Article
Neurosciences
Kui Cui, Fan Yang, Turan Tufan, Muhammad U. Raza, Yanqiang Zhan, Yan Fan, Fei Zeng, Russell W. Brown, Jennifer B. Price, Thomas C. Jones, Gary W. Miller, Meng-Yang Zhu
Summary: This study demonstrates that over-expression of specific transcription factors in the LC region of the brain in a PD mouse model improves noradrenergic and dopaminergic activities, leading to enhanced spatial memory and locomotor behavior. These findings highlight the potential for gene therapies in treating PD and expand our understanding of the interaction between LC-norepinephrine and dopamine systems in PD progression.
Article
Neurosciences
Samuel Deurveilher, Michael Antonchuk, Brock St. C. Saumure, Andrew Baldin, Kazue Semba
Summary: The study did not find significant differences in the numbers of orexin and locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons in rats following one or four cycles of a sleep restriction protocol. Sleep restriction also did not affect the densities of orexin axon terminals and noradrenergic dendrites in the brain cortex.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Noriko Kimura, Kiyoto Shiga, Ken-ichi Kaneko, Yutaka Oki, Chiho Sugisawa, Jun Saito, Seiich Tawara, Hiroshi Akahori, Susumu Sogabe, Takafumi Yamashita, Kazuhiro Takekoshi, Mitsuhide Naruse, Takayuki Katabami
Summary: Paragangliomas (PGLs) can be classified into two types: head-and-neck PGLs which are parasympathetic tumors producing acetylcholine, and thoracoabdominal PGLs which are sympathetic tumors producing catecholamines. Immunohistochemistry of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is useful for pathological diagnosis of HNPGLs. Further investigation is needed to determine if acetylcholine levels in the blood or urine could be a tumor marker for HNPGLs.
ENDOCRINE PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marcello Trucas, Marta Anna Kowalik, Marianna Boi, Maria Pina Serra, Andrea Perra, Marina Quartu
Summary: To contribute to the understanding of autonomic innervation in liver regeneration, this study investigated the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)- and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in rats under different conditions of liver damage and repair. The results showed that TH-LI nerve fibers were mostly found around blood vessels in the portal spaces, while ChAT-LI nerve fibers were associated with secretory ducts. The density of TH-like immunoreactivity decreased after certain treatments, while the density of ChAT-LI nerve fibers increased in rats with specific liver damage. These findings suggest a finely tuned autonomic modulation of hepatic blood flow and a selective parasympathetic role in regulating the regenerative potential of the rat liver.
JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Fei Zeng, Yan Fan, Russell W. Brown, Wesley Drew Gill, Jennifer B. Price, Thomas C. Jones, Meng-Yang Zhu
Summary: This study found that enhancing noradrenergic activity in the brain can improve the function of dopaminergic neurons in aged animals, potentially indicating biochemical therapeutic benefits but not necessarily behavioral improvements.
Article
Neurosciences
Sharonda Harris, Renee Afram, Takashi Shimano, Bozena Fyk-Kolodziej, Paul D. Walker, Rod D. Braun, Avril Genene Holt
Summary: This study examined the role of dopamine in the auditory pathway, revealing the presence of dopamine in the inferior colliculus and certain nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, as well as dopaminergic projections from the lateral lemniscus to the inferior colliculus. Additionally, dopamine may play a pivotal role in the function of the inferior colliculus.
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Md. Haider Ali, Ayed A. Alshamrani, Karen P. Briski
Summary: Caudal hindbrain A2 noradrenergic neurons play an important role in providing metabolic-sensory input to the brain's glucostatic circuitry. The expression of D8H protein in these neurons reflects the decrease of oxidizable fuel L-lactate in males during insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH). However, the responses of D8H protein expression to IIH vary between sexes. This study investigates the sex-specific control of hypoglycemia-associated metabolic-sensory function and noradrenergic neurotransmission in A2 neurons that innervate the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN).
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL NEUROANATOMY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ozgur Mete, Sylvia L. Asa, Anthony J. Gill, Noriko Kimura, Ronald R. de Krijger, Arthur Tischler
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the classification, pathogenesis, biomarkers, and diagnostic criteria of tumors of the adrenal medulla and extra-adrenal paraganglia. It also introduces new genetic predisposition syndromes and changes in tumor nomenclature.
ENDOCRINE PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jose Ramon Bosque, Ricardo Gomez-Nieto, Sebastian Hormigo, M. Javier Herrero-Turrion, Elena Diaz-Casado, Consuelo Sancho, Dolores E. Lopez
Summary: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by imbalances between excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Molecular techniques are crucial for elucidating molecular dysregulations in the epileptic brain. New research methodologies are helping to understand disease progression and epilepsy classification.
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Lais da Silva Pereira, Denise Ribeiro Gobbo, Jozelia Gomes Pacheco Ferreira, Jose de Anchieta de Castro e Horta-Junior, Susana Isabel Sa, Jackson Cioni Bittencourt
Summary: The study reveals the importance of peripubertal ovarian hormones in the organization of connections between the MPN and VMHvl, which play a significant role in the neural circuit responsible for promoting female sexual behavior.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sebastian Hormigo, Ji Zhou, Dorian Chabbert, Bharanidharan Shanmugasundaram, Manuel A. Castro-Alamancos
Summary: The GABAergic output of the basal ganglia, particularly in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), plays a significant role in movement-related activities, such as signaled active avoidance in mice. Studies suggest that SNr deactivation does not directly drive the avoidance responses, but rather provides information about the ongoing action to downstream structures.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Giselda Cabral-Pereira, David Sanchez-Benito, Sandra M. Diaz-Rodriguez, Jaime Goncalves, Consuelo Sancho, Orlando Castellano, Luis J. Munoz, Dolores E. Lopez, Ricardo Gomez-Nieto
Summary: Although evidence supports CBD as an anticonvulsant agent, there is controversy over its efficacy, adverse effects, and interactions with classic antiepileptics like VPA. The study found that a single dose of VPA prevented seizures, while chronic VPA treatment for 7 days had limited effects on seizure behaviors. Acute CBD treatment slightly reduced seizure behaviors, while chronic CBD treatment did not have significant effects on seizures. The combination of VPA and CBD did not alter the therapeutic outcome compared to VPA monotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luiza Ayumi Nishiyama Mimura, Thais Fernanda de Campos Fraga-Silva, Larissa Ragozzo Cardoso de Oliveira, Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa, Patricia Aparecida Borim, Carla de Moraes Machado, Jose de Anchieta de Castro e Horta Junior, Denise Morais da Fonseca, Alexandrina Sartori
Summary: The study revealed that Vitamin D3 (VitD) has the potential to control multiple sclerosis (MS) severity, but may trigger hypercalcemia, which led researchers to compare the therapeutic effects of VitD with a non-hypercalcemic vitamin D analog called paricalcitol (Pari). The results showed that VitD had downmodulatory ability to reduce inflammation and demyelination, while Pari did not have this effect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sebastian Hormigo, Bharanidharan Shanmugasundaram, Ji Zhou, Manuel A. Castro-Alamancos
Summary: Neurons expressing CaMKII in the midbrain locomotor region play a critical role in signaled active avoidance behavior, with their activity strongly correlated to the speed and urgency of the behavior. Using optogenetics and calcium imaging, it was shown that these neurons must discharge during the signaled avoidance interval for effective learning of the behavior in naïve mice. The midbrain tegmentum processes conditioned cues and discharges sharply relative to the speed or urgency of the avoidance and escape responses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alejando Fuerte-Hortigon, Jaime Goncalves, Laura Zeballos, Ruben Masa, Ricardo Gomez-Nieto, Dolores E. Lopez
Summary: The study found that CB1R is widely distributed in many nuclei of the central nervous system in epileptic animal models, with practically identical expression patterns between the GASH/Sal model and control group, although with slightly weaker immunostaining intensity in certain regions, especially in brain areas associated with epileptic networks. The research provides an anatomical basis for further investigation of CB1R in acute and kindling audiogenic seizure protocols in the GASH/Sal model, as well as exploring CB1R activation through exogenously administered cannabinoid compounds.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sebastian Hormigo, Ji Zhou, Manuel A. Castro-Alamancos
Summary: The results show that unilateral excitation and inhibition of SNr neurons can generate orienting movements in opposite directions, each with distinct behavioral significance.
Article
Neurosciences
Ji Zhou, Sebastian Hormigo, Muhammad S. Sajid, Manuel A. Castro-Alamancos
Summary: Conflicting goals can affect actions, but the same action can have different consequences depending on the situation. In a study with mice, adding a rule that punishes unsignaled actions delayed the timing of signaled actions, indicating increased caution. Caution was influenced by task signaling, contingency, and reinforcement type. Interestingly, caution persisted in avoidance motivated by danger but was only temporary in approach motivated by reward. Caution developed independently of the frontal cortex or basal ganglia output circuits.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Eliandra N. da Silva, Jose de Anchieta C. Horta-Junior, Luciane H. Gargaglioni, Mirela B. Dias
Summary: The orexinergic neurons in different nuclei show distinct activation by CO2 levels, suggesting a differential role of hypothalamic nuclei in central chemosensitivity.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Carlos Garcia-Peral, Martin M. Ledesma, M. Javier Herrero-Turrion, Ricardo Gomez-Nieto, Orlando Castellano, Dolores E. Lopez
Summary: The GASH/Sal model is characterized by audiogenic seizures with a short latency, and the focus of the seizures is localized in the inferior colliculus. This study used mass spectrometry to compare the protein profile in the GASH/Sal inferior colliculus with controls, and identified differential expression of proteins related to epilepsy. The results suggest that protein profile alterations in the epileptogenic nucleus may underlie the audiogenic seizures in the GASH/Sal model.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra M. Diaz-Rodriguez, Isabel Ivorra, Javier Espinosa, Celia Vegar, M. Javier Herrero-Turrion, Dolores E. Lopez, Ricardo Gomez-Nieto, Armando Alberola-Die
Summary: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal neuronal excitability. Animal models, such as the GASH/Sal model, play a crucial role in understanding epilepsy. The H289Y mutation in the GluK1 gene may contribute to the seizure-prone circuitry in this model.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)