Article
Clinical Neurology
Catarina Osorio, Joshua J. White, Heiling Lu, Gerrit C. Beekhof, Francesca Romana Fiocchi, Charlotte A. Andriessen, Stephanie Dijkhuizen, Laura Post, Martijn Schonewille
Summary: Spinocerebellar ataxias are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the development of ataxia due to cerebellar dysfunction. The main cells affected in these diseases are Purkinje cells, but the sequence of events leading to their dysfunction is poorly understood.
Article
Neurosciences
Ryan P. D. Alexander, Derek Bowie
Summary: NMDA receptors induce long-term changes in firing rates of inhibitory stellate cells by driving intrinsic plasticity through a Ca2+- and CaMKII-dependent pathway, which alters the activation and inactivation properties of voltage-gated Na+ channels. This signaling pathway also lowers the action potential threshold by causing a hyperpolarizing shift in Na+ channel gating, suggesting a potential mechanism for fine-tuning motor behavior.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Review
Biology
Haoran Huang, Vikram G. Shakkottai
Summary: In this review, the authors propose that perturbations in cerebellar Purkinje neuron intrinsic membrane excitability, a result of ion channel dysregulation, is a common pathophysiologic mechanism that drives motor impairment and vulnerability to degeneration in cerebellar ataxias of widely differing genetic etiologies. They further propose that treatments aimed at restoring Purkinje neuron intrinsic membrane excitability have the potential to be a shared therapy in cerebellar ataxia akin to levodopa for Parkinson's disease.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jaclyn Asouzu Johnson, Pilani Nkomozepi, Prosper Opute, Ejikeme Felix Mbajiorgu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of atrazine on the heart and cerebellum of adult male Xenopus laevis by examining the Ca2+ channel-dependent receptor IP3R. The results suggest that atrazine may impair cerebellar plasticity and optimal functioning of the heart, potentially inducing associated pathophysiologies at various concentrations, especially at 500 μg/L.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna-Lisa Schuler, Diandra Brkic, Giulio Ferrazzi, Giorgio Arcara, Daniele Marinazzo, Giovanni Pellegrino
Summary: Cortical excitability, commonly measured by magnetic stimulation and behavioral response, can be limited in spatial range and fail to account for intrinsic fluctuations. This study introduces a measure for intrinsic excitability based on phase synchronization and applies it to magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings during exposure to auditory white noise. Results show a specific pattern of decreased frontal lobe excitability and increased temporal lobe excitability during white noise exposure, providing insight into the effects of specific environmental stimuli on cortical excitability.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Charles Randy Gallistel, Fredrik Johansson, Dan-Anders Jirenhed, Anders Rasmussen, Matthew Ricci, Germund Hesslow
Summary: The encoding of the interval between CS and US in eyeblink conditioning is mainly located within a small population of cerebellar Purkinje cells, where CS triggers a pause in spontaneous firing rate to time the blink. A Bayesian algorithm can be used to identify pause onset and offset, which are proportional to CS-US interval, with no significant correlation between onset and offset.
FRONTIERS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah G. M. Benevenuto, Marlise D. Domenico, Victor Y. Yariwake, Clarissa Tavares Dias, Cristiano Mendes-da-Silva, Nilmara de O. Alves, Sofia Ellen da S. Caumo, Perola Vasconcellos, Damila R. Morais, Marilia S. Cardoso, Janaina Ianicelli, Dunia Waked, Gavin P. Davey, Fabio Boylan, Jose L. Costa, Mariana Matera Veras
Summary: This study investigates the effects of maternal inhalation of Cannabis smoke on brain function in offspring. The findings show that prenatal exposure to Cannabis smoke can result in reduced brain volume in male fetuses, increased brain volume in adult mice, and changes in the volume of specific brain regions. Additionally, there were alterations in the expression of certain proteins associated with brain development and an increase in cortical BDNF immunoreactivity. Furthermore, treating cortical primary neurons with Cannabis smoke extract led to decreased cell viability.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Elham Alaee, Narges Pachenari, Fatemeh Khani, Saeed Semnanian, Amir Shojaei, Hossein Azizi
Summary: This study compared the electrophysiological properties of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons in rat offspring prenatally exposed to morphine. The results demonstrated that prenatal exposure to morphine caused changes in the resting membrane potential, input resistance, action potential duration, and various other properties of mPFC neurons. These changes indicate an elevation in neuronal excitability following prenatal exposure to morphine.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biology
Gregory G. Grecco, Briana E. Mork, Jui-Yen Huang, Corinne E. Metzger, David L. Haggerty, Kaitlin C. Reeves, Yong Gao, Hunter Hoffman, Simon N. Katner, Andrea R. Masters, Cameron W. Morris, Erin A. Newell, Eric A. Engleman, Anthony J. Baucum, Jiuen Kim, Bryan K. Yamamoto, Matthew R. Allen, Yu-Chien Wu, Hui-Chen Lu, Patrick L. Sheets, Brady K. Atwood
Summary: The study found that prenatal methadone exposure can lead to impaired physical and neurobehavioral development in offspring after birth, including physical growth, motor activity, and sensorimotor development; these effects are associated with methadone accumulation in the placenta and fetal brain, as well as reduced neuronal density in the motor cortex and disruption in motor neuron intrinsic properties and local circuitry connectivity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Priyanka D. Pinky, Mohammed Majrashi, Ayaka Fujihashi, Jenna Bloemer, Manoj Govindarajulu, Sindhu Ramesh, Miranda N. Reed, Timothy Moore, Vishnu Suppiramaniam, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
Summary: Prenatal cannabinoid exposure can lead to long-lasting effects on the cerebellum, including altered oxidative stress markers, enhanced mitochondrial function, and changes in apoptotic protein levels. This exposure enhances neuronal survival and mitochondrial activity, providing unique effects on the cerebellum compared to other brain regions. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these alterations and their impact on behavior.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Lingxuan Chen, Taylor R. Francisco, Austin M. Baggetta, Yosif Zaki, Steve Ramirez, Roger L. Clem, Tristan Shuman, Denise J. Cai
Summary: With the prevalence of age-related cognitive deficits on the rise, it is crucial to identify the cellular and circuit alterations contributing to age-related memory impairment. This study investigates the changes in intrinsic neuronal excitability after learning and their association with memory impairment in old age. The results suggest that age-related impairments in post-learning ensemble excitability may occur in the CA1 region, emphasizing the importance of selectively measuring ensemble-specific changes in the brain.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroki Toyoda, Kohei Koga
Summary: This study found that adolescent nicotine exposure enhances synaptic transmission, plasticity, and intrinsic excitability in layer V pyramidal neurons of the mice insular cortex in adulthood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Elham Alaee, Fatemeh Farahani, Saeed Semnanian, Hossein Azizi
Summary: This study found that prenatal exposure to morphine significantly enhances the excitability of LC neurons, which may affect the release of norepinephrine and/or cognitive performance in offspring.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Maria Bjoerk Birkisdottir, Lisanne J. Van't Sant, Renata M. C. Brandt, Sander Barnhoorn, Jan H. J. Hoeijmakers, Wilbert P. Vermeij, Dick Jaarsma
Summary: Dietary restriction (DR) is a commonly used method to delay aging and reduce age-related nervous system pathologies. The specific mechanisms through which DR provides neuroprotection, whether by regulating cell intrinsic degradative processes or by influencing non-cell autonomous factors, are not fully understood. In this study, we found that DR significantly reduced neurodegeneration in a mouse model with genotoxic stress-induced premature aging-like dysfunction in cerebellar Purkinje cells.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deiweson Souza-Monteiro, Maria Karolina Martins Ferreira, Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt, Walessa Alana Braganca Aragao, Igor Goncalves de Oliveira, Cristiane Socorro Ferraz Maia, Marco Aurelio M. Freire, Fatemeh Vida Zohoori, Marilia Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf, Rafael Rodrigues Lima
Summary: This study investigated the effects of fluoride exposure during the intrauterine and postnatal periods on the cerebellum of rats. The results showed that high doses of fluoride can cause oxidative stress in the cerebellum, leading to a decrease in Purkinje cell density and compromise of myelin basic protein, which may result in motor impairments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mohammadreza Emamhadi, Iraj Aghaei, Sama Noroozi Guilandehi, Roxana Emamhadi, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: This report describes a successful method of restoring quadriceps muscle function by transferring the anterior branch of the obturator nerve to the selective branches of the femoral nerve. The patient regained muscle strength and was able to walk normally after nine months post-surgery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mahnaz Bayat, Narges Karimi, Mohammad Karami, Afshin Borhani Haghighi, Kamjoo Bayat, Somayeh Akbari, Masoud Haghani
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on cognitive dysfunction induced by vascular dementia (VaD). The results showed that chronic Wi-Fi exposure significantly recovered the learning-memory performance, LTP induction, and cell loss.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Hoda Ranjbar, Monavareh Soti, Moazamehosadat Razavinasab, Kristi A. Kohlmeier, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: TRP channels play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ataxia, with their activity modulated by endogenous endocannabinoids. Targeting TRP channels, particularly TRPC channels, may offer a potential therapeutic approach for the management of ataxia.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mehran Ilaghi, Adel Soltanizadeh, Shiva Amiri, Kristi A. Kohlmeier, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: Apelin is a regulatory peptide that interacts with the APJ receptor to exert cytoprotective effects. It is involved in cardiovascular and central nervous system functions and can modulate signaling through interactions with other receptors. The interaction between APJ and KOR has been shown to be important in cellular processes such as cell proliferation. Understanding the cellular protective actions of apelin and its receptor interactions has implications for the treatment of various diseases.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Aliakbar Mariki, Zahra Barzin, Majid Fasihi Harandi, Kimia Karbasi Ravari, Mahboubeh Davoodi, Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, Soheila Rezakhani, Masoud Nazeri, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: This study found that antigen B from hydatid cyst fluid could reduce the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced multiple sclerosis (MS) and increase nerve conduction velocity. The results showed that antigen B modulated the immune system and reduced the inflammatory component of the EAE MS animal model, leading to a decrease in symptoms at the behavioral and electrophysiological level. Antigen B could be used as a potential therapeutic agent to regulate the immune system in MS patients.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mohammad Shabani, Hoda Ranjbar, Monavareh Soti, Reyhaneh Naderi
Summary: Stressful life increases the risk of mental disorders and cognitive deficits. Recently, the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) was discovered in mammals. ABA is produced in response to stress and can reduce anxiety-like behaviors and depression, as well as improve cognitive function. This study evaluated the effects of microinjection of ABA on depression, anxiety, passive avoidance learning, and memory deficits induced by subchronic stress. The results showed that ABA could ameliorate anxiety and depression induced by stress, but had no effect on cognitive impairments caused by stress.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Amin Hassanshahi, Mahyar Janahmadi, Moazamehosadat Razavinasab, Mehran Ilaghi, Kristi A. Kohlmeier, Elham Hassanshahi, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that prenatal agmatine exposure could ameliorate behavioural and cognitive deficits in female offspring born to prenatally stressed mice. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effects of prenatal stress on newborns and provides a foundation for targeted prenatal treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Maysam Fadaei-kenarsary, Khadijeh Esmaeilpour, Mohammad Shabani, Sara Joushi, Vahid Sheibani
Summary: Maternal morphine exposure reduces motivation for cognitive tasks and leads to deficits in attention, accuracy, and executive function. It also induces depression-like behaviors and has negative consequences for learning and memory in offspring. Maternal separation can cause behavioral and neuropsychiatric abnormalities later in life. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic morphine consumption and maternal separation on the cognitive and behavioral performance of male adolescent rats. The results showed that maternal separation increased locomotor activity and movement velocity, while morphine exposure worsened body stretching behavior. Maternal separation also resulted in spatial learning deficits, but recognition and spatial memory were not significantly affected. Overall, these findings suggest that maternal morphine exposure and maternal separation can impair cognitive and behavioral performance in adolescent male rats.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Zohre Aghaei, Narges Karbalaei, Mohammad Reza Namavar, Masoud Haghani, Mahboobeh Razmkhah, Mahdi Khorsand Ghaffari, Marzieh Nemati
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (WJMSC-CM) on cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and histological changes in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. The results showed that WJMSC-CM significantly reduced blood glucose levels and increased insulin levels, improved cognitive ability and anxiety-like behavior in diabetic rats, reduced oxidative stress, and increased the number of neurons and non-neurons in the hippocampus.
STEM CELLS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Developmental Biology
Sina Motamedi, Reza Saboori Amleshi, Behnoush Akbari Javar, Parisa Shams, Kristi A. Kohlmeier, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to cannabis during gestation or the perinatal period can lead to mental health issues in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. There is a high risk of negative outcomes in individuals with specific genetic variants, suggesting an interaction between cannabis usage and genetics. Animal research has also demonstrated long-term effects of prenatal and perinatal exposure to psychoactive components on neural systems relevant to psychiatric and substance use disorders. This article discusses the molecular, epigenetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral consequences of prenatal and perinatal exposure to cannabis.
BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marjan Nikbakhtzadeh, Hoda Ranjbar, Khadijeh Moradbeygi, Elham Zahedi, Mahnaz Bayat, Monavareh Soti, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: Addiction is a worldwide problem with significant costs on health care, public security, and the community economic cycle. Stress plays a crucial role in the development of addiction and relapse vulnerability. This review examines the impact of stress on the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and internal factors, such as neuro-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neurotransmitter factors, and their effects on drug addiction vulnerability, craving, and relapse susceptibility.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Robert L. Merrill, Donald Goodman, Goli Chamani, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: Trismus can occur as a symptom of various diseases, with articular disorders being the most common cause. However, in rare cases, the cause may be extra-articular. This report describes a case of non-articular hysterical trismus in an 11-year-old boy, resulting in complete jaw lock and significant pain for 3 months. After three therapy sessions, the patient achieved significant improvement in mouth opening and resumed normal eating. This highlights the importance of comprehensive history taking and thorough clinical examination for accurate diagnosis of trismus, particularly in cases involving conversion disorders.
SPECIAL CARE IN DENTISTRY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Amin Hassanshahi, Mahyar Janahmadi, Moazamehosadat Razavinasab, Hoda Ranjbar, Narges Hosseinmardi, Gila Behzadi, Kristi A. Kohlmeier, Mehran Ilaghi, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: Prenatal stress (PS) can lead to behavioral disorders in offspring, such as substance abuse and anxiety. This study investigated the effects of agmatine on cognitive outcomes in male mice exposed to PS and molecular changes in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The results showed that agmatine reduced locomotor activity impairment and conditioned place preference to morphine in PS offspring. Agmatine also improved anxiety-like behavior and drug-seeking behavior induced by PS. The molecular effects were observed in the VTA, with agmatine reducing enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Overall, prenatal treatment with agmatine protected against the negative consequences of PS on the development of affective circuits in offspring.
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Fatemeh Abolhasani, Yaghoub Pourshojaei, Fatemeh Mohammadi, Khadijeh Esmaeilpour, Ali Asadipour, Mehran Ilaghi, Mohammad Shabani
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of a synthetic phenoxyethyl piperidine derivative, compound 7c, as a novel dual inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), on learning and memory in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The findings suggest that compound 7c acts as a central AChE inhibitor and has therapeutic potential in alleviating cognitive deficits in AD dementia.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohammad Shabani, Hesameddin Modir, Farzad Barsari
Summary: This evidence-based clinical study compared the therapeutic effectiveness of lidocaine-remifentanil intravenous infusion and gargle in reducing hemodynamic responses and preventing sore throat and cough after endotracheal extubation. The results showed that the intravenous infusion group had lower pain scores compared to the gargling group during recovery and 8 hours after surgery, suggesting that intravenous therapy is more effective.
JOURNAL OF HEAD & NECK PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
(2022)
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.