Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yunjie Rong, Zhifeng Xu, Ye Zhu, Xianhai Zhang, Lingfeng Lai, Shuyi Sun, Mingyong Gao, Pi Guo, Guohua Zhang, Yiqun Geng, Xilun Ma, Shuohua Wu, Lin Yang, Zhiwei Shen, Jitian Guan
Summary: This study identified changes in iron deposition and neural microstructure in the substantia nigra as potential indicators of early-stage Parkinson's disease.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Imran Waggan, Eero Rissanen, Jouni Tuisku, Juho Joutsa, Semi Helin, Riitta Parkkola, Juha O. Rinne, Laura Airas
Summary: This study investigated A(2A) receptor availability in the striatum and pallidum of early- and moderate-stage PD patients without dyskinesias. The results showed regional and disease stage-dependent changes in A(2A) receptor signaling in PD pathophysiology and in response to dopaminergic medication.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ya- Wei Ji, Xue Zhang, Jiang-Peng Fan, Wei-Xin Gu, Zi-Lin Shen, Hai-Chuan Wu, Guiyun Cui, Chunyi Zhou, Cheng Xiao
Summary: The subthalamic nucleus (STN) controls basal ganglia outputs via the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) and the globus pallidus internus (GPi). The STN-SNr and STN-GPi projections differ in synaptic properties and activity-dependent plasticity. Stimulation of either STN projection reduces locomotion; in contrast, inhibition of either the STN-SNr projection or collateral STN neurons facilitates locomotion. In 6-OHDA-hemiparkinsonian mice, the STN-SNr projection is attenuated, but the STN-GPi projection is enhanced; inhibition of the STN-GPi projection through D2 receptors improves locomotion.
Article
Neurosciences
Boliang Yu, Ling Li, Xiaojun Guan, Xiaojun Xu, Xueling Liu, Qing Yang, Hongjiang Wei, Chuantao Zuo, Yuyao Zhang
Summary: The study introduces a HybraPD atlas using QSM and T1w images from PD patients, providing templates and manually delineated subcortical nuclei for more accurate segmentation related to PD pathology. This atlas offers a more precise tool for studying brain pathological alterations in subcortical regions for PD research.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Anne Lotz, Beate Pesch, Swaantje Casjens, Martin Lehnert, Wolfgang Zschiesche, Dirk Taeger, Chien-Lin Yeh, Tobias Weiss, Tobias Schmidt-Wilcke, Clara Quetscher, Stefan Gabriel, Maria Angela Samis Zella, Dirk Woitalla, Ulrike Dydak, Christoph van Thriel, Thomas Bruening, Thomas Behrens
Summary: The study found that welders exposed to manganese showed normal fine motor functions, excelling in steadiness tests but slightly slower in motor tests compared to controls. MRI-based biomarkers did not show a correlation between fine motor test results and the levels of manganese deposition in the brain.
Article
Neurosciences
Alipi Bonm, Izaskun Elezgarai, Christina M. Gremel, Katie Viray, Nigel S. Bamford, Richard D. Palmiter, Pedro Grandes, David M. Lovinger, Nephi Stella
Summary: The study shows that CB1R expressed by MSNs play a crucial role in controlling exploration, motor coordination, and amphetamine sensitization. However, the effects on certain behaviors may only be partially or fully rescued.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas N. Foster, Joshua Barry, Laura Korobkova, Luis Garcia, Lei Gao, Marlene Becerra, Yasmine Sherafat, Bo Peng, Xiangning Li, Jun-Hyeok Choi, Lin Gou, Brian Zingg, Sana Azam, Darrick Lo, Neda Khanjani, Bin Zhang, Jim Stanis, Ian Bowman, Kaelan Cotter, Chunru Cao, Seita Yamashita, Amanda Tugangui, Anan Li, Tao Jiang, Xueyan Jia, Zhao Feng, Sarvia Aquino, Hyun-Seung Mun, Muye Zhu, Anthony Santarelli, Nora L. Benavidez, Monica Song, Gordon Dan, Marina Fayzullina, Sarah Ustrell, Tyler Boesen, David L. Johnson, Hanpeng Xu, Michael S. Bienkowski, X. William Yang, Hui Gong, Michael S. Levine, Ian Wickersham, Qingming Luo, Joel D. Hahn, Byung Kook Lim, Li Zhang, Carlos Cepeda, Houri Hintiryan, Hong-Wei Dong
Summary: The study reveals a complex structure in the brain, with 29 functional domains transmitting information through multiple channels, influencing cognition, sensorimotor behavior, and the development of various neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mate Feher, Zsombor Marton, Akos Szabo, Janos Kocsa, Viktoria Kormos, Agnes Hunyady, Laszlo Akos Kovacs, Balazs Ujvari, Gergely Berta, Jozsef Farkas, Nora Furedi, Tamas Gaszner, Bence Pytel, Dora Reglodi, Balazs Gaszner
Summary: In this study, the researchers examined the role of the PACAP/PAC1R system in neuroprotection and its involvement in the development and progression of Parkinson's disease using a rat model. The results further supported the importance of the PACAP/PAC1R system in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ashley L. B. Raghu, John Eraifej, Nagaraja Sarangmat, John Stein, James J. FitzGerald, Stephen Payne, Tipu Z. Aziz, Alexander L. Green
Summary: This study demonstrates that modulation of the primary motor putamen-posterior internal pallidum limb of the cortico-basal ganglia loop is characteristic of successful deep brain stimulation treatment of cervical dystonia. Preoperative diffusion imaging contains additional information that predicts outcomes, implying utility for patient selection and/or individualized targeting.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fadoua Saadani-Makki, Ardalan Aarabi, Mahshid Fouladivanda, Karman Kazemi, Malek Makki
Summary: Diffusion-tensor-MRI was performed on 28 term born neonates, revealing no significant differences between boys and girls in brain structures, but showing more pronounced left greater than right symmetry in the combined group. Gender-based analysis revealed distinctive patterns in certain structures, with girls exhibiting right > left characteristics in some areas and boys showing right > left RD and ADC. These results provide insights into the normal asymmetric development of sensory-motor networks within boys and girls.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cheng Xiao, Ya-wei Ji, Yi-wen Luan, Tao Jia, Cui Yin, Chun-yi Zhou
Summary: STN-SNr and STN-GPi neurons exhibit differences in synaptic inputs, responses to electrical stimulation, and modifications under parkinsonian conditions. These neurons may play crucial roles in the pathophysiology and therapeutic treatment of Parkinson's disease.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Wenbin Gu, Chen He, Juping Chen, Junchen Li
Summary: This study found significant metabolic changes in globus pallidus and substantia nigra during the early stage of Parkinson's disease using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, suggesting that MRS could be a more sensitive imaging biomarker in the diagnosis of early-stage PD.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sebastian R. Schreglmann, Tomas Goncalves, Melissa Grant-Peters, Demis A. Kia, Lilach Soreq, Mina Ryten, Nicholas W. Wood, Kailash P. Bhatia, Kazunori Tomita
Summary: Age is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, and telomere shortening with age is a known phenomenon. However, the changes in telomere length in the brain and its association with neurodegenerative diseases are still unknown.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
John E. Parker, Asier Aristieta, Aryn H. Gittis, Jonathan E. Rubin
Summary: This work presents a toolbox that implements a methodology for automated classification of neural responses based on spike train recordings. The toolbox provides a user-friendly and efficient approach to detect various types of neuronal responses that may not be identified by traditional methods.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Jay S. S. Schneider, Garima Singh
Summary: The precise mechanisms of cellular degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) are still unclear, but altered expression of genes related to gangliosides, glycosylation, sialylation, and sphingolipid synthesis and metabolism may play important roles. This study found abnormal expression of various genes related to glycosyltransferases, sphingosine-1-phosphate modulators, and polysialyltransferases in the brains of PD patients. These findings highlight the complexity of glycolipid/sphingolipid dysregulation in PD and suggest potential targets for PD therapeutics.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vincenza D'Angelo, Mauro Giorgi, Emanuela Paldino, Silvia Cardarelli, Francesca R. Fusco, Ilaria Saverioni, Roberto Sorge, Giuseppina Martella, Stefano Biagioni, Nicola B. Mercuri, Antonio Pisani, Giuseppe Sancesario
Summary: The study found regional differences in the expression and aggregation of A2A receptors in the basal ganglia of a DYT1 mouse model of dystonia, with varying levels of expression observed in different subpopulations of neurons. Based on the different expression patterns of A2A receptors among neuronal subpopulations, it suggests that the pathophysiology of dystonia may be associated with a functional imbalance between the indirect and direct pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marina Diomedi, Alessandro Rocco, Chiara Giuseppina Bonomi, Alfredo Paolo Mascolo, Vincenzo De Lucia, Federico Marrama, Fabrizio Sallustio, Giacomo Koch, Alessandro Martorana
Summary: The study found that measures of hypoperfusion in patients with Alzheimer's disease varied along the AD continuum, and hypoperfusion was inversely correlated with CSF amyloid beta 42 levels.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Martina Assogna, Caterina Motta, Sonia Bonni, Ilaria Borghi, Elias Paolo Casula, Alessandro Martorana, Giacomo Koch
Summary: This study found that APOE4 may have a positive effect on cognitive decline and preserved LTP-like cortical plasticity in Alzheimer's disease patients. These findings are important for understanding the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and identifying new treatment approaches.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Elias P. Casula, Maria C. Pellicciari, Sonia Bonni, Ilaria Borghi, Michele Maiella, Martina Assogna, Marilena Minei, Caterina Motta, Alessia D'Acunto, Francesco Porrazzini, Valentina Pezzopane, Lucia Mencarelli, Andrea Roncaioli, Lorenzo Rocchi, Danny A. Spampinato, Carlo Caltagirone, Emiliano Santarnecchi, Alessandro Martorana, Giacomo Koch
Summary: This study investigates the oscillatory activity in Alzheimer's disease patients using a novel method combining transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography. The results show a significant reduction of frontal gamma activity in Alzheimer's disease patients, which is associated with impaired cortical plasticity and cognitive decline.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Elias P. Casula, Ilaria Borghi, Michele Maiella, Maria C. Pellicciari, Sonia Bonni, Lucia Mencarelli, Martina Assogna, Alessia D'Acunto, Francesco Di Lorenzo, Danny A. Spampinato, Emiliano Santarnecchi, Alessandro Martorana, Giacomo Koch
Summary: A combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG) was used to study cortical excitability in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results showed regional cortical hyperexcitability in the precuneus and frontal lobe, which were associated with cognitive impairment and levels of Aβ(42). The combination of TMS and EEG could serve as a promising technique to measure hyperexcitability in AD patients.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Giacomo Koch, Elias Paolo Casula, Sonia Bonni, Ilaria Borghi, Martina Assogna, Marilena Minei, Maria Concetta Pellicciari, Caterina Motta, Alessia D'Acunto, Francesco Porrazzini, Michele Maiella, Clarissa Ferrari, Carlo Caltagirone, Emiliano Santarnecchi, Marco Bozzali, Alessandro Martorana
Summary: In a 24-week trial, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the precuneus was found to slow down cognitive and functional decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that targeting the default mode network could be a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease patients.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alessandro Castelli, Fabio Placidi, Chiara Giuseppina Bonomi, Francesca Di Giuliano, Alessandro Martorana, Giulia Pizzicannella, Claudio Liguori, Natalia Manfredi, Luisa Mari, Andrea Pagano, Valentina Bramato, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Francesca Izzi
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of EEG, MRI, and cerebrospinal fluid features in the diagnostic criteria of CJD. The results showed that periodic sharp wave complexes may identify a distinctive phenotype of CJD characterized by a faster disease progression, shorter survival time, and specific MRI and cerebrospinal fluid features.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emanuela Paldino, Vincenza D'angelo, Mariangela Massaro Cenere, Ezia Guatteo, Simone Barattucci, Giorgia Migliorato, Nicola Berretta, Olaf Riess, Giuseppe Sancesario, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Francesca Romana Fusco
Summary: This study used immunohistochemical studies to investigate neuropathological changes in a rat transgenic model of Parkinson's disease (PD). It found that in the advanced stages of the disease, there was neuronal loss in the dorsolateral part of the striatum, along with a dramatic loss of parvalbumin interneurons. A marked decrease in the neurotrophic factor called glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was also observed in the striatum and substantia nigra of these animals. This confirms the involvement of the striatum in PD pathophysiology and the importance of GDNF in maintaining the health of the substantia nigra.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Assogna, Francesco Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Martorana, Giacomo Koch
Summary: Neuroinflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, and modulating synaptic transmission with palmitoylethanolamide and its composite may have potential therapeutic effects.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fabrizio Sallustio, Alfredo Paolo Mascolo, Federico Marrama, Federica D'Agostino, Marco Proietti, Laura Greco, Francesca Di Giuliano, Fana Alemseged, Roberto Gandini, Alessandro Martorana, Marina Diomedi, Giacomo Koch
Summary: Temporal lobe atrophy can predict 3-month functional outcome in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT).
ACTA NEUROLOGICA BELGICA
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Giacomo Koch, Alessandro Martorana
Article
Clinical Neurology
Caterina Motta, Martina Assogna, Chiara Giuseppina Bonomi, Francesco Di Lorenzo, Marzia Nuccetelli, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Giacomo Koch, Alessandro Martorana
Summary: The levels of catecholaminergic enzymes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were analyzed. It was found that AD patients had lower levels of dopamine/norepinephrine (DA/NA) innervation markers, but increased levels of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H). These findings indicate a close association between catecholaminergic enzymes and the neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory processes in AD pathology.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ada Ledonne, Mariangela Massaro Cenere, Emanuela Paldino, Vincenza D'Angelo, Sebastian Luca D'Addario, Nicolas Casadei, Annalisa Nobili, Nicola Berretta, Francesca R. Fusco, Rossella Ventura, Giuseppe Sancesario, Ezia Guatteo, Nicola Biagio Mercuri
Summary: Prolonged overexpression of alpha-synuclein has detrimental effects on the structural and functional properties of substantia nigra pars compacta dopamine neurons, including compromised soma and dendritic arborization, increased firing activity, and altered ion channel function.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Giuseppina Bonomi, Agostino Chiaravalloti, Riccardo Camedda, Francesco Ricci, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Orazio Schillaci, Giacomo Koch, Alessandro Martorana, Caterina Motta
Summary: The study investigates the association between markers of microglial and astrocytic activity and glucose uptake in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. The results suggest that there is a correlation between markers of astrogliosis and cortical glucose uptake in symptomatic sporadic AD, indicating the role of astrocytes in shaping regional hypometabolism and clinical presentation.
Article
Neurosciences
Nihal A. Salem, Lawrence Manzano, Michael W. Keist, Olga Ponomareva, Amanda J. Roberts, Marisa Roberto, R. Dayne Mayfield
Summary: This study identified cell-type specific gene expression changes associated with alcohol dependence in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice. The results revealed dysregulated gene co-expression networks and differentially expressed genes in multiple cell types, highlighting the involvement of inhibitory neurons and astrocytes in alcohol dependence. Novel targets for studying molecular mechanisms contributing to alcohol dependence were also identified.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Laura E. Hawley, Megan Stringer, Abigail J. Deal, Andrew Folz, Charles R. Goodlett, Randall J. Roper
Summary: This study found that the overexpression of DYRK1A protein in Down syndrome mice varies with age, sex, and brain region, and reducing the copy number of Dyrk1a can decrease the expression of DYRK1A. These sex-specific patterns of DYRK1A overexpression may provide mechanistic targets for therapeutic intervention in Down syndrome.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2024)