Article
Biology
Geoffrey W. Diehl, A. David Redish
Summary: Decision-making requires different aspects of information and involves multiple cognitive processes. The rodent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is believed to play a central role in these abilities. Previous studies on mPFC function have yielded controversial results, but this study with rats performing an economic decision task revealed four distinct functional domains within mPFC, closely related to anatomical subregions. Dorsal mPFC regions were more involved in processing active decisions, while ventral regions were more engaged in motivational factors.
Article
Neurosciences
Sema G. Quadir, Gillian M. Arleth, Meredith G. Cone, Margaret W. High, Maria C. Ramage, Devin P. Effinger, Maria Echeveste Sanchez, Melissa A. Herman
Summary: Despite the well-known consequences of alcohol consumption, a large number of adult Americans reported drinking alcohol in 2021, with no clear understanding of the relationship between alcohol drinking and affective and nociceptive behaviors. This study explored the effects of alcohol drinking on CRF1+ cells and found a complex interplay between alcohol drinking, affective state, and the role of prefrontal CRF1+ neurons in mediating these behaviors. The results showed that alcohol drinking decreased mechanical sensitivity and correlated with affe-ctive behavior, suggesting the involvement of CRF1 in these processes.
Article
Neurosciences
Jacob A. Plocinski, Kevin T. Ball
Summary: Previous studies have shown that the prelimbic region of medial prefrontal cortex (PL) plays a critical role in the expression of behavioral sensitization to MDMA. This study examined the bidirectional control of PL on the expression of locomotor sensitization to MDMA in different drug administration contexts. The results revealed that PL can suppress behavioral sensitization in a drug-unpaired context.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Uri Bright, Irit Akirav
Summary: This study examined the antidepressant effects of CBD and its association with alterations in brain microRNAs. The results suggest that CBD can restore the expression of certain microRNAs and genes related to depression in the brain, which are mediated by the 5HT1a receptor.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Entesar Yaseen Abdo Qaid, Zuraidah Abdullah, Rahimah Zakaria, Idris Long
Summary: This study compared the effects of minocycline and memantine on LPS-induced locomotor deficits and anxiety-like behavior in rats. The results showed that minocycline treatment reduced locomotor deficits and anxiety-like behavior, decreased phosphorylated tau protein levels, and upregulated the expression of BDNF/CREB proteins in the medial prefrontal cortex.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ying Lyu, Yiying Huang, Guiying Shi, Xuepei Lei, Keya Li, Ran Zhou, Lin Bai, Chuan Qin
Summary: This study revealed gene expression changes in the five brain regions following exposure to 6-hydroxydopamine in PD rats, identifying key pathways and cascade involved in synaptic damage. The dopaminergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and Gi/o-GIRK were highlighted as potential key pathways. Potential candidate genes such as Ephx2, Fam111a, and Gng2 were identified for further studies on the pathogenesis of PD.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Mathias L. Mathiasen, John P. Aggleton, Menno P. Witter
Summary: The dense fiber pathways connecting the insular cortex with frontal cortices are crucial for executive functions. We used neuroanatomical tracing in rats to map the detailed organization of projections from the insular cortex to orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortex. Different parts of the insular cortex project to distinct regions of the frontal cortices, with primary gustatory cortex projections avoiding the mPFC. These findings provide insights into the role of the insular cortex in interoceptive processing and executive control.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sara Sabihi, Caitlin Goodpaster, Skyler Maurer, Benedetta Leuner
Summary: Mother-offspring interactions reduce postpartum anxiety-like behavior through GABAA neurotransmission in the mPFC. Activation of GABAA receptors in the mPFC restores anxiolysis in mothers separated from their pups, while an increased anxiety-like behavior in pup-separated mothers is associated with a lower number and percentage of activated GABAergic neurons in the mPFC.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daisuke Yamada, Junpei Takahashi, Keita Iio, Hiroshi Nagase, Akiyoshi Saitoh
Summary: The study showed that KNT-127 suppressed glutamate release from the presynaptic site in the PL-PFC, reducing neuronal excitability. This suggests that the inhibitory effects of KNT-127 on PL-PFC activity may contribute to its anxiolytic-like effects.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cong Wang, Peter G. Stratton, Pankaj Sah, Roger Marek
Summary: Fear learning and its extinction are important processes for responding to aversive events and threats. This study investigated the neural mechanisms underlying fear learning and its relapse. The findings suggest that synchronized activity between the different subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex is crucial for the context-dependent retrieval of fear extinction memory.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Stefano Delli Pizzi, Raffaella Franciotti, Piero Chiacchiaretta, Antonio Ferretti, Richard A. Edden, Carlo Sestieri, Mirella Russo, Stefano L. Sensi, Marco Onofrj
Summary: This study aims to investigate the neural mechanisms of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The results showed that patients with SSD exhibited higher gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and connectivity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), indicating both shared and individual effects of PD and SSD on mPFC neurotransmission and connectivity patterns.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei-Zhu Liu, Chun-Yan Wang, Yu Wang, Mei-Ting Cai, Wei-Xiang Zhong, Tian Liu, Zhi-Hao Wang, Han-Qing Pan, Wen-Hua Zhang, Bing-Xing Pan
Summary: Chronic stress exposure has differential effects on the output neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in different subregions and layers. Specifically, chronic stress reduces inhibitory synaptic transmission onto the basolateral amygdala (BLA)-projecting neurons in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) layer V, leading to an imbalance of excitation and inhibition. However, chronic stress does not affect the excitation-inhibition balance in the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-projecting neurons in any subregions or layers of mPFC.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ugur Dag, Ijeoma Nwabudike, Di Kang, Matthew A. Gomes, Jungsoo Kim, Adam A. Atanas, Eric Bueno, Cassi Estrem, Sarah Pugliese, Ziyu Wang, Emma Towlson, Steven W. Flavell
Summary: This study reveals how serotonin release in C. elegans alters brain-wide activity to induce foraging behaviors and identifies the core serotonin receptors involved in slow locomotion and feeding modulation. Whole-brain imaging shows widespread serotonin-associated brain dynamics and mapping of serotonin receptor expression in the connectome helps predict neurons' serotonin-associated activity. These findings provide insights into how serotonin acts across the connectome to modulate brain-wide activity and behavior.
Article
Neurosciences
Yujie Xiong, Beining Wang, Yunxia Shang, Huan Liu, Zihao Zhan, Qi Xu, Kai Wang, Zhi Zhang, Tingting Sun
Summary: Hoarding disorder is a chronic disease that starts early in life and does not go away unless treated. There are various factors that affect the symptoms, such as a possessive psychology towards objects and neurocognitive functioning. However, the neural mechanisms underlying excessive hoarding behavior are still unknown.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Robert S. Talay, Yaling Liu, Matthew Michael, Anna Li, Isabel D. Friesner, Fei Zeng, Guanghao Sun, Zhe Sage Chen, Qiaosheng Zhang, Jing Wang
Summary: The study found that AMPAkines can restore endogenous anti-nociceptive functions in the PL-PFC region, providing a successful strategy for treating chronic neuropathic pain.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Radwa H. Lutfy, Sherine Abdel Salam, Haitham S. Mohammed, Marwa M. Shakweer, Amina E. Essawy
Summary: Insufficient sleep is associated with impaired hypothalamic activity and declined attentional performance. This study found that near-infrared (NIR) laser therapy can alleviate the effects of sleep deprivation on the hypothalamus, enhance antioxidant status, suppress neuroinflammation, and regulate cellular activity.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Durmus Ali Aslanlar, Emin Fatih Visneci, Mehmet Oz, K. Esra Nurullahoglu Atalik
Summary: Mood disorders caused by chemotherapy have become more important as cancer patients' survival increases. This study used methotrexate to induce mood disorders in rats and found that treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can alleviate anxiety and depression-like behaviors, increase antioxidant capacity, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and regulate brain chemistry. The findings suggest that NAC treatment could be an effective strategy in revising the treatment for individuals suffering from chemotherapy-induced mood disorders.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Yunfan Zhang, Yunbin Zhang, Zhuangfei Chen, Ping Ren, Yu Fu
Summary: This study systematically investigated the effects of extremely low intensity HF-rTMS on cognition in mice and found that 40 Hz rTMS significantly impaired exploratory behavior and spatial memory at both 10 mT and 1 mT conditions. Additionally, 40 Hz stimulation had remarkably different effects on exploratory behavior depending on intensity, compared to 10 Hz stimulation.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xuan Xuan, Guangling Zheng, Wenjia Zhu, Qionghua Sun, Yawei Zeng, Juan Du, Xusheng Huang
Summary: This study examines the functional characteristics of the cerebellum in individuals with sALS and their correlation with clinical data. The results show changes in both local and global functional connectivity in the cerebellum of sALS patients, suggesting a pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in sALS.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mehdi Rezaei, Mohammad Mahdi Shariat Bagheri
Summary: This study examined the efficacy of tDCS for PTSD and related symptoms, as well as the factors that may predict response to tDCS. The results showed that tDCS had a positive effect in reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and anhedonia. The severity of symptoms at baseline may also predict the response to tDCS.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Huimin Wu, Yiqun Guo, Yaoyao Zhang, Le Zhao, Cheng Guo
Summary: Aggression can have serious consequences, but little is known about its personality and neurological origins in children. This study investigated the relationship between self-esteem, aggression, and brain structure in healthy children, and found that self-esteem was negatively associated with aggression. The study also revealed that increased cortical thickness in certain brain areas may be a potential mechanism linking low self-esteem to aggression in children.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xinmei Deng, Kexin Chen, Xiaoming Chen, Lin Zhang, Mingping Lin, Xiaoqing Li, Qiufeng Gao
Summary: Parental involvement affects the relationship and communication between parents and adolescents. This study found that high parental involvement is associated with stronger brain-to-brain synchrony during shared positive emotional experiences, while low parental involvement is associated with stronger synchrony during shared negative emotional experiences.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xin Deng, I. -Shuo Huang, Kourtlin Williams, Marcy L. Wainwright, Paul Zimba, Riccardo Mozzachiodi
Summary: Food deprivation can lead to neurological dysfunctions, including memory impairment. This study used Aplysia as an animal model to investigate the memory deficits caused by prolonged food deprivation. The results showed that 14 days of food deprivation decreased the level of 5-HT in the hemolymph, which contributed to the lack of sensitization and its cellular correlates. However, exogenous application of 5-HT partially induced sensitization in the food deprived animals.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ihori Kobayashi, Patrick A. Forcelli
Summary: The study found that intervention with the dual orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant did not have the expected effects on extinction memory and sleep. Higher percentages of REM sleep were associated with poorer extinction memory recall and stronger fear responses. Additionally, the fear extinction training protocol used in this study did not lead to complete fear extinction.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jiyan Xu, Xinlu Chen, Shuai Liu, Ziqi Wei, Minhui Xu, Linhao Jiang, Xue Han, Liangyu Peng, Xiaoping Gu, Tianjiao Xia
Summary: This study investigated the effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on oxidative stress and cognitive function in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) mice. The results showed that NMN pretreatment reduced oxidative stress damage and alleviated cognitive impairment in POCD mice.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Song Liu, Qiang Wu, Liyue Wang, Cong Xing, Junrui Guo, Baicao Li, Hongpeng Ma, Hao Zhong, Mi Zhou, Shibo Zhu, Rusen Zhu, Guangzhi Ning
Summary: In this study, a systematic assessment indicator was developed to objectively evaluate hindlimb motor function recovery in rats after thoracic contusion SCI. By screening CatWalk XT gait parameters and using exploratory factor analysis, 38 suitable parameters for assessing motor function were identified. A reliable Coordinated Function Index (CFI) was proposed based on these parameters and simplified for improved assessment efficacy.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kyosuke Shiga, Shota Miyaguchi, Yasuto Inukai, Naofumi Otsuru, Hideaki Onishi
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on microscale learning in implicit motor tasks. Contrary to expectations, the results showed that the stimulation protocol had no significant effects on microscale learning, revealing a novel aspect of microscale learning in implicit motor tasks.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Cahide Aslan, Rahime Aslankoc, Ozlem Ozmen, Buse Nur Suluk, Oguzhan Kavrik, Nurhan Gumral
Summary: This study examined the negative effects of high fructose corn syrup on prefrontal cortex damage in adolescent rats, as well as the protective role of vitamin D.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Matin Baghani, Arad Bolouri-Roudsari, Reyhaneh Askari, Abbas Haghparast
Summary: The study suggests that the orexinergic system in the dentate gyrus region of the brain may act as an endogenous pain control system and a potential target for treating stress-related disorders.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sen Zhou, Yang Liu, Binbin Xue, Peigen Yuan
Summary: This study confirmed that low-dose Esketamine alleviates LPS-induced depressive symptoms by regulating the GSK-3 beta/NLRP3 pathway. Appropriate doses of Esketamine are essential for the treatment of depression in the clinical setting.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)