Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carla Occhipinti, Raffaele La Russa, Naomi Iacoponi, Julia Lazzari, Andrea Costantino, Nicola Di Fazio, Fabio Del Duca, Aniello Maiese, Vittorio Fineschi
Summary: This article provides an overview of the role of miRNAs in substance addiction, evaluating their regulatory role in neuroadaptation and synaptic plasticity. It also explores the potential diagnostic role of miRNAs in various stages of drug and substance addiction, and discusses future prospects for miRNAs as potential novel therapeutic targets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hang Wang, Xianghuan Dong, Maher Un Nisa Awan, Jie Bai
Summary: This review briefly summarizes the studies on epigenetics involved in METH addiction, elucidating the molecular mechanism of METH addiction and the effects of METH on neurotransmitter release and brain area activation.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johannes Knabbe, Jil Protzmann, Niklas Schneider, Michael Berger, Dominik Dannehl, Shoupeng Wei, Christopher Strahle, Michele Tegtmeier, Astha Jaiswal, Hongwei Zheng, Marcus Krueger, Karl Rohr, Rainer Spanagel, Ainhoa Bilbao, Maren Engelhardt, Henrike Scholz, Sidney B. Cambridge
Summary: Early alcohol intoxication increases the risk of addictive behavior. A study using stable-isotope-labeled mice combined with quantitative mass spectrometry found changes in hippocampal proteins, including mitochondrial proteins and proteins important for neuronal morphology, after acute ethanol exposure. These changes led to molecular, cellular, and behavioral changes. The study also highlighted the importance of mitochondrial trafficking in reward learning.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ya-Nan Gao, Yong-Qian Zhang, Hao Wang, Yu-Lin Deng, Nuo-Min Li
Summary: This article reviews the role of miRNA in depression, focusing on its regulation of neuroplasticity and its effects on synaptic structure, synaptic function, and neurogenesis. It has been found that miRNAs regulate neuroplasticity through multiple signaling pathways, impacting cognitive function. In the future, dual-function miRNAs could potentially serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment targets for depression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanli Zhang, Yingting Pang, Weixi Feng, Yuxi Jin, Sijia Chen, Shixin Ding, Ze Wang, Ying Zou, Yun Li, Tianqi Wang, Peng Sun, Junying Gao, Yi Zhu, Xiaoyan Ke, Charles Marshall, Huang Huang, Chengyu Sheng, Ming Xiao
Summary: Research has found that patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have higher levels of miR-124, which may be related to brain development and social isolation. Animal models indicate that the miR-124 signaling pathway is involved in regulating myelination in brain regions associated with early social experiences, and could be a potential therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders related to social neglect or social isolation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Austin M. Gowen, Katherine E. Odegaard, Jordan Hernandez, Subhash Chand, Sneh Koul, Gurudutt Pendyala, Sowmya Yelamanchili
Summary: Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive seeking despite adverse consequences, with both heritable and epigenetic mechanisms involved. Recent research has shown that non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs play a role in modifying gene expression, influencing synaptic plasticity and related behaviors in addiction.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Haixiong Liu, Wenjin Xu, Jiying Feng, Hong Ma, Jianbin Zhang, Xiaohu Xie, Dingding Zhuang, Wenwen Shen, Huifen Liu, Wenhua Zhou
Summary: The study examined the differential expression of plasma miRNAs in 57 heroin-dependent patients. Two candidate miRNAs, miR-320a and let-7b-5p, were significantly upregulated in the plasma of heroin-dependent patients compared to healthy controls. ROC analysis showed AUC values of 0.748 for miR-320a and 0.758 for let-7b-5p, with sensitivities of 71.9% and 70.2%, and specificities of 76.1% and 78.3%, respectively. The combination of these miRNAs had an AUC of 0.782, with 73.7% sensitivity and 82.6% specificity for predicting heroin dependence.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Amir Hossein Mohammadi, Seyedvahid Seyedmoalemi, Mahsa Moghanlou, Seyed Amirreza Akhlagh, Sayyed Alireza Talaei Zavareh, Michael R. Hamblin, Ameneh Jafari, Hamed Mirzaei
Summary: Synaptic plasticity refers to the ability of synapses to weaken or strengthen over time, with miRNAs playing crucial roles in regulating this process. Dysregulation of miRNAs may be associated with pathological alterations in synaptic plasticity, leading to diseases. Understanding the impact of miRNAs on synaptic plasticity provides insights for the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases and drug addiction.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Liu, Xu Tan, E. Liu, Zhaofang Hang, Ruiheng Song, Shouhong Mu, Weikai Han, Qingwei Yue, Jinhao Sun
Summary: Repeated administration of methylamphetamine induces addiction and activates the expression of c-Fos in lateral hypothalamus (LH) neurons responding to conditioned place preference (CPP). Chemogenetic inhibition of LH disrupts addiction behavior. Methylamphetamine remodels LH synaptic plasticity and enhances neuronal activity, while overexpression of Kcnq3 reverses CPP score and alleviates addictive behaviors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Colameo, Gerhard Schratt
Summary: This article investigates the plasticity mechanisms of neurons in the face of network activity disruptions. The study reveals that individual synapses are tagged for future strengthening during periods of chronic inactivity. These findings support the role of local mechanisms in homeostatic synaptic plasticity.
Article
Entomology
Xiaomi Liu, Erica L. Culbert, Jennifer A. Brisson
Summary: This study investigates the epigenetic regulation of sexual dimorphism in pea aphids by focusing on microRNAs. It identifies 19 male-biased microRNAs enriched on the X chromosome and predicts 10 target genes with lower expression in males. The study provides foundational work for future research on the epigenetic control of sex differences in pea aphids.
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Debora Napoli, Leonardo Lupori, Raffaele Mazziotti, Giulia Sagona, Sara Bagnoli, Muntaha Samad, Erika Kelmer Sacramento, Joanna Kirkpartick, Elena Putignano, Siwei Chen, Eva Terzibasi Tozzini, Paola Tognini, Pierre Baldi, Jessica C. F. Kwok, Alessandro Cellerino, Tommaso Pizzorusso
Summary: Research has shown that the expression of miR-29a in the visual cortex increases dramatically with age but is not experience-dependent. Precocious high levels of miR-29a can block ocular dominance plasticity and cause an early appearance of perineuronal nets, while inhibiting miR-29a in adult mice can activate ocular dominance plasticity and reduce perineuronal nets. This suggests that miR-29a plays a role in regulating the plasticity brakes that promote age-dependent stabilization of visual cortical connections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irantzu Rico-Barrio, Sara Penasco, Leire Lekunberri, Maitane Serrano, Jon Egana-Huguet, Amaia Mimenza, Edgar Soria-Gomez, Almudena Ramos, Ianire Buceta, Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia, Juan Mendizabal-Zubiaga, Izaskun Elezgarai, Nagore Puente, Pedro Grandes
Summary: Binge drinking in adolescents can affect memory and synaptic plasticity, but memory recovery in an enriched environment may depend on cannabinoid receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The study suggests that an enriched environment has a positive impact on the brains exposed to water and alcohol.
Review
Neurosciences
Marvin M. Urban, Moritz R. Stingl, Marcus W. Meinhardt
Summary: The potential of psychedelics to persistently treat substance use disorders has been known since the 1960s, but the biological mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic effects are not fully understood. While the changes in gene expression and neuroplasticity induced by serotonergic hallucinogens are known, theories on how they counteract the neuronal circuitry alterations that occur in addiction are largely unknown. This narrative mini-review synthesizes established knowledge from addiction research with findings and theories on the neurobiological effects of psychedelics to give an overview of the potential mechanisms underlying the treatment of substance use disorders.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Dubes, Anais Soula, Sebastien Benquet, Beatrice Tessier, Christel Poujol, Alexandre Favereaux, Olivier Thoumine, Mathieu Letellier
Summary: This study reveals the molecular mechanism of synapse-specific homeostatic plasticity. The synaptic tagging mechanism, driven by synaptopodin, regulates the enhancement of synaptic strength in a synapse-specific manner. This finding shifts the understanding of homeostatic plasticity towards the idea that the ability for changes depends on the functional and biochemical state of individual synapses.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaomei Lin, Tianyuyi Feng, Erheng Cui, Yunfei Li, Zhang Qin, Xiaohu Zhao
Summary: This study successfully established a rat model based on the genetic-environmental interaction, which exhibited phenotype characteristics similar to human AD in terms of cognitive function, brain microstructure, and immunohistochemistry. The genetic factor (APP mutation) and the environmental factor (acrolein exposure) accounted for 39.74% and 33.3% of the AD-like phenotypes in the model, respectively.
Article
Neurosciences
Gustavo Guimara Guerrero, Giovanna Bignoto Minhoto, Camilla dos Santos Tiburcio-Machado, Itza Amarisis Ribeiro Pinto, Claudio Antonio Federico, Marcia Carneiro Valera
Summary: The present study evaluated the influence of head and neck radiotherapy on the behavior and body weight gain in Wistar rats. The results demonstrated that different doses of radiation induced depressive behavior in the animals, and that the weight gain tended to be lower in the irradiated groups.
Article
Neurosciences
Ziwei Gao, Chao Lu, Yaping Zhu, Yuxin Liu, Yuesong Lin, Wenming Gao, Liyuan Tian, Lei Wu
Summary: This study reveals the underlying mechanisms of the rapid antidepressant effects of merazin hydrate (MH), which activates CaMKII to promote neuronal activities and proliferation in the hippocampus.
Article
Neurosciences
Kathleen E. Murray, Whitney A. Ratliff, Vedad Delic, Bruce A. Citron
Summary: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic disorder that affects approximately 30% of Veterans deployed to the Persian Gulf. This study found that exposure to toxicants during the Gulf War resulted in long-term changes in the morphology of dentate granule cells and that treatment with Nrf2 activator could improve neuronal health in the hippocampus.
Article
Neurosciences
Jing Li, Yan Zou, Xiangchuang Kong, Yangming Leng, Fan Yang, Guofeng Zhou, Bo Liu, Wenliang Fan
Summary: This study examines the functional connectivity changes in individuals with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) at the integrity, network, and edge levels. The findings reveal reduced intranetwork connectivity strength and increased internetwork connectivity in SSNHL patients. These alterations are associated with the duration of SSNHL and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores. The study provides crucial insights into the neural mechanisms of SSNHL and the brain's network-level responses to sensory loss.
Review
Neurosciences
Didier Majou, Anne-Lise Dermenghem
Summary: In the early stages of SAD, memory impairment is strongly correlated with cortical levels of soluble amyloid-beta peptide oligomers. A beta disrupts glutamatergic synaptic function and leads to cognitive deficits. This article describes the pathogenic mechanisms underlying cerebral amyloidosis, involving amyloid precursor protein synthesis, A beta residue clearance processes, and the role of specific molecules.
Article
Neurosciences
Jing Li, Yi Shan, Xiaojing Zhao, Guixiang Shan, Peng-Hu Wei, Lin Liu, Changming Wang, Hang Wu, Weiqun Song, Yi Tang, Guo-Guang Zhao, Jie Lu
Summary: This study investigates changes in brain anatomical structures and functional network connectivity after chronic complete thoracic spinal cord injury (cctSCI) and their impact on clinical outcomes. The findings reveal alterations in gray matter volume and functional connectivity in specific brain regions, indicating potential therapeutic targets and methods for tracking treatment outcomes.
Article
Neurosciences
Anllely Fernandez, Katherine Corvalan, Octavia Santis, Maxs Mendez-Ruette, Ariel Caviedes, Matias Pizarro, Maria -Teresa Gomez, Luis Federico Batiz, Peter Landgraf, Thilo Kahne, Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez, Ursula Wyneken
Summary: This study reveals the importance of SUMOylation in modulating the protein cargo of astrocyte-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and its potential impact on neurons.
Article
Neurosciences
Anika Luettig, Stefanie Perl, Maria Zetsche, Franziska Richter, Denise Franz, Marco Heerdegen, Ruediger Koehling, Angelika Richter
Summary: This study found that changes in c-Fos activity during short-term stimulation of the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) are associated with improvement in dystonia, and also discovered that the cerebellum may be involved in the antidystonic effects.
Article
Neurosciences
Yanlin Tao, Wei Shen, Houyuan Zhou, Zikang Li, Ting Pi, Hui Wu, Hailian Shi, Fei Huang, Xiaojun Wu
Summary: Depression has a higher incidence in women compared to men, and this study investigated the impact of sex on depressive behaviors and underlying mechanisms using a corticosterone-induced depression model in mice. The results showed sex-specific anxiety and depression behaviors in the model group, as well as differences in protein expression and neurotransmitter levels between male and female mice. These findings enhance our understanding of sex-specific differences in depression and support tailored interventions.
Review
Neurosciences
Dnyandev G. Gadhave, Vrashabh V. Sugandhi, Chandrakant R. Kokare
Summary: This article discusses the characteristics and importance of the tight junctions of endothelial cells in the CNS, which act as a biological barrier known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It focuses on overcoming the challenges of delivering therapeutic agents to the brain in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly multiple sclerosis, through the use of biomaterials. The article also highlights the current limitations of animal models for studying multiple sclerosis and suggests a potential future research direction.
Article
Neurosciences
Li-Min Mao, Khyathi Thallapureddy, John Q. Wang
Summary: Propofol can enhance synapsin phosphorylation and modulate synaptic transmission in the mouse brain. The study reveals the potential role of synapsin as a substrate of propofol and its effects on neurotransmitter release machinery.
Article
Neurosciences
Syed Maaz Ahmed Rizvi, Abdul Baseer Buriro, Irfan Ahmed, Abdul Aziz Memon
Summary: This study explores the effects of prolonged mask usage on the human brain by analyzing EEG and physiological parameters. The results show that the mean EEG spectral power in alpha, beta, and gamma sub-bands of individuals wearing masks is smaller than those without masks. The performances on cognitive tasks and oxygen saturation level differ between the two groups, while blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate are similar. The analysis also reveals that the occipital and frontal lobes exhibit the greatest variability in channel measurements.
Article
Neurosciences
Rui-Fang Ma, Lu-Lu Xue, Jin-Xiang Liu, Li Chen, Liu-Lin Xiong, Ting-Hua Wang, Fei Liu
Summary: This study observed changes in brain infarction and blood vessels in rats during neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (NHIE) modeling using Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography (TCD). Longer duration of hypoxia was associated with more severe nerve damage. TCD can dynamically monitor cerebral infarction after NHIE modeling, which may serve as a useful auxiliary method for evaluating animal experimental models.
Article
Neurosciences
Yuxiang Dai, Chen Yu, Lu Zhou, Longyang Cheng, Hongbin Ni, Weibang Liang
Summary: Overexpression of CXCR4 in glioma is correlated with patient survival, and its inhibition can reduce invasion and migration of glioma cells. Inhibiting Nur77 also decreases cancer progression associated with CXCR4.