Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lamprini Katsanou, Evangelia Fragkiadaki, Sotirios Kampouris, Anastasia Konstanta, Aikaterini Vontzou, Nikolaos Pitsikas
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the NO donor molsidomine in reducing schizophrenia-like impairments caused by NMDA receptor blockade in rats. The results showed that molsidomine attenuated social withdrawal and spatial recognition memory deficits induced by ketamine. Additionally, the combination of molsidomine and clozapine alleviated non-spatial recognition memory deficits. These findings suggest that molsidomine may be a potential adjunctive drug for the therapy of schizophrenia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wenhui Huang, Xuefeng Gu, Yingying Wang, Yuhan Bi, Yu Yang, Guoqing Wan, Nianhong Chen, Keshen Li
Summary: The study investigated the miRNA expression profiles in the hippocampus of Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with MK-801, revealing significant differences in 14 miRNAs between the CLO + MK-801 and MK-801 groups. These miRNAs may play important roles in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by modulating target genes associated with endocytosis regulation, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and actin cytoskeleton regulation.
BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Claudia P. Sanchez-Olguin, Sergio R. Zamudio, Sonia Guzman-Velazquez, Mariana Marquez-Portillo, Mario Daniel Caba-Flores, Israel Camacho-Abrego, Gonzalo Flores, Angel Melo
Summary: In this study, the authors found that cognition, locomotor activity, and maternal care were disrupted in female rats with schizophrenia-like deficits, suggesting disturbances in mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic systems and/or social cognition.
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Lucinda J. Speers, Phoebe Chin, David K. Bilkey
Summary: Hippocampal phase precession, important for information sequencing in memory, is affected by maternal immune activation (MIA) in rats, a known risk factor for schizophrenia. This study investigated whether the antipsychotic clozapine, known to ameliorate cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, alters the variability of phase precession. The results showed that acute administration of clozapine did not affect phase precession but did reduce locomotion speed.
Article
Neurosciences
Al Mahdy Hamieh, David Babin, Evelyne Sable, Anne Marie Hernier, Vincent Castagne
Summary: The study aimed to further characterize behavioral changes in a neonatal PCP and post-weaning social isolation dual-hit rat model and evaluate the effects of chronic clozapine treatment on signs related to schizophrenia. The results showed persistent deficits in locomotor activity and social recognition in the PCP-SI rats, which were ameliorated by chronic clozapine treatment, confirming the predictive validity of this animal model.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Chun-Xia Li, Zhihao Li, Xiaoping Hu, Xiaodong Zhang, Jocelyne Bachevalier
Summary: The study showed that neonatal hippocampal lesions significantly altered the functional connectivity of H-DLPFC and H-VLPFC in adult monkeys, with a specific impact on working memory performance in the left hemisphere of the brain. This findings provide a potential translational model for developing new therapeutic tools for Schizophrenia.
Article
Neurosciences
B. Marquez-Valadez, A. Rabano, M. Llorens-Martin
Summary: Alzheimer's disease affects the hippocampus, leading to morphological changes in dentate granule cells (DGCs). Our study reveals that DGCs located in the inner portions of the granule cell layer have shorter and simpler dendrites compared to those in the outer portions. Moreover, AD patients show early morphological alterations in DGCs that worsen as the disease progresses. These findings support the association between hippocampal malfunction and cognitive impairments in AD patients.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
John P. Bruno
Summary: This manuscript reviews the key observations from Professor John P. Bruno's research program that have advanced our understanding of the brain's role in behavior. The review focuses on findings in the areas of neurobehavioral plasticity, the cortical cholinergic system, and animal models of cognitive deficits. Emphasis was placed on maximizing the resolution and microanalysis of behavioral assays, similar to refining neuronal manipulations. Professor Bruno has made significant contributions to the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS) as a Fellow and President.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Laisa de Siqueira Umpierrez, Luana Freese, Felipe Borges Almeida, Priscila Almeida Costa, Paulo Ricardo Fernandes, Mauricio Schuler Nin, Marilise Fraga de Souza, Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
Summary: Neurotoxic lesion induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in neonatal rats can affect behaviors in adulthood and reduce oral cocaine self-administration. Female rats showed higher consumption of cocaine, and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals exhibited higher basal locomotor activity compared to sham rats.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lydia Kogler, Christina Regenbogen, Veronika I. Mueller, Nils Kohn, Frank Schneider, Ruben C. Gur, Birgit Derntl
Summary: Stress plays a significant role in the development, triggering, and maintenance of psychotic symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of cognitive regulation of stress in schizophrenia. The results showed that schizophrenia patients exhibited stronger anticipation of stress, increased negative affect, and greater activation in specific brain regions compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, schizophrenia patients demonstrated difficulties in cognitive stress regulation. These findings have important implications for improving interventions for stress management.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Alma D. Genis-Mendoza, Carina Elizalde-Martinez, Jose J. Martinez-Magana, Brenda Cabrera-Mendoza, Axayacatl Morales-Guadarrama, Emilio Sacristan, Isabel Beltran-Villalobos, Carlos A. Tovilla-Zarate, Humberto Nicolini
Summary: The study revealed cell rearrangement during the progression of the lesion in the LVNH model which could be attributed to the activation of immune cells. MRI results showed significant enhancement in hypersignals and increased volume in lateral ventricles in the LVNH group.
CIRUGIA Y CIRUJANOS
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Julio Cesar Morales-Medina, Patricia Aguilar-Alonso, Alessandro Di Cerbo, Tommaso Iannitti, Gonzalo Flores
Summary: Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with unknown underlying mechanisms, where nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key signaling molecule. Various animal models of schizophrenia show alterations in NO levels, particularly in neurodevelopmental models, glutamatergic models with PCP administration, and genetic models with neuronal NOS knock-out mice. Treatment with NO donors or antipsychotics can reverse schizophrenia-related behavioral deficits, indicating potential therapeutic implications for targeting NO in schizophrenia.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Oscar Bolivar-Baquero, Julieta Troncoso
Summary: Facial nerve injury has been widely used in rats to study the changes in motoneurons and other central nervous system structures related to sensorimotor processing. Recent studies have found that this injury is associated with a decrease in long-term potentiation, increased corticosterone levels, impairment in spatial memory consolidation, and hippocampal microglial activation. In this study, the neuronal morphology of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in rats with reversible or irreversible facial nerve injury was analyzed. The results showed significant decreases in dendritic tree complexity, dendritic length, branch points, and spine density of hippocampal neurons in both types of injuries, but the timing and sensitivity varied depending on the hippocampal area, dendritic area, and lesion type.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kenya Watanabe, Osamu Nakagawasai, Syu-ichi Kanno, Satoru Mitazaki, Hiroshi Onogi, Kohei Takahashi, Kei-ichiro Watanabe, Koichi Tan-No, Masaaki Ishikawa, Lalit K. Srivastava, Remi Quirion, Takeshi Tadano
Summary: Genetic studies have implicated the neuregulin-1 gene as a potential susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. It is involved in regulating receptor expression and function in various brain regions. This study found that neonatal ventral hippocampal lesioned rats showed decreased levels of NRG-1 and p-erbB4 in the prefrontal cortex, and microinjection of NRG-1 improved behavioral deficits in these rats.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Hueng-Chuen Fan, Fung-Wei Chang, Ying-Ru Pan, Szu- Yu, Kuang-Hsi Chang, Chuan-Mu Chen, Ching-Ann Liu
Summary: This study suggested that thick meconium in infants might be associated with poor outcomes, and exposure to meconium led to significant release of nitrite from cells. Certain medicinal agents could reduce the meconium-induced release of nitrite, indicating potential treatments for meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heriberto Coatl-Cuaya, Hiram Tendilla-Beltran, Luis Manuel De Jesus-Vasquez, Linda Garces-Ramirez, Maria De Jesus Gomez-Villalobos, Gonzalo Flores
Summary: Hypertension is a risk factor for vascular dementia, and studying its effects on neural cells and behavior, as well as the efficacy of antihypertensives, is important. In a study using hypertensive rats, losartan treatment was found to reduce blood pressure and improve memory impairments, possibly through increasing dendritic spine density.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL NEUROANATOMY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Irene Martinez-Gallego, Antonio Rodriguez-Moreno
Summary: Windows of plasticity are crucial for brain development and function, but they also limit the central nervous system's ability to recover. Astrocytes and adenosine play important roles in controlling the duration of these periods.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julio Cesar Morales-Medina, Nicola Pugliese, Alessandro Di Cerbo, Claudia Zizzadoro, Tommaso Iannitti
Summary: Studies in mice have shown that constitutive activation of endogenous opioid signaling leads to both endogenous analgesia and opioid dependence. This study aimed to determine if a similar pattern exists in rats. Rats with chronic inflammatory pain were treated with different doses of the opioid receptor inverse agonist naltrexone (NTX) and monitored for withdrawal behaviors. The response to NTX in the rat model was different from the mouse model, suggesting species-related differences in pharmacological response and highlighting the importance of species selection in preclinical pain research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Yuniesky Andrade-Talavera, Antonio Rodriguez-Moreno
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonardo Aguilar-Hernandez, Ricardo Alejandre, Julio Cesar Morales-Medina, Tommaso Iannitti, Gonzalo Flores
Summary: Aging is a natural process characterized by the accumulation of cellular damage and debris. It is associated with oxidative stress, cellular senescence, sustained inflammation, and DNA damage, leading to morphological and functional decline. The atrophy is mainly observed in high metabolic tissues such as the brain, particularly in regions related to cognitive behavior. This article reviews the cellular processes triggering aging, distinguishes between normal and pathological aging, and discusses the use of supplements with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in reducing cognitive decline.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL NEUROANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuniesky Andrade-Talavera, Andre Fisahn, Antonio Rodriguez-Moreno
Summary: In the mammalian brain, information processing and storage rely on complex coding and decoding events performed by neuronal networks. Neuronal circuits manage multiple inputs to compute specific outputs, proposed to underlie memory traces formation, sensory perception, and cognitive behaviors. Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) and electrical brain rhythms are suggested to underlie these functions, but evidence of assembly structures and mechanisms driving these processes is scarce. This review summarizes the evidence on timing precision, electrical activity, and the role of glial cells in STDP and brain rhythms, as well as their cognitive correlates, limitations, and future perspectives in experimental approaches and human applications.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Vassilis Stratoulias, Rocio Ruiz, Shigeaki Kanatani, Ahmed M. Osman, Lily Keane, Jose A. Armengol, Antonio Rodriguez-Moreno, Adriana-Natalia Murgoci, Irene Garcia-Dominguez, Isabel Alonso-Bellido, Fernando Gonzalez Ibanez, Katherine Picard, Guillermo Vazquez-Cabrera, Mercedes Posada-Perez, Nathalie Vernoux, Dario Tejera, Kathleen Grabert, Mathilde Cheray, Patricia Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Eva M. Perez-Villegas, Irene Martinez-Gallego, Alejandro Lastra-Romero, David Brodin, Javier Avila-Carino, Yang Cao, Mikko Airavaara, Per Uhlen, Michael T. Heneka, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Klas Blomgren, Jose L. Venero, Bertrand Joseph
Summary: The molecular diversity of microglia in the CNS has been described. The study shows that microglia expressing the enzyme ARG1 are enriched in phagocytic inclusions and play a role in hippocampal innervation and spine maturation in mice. ARG1-expressing microglia also influence cognition in a sex-dependent manner.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Gonzalo Flores, Maria de Jesus Gomez-Villalobos, Tommaso Iannitti, Julio Cesar Morales-Medina
Summary: Olfaction is a complex physiological process that affects the central nervous system and is involved in emotional processes. The olfactory bulbs in rats are connected to various regions of the central nervous system, such as the nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen, which receive important dopaminergic input. Dopamine has been found to be related to anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigated the effects of neonatal olfactory bulbectomy on anxiety-related behavior in rats using the elevated plus maze, as well as the expression of dopaminergic receptors in the nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen. The results showed that neonatal olfactory bulbectomy increased open arm entries in the elevated plus maze in post-pubertal rats, indicating an anxiolytic effect. The expression of D2-like binding in the nucleus accumbens shell and D3 binding in the nucleus accumbens core increased in pre-pubertal rats after olfactory bulbectomy. However, D3 binding was reduced in the olfactory tubercle and islands of Calleja in olfactory bulbectomized rats at post-pubertal ages. These findings suggest that alterations in dopaminergic receptor expression may contribute to the observed behavioral changes in olfactory bulbectomized rats.
Article
Neurosciences
Daniel Juarez, Ivan Arteaga, Haisha Cortes, Ruben Vazquez-Roque, Gustavo Lopez-Lopez, Gonzalo Flores, Samuel Trevino, Jorge Guevara, Alfonso Diaz
Summary: The cognitive functions of people over 60 years of age have been diminished, due to the structural and functional changes that the brain has during aging. The most evident changes are at the behavioral and cognitive level, with decreased learning capacity, recognition memory, and motor incoordination. The use of exogenous antioxidants, such as resveratrol (RSVL), has shown great antioxidant capacity that can attenuate oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. In this study, chronic RSVL treatment improved locomotor activity and short- and long-term recognition memory in rats. It also reduced oxidative stress and cell loss in specific brain regions, suggesting that RSVL has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. These findings support the idea that RSVL could be a potential pharmacological option for reducing neurodegenerative diseases in older adults.
Article
Neurosciences
Gumaro Galindo-Paredes, Gonzalo Flores, Julio Cesar Morales-Medina
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and chronic pain by examining the behaviors and cellular changes in a depression model. The results support the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of MDD and demonstrate a strong link between nociceptive impairment and microglial and astrocytic activation in the brain.
IBRO NEUROSCIENCE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis Angel Lima-Castaneda, Maria Elena Bringas, Leonardo Aguilar-Hernandez, Linda Garces-Ramirez, Julio Cesar Morales-Medina, Gonzalo Flores
Summary: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, and exposure to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy can cause ASD-like traits in offspring. Olanzapine (OLZ), an atypical antipsychotic, is found to improve cognitive and neuroplastic abnormalities caused by VPA.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL NEUROANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriel D. Flores-Gomez, David Javier Apam-Castillejos, Ismael Juarez-Diaz, Estefania Fuentes-Medel, Alfonso Diaz, Hiram Tendilla-Beltran, Gonzalo Flores
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole on behavioral and neuronal disturbances in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats with neonatal ventral hippocampus lesion. The results showed that aripiprazole attenuated hyperlocomotion and improved structural neuroplasticity disturbances in the layer 3 pyramidal cells of the medial prefrontal cortex. These effects may be mediated by increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL NEUROANATOMY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Yuniesky Andrade-Talavera, Mikel Perez-Rodriguez, Jose Prius-Mengual, Antonio Rodriguez-Moreno
Summary: Windows of plasticity during postnatal development are influenced by environmental experiences and play a significant role in the formation of brain circuits and physiological processes in adults. In addition to GABAergic inhibition, recent studies have highlighted the involvement of astrocytes and adenosinergic inhibition in determining the duration of these plasticity periods.
TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
(2023)
Correction
Neurosciences
Lucia Privitera, Ellen L. Hogg, Matthias Gaestel, Mark J. Wall, Sonia A. L. Correa
Article
Neurosciences
Li-Ya Jiang, Guan-Hao Wang, Jing-Jiao Xu, Xiao-Li Li, Xiao-Yan Lin, Xiang Fang, Hong-Xu Zhang, Mei Feng, Chun-Ming Jiang
Summary: This study reveals the importance of LINC00473 in regulating temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in glioblastoma (GB) and its potential mechanism. By regulating the expression of CEBP alpha and MGMT, LINC00473 promotes the formation of chemoresistance. Furthermore, LINC00473 can transfer chemoresistance to adjacent sensitive cells through exosomes.
Article
Neurosciences
Olga Kopach, Tetyana Pivneva, Nataliya Fedirko, Nana Voitenko
Summary: This study found that diabetic animals exhibit severe xerostomia characterized by reduced saliva flow rate, diminished total protein content, and decreased amylase activity. The impaired saliva production in diabetes is associated with reduced and delayed intracellular Ca2+ signals in submandibular acinar cells, caused by malfunctioning mitochondria. Targeting malfunctioning mitochondria may be a potential strategy for the treatment of diabetic xerostomia.
Article
Neurosciences
Nicholas M. Timme, Cherish E. Ardinger, Seth D. C. Weir, Rachel Zelaya-Escobar, Rachel Kruger, Christopher C. Lapish
Summary: This study aimed to assess aversion-resistant drinking behavior in head-fixed mice and explore the relationship between non-consummatory behaviors and aversion-resistant drinking. The results showed that head-fixed mice exhibited heterogenous levels of aversion-resistant drinking and non-consummatory behaviors were related to the intensity of this behavior.
Article
Neurosciences
David R. Maguire, Charles P. France
Summary: Methocinnamox (MCAM) is a novel, long-acting opioid receptor antagonist that effectively decreases fentanyl self-administration and prevents opioid overdose in monkeys. The study demonstrates the potential therapeutic utility of MCAM in the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiang Li, Dan Feng, Shenglu Ma, Mingxing Li, Shulei Zhao, Man Tang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of fluoxetine on neurochemical, neurobiological, and neurobehavioral changes in different subregions of the hippocampus. The results showed that fluoxetine increased dialysate 5-HT, decreased membrane 5-HTT protein, and increased cytoplasmic fraction. Additionally, fluoxetine reduced immobility times in behavioral tests, with greater effects observed in the ventral subregion compared to the dorsal subregion.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexander V. Zholos, Mariia I. Melnyk, Dariia O. Dryn
Summary: Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter in visceral smooth muscles, activating M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors to cause smooth muscle excitation and contraction. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying acetylcholine-induced depolarisation and smooth muscle contraction, as well as the effects of anticholinergic drugs on gastrointestinal motility. The knowledge gained from recent studies has greatly expanded our understanding of these processes.
Article
Neurosciences
Zhenlong Li, Hsien-Yu Peng, Chau-Shoun Lee, Tzer-Bin Lin, Ming-Chun Hsieh, Cheng-Yuan Lai, Han-Fang Wu, Lih-Chyang Chen, Mei-Ci Chen, Dylan Chou
Summary: Methylone shows significant efficacy in treating depression and social deficits, making it an ideal candidate for anti-depressant medication.
Article
Neurosciences
Aline Freyssin, Allison Carles, Sarra Guehairia, Gilles Rubinstenn, Tangui Maurice
Summary: This study explores the potential of combining FENM and S1R agonists in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that most FENM-based combinations can protect against learning deficits caused by A beta 25-35, with better efficacy in short-term memory.
Article
Neurosciences
J. D. Lorente, J. Cuitavi, L. Rullo, S. Candeletti, P. Romualdi, L. Hipolito
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of pain on negative affect in different sexes and time courses, as well as the involvement of the dynorphinergic and corticotropin releasing factor systems in these pain-related behaviors. The results showed sex and time-dependent anxiety- and anhedonia-like behaviors induced by pain in female rats. The recruitment of KOR/DYN in the NAc was identified as a key neurological substrate mediating pain-induced behavioral alterations.
Article
Neurosciences
Rongjun Liu, Daofan Sun, Xiuzhong Xing, Qingge Chen, Bo Lu, Bo Meng, Hui Yuan, Lan Mo, Liufang Sheng, Jinwei Zheng, Qiusheng Wang, Junping Chen, Xiaowei Chen
Summary: The coexistence of pain and depression is frequently observed in patients with chronic pain and depression. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide, has been reported to relieve chronic pain and depressive symptoms. This study investigated the effect of intranasal oxytocin on neuropathic pain and comorbid depressive symptoms, and found that oxytocin attenuated depression-like behavior but did not alleviate mechanical hyperalgesia. The results suggest that intranasal oxytocin may have the potential to treat depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain patients.
