstructure in a frontoparietal tract was associated with slower motor skill acquisition.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Karen Nuytemans, Farid Rajabli, Melissa Jean-Francois, Jiji Thulaseedhara Kurup, Larry D. Adams, Takiyah D. Starks, Patrice L. Whitehead, Brian W. Kunkle, Allison Caban-Holt, Jonathan L. Haines, Michael L. Cuccaro, Jeffery M. Vance, Goldie S. Byrd, Gary W. Beecham, Christiane Reitz, Margaret A. Pericak-Vance
Summary: This study conducted genetic research on African American AD families and identified a significant linkage signal associated with AD, highlighting the importance of diverse population-level genetic data in understanding the genetic determinants of AD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kazuya Suwabe, Ryuta Kuwamizu, Kazuki Hyodo, Toru Yoshikawa, Takeshi Otsuki, Asako Zempo-Miyaki, Michael A. Yassa, Hideaki Soya
Summary: Physical exercise has a positive impact on hippocampal memory decline with aging. Recent studies have shown that even light exercise can improve memory and this improvement is mediated by the ascending arousal system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of light-intensity exercise on hippocampal memory function in healthy older adults and found that pupil dilation during exercise played a role in the memory improvement.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Ajay Sood, Ana Werneck Capuano, Robert Smith Wilson, Lisa Laverne Barnes, Alifiya Kapasi, David Alan Bennett, Zoe Arvanitakis
Summary: The objective of this study was to explore the impact of metformin on cognition and brain pathology. The results showed that metformin users had slower decline in global cognition, episodic memory, and semantic memory compared to non-users. However, the relationship between metformin use and certain brain pathology remains uncertain.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Brian N. Lee, Junwen Wang, Molly A. Hall, Dokyoon Kim, Shana D. Stites, Li Shen
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory and functional impairments. This study analyzed participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and found differential associations between cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)/neuroimaging biomarkers and cognitive/functional outcomes, as well as variations between sexes. These findings suggest that sex differences may play a role in the development of AD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Madeline R. Hale, Rebecca Langhough, Lianlian Du, Bruce P. Hermann, Carol A. Van Hulle, Margherita Carboni, Gwendlyn Kollmorgenj, Kristin E. Basche, Davide Bruno, Leah Sanson-Miles, Erin M. Jonaitis, Nathaniel A. Chin, Ozioma C. Okonkwo, Barbara B. Bendlin, Cynthia M. Carlsson, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Tobey J. Betthauser, Sterling C. Johnson, Kimberly D. Mueller
Summary: This study demonstrates a relationship between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and the ability to recall proper names in the preclinical phase of Alzheimer's disease.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Thomas T. Austin, Christian L. Thomas, Ben Warren
Summary: This study investigated the effects of age on the robustness and resilience of auditory system using the desert locust. The researchers found that gene expression changes were mainly influenced by age rather than noise exposure. Both young and aged locusts were able to recover their auditory nerve function within 48 hours of noise exposure, but the recovery of transduction current magnitude was impaired in aged locusts. Key genes responsible for robustness to noise exposure in young locusts and potential candidates for compensatory mechanisms in auditory neurons of aged locusts were identified.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2024)
