Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mia Krout, Kelly H. Oh, Ame Xiong, Elisa B. Frankel, Peri T. Kurshan, Hongkyun Kim, Janet E. Richmond
Summary: Synaptic transmission requires the coordinated activity of multiple synaptic proteins at the active zone (AZ). CLA-1 and UNC-10 work together to regulate the levels of the UNC-2 calcium channel and the localization of UNC-13 at the synapse. These findings suggest a conserved arrangement of AZ scaffolding proteins that are crucial for precise coupling to Ca2+ channels.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yanjuan Cao, Wen Sun, Chang Liu, Zihui Zhou, Zongli Deng, Mingjie Zhang, Meng Yan, Xiaoxing Yin, Xia Zhu
Summary: Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is a central nervous complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by cognitive impairment and neurochemical abnormalities. This study suggests that resveratrol may improve cognitive impairment in DE by modulating mitochondrial function through inhibiting PDE4D.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatsuya Manabe, Ildiko Racz, Stephanie Schwartz, Linda Oberle, Francesco Santarelli, Julius Emmrich, Jonas J. Neher, Michael T. Heneka
Summary: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) involves diverse cerebral dysfunctions in response to pathogen-induced systemic inflammation. Injection of LPS from different bacterial strains in aged mice resulted in short-term neuroinflammation with subsequent normalization, showing more pronounced inflammatory responses with E. coli LPS compared to Salmonella LPS. Reduction in excitatory synaptic puncta in the hippocampus was observed at a later time point, possibly attributed to microglia-mediated elimination of C3-tagged synapses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Mai Abul, Maie Dawoud Al-Bader, Abdeslam Mouihate
Summary: Prenatal exposure to dexamethasone has long-lasting effects on cognitive functions, particularly in female rats. COX-2 specific inhibitors can alleviate memory impairment caused by prenatal dexamethasone exposure.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ting Xu, Jiao Liu, Xin-rui Li, Yinghua Yu, Xuan Luo, Xian Zheng, Yuan Cheng, Pei-quan Yu, Yi Liu
Summary: Diabetic encephalopathy, characterized by neuroinflammation and aberrant synaptogenesis, involves the mTOR and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. Inhibiting mTOR and NF-kappa B can reduce inflammatory cytokines expression and increase synaptic proteins, leading to the improvement of cognitive decline in diabetic models. This study suggests that targeting the mTOR/NF-kappa B pathway could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating diabetic encephalopathy and related cognitive impairments.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Laura K. Olsen, Ernesto Solis Jr, Lindsey K. McIntire, Candice N. Hatcher-Solis
Summary: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a useful neuromodulation tool that can target the central nervous system by stimulating peripheral nerves. It can modulate various higher order brain regions, including the limbic and cerebral cortex structures, by activating the nucleus of the solitary tract in the brainstem. Clinical and preclinical studies have shown that VNS can improve memory.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chad P. Grabner, Isabelle Jansen, Jakob Neef, Tobias Weihs, Roman Schmidt, Dietmar Riedel, Christian A. Wurm, Tobias Moser
Summary: Cells assemble macromolecular complexes into scaffoldings that serve as substrates for catalytic processes, and neurotransmission depends on such optimization strategies. This study implemented MINFLUX optical nanoscopy to visualize the molecular topography of the presynaptic active zone in rod photoreceptors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hui Wang, JiuLing Deng, Liang Chen, Ke Ding, Yi Wang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of acute glucose fluctuation on diabetic rats' hippocampus, demonstrating that it promotes neuron apoptosis and inflammation more significantly compared to continuous hyperglycemia. The findings shed new light on the importance of monitoring and managing blood glucose levels in preventing and treating diabetes.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yujun Tu, Qi Chen, Wenjia Guo, Pu Xiang, Haifeng Huang, Huizhi Fei, Lin Chen, Yang Yang, Zhe Peng, Chao Gu, Xiaodan Tan, Xia Liu, Yi Lu, Rongchun Chen, Hong Wang, Ying Luo, Junqing Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effect of miR-702-5p on diabetic encephalopathy (DE) and the interaction of miR-702-5p/12/15-LOX in the central nervous system (CNS). The findings suggest that miR-702-5p has a neuroprotective effect on DE by inhibiting 12/15-LOX.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jake W. Willows, Gilian Gunsch, Emma Paradie, Magdalena Blaszkiewicz, Jeffrey R. Tonniges, Maria F. Pino, Steven R. Smith, Lauren M. Sparks, Kristy L. Townsend
Summary: Peripheral neuropathy, including axonal degeneration and demyelination, affects adipose tissues in obesity, diabetes, and aging. This study investigated the presence of demyelinating neuropathy in adipose tissue and found that adipose tissue contains myelinated and unmyelinated nerves populated by Schwann cells (SCs), which play a role in nerve regeneration. The study also showed that SCs in adipose tissue become dysregulated in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolina Gomis Perez, Natasha R. Dudzinski, Mason Rouches, Ane Landajuela, Benjamin Machta, David Zenisek, Erdem Karatekin
Summary: Membrane tension gradients play a crucial role in cellular activities such as cell migration, division, phagocytosis, and exo-endocytosis. The speed at which membrane tension equilibrates can vary significantly depending on the cell type. Rapid synaptic vesicle turnover in neuronal terminals leads to quick membrane tension equilibration, while neuroendocrine adrenal chromaffin cells have slower recovery rates.
Article
Cell Biology
Wenhui Yan, Tingli Guo, Na Liu, Xin Cui, Xiaotong Wei, Yuzhuo Sun, Hao Hu, Lina Chen
Summary: Recent studies have demonstrated that EPO exerts neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects on neurological disorders. However, the potential benefits of EPO on diabetic cognitive impairments have not been well studied. In this research, the authors investigated the effects of EPO on diabetic mice and HT22 cells. They found that EPO treatment improved cognitive impairments, lowered blood glucose levels, and alleviated damage in both the pancreas and hippocampus. EPO also regulated the expression of various factors related to cell survival and apoptosis in HT22 cells. The findings suggest that EPO plays a protective role in diabetic cognitive impairments by modulating BDNF and PSD-95 expression via NMDA receptors.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily M. Grasso, Mayu S. Terakawa, Alex L. Lai, Ying Xue Xie, Trudy F. Ramlall, Jack H. Freed, David Eliezer
Summary: Complexins are important regulators of SNARE-mediated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. The structural and functional characterization of mCpx1 C-terminal domain (CTD) reveals differences in inhibitory function compared to the worm counterpart wCpx1 CTD. The mCpx1 CTD shows structural divergences in regions critical for inhibiting spontaneous fusion of synaptic vesicles, suggesting a potential basis for evolutionary divergences in complexin function.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chungwon Park, Xingxiang Chen, Chong-Li Tian, Gyu Nam Park, Nicolas Chenouard, Hunki Lee, Xin Yi Yeo, Sangyong Jung, Richard W. Tsien, Guo-Qiang Bi, Hyokeun Park
Summary: Maintaining the balance between excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission is crucial for proper central nervous system function. Inhibitory synaptic vesicles exhibit unique dynamics and fusion properties that support rapid synaptic inhibition, showing differences compared to excitatory synaptic vesicles labeled with synaptotagmin-1. This study provides insights into the specialized mechanisms of inhibitory synaptic vesicle release, contributing to the understanding of coordinated excitation and inhibition in the CNS.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Alexey M. Petrov, Guzalia F. Zakirjanova, Irina Kovyazina, Andrei N. Tsentsevitsky, Ellya A. Bukharaeva
Summary: This study investigated the influence of nerve activity and adrenoceptor stimulation on exocytosis modes in the motor nerve terminal. It was found that high frequency activity promoted neurotransmitter release via kiss-and-run mechanism, while noradrenaline and alpha 2-adrenoreceptors agonist favored full-collapse exocytosis. This has implications for the regulation of respiratory system during stress.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Filipe Palavra, Sofia D. Viana, Sara Henriques, Joao Dinis, Joao Martins, Maria H. Madeira, Raquel Santiago, Lorena Petrella, Jose Sereno
Summary: The study demonstrates that a two-week period after cessation of Cuprizone exposure is sufficient to establish changes compatible with remyelination. This provides a time window for studying demyelination and early remyelination.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ana Bela Campos, Sara Duarte-Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Barbara Coimbra, Jonas Campos, Daniela Monteiro-Fernandes, Andreia Teixeira-Castro, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Patricia Maciel
Summary: This study investigated the role of microglia in the progression and symptom development of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD). Using PLX3397 to reduce the number of microglia in the brain of MJD mice, the researchers found that while the treatment reduced microglia density, it did not affect the motor deficits seen in the mice. Furthermore, the treatment induced morphological changes in the surviving microglia.
Article
Neurosciences
Pedro A. S. Nogueira, Alexandre Moura-Assis, Ariane M. Zanesco, Bruna Bombassaro, Ana L. Gallo-Ferraz, Marcela R. Simoes, Daiane F. Engel, Daniela S. Razolli, Joana M. Gaspar, Jose Donato Junior, Licio A. Velloso
Summary: This study confirmed the expression of GPR139 in specific areas of the hypothalamus and its involvement in the regulation of energy balance and metabolism. Inhibiting the expression of hypothalamic GPR139 led to increased body mass, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, and increased insulin levels in mice. This effect may be mediated through the orexin system, as inhibition of GPR139 was accompanied by a reduction in orexin expression.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ines Ramos Rego, Daniela Silverio, Maria Isabel Eufrasio, Sandra Sofia Pinhancos, Bruna Lopes da Costa, Jose Teixeira, Hugo Fernandes, Yang Kong, Yao Li, Stephen H. Tsang, Paulo J. Oliveira, Rosa Fernandes, Peter M. J. Quinn, Paulo Fernando Santos, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Celso Henrique Alves
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly. The damage to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) caused by oxidative stress is a key factor in the development of AMD, and this damage is caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) primarily produced by mitochondria. The protein TRAP1, found in mitochondria, helps maintain mitochondrial integrity and reduces ROS production. This study found that TRAP1 is present in human RPE cells and its levels decrease when exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Silencing TRAP1 leads to increased ROS production and decreased mitochondrial respiratory capacity in RPE cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luisa O. Schmitt, Joana M. Gaspar
Summary: Obesity is defined as abnormal and excessive fat accumulation and is a risk factor for various diseases. The connection between obesity and neurodegeneration and cognitive decline remains unclear. During obesity, adipose tissue undergoes changes that induce chronic inflammation. Inflammatory processes and mitochondrial dysfunction are believed to be involved in the development of cognitive deficits. This review highlights the effect of obesity on brain inflammation and mitochondrial changes as a link between metabolic dysfunction and cognitive decline.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Jose Gonzalez-Riquelme, Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Caridad Galindo-Romero, Raquel Boia, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Ana Raquel Santiago, Marta Agudo-Barriuso
Summary: This study compares retinal organotypic cultures (ROCs) with in vivo models to study retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and glial activation. The results show that there are significant differences in glial activation between ROCs and in vivo models, with earlier and different morphological activation in ROCs. Additionally, microglial cell density in ROCs is consistently lower than in vivo. ROCs can be used for proof-of-concept studies on neuroprotection, but long-term experiments should be performed in vivo.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Andreia Amaro, Diana Sousa, Mariana Sa-Rocha, Marcos D. Ferreira-Junior, Catia Barra, Tamaeh Monteiro, Paulo Mathias, Rodrigo Mello Gomes, Filipa I. Baptista, Paulo Matafome
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal glycation during lactation on offspring neurodevelopment and behavior, with a focus on sex differences and molecular mechanisms. The researchers found that maternal glycation reduced triglycerides and total antioxidant capacity levels in breast milk. The offspring, both male and female, showed accelerated neurodevelopment milestones during infancy. In adolescence, male offspring exhibited hyperlocomotion, while offspring of both sexes displayed a risk-taking phenotype, accompanied by changes in neural receptor levels. These findings highlight the critical role of the lactation period in metabolic programming and behavioral development.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Joao Pedro Marques, Ricardo Machado Soares, Silvia Simao, Rebhi Abuzaitoun, Chris Andrews, C. Henrique Alves, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Joaquim Murta, Rufino Silva, Maria Fernanda Abalem, K. Thiran Jayasundera
Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-reported visual function and psychosocial impact of visual loss in patients with EYS-associated retinal degeneration. Two patient-reported outcome measures, the MRDQ and MVAQ, were used. The results showed a correlation between the PRO measures and the clinician-reported outcomes.
OPHTHALMIC GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Carla Filipa Simoes-Henriques, A. Catarina Rodrigues-Neves, Fabio J. Sousa, Rita Gaspar, Ines Almeida, Filipa I. I. Baptista, Antonio F. Ambrosio, Catarina A. A. Gomes
Summary: The involvement of immunity in psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, is characterized by changes in microglia morphology in response to anxiogenic stimuli. Sex differences in microglia morphology and behavior are observed in adolescent rodents, which can be influenced by postnatal testosterone treatment. Administration of testosterone partially eliminates the sex-specific differences in microglia morphology and behavior, approaching towards a male phenotype.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Joana M. Gaspar
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eliane S. Sanches, Raquel Boia, Ricardo A. Leitao, Maria H. Madeira, Carlos A. Fontes-Ribeiro, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Rosa Fernandes, Ana Paula Silva
Summary: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children, and it is associated with ophthalmologic abnormalities. The effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on retinal physiology in ADHD are still unclear. This study used animal models to investigate the structural, functional, and cellular alterations in the retina of ADHD, as well as the impact of MPH. The findings revealed deficits in retinal structure, function, and neurons in the ADHD animal model, and MPH had a beneficial effect on reducing inflammation and blood-retinal barrier dysfunction. However, MPH had opposite effects in the control animals, impairing retinal function and promoting inflammation.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ana M. Realinho, Raquel Boia, Beatriz Paiva, Raquel G. Correia, Rita Gaspar, Antonio F. Ambrosio, Filipa I. Baptista
Summary: Maternal diabetes has negative effects on the offspring's brain, and this study reveals that it also impacts the development of the retina, leading to structural and functional deficits.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Marisa Jadna Silva Frederico, Andreza Cipriani, Jocelyn Brice Alexandre Heim, Ana Karla Bittencourt Mendes, Marcela Aragon, Joana Margarida Gaspar, Nylane Maria Nunes De Alencar, Fatima Regina Mena Barreto Silva
Summary: This pre-clinical study investigated the effects of TRPA1 channels on glucose homeostasis using agonists CIN, AITC, and CRV. The results showed that CIN and AITC improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin secretion, while CRV was ineffective in reducing glycemia.
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
A. Amaro, D. Sousa, M. Sa-Rocha, M. F. Junior, C. Barra, T. Monteiro, R. Mello-Gomes, F. I. Baptista, P. Matafome
Article
Neurosciences
Yang He, Jun Tang, Meng Zhang, Junjie Ying, Dezhi Mu
Summary: This study investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of human placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) transplantation in a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The results showed that hPMSCs transplantation reduced apoptosis and improved long-term neurological prognosis. Furthermore, the downregulation of Sema 3A/NRP-1 expression and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway played a key role in the protective effects of hPMSCs.
Article
Neurosciences
Emily L. Isenstein, Edward G. Freedman, Jiayi Xu, Ian A. DeAndrea-Lazarus, John J. Foxe
Summary: This study evaluated electrophysiological discrimination of parametric somatosensory stimuli in healthy young adults to understand how the brain processes the duration of tactile information. The results showed that participants did not electrophysiologically discriminate between 100 and 115 ms, but they exhibited distinct electrophysiological responses when the deviant stimuli were 130, 145, and 160 ms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tactile sensitivity in different clinical conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Juliana R. Souza, Ludmila Lima-Silveira, Daniela Accorsi-Mendonca, Benedito H. Machado
Summary: This study demonstrates that A2A receptors play a crucial role in modulating synaptic transmission in the NTS neurons and are required for the enhancement of glutamatergic transmission observed under short-term sustained hypoxia conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Miki Hashizume, Rina Ito, Rie Suge, Yasushi Hojo, Gen Murakami, Takayuki Murakoshi
Summary: The basolateral amygdaloid complex (BLA) is closely involved in the formation of emotional memories, including both aversive memory and contextual fear memory. Acute sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts the acquisition of tone-associated fear memory in juvenile rats, but has no significant effect on contextual fear memory. Slow network oscillation in the amygdala contributes to the formation of amygdala-dependent fear memory in relation to sleep.
Article
Neurosciences
Qunxian Wang, Shipeng Guo, Dongjie Hu, Xiangjun Dong, Zijun Meng, Yanshuang Jiang, Zijuan Feng, Weihui Zhou, Weihong Song
Summary: GSDME plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by regulating the switch from apoptosis to pyroptosis and participating in neuroinflammatory response. Knockdown of GSDME has been shown to improve cognitive impairments, indicating that GSDME could be a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.