Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hua Xu, Qi Wang, Qian Wang, Xuan Qiang Che, Xue Liu, Shumiao Zhao, Shitao Wang
Summary: The study showed that serum apelin levels were higher in diabetic patients compared to healthy controls, and even higher in patients with DPN compared to those without DPN. After treatment, apelin levels decreased and were significantly lower in the DPN-B group, while some nerve conduction velocity values increased in this group. Apelin was negatively correlated with some nerve conduction velocity values and positively correlated with TNF-alpha and fasting blood glucose.
Article
Cell Biology
Stavros Vagionitis, Franziska Auer, Yan Xiao, Rafael G. Almeida, David A. Lyons, Tim Czopka
Summary: The spacing of Ranvier nodes plays a crucial role in the conduction properties of myelinated axons. In addition to the assumption that node position is mainly driven by growing myelin sheaths, this study reveals another mechanism driven by the axon itself. It is found that stable clusters of neurofascin a, a cell adhesion molecule, can accumulate at specific sites along axons before myelination. Some of these clusters are pushed into future node positions by extending myelin sheaths, while others prefigure the position of mature nodes. Animals lacking full-length neurofascin a exhibit increased internodal distances and irregular nodal spacing along single axons. These findings demonstrate the existence of an axonal mechanism for positioning Ranvier nodes that is independent of myelin sheath growth regulation.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Josef Finsterer, Wolfgang N. Loescher, Julia Wanschitz, Stefan Iglseder
Summary: Orphan neuropathies, with a prevalence <1:200000 in the US and <5:10000 in Europe, constitute the majority of neuropathies, including both acquired and hereditary forms. These conditions are complex in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment, posing challenges in understanding and managing them effectively.
JOURNAL OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chanan D. Sessler, Yiming Zhou, Wenbo Wang, Nolan D. Hartley, Zhanyan Fu, David Graykowski, Morgan Sheng, Xiao Wang, Jia Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful assembly of electrically functional polymers in neurons using genetically targetable photosensitizer proteins, allowing for precise modulation of neuron membrane capacitance and intrinsic excitability.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caner Yildirim, Sena Cevik, Hatice Yamaner, Mustafa Orkmez, Omer Eronat, Mehmet Akif Bozdayi, Mehmet Erdem
Summary: This study found that boric acid can attenuate the adverse effects of cisplatin. Boric acid reduces the destructive effect of cisplatin by reducing oxidative stress, and this effect was verified electrophysiologically, behaviorally, and histopathologically.
JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mateus Andre Favretto, Felipe Rettore Andreis, Sandra Cossul, Francesco Negro, Anderson Souza Oliveira, Jefferson Luiz Brum Marques
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine whether HD-sEMG is sensitive to detecting changes in motor unit behavior in healthy adults and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with different levels of DPN. The results support the use of HD-SEMG as a method to detect peripheral and central changes related to DPN.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Yasuyuki Osanai, Reiji Yamazaki, Yoshiaki Shinohara, Nobuhiko Ohno
Summary: Oligodendrocytes form multiple myelin sheaths in the CNS, regulating nerve conduction and playing a crucial role in brain functions. Different parts of the CNS have distinct myelin structures and oligodendrocyte morphologies. Oligodendrocytes are a heterogeneous population, with myelin sheaths formed by some oligodendrocytes biased towards specific groups of axons, and myelin structures dynamically modulated by specific experiences. Pathological conditions can also affect the structure of oligodendrocytes/myelin. This review summarizes our understanding of heterogeneity and regulation of oligodendrocyte morphology in relation to CNS regions, neuronal classes, experiences, and diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Lin Lin, Jingjing Li, Jingshan Lin, Shiheng Tang, Yuxia Li
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of LLLT for DPN through a systematic review and meta-analysis, comparing it with sham LLLT, no (specific) treatment, or active conventional medical treatments.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Szu-Jung Chen, Li-Hsien Chen, Yu-Min Yeh, Chou-Ching K. Lin, Peng-Chan Lin, Han-Wei Huang, Meng-Ru Shen, Bo-Wen Lin, Jeng-Chang Lee, Cheng-Che Lee, Yueh-Feng Lee, Huai-Chueh Chiang, Jang-Yang Chang
Summary: The study found that OIPN observed in animal models consistent with clinical findings, targeting the enzymatic activity of cathepsin S can alleviate the manifestations of OIPN. Serum CTSS expression is increased in CRC patients with oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alan Pestronk, Robert E. Schmidt, Robert Bucelli, Julia Sim
Summary: This study examined the protein components of Schwann cells and myelin in normal and diseased human peripheral nerves, and found that the molecular composition of the central nervous system varies with age, axon size, and nerve pathology.
NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nilo Riva, Francesco Gentile, Federica Cerri, Francesca Gallia, Paola Podini, Giorgia Dina, Yuri Matteo Falzone, Raffaella Fazio, Christian Lunetta, Andrea Calvo, Giancarlo Logroscino, Giuseppe Lauria, Massimo Corbo, Sandro Iannaccone, Adriano Chio, Alberto Lazzerini, Eduardo Nobile-Orazio, Massimo Filippi, Angelo Quattrini
Summary: This study aimed to define the TDP-43/pTDP-43 pathology and evaluate its potential as a tissue biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and non-ALS cases, by using diagnostic motor nerve biopsies from patients with lower motor neuron syndrome. The researchers found that pTDP-43 aggregates were present in the peripheral nervous system of ALS patients, even in cases with normal features at standard histopathological analysis, suggesting that pTDP-43 aggregation is an early event that may contribute to ALS pathogenesis.
Article
Neurosciences
Ryosuke Shinouchi, Akiko Sasaki, Takashi Takaki, Mayumi Tsuji, Yuji Kiuchi, Koji Nobe
Summary: Hand therapy involving finger massage improves numbness in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) by promoting blood circulation and facilitating peripheral nerve repair.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jakob Morgenstern, Jan B. Groener, Johann M. E. Jende, Felix T. Kurz, Alexander Strom, Jens Goepfert, Zoltan Kender, Maxime Le Marois, Maik Brune, Rohini Kuner, Stephan Herzig, Michael Roden, Dan Ziegler, Martin Bendszus, Julia Szendroedi, Peter Nawroth, Stefan Kopf, Thomas Fleming
Summary: The study investigated myelin-specific circulating mRNA targets as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prediction of diabetic neuropathy, with promising results showing decreased levels of myelin protein zero mRNA in participants with diabetic neuropathy, while neurofilament light chain protein levels were increased. These biomarkers were associated with altered electrophysiology, fractional anisotropy, and quantitative sensory testing, and showed improved diagnostic performance in detecting diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, increased neurofilament light chain was linked to hyperalgesia, while decreased myelin protein zero predicted hypoalgesia and the progression of nerve function loss in advance.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lin Lin, Yi Chen, Yuxia Li, Ke Cheng, Haiping Deng, Jianping Lu, Ling Zhao, Xueyong Shen
Summary: This study aims to compare the efficacy of 10.6μm laser moxibustion (LM) combined with medical treatment versus sham LM. LM may help alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce medication dosage without causing serious side effects.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhiwei Yang, Wen Zhou, Ying Xi, Bo Wang, Jie Zhou, Jurong Xia, Yan Lu, Xue Luo, Hong Lei
Summary: The study found that apigenin has potential protective effects against alcoholic neuropathy induced by chronic alcohol consumption, by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Stefano Espinoza, Margherita Scarpato, Devid Damiani, Francesca Manago, Maddalena Mereu, Andrea Contestabile, Omar Peruzzo, Piero Carninci, Claudio Santoro, Francesco Papaleo, Federico Mingozzi, Giuseppe Ronzitti, Silvia Zucchelli, Stefano Gustincich
Article
Neurosciences
Bruno Pinto, Giovanni Morelli, Mohit Rastogi, Annalisa Savardi, Amos Fumagalli, Andrea Petretto, Martina Bartolucci, Emilio Varea, Tiziano Catelani, Andrea Contestabile, Laura E. Perlini, Laura Cancedda
Article
Cell Biology
Bruno Sterlini, Alessandra Romei, Chiara Parodi, Davide Aprile, Michele Oneto, Anita Aperia, Pierluigi Valente, Flavia Valtorta, Anna Fassio, Pietro Baldelli, Fabio Benfenati, Anna Corradi
Summary: This study reveals that PRRT2 deficiency affects the function of Na+/K+ ATPase (NKA) in neurons, leading to increased clustering of NKA on the plasma membrane, which can be reversed by re-expression of PRRT2. Additionally, PRRT2 deficiency also reduces the NKA-dependent afterhyperpolarization in neurons following high-frequency firing.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Regoni, Letizia Zanetti, Stefano Comai, Daniela Mercatelli, Salvatore Novello, Federica Albanese, Laura Croci, Gian Giacomo Consalez, Andrea Ciammola, Flavia Valtorta, Michele Morari, Jenny Sassone
Summary: Mutations in the PARK2 gene cause ARJP, a neurodegenerative disease with no current therapy. The transgenic mouse model ParkinQ311X mimics key features of ARJP, making it a useful tool for studying neurodegenerative mechanisms and screening potential neuroprotective drugs.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Jackie Campbell, Massimo Leandri
Summary: This study aimed to provide a simple and effective method for identifying and quantifying latency jitter in averaged evoked potentials. Using autocorrelation techniques on simulated jittered signals and real examples, the method accurately identifies and quantifies latency jitter in evoked potentials, complementing traditional analytical methods in neurophysiological practice.
COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Marco Borgogno, Annalisa Savardi, Jacopo Manigrasso, Alessandra Turci, Corinne Portioli, Giuliana Ottonello, Sine Mandrup Bertozzi, Andrea Armirotti, Andrea Contestabile, Laura Cancedda, Marco De Vivo
Summary: The research discovered a novel class of selective NKCC1 inhibitors, with ARN23746 shown to rescue core symptoms of DS and autism, and other promising derivatives identified. Additionally, compound 40 (ARN24092) demonstrated in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of DS.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gaia Leandri, Angelo Schenone, Massimo Leandri
Summary: Research on cortical activity related to movements has been conducted, proposing a new method based on a commercial drawing tablet and EEG recording. Results show more EEG activity during meaningful drawing compared to tapping and shifting the pen on a tablet without specific purpose. The method provides a precise trigger event easily detected without movement constraints, compared to existing methods.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Daniele Ferrante, Bruno Sterlini, Cosimo Prestigio, Antonella Marte, Anna Corradi, Franco Onofri, Giorgio Tortarolo, Giuseppe Vicidomini, Andrea Petretto, Jessica Muia, Agnes Thalhammer, Pierluigi Valente, Lorenzo A. Cingolani, Fabio Benfenati, Pietro Baldelli
Summary: Loss-of-function mutations in PRRT2 lead to paroxysmal disorders by affecting the Ca2+ dependence of glutamatergic transmission. The decrease in excitatory postsynaptic currents induced by PRRT2 deletion is related to a reduced contribution of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. PRRT2 interacts directly with P/Q-type Ca2+ channels to ensure the physiological Ca2+ sensitivity of release machinery at glutamatergic synapses.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martina Parrini, Shovan Naskar, Micol Alberti, Ilaria Colombi, Giovanni Morelli, Anna Rocchi, Marina Nanni, Federica Piccardi, Severine Charles, Giuseppe Ronzitti, Federico Mingozzi, Andrea Contestabile, Laura Cancedda
Summary: Reducing NKCC1 expression by RNA interference restores intracellular chloride concentration and GABA-mediated inhibition in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome, leading to improvement in neuronal network dynamics, while AAV-mediated NKCC1 knockdown rescues cognitive deficits in diverse behavioral tasks in these animals. These results establish a mechanistic link between NKCC1 expression and behavioral abnormalities in DS mice, providing a molecular target for new therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy.
Article
Cell Biology
Elisa Savino, Fabrizia Claudia Guarnieri, Jin-Wu Tsai, Anna Corradi, Fabio Benfenati, Flavia Valtorta
Summary: Mutations in the PRRT2 gene are the main cause of various paroxysmal neurological diseases, affecting neurotransmitter release regulation and actin cytoskeleton dynamics during synaptogenesis. The PRRT2 protein plays a crucial role in growth cone morphology during neuronal development, with abnormal PRRT2 leading to changes in growth cone shape and actin cytoskeleton.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Baldassari, Chiara Cervetto, Sarah Amato, Floriana Fruscione, Ganna Balagura, Simone Pelassa, Ilaria Musante, Michele Iacomino, Monica Traverso, Anna Corradi, Paolo Scudieri, Guido Maura, Manuela Marcoli, Federico Zara
Summary: This study focuses on optimizing a reproducible protocol for generating functional glutamatergic neurons in feeder-free conditions. The efficiency of this protocol was confirmed through molecular analysis, morphological analysis, and immunofluorescence detection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Pierluigi Valente, Antonella Marte, Francesca Franchi, Bruno Sterlini, Silvia Casagrande, Anna Corradi, Pietro Baldelli, Fabio Benfenati
Summary: Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) is a neuron-specific protein that plays a role in neurological disorders and acts as a negative modulator of Na+ channels in the brain. PRRT2 and beta-subunits do not interact with each other and act independently to regulate Na(V)1.2 channel trafficking and function.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Diana Alaverdian, Anna Margherita Corradi, Bruno Sterlini, Fabio Benfenati, Luca Murru, Maria Passafaro, Jlenia Brunetti, Ilaria Meloni, Francesca Mari, Alessandra Renieri, Elisa Frullanti
Summary: Loss of function mutations in PCDH19 gene cause X-linked infant-onset clustering epilepsy with intellectual disability and autistic features. This study used fibroblasts from a female patient to generate hiPSCs and created mosaic neurons by mixing wild-type and mutated hiPSC clones, providing a cell model for studying the pathogenesis of PCDH19-CE.
EPILEPTIC DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Franchi, Antonella Marte, Beatrice Corradi, Bruno Sterlini, Giulio Alberini, Alessandra Romei, Antonio De Fusco, Alexander Vogel, Luca Maragliano, Pietro Baldelli, Anna Corradi, Pierluigi Valente, Fabio Benfenati
Summary: PRRT2 is a single causative gene for pleiotropic paroxysmal syndromes, and it functions by regulating surface membrane localization and biophysical properties of voltage-dependent Na+ channels. By studying the structural features of PRRT2 through molecular dynamics simulations and its interaction with Nav1.2 channels, it was found that the NH2-terminal cytoplasmic region acts as a binding antenna for Na+ channels, while the COOH-terminal membrane domain regulates channel exposure on the membrane and its biophysical properties.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Bruno Sterlini, Francesca Franchi, Lisastella Morinelli, Beatrice Corradi, Chiara Parodi, Martina Albini, Alessandra Bianchi, Antonella Marte, Pietro Baldelli, Giulio Alberini, Luca Maragliano, Pierluigi Valente, Fabio Benfenati, Anna Corradi
Summary: PRRT2 is a neuronal protein that controls neuronal excitability and network stability by modulating voltage-gated Na+ channel (Nav). Pathogenic variants of PRRT2 can cause various syndromes including epilepsy, paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, and episodic ataxia. The study shows that the interactions between PRRT2 and Nav1.2 play a key role in the pathogenesis of PRRT2-linked disorders, and mutations at A320 and V286 residues may affect the interaction and lead to circuit instability and paroxysmal manifestations.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
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)