Article
Cell Biology
Michael F. Priest, Sara N. Freda, Isabelle J. Rieth, Deanna Badong, Vasin Dumrongprechachan, Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
Summary: This study finds that most neurons in the non-cholinergic, centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus in mice are obligately peptidergic. These peptidergic populations activate in response to loss of motor control and promote anxiety responses. These findings advance our understanding of peptidergic modulation of anxiety.
Article
Neurosciences
Thomas Topilko, Silvina L. Diaz, Catarina M. Pacheco, Florine Verny, Charly Rousseau, Christoph Kirst, Charlotte Deleuze, Patricia Gaspar, Nicolas Renier
Summary: Research shows that behavioral adaptations, such as nesting, are crucial for reproductive fitness during pregnancy in mammals. A study on mice revealed that the construction of nests strongly activates peptidergic neurons in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus of pregnant mice. These neurons were found to modulate arousal before sleep to promote nesting, and facilitate the behavioral effects of progesterone on preparatory nesting by regulating a wide range of downstream targets.
Article
Immunology
Balazs Ujvari, Bence Pytel, Zsombor Marton, Mate Bognar, Laszlo Akos Kovacs, Jozsef Farkas, Tamas Gaszner, Gergely Berta, Angela Kecskes, Viktoria Kormos, Boglarka Farkas, Nora Furedi, Balazs Gaszner
Summary: This study found that neuron loss and alpha-synuclein accumulation in the urocortin 1 containing (UCN1) cells of the centrally-projecting Edinger-Westphal (EWcp) nucleus are associated with anxiety and depression-like state in the rat.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Janos Konkoly, Viktoria Kormos, Balazs Gaszner, Pedro Correia, Gergely Berta, Tunde Biro-Suto, Dora Zelena, Erika Pinter
Summary: The centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) and its involvement in stress adaptation were studied in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study found that Trpa1 knockout (KO) mice exhibited diminished depression-like behavior compared to wild type (WT) mice in the single prolonged stress (SPS) model of PTSD. Furthermore, SPS-induced immobility was lower in Trpa1 KO mice, and the copy number of Trpa1 mRNA decreased significantly in the EWcp of WT mice in response to SPS. The study suggests that the TRPA1 cation channel might play a role in stress adaptation and contribute to the pathomechanism of PTSD.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tingting Yi, Na Wang, Jing Huang, Yaling Wang, Shuancheng Ren, Yiwen Hu, Jianxia Xia, Yixiang Liao, Xin Li, Fenlan Luo, Qin Ouyang, Yu Li, Ziyi Zheng, Qin Xiao, Rong Ren, Zhongxiang Yao, Xiangdong Tang, Yanjiang Wang, Xiaowei Chen, Chao He, Hong Li, Zhian Hu
Summary: The authors demonstrate that sevoflurane activates a specific group of neurons in the midbrain, promoting sleep induction and offering anesthetic effects. These neurons express high levels of GHSR, and blocking GHSR diminishes the excitatory effect of sevoflurane and attenuates its anesthetic effect. This study provides a novel target in the field of anesthesia involving the activation of GHSR in midbrain neurons.
Article
Cell Biology
Ammar Al-Omari, Miklos Kecskes, Balazs Gaszner, Tunde Biro-Suto, Balazs Fazekas, Gergely Berta, Monika Kuzma, Erika Pinter, Viktoria Kormos
Summary: This study demonstrated the presence of functional TRPA1 receptors in urocortin 1 neurons of the centrally projecting EWcp. Acute alcohol treatment decreased Trpa1 mRNA expression and was associated with reduced urocortin 1 peptide content, suggesting that this cation channel may contribute to the regulation of urocortin 1 release.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Viktoria Kormos, Angela Kecskes, Jozsef Farkas, Tamas Gaszner, Valer Csernus, Ammar Alomari, Daniel Hegedus, Eva Renner, Miklos Palkovits, Dora Zelena, Zsuzsanna Helyes, Erika Pinter, Balazs Gaszner
Summary: This study found that the expression of TRPA1 in UCN1 neurons is associated with the regulation of depression-like behavior and stress adaptation response in mice. In addition, decreased TRPA1 expression was observed in the human EWcp of individuals who died by suicide.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Alfredo Zuniga, Monique L. Smith, Maya Caruso, Andrey E. Ryabinin
Summary: Previous studies have highlighted the importance of the centrally-projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) in regulating alcohol intake and body temperature, with particular focus on neurons expressing Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 2 (Vglut2). Activation of excitatory DREADDs in the EWcp inhibits alcohol intake, even in Ucn1 KO mice, suggesting a distinct Ucn1-devoid population of neurons in the EWcp plays a role in alcohol consumption regulation. Furthermore, chemogenetic experiments revealed that activation of Vglut2-expressing neurons in the EWcp inhibits alcohol intake and induces hypothermia in mice.
Article
Neurosciences
Ju Li, Andrey E. Ryabinin
Summary: The study reveals the expression of Oxtr in the centrally-projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) of mice and demonstrates its functional role in regulating body temperature. The findings suggest that oxytocin (OXT) may exert its effects on body temperature through the EWcp.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xin-Ya Qin, Qing-Hong Shan, Hui Fang, Yu Wang, Peng Chen, Zhi-Qi Xiong, Dick F. Swaab, Jiang-Ning Zhou
Summary: The study observed an increased density of PSD-93-CRH co-localized neurons in the hypothalamic PVN of major depression patients, showing that PSD-93 regulates excitatory synaptic activity in CRH neurons leading to depression-like behaviors. PSD-93 overexpression heightened HPA axis activity, while PSD-93 knockdown alleviated depression phenotypes.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Zhao-Fu Sheng, Hua Zhang, Jeffery G. Phaup, PeiRu Zheng, XunLei Kang, Zhenguo Liu, Hui-Ming Chang, Edward T. H. Yeh, Alan Kim Johnson, Hui-Lin Pan, De-Pei Li
Summary: Chronic stress is a known risk factor for the development of hypertension. In this study, it was found that the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) are involved in the autonomic responses to chronic stress. Suppressing CeA-CRH neurons can alleviate chronic stress-induced hypertension and decrease elevated sympathetic outflow. Additionally, chronic stress leads to decreased levels of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 channels in the CeA, which contribute to the hyperactivity of CeA-CRH neurons.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Alessandra Caruso, Alessandra Gaetano, Sergio Scaccianoce
Summary: CRH plays a role in regulating multiple biological systems, and is also associated with reproduction, neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal, immune disorders, and tumor development. Further research on the physiological functions of CRH will help determine its role in human diseases and may serve as novel therapeutic targets.
Article
Neurosciences
Paul J. May, Martin O. Bohlen, Eddie Perkins, Niping Wang, Susan Warren
Summary: This study used tracers to investigate collicular axonal arbors and label potential target populations in the supraoculomotor area (SOA). Results suggest that the collicular input may play a role in important motor cells such as the levator palpebrae superioris motoneurons, spinal cord, or brainstem.
VISUAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
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)
Review
Neurosciences
Georgina Cano, Shelby L. Hernan, Alan F. Sved
Summary: The centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) plays a crucial role in stress responses and energy homeostasis by modulating various physiological functions. It integrates multimodal signals and modulates sympathetic output simultaneously to multiple effector organs to maintain energy balance under different conditions that require adjustments of energy demands.
