Article
Biology
David Elkind, Hannah Hochgerner, Etay Aloni, Noam Shental, Amit Zeisel, Tali Kimchi
Summary: Researchers used the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity project's images to systematically characterize cell density and volume in the mouse brain. They discovered that overall brain volume does not uniformly expand across all regions and that region-specific density changes are often negatively correlated with region volume. They also found that cell count does not scale linearly with volume.
Article
Neurosciences
Christian Schiffer, Hannah Spitzer, Kai Kiwitz, Nina Unger, Konrad Wagstyl, Alan C. Evans, Stefan Harmeling, Katrin Amunts, Timo Dickscheid
Summary: Human brain atlases serve as spatial reference systems for understanding brain organization, while cytoarchitecture plays a crucial role in identifying regional differences and neural connectivity. A new workflow based on Deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) allows for accurate and efficient mapping of cytoarchitectonic areas in large brain sections, without the need for 3D reconstruction, and is robust against histological artefacts. Applying deep neural networks for cytoarchitectonic mapping reveals new possibilities for creating high-resolution models of brain areas and identifying boundaries with CNNs.
Article
Neurosciences
Simin Zhang, Xibiao Yang, Qiaoyue Tan, Huaiqiang Sun, Di Chen, Yinying Chen, Hongjing Zhang, Yuan Yang, Qiyong Gong, Qiang Yue
Summary: This study investigated the changes in whole-brain cortical myelin and thickness induced by diffuse midline glioma and found significant differences among different groups. Additionally, a short-term survival prediction model was constructed using cortical features and tumor radiomics, which showed high accuracy in predicting patient survival.
Article
Neurosciences
Junle Li, Rui Wang, Ning Mao, Manli Huang, Shijun Qiu, Jinhui Wang
Summary: Using multimodal MRI and various data, this study found that major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with widespread and irregular cortical thinning. These reductions are related to structural covariance, functional synchronization, gene co-expression, and chemoarchitectonic covariance. The study also found that the specific cytoarchitectonic class and genes enriched in metabolic and membrane-related processes play a significant role in MDD.
Article
Neurosciences
Marlee M. Vandewouw, Benjamin A. E. Hunt, Justine Ziolkowski, Margot J. Taylor
Summary: Recent research has shown that patterns of myeloarchitecture in different brain regions are related to underlying functional connectivity, indicating the plasticity of cortical myelin to changes in functional demand. However, the changing relations between functional and structural architecture throughout childhood and adulthood are still not well understood. Structural covariance connectivity and functional connectivity exhibit nonlinear developmental changes, with significant relations between them based on neural oscillatory frequency.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexandru V. Avram, Kadharbatcha S. Saleem, Michal E. Komlosh, Cecil C. Yen, Frank Q. Ye, Peter J. Basser
Summary: This study explores the sensitivity of high-resolution MAP-MRI method in detecting variations in cortical cytoarchitecture. The results show that MAP-MRI can non-invasively assess cortical cell tissue features and are in agreement with histological observations. This method has potential clinical applications for studying cortical organization, early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, etc.
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Miguel Angel Garcia-Cabezas, Isabel Perez-Santos, Carmen Cavada
Summary: This article reviews the historical development of terminological and parcellation schemes for the primate thalamus over the last 200 years. It traces the technological innovations and conceptual advances in thalamic research that underlie each parcellation, from the use of magnifying lenses to contemporary genoarchitectonic stains during ontogeny. The advantages, disadvantages, and practical use of each parcellation are also discussed.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sabine H. Ruland, Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, Felix Hoffstaedter, Simon B. Eickhoff, Hartmut Mohlberg, Katrin Amunts
Summary: The inferior frontal sulcus is a landmark that separates the ventro-lateral from the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex. This study identified six new areas within the sulcus and its junction to the precentral sulcus. The functional analysis showed bilateral involvement in working memory and lateralization of language-related processes to the left hemisphere, as well as music processing and attention to the right hemisphere.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yidan Qiu, Shenglin She, Shufei Zhang, Fengchun Wu, Qunjun Liang, Yongjun Peng, Haishan Yuan, Yuping Ning, Huawang Wu, Ruiwang Huang
Summary: This study analyzed the association between affective temperaments and cortical myelin content (CMC) in the human brain. Results showed that hyperthymic temperament correlated negatively with CMC in certain brain regions, while cyclothymic temperament displayed a downward parabola-like correlation with CMC across different myelinated areas.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Graham L. Baum, John C. Flournoy, Matthew F. Glasser, Michael P. Harms, Patrick Mair, Ashley F. P. Sanders, Deanna M. Barch, Randy L. Buckner, Susan Bookheimer, Mirella Dapretto, Stephen Smith, Kathleen M. Thomas, Essa Yacoub, David C. Van Essen, Leah H. Somerville
Summary: This study used high-resolution brain imaging techniques to reveal the timing of cortical myelination during human adolescence and its importance in cognitive and behavioral development.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Elisabet Rosas-Canyelles, Andrew J. Modzelewski, Alisha Geldert, Lin He, Amy E. Herr
Summary: A novel technique (snapBlot) has been introduced for simultaneous measurement of protein isoforms and nucleic acids from the same embryo, with the potential to uncover the regulatory mechanisms of nucleic acids in mammalian embryo development.
Article
Neurosciences
Fanny Munsch, Gopal Varma, Manuel Taso, Olivier Girard, Arnaud Guidon, Guillaume Duhamel, David C. Alsop
Summary: The study implemented a 3D ihMT acquisition and analysis to characterize cortical gray matter myeloarchitecture, finding qualitative agreement between cortical ihMTsat and dual MTsat maps with previous work and cortical T(1)w map, but with important regional differences. The research demonstrated that ihMTsat shows unique contrast between cortical regions.
Article
Immunology
Allison Y. Louie, Justin S. Kim, Jenny Drnevich, Payam Dibaeinia, Hisami Koito, Saurabh Sinha, Daniel B. McKim, Katiria Soto-Diaz, Romana A. Nowak, Aditi Das, Andrew J. Steelman
Summary: Recent data suggest that myelin may be altered by physiological events occurring outside of the central nervous system, which may cause changes to cognition and behavior. Similarly, peripheral infection by non-neurotropic viruses is also known to evoke changes to cognition and behavior.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yu Veronica Sui, Arjun V. Masurkar, Henry Rusinek, Barry Reisberg, Mariana Lazar
Summary: Demyelination is observed in both healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. This study focuses on intracortical demyelination and depth-specific structural alterations in normal aging using the T1w/T2w ratio. The nonlinearity index (NLI) showed a steep decline in aging, independent of local cortical thinning. Lower T1w/T2w near the gray-white matter boundary and superficial cortical depths were major contributors to the apparent NLI variations with age.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Reiji Yamazaki, Yasuyuki Osanai, Tom Kouki, Yoshiaki Shinohara, Jeffrey K. Huang, Nobuhiko Ohno
Summary: LPC-induced demyelination in the sciatic nerve of mice allows for the detection of demyelinated lesions by macroscopic observation of neutral red (NR) labeling at 7 days postlesion, with NR staining decreasing as remyelination progresses. Electron microscopy confirmed demyelination and myelin debris in lesions, while fluorescence microscopy showed NR co-labeling with activated macrophages and Schwann cells in PNS lesions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Maroussia Hennes, Nathalie Lombaert, Jerome Wahis, Chris Van den Haute, Matthew G. Holt, Lutgarde Arckens
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eduard Bentea, Agnes Villers, Cynthia Moore, Adam J. Funk, Sinead M. O'Donovan, Lise Verbruggen, Olaya Lara, Pauline Janssen, Laura De Pauw, Noemi B. Declerck, Erica A. K. DePasquale, Madeline J. Churchill, Hideyo Sato, Emmanuel Hermans, Lutgarde Arckens, Charles K. Meshul, Laurence Ris, Robert E. McCullumsmith, Ann Massie
Summary: The study revealed that the lack of the specific subunit xCT of the system x(c)(-) in xCT(-/-) mice leads to decreased corticostriatal neurotransmission, possibly due to reduced extracellular glutamate availability rather than morphological or structural abnormalities. Additionally, the xCT(-/-) mice exhibited decreased intracellular glutamate density, aberrant presynaptic protein expression, and altered kinase network signaling in the striatum, potentially contributing to changes in postsynaptic responses and behavioral phenotypes indicative of autism spectrum disorder.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kelly Luyck, Lutgarde Arckens, Bart Nuttin, Laura Luyten
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Review
Neurosciences
Lucas J. A. Durieux, Sara R. J. Gilissen, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The endocannabinoid system is associated with neurological disorders like schizophrenia, where CB1R signaling plays a crucial role in regulating cortical plasticity and the E/I balance. Modulation of elements such as neurons and astrocytes fine-tunes the E/I balance, impacting the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara R. J. Gilissen, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: Sensory loss triggers compensatory behavior and cross-modal plasticity, with individual traits and environmental factors influencing cortical functions. Understanding these processes is crucial for rehabilitation.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jerome Wahis, Maroussia Hennes, Lutgarde Arckens, Matthew G. Holt
Summary: This article reviews recent progress in understanding the function of astrocytes and highlights their crucial role in neuronal plasticity, positioning them as indispensable central players in the process.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Jolien Van Houcke, Valerie Marien, Caroline Zandecki, Eve Seuntjens, Rajagopal Ayana, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: This review discusses the potential of using the teleost brain as a non-standard gerontology model to study the impact of aging on neurorepair, highlighting the high capacity for regeneration in teleost fish compared to mammals. The access to large mutagenesis screens in teleost species can bridge the gap between established invertebrate and rodent models, providing new opportunities for research in the neuro-gerontology field.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Jolien Van Houcke, Valerie Marien, Caroline Zandecki, Sophie Vanhunsel, Lieve Moons, Rajagopal Ayana, Eve Seuntjens, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The research found that the impaired and incomplete brain regeneration in aged killifish is primarily due to the decline in proliferation capacity of non-glial progenitors with age, along with a high inflammatory response and glial scarring hindering the generation of new neurons.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie Claes, Joana R. F. Santos, Luca Masin, Lien Cools, Benjamin M. Davis, Lutgarde Arckens, Karl Farrow, Lies De Groef, Lieve Moons
Summary: Research has shown that anterior chamber depth measurements and scotopic threshold response recordings in the murine microbead occlusion model are important tools for evaluating the model's success rate and recording glaucomatous damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lise Verbruggen, Gamze Ates, Olaya Lara, Jolien De Munck, Agnes Villers, Laura De Pauw, Sigrid Ottestad-Hansen, Sho Kobayashi, Pauline Beckers, Pauline Janssen, Hideyo Sato, Yun Zhou, Emmanuel Hermans, Rose Njemini, Lutgarde Arckens, Niels C. Danbolt, Dimitri De Bundel, Joeri L. Aerts, Kurt Barbe, Benoit Guillaume, Laurence Ris, Eduard Bentea, Ann Massie
Summary: Deletion of the xCT subunit of system x(c)(-) has been found to extend lifespan and promote healthy aging in mice. Although aged xCT(-/-) mice had higher plasma cystine/cysteine ratio, it did not negatively affect their overall health status. On the contrary, the age-related priming of the innate immune system was attenuated in xCT(-/-) mice, and these mice showed preserved hippocampal function and retention of hippocampus-dependent memory.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Marie Claes, Emiel Geeraerts, Stephane Plaisance, Stephanie Mentens, Chris Van den Haute, Lies De Groef, Lut Arckens, Lieve Moons
Summary: One important aspect of glaucoma pathophysiology is axonal damage, which disrupts the connection between the retina and brain targets. Stimulation of neuronal activity in the superior colliculus has been shown to promote RGC survival in an acute glaucoma model. In this study, chronic stimulation of the superior colliculus in a murine glaucoma model resulted in similar molecular responses, but functional rescue of injured RGCs was not achieved. The complexity of chronic neuromodulation and growth factor signaling may explain this lack of neuroprotection.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jolien Van Houcke, Valerie Marien, Caroline Zandecki, Rajagopal Ayana, Elise Pepermans, Kurt Boonen, Eve Seuntjens, Geert Baggerman, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The study found that the young African turquoise killifish has a high regenerative capacity, but loses it with advancing age, exhibiting limited forms of mammalian regeneration. Cellular senescence was identified as a potential barrier to successful neurorepair. Using a senolytic cocktail D + Q, chronic senescent cells in the aged killifish central nervous system were cleared, leading to increased neurogenic output. This research provides insights into age-related regeneration resilience and suggests a potential therapy for reviving neurogenic potential in an aged or diseased CNS.
NPJ REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Maria Joao Pereira, Rajagopal Ayana, Matthew G. G. Holt, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: Astrocytes are crucial regulators of brain development and function, playing a role in synapse formation and maturation. They express G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that activate intracellular signaling pathways and modulate synaptic transmission. Manipulating astrocyte activity through genetically engineered GPCRs shows promise in improving neuronal function and behavior in both healthy and disease models, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for managing brain disorders.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sophie Vanhunsel, Steven Bergmans, An Beckers, Isabelle Etienne, Jolien Van Houcke, Eve Seuntjens, Lut Arckens, Lies De Groef, Lieve Moons
Summary: With people globally living longer and facing an increasing prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, achieving healthy brain aging remains a challenge. The African turquoise killifish, being a short-lived vertebrate model displaying aging hallmarks similar to humans, provides insights into cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying aging in the vertebrate central nervous system, making it a promising model for target validation and drug discovery for neuroprotective therapies.
NPJ AGING AND MECHANISMS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara R. J. Gilissen, Karl Farrow, Vincent Bonin, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in mice is proposed to be comprised of at least six subregions, including RL, AM, and MMA. These subregions exhibit different connectivity patterns and receive inputs from different cortical areas, suggesting distinct functions for each. These anatomical findings pave the way for a deeper understanding of how the PPC and its subdivisions contribute to multisensory integration-based behavior in mice.