Article
Neurosciences
Vanessa De Giacomo, Sabine Ruehle, Beat Lutz, Martin Haering, Floortje Remmers
Summary: Several studies have shown that the CB1 receptor plays a crucial role in exploratory behavior, with distinct effects in forebrain GABAergic and dorsal telencephalic glutamatergic neurons. Reactivating CB1 receptor signaling in glutamatergic neurons enhanced exploratory behavior, while reactivating in GABAergic neurons reduced it. The effects weakened with increasing environmental familiarity, indicating a causal role for altered neophobia in these phenotypes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Stewart Ramsay, Nick J. Spencer, Vladimir Zagorodnyuk
Summary: The aim of this study is to determine the role of endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonolylglycerol (2-AG), in regulating mechanosensitivity of probable nociceptive neurons innervating the bladder - capsaicin-sensitive mucosal afferents. The results showed that AEA potentiated the mechanical response of mucosal afferents, while 2-AG inhibited their response. These findings have important implications for understanding the role of endocannabinoids in regulating bladder sensation and function.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kenneth B. Walsh, Amanda E. McKinney, Andrea E. Holmes
Summary: The medicinal use of cannabis has a long history, with recent breakthroughs in understanding the pharmacology of minor cannabinoids showing potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of various conditions. Although studies demonstrate their agonist and antagonist activities at multiple targets, further research is needed to fully understand their pharmacological mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Letizia Mazzini, Fabiola De Marchi
Summary: The lack of pre-clinical models and biomarkers has made clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) challenging. Morimoto et al. used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons from ALS patients to study the therapeutic mechanisms of ropinirole in a clinical trial and identify responders.
Review
Neurosciences
P. H. Gobira, S. R. Joca, F. A. Moreira
Summary: Addiction to psychostimulant drugs is a significant public health issue and cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R play a crucial role in modulating the rewarding effects of these drugs. This review summarizes studies on pharmacological intervention targeting CB1R and CB2R and their interaction in psychostimulant responses.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Valeria de Almeida, Gabriela Seabra, Guilherme Reis-de-Oliveira, Giuliana S. Zuccoli, Priscila Rumin, Mariana Fioramonte, Bradley J. Smith, Antonio W. Zuardi, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Alline C. Campos, Jose A. Crippa, Daniel Martins-de-Souza
Summary: Cannabinoid signaling affects pathways related to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation in oligodendrocytes, as well as modulates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ana Bernal-Chico, Vanja Tepavcevic, Andrea Manterola, Carmen Utrilla, Carlos Matute, Susana Mato
Summary: This review summarizes the current understanding of the role and clinical relevance of endocannabinoid signaling in glial cells, as well as its therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative and chronic inflammatory disorders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Baranowska-Kuczko, Hanna Kozlowska, Monika Kloza, Ewa Harasim-Symbor, Michal Biernacki, Irena Kasacka, Barbara Malinowska
Summary: Our study found that hypertension and chronic administration of the FAAH inhibitor URB597 have beneficial effects on the vascular endocannabinoid system in SHR, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Olivier Le Bacquer, Kassandra Lanchais, Kristell Combe, Loic Van Den Berghe, Stephane Walrand
Summary: Sarcopenia, age-related muscle loss, is associated with changes in skeletal muscle protein homeostasis, which may be regulated by the endocannabinoid system. The CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant stimulates protein synthesis independently of CB1, suggesting potential for treating sarcopenia.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bojan Jorgacevic, Danijela Vucevic, Janko Samardzic, Dusan Mladenovic, Milena Veskovic, Dusan Vukicevic, Rada Jesic, Tatjana Radosavljevic
Summary: Dysfunction of the endocannabinoid system has been linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic disorders, affecting oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. Research suggests that modulation of endocannabinoids may lead to novel pharmaceutical strategies for treating NAFLD, with potential benefits in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. Further investigation is needed to understand the precise mechanisms by which targeting CB1 receptors can influence hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation before clinical application.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Shirley Alteba, Anna Portugalov, Cecilia J. Hillard, Irit Akirav
Summary: Early-life stress and early cannabis use may increase the risk of psychopathologies, affecting behavior in male and female rats. Chronic FAAH inhibition during mid-adolescence did not prevent the long-term effects of ELS on behavior, while it ameliorated ELS-induced depression and anxiety-like behavior during late-adolescence. Sex-dependent alterations in CB1 receptors and GRs expression in the BLA-PFC-CA1 circuit may contribute to the depressive behavioral phenotype.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew J. Kesner, David M. Lovinger
Summary: Cannabis sativa is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, with its main psychoactive component being THC. Despite its medical therapeutic qualities, frequent cannabis or THC users may develop cannabis use disorder, exhibiting classical addiction symptoms. Effective treatments for cannabis use disorder and withdrawal symptoms are currently lacking, highlighting the importance of research on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these syndromes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madis Parksepp, Liina Haring, Kalle Kilk, Kadri Koch, Kaert Uppin, Raul Kangro, Mihkel Zilmer, Eero Vasar
Summary: This study found alterations in the expanded endocannabinoid system and cell membrane composition in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The concentration of endocannabinoids and their precursors in the serum was associated with disease progression and treatment. These findings have important implications for understanding the metabolic changes in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Article
Neurosciences
Tibor M. Brunt, Matthijs G. Bossong
Summary: The endocannabinoid system is a complex neuronal system involved in various biological functions, and its understanding has been driven by the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoid ligands. This review provides an overview of the neuropharmacology of cannabinoid receptor ligands, including endocannabinoids, herbal cannabis, and synthetic cannabinoids, focusing on their modulatory actions through other neurotransmitter systems. The effects of cannabinoid ligands on neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, noradrenaline, opioid, and GABA are discussed, as well as their therapeutic potential and adverse effects.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Camilla Di Meo, Daniel Tortolani, Sara Standoli, Clotilde Beatrice Angelucci, Federico Fanti, Alessandro Leuti, Manuel Sergi, Salam Kadhim, Eric Hsu, Cinzia Rapino, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: The decriminalization and legalization of cannabis have opened up opportunities for investigating the potential use of pCBs as natural therapeutics for human diseases. This study focuses on the effects of rare pCBs on the expression of ECS elements and endocannabinoid-like compounds in human keratinocytes. The findings suggest that these rare pCBs have unique modulatory effects on the ECS and may hold therapeutic potential for skin diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shao-Ming Wang, Hsiang-En Wu, Yuko Yasui, Michal Geva, Michael Hayden, Tangui Maurice, Mauro Cozzolino, Tsung-Ping Su
Summary: Autophagy is a crucial cellular process with implications in various diseases. In this study, researchers discovered that the molecular chaperone SIGMAR1 is involved in the transport of TFEB into the nucleus by chaperoning the NP protein POM121, which is responsible for recruiting KPNB1. The disruption of this process in ALS-FTD patients with the C9orf72 subtype leads to impaired autophagy. However, overexpression of SIGMAR1 or POM121, as well as treatment with pridopidine, a SIGMAR1 agonist, can rescue these deficits, suggesting their potential therapeutic use.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tommaso Schirinzi, Daniela Maftei, Francesco M. Passali, Piergiorgio Grillo, Henri Zenuni, Davide Mascioli, Riccardo Maurizi, Laura Loccisano, Martina Vincenzi, Anna Maria Rinaldi, Massimo Ralli, Stefano Di Girolamo, Alessandro Stefani, Roberta Lattanzi, Cinzia Severini, Nicola B. Mercuri
Summary: This study outlines the dynamics of the prokineticin-2 pathway in relation to the clinical-pathological features of Parkinson's disease by examining olfactory neurons of patients. The results show that prokineticin-2 expression is increased in Parkinson's disease and is directly correlated with the severity of motor symptoms. Additionally, the accumulation of oligomeric alpha-synuclein is associated with prokineticin-2 protein levels. These findings support prokineticin-2 as a potential target for Parkinson's disease and validate the use of olfactory neurons to reflect pathological changes of the disease.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Pietro Mattioli, Beatrice Orso, Claudio Liguori, Francesco Fama, Laura Giorgetti, Andrea Donniaquio, Federico Massa, Andrea Giberti, David V. Allez Garcia, Sanne K. Meles, Klaus L. Leenders, Fabio Placidi, Matteo Spanetta, Agostino Chiaravalloti, Riccardo Camedda, Orazio Schillaci, Francesca Izzi, Nicola B. Mercuri, Matteo Pardini, Matteo Bauckneht, Silvia Morbelli, Flavio Nobili, Dario Arnaldi
Summary: A brain glucose metabolism pattern related to phenoconversion in iRBD patients was derived and validated using spatial covariance analysis. This pattern can efficiently discriminate converters from nonconverters and has the potential to be a biomarker for phenoconversion in iRBD patients.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chiara Del Bianco, Martina Ulivi, Claudio Liguori, Antonio Pisani, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Fabio Placidi, Francesca Izzi
Summary: Non-sleep symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and overweight are common in narcoleptic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the psychological and emotional aspects of narcolepsy patients and their correlation with clinical data and sleep parameters. The results showed that narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) patients had higher levels of depressive mood and emotion dysregulation compared to controls, while alexithymic symptoms were more prominent in NT1 than narcolepsy type 2 (NT2) patients. Hypnagogic hallucinations, emotion dysregulation, and alexithymia were found to be correlated. These findings support the hypothesis of mutual interaction between these areas in narcolepsy.
SLEEP AND BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Tortolani, Camilla Di Meo, Sara Standoli, Francesca Ciaramellano, Salam Kadhim, Eric Hsu, Cinzia Rapino, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: Rare cannabis-derived phytocannabinoids (pCBs) have therapeutic potential in skin disorders and their anti-inflammatory effects were investigated in this study. The experiment involved using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and measuring the levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins. The results showed that pCBs significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory interleukins and modulated MAPK signaling, suggesting their potential as a treatment for inflammation-related skin pathologies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ada Ledonne, Mariangela Massaro Cenere, Emanuela Paldino, Vincenza D'Angelo, Sebastian Luca D'Addario, Nicolas Casadei, Annalisa Nobili, Nicola Berretta, Francesca R. Fusco, Rossella Ventura, Giuseppe Sancesario, Ezia Guatteo, Nicola Biagio Mercuri
Summary: Prolonged overexpression of alpha-synuclein has detrimental effects on the structural and functional properties of substantia nigra pars compacta dopamine neurons, including compromised soma and dendritic arborization, increased firing activity, and altered ion channel function.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Annalucia Serafino, Mauro Cozzolino
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ettore Dolcetti, Antonio Bruno, Federica Azzolini, Luana Gilio, Luigi Pavone, Ennio Iezzi, Giovanni Galifi, Stefano Gambardella, Rosangela Ferese, Fabio Buttari, Francesca De Vito, Paola Colantuono, Roberto Furlan, Annamaria Finardi, Alessandra Musella, Georgia Mandolesi, Diego Centonze, Mario Stampanoni Bassi
Summary: In this study, the association between IL-8 SNP rs2227306, CSF IL-8 concentrations, clinical, and radiological characteristics was investigated in newly diagnosed MS patients. It was found that the T variant of rs2227306 was associated with higher CSF IL-8 concentrations and increased disability scale score. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between CSF levels of IL-8 and cortical thickness in rs2227306T carriers.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Giulia Leanza, Caterina Conte, Francesca Cannata, Camilla Isgro, Alessandra Piccoli, Rocky Strollo, Carlo Cosimo Quattrocchi, Rocco Papalia, Vincenzo Denaro, Mauro Maccarrone, Nicola Napoli, Anna Maria Sardanelli
Summary: In this study, the oxidative stress states were compared between postmenopausal women with and without obesity. The results showed that women with obesity had doubled levels of oxidative stress markers compared to women of normal weight. The severity of oxidative stress was correlated with body mass index, visceral fat mass, and trunk fat percentage, but not with fasting glucose levels. These findings suggest that obesity and visceral fat increase oxidative stress in postmenopausal women, potentially increasing the risks of cardiometabolic and cancer diseases.
Review
Cell Biology
Alida Spalloni, Susanna de Stefano, Juliette Gimenez, Viviana Greco, Nicola B. Mercuri, Valerio Chiurchiu, Patrizia Longone
Summary: Since its discovery in the brain, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been recognized as a gas transmitter in the Central Nervous System (CNS), and studies have focused on its neuromodulatory and protectant functions. H2S has been found to have multiple roles in the peripheral and central systems, acting as a double-faced compound that can be both protective and toxic depending on its concentration. This review discusses the bell-shaped nature of H2S as an angiogenic factor, its release by glial cells and non-neuronal cells, and its role in a neurodegenerative disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matilde Bruno, Chiara Giuseppina Bonomi, Francesco Ricci, Martina Gaia Di Donna, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Giacomo Koch, Alessandro Martorana, Caterina Motta
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between BBB permeability and neuroinflammation in AD patients. The findings suggest that different neuroinflammatory profiles can be associated with different levels of BBB permeability in AD.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Manuela Di Lauro, Cristina Guerriero, Kevin Cornali, Maria Albanese, Micaela Costacurta, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Nicola Di Daniele, Annalisa Noce
Summary: Migraine, one of the most common causes of disability in adults, has been associated with gut dysbiosis, as the intestine is capable of modulating central nervous system activities. In addition to conventional pharmacological treatments, modifying nutrition and lifestyle to positively influence gut microbiota composition may serve as a beneficial adjunct therapy for various migraine subtypes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annamaria Tisi, Sakthimala Palaniappan, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: This article presents the application of advanced omics techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, in cochlear research. The article also introduces the latest technologies, including single-cell omics and spatial omics, for investigating molecular events at a single-cell resolution with spatial information.
Article
Neurosciences
Michela Bossa, Ornella Argento, Chiara Piacentini, Nicola Manocchio, Lucia Scipioni, Sergio Oddi, Mauro Maccarrone, Ugo Nocentini
Summary: This project aims to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of oral administration of N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through cognitive evaluation and biochemical analyses. The specific objectives are to determine whether PEA can affect neuropsychological and behavioral scores, change inflammatory and neuronal damage markers in MCI subjects, and if these changes correlate with clinical scores.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Oriella Gnarra, Carmen Calvello, Tommaso Schirinzi, Francesca Beozzo, Claudia De Masi, Matteo Spanetta, Mariana Fernandes, Piergiorgio Grillo, Rocco Cerroni, Mariangela Pierantozzi, Claudio L. A. Bassetti, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Alessandro Stefani, Claudio Liguori
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the sleep architecture and head position in Parkinson's disease patients and correlate them with motor and non-motor symptoms. The results demonstrated the importance of maintaining the lateral head position during sleep stages essential for glymphatic system function and brain health.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
