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Topic Review
Microglia and Macrophages as Emerging Therapies for Stroke
The mechanisms underlying the involvement of microglia and macrophages in both neuroprotection and neurogenesis after stroke are widely acknowledged as having a role in ischemic stroke pathology Since microglia and macrophages are regarded as major players in the pathological progression of ischemic stroke, modulating inflammation and neurological recovery is a hopeful strategy for treating the long-term outcomes after ischemic injury. 
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Ellagic Acid
Polyphenol ellagic acid (EA) possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic and cardio protection activities, making it an interesting multi-targeting profile. EA also controls the central nervous system (CNS), since it was proven to reduce the immobility time of mice in both the forced swimming and the tail-suspension tests, with an efficiency comparable to that of classic antidepressants. The proposed mechanism revealed that EA mimics clonidine at the presynaptic release-regulating α2 autoreceptors in hippocampal noradrenergic nerve endings.
  • 1.5K
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Uncoupling Proteins for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Most of the major retinal degenerative diseases are associated with significant levels of oxidative stress. One of the major sources contributing to the overall level of stress is the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by mitochondria. The driving force for ROS production is the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This gradient can be modulated by members of the uncoupling protein family, particularly the widely expressed UCP2. The overexpression and knockout studies of UCP2 in mice have established the ability of this protein to provide neuroprotection in a number of animal models of neurological disease, including retinal diseases. The expression and activity of UCP2 are controlled at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels, making it an ideal candidate for therapeutic intervention. 
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Myotonia Congenita
Myotonia congenita (MC) is a rare disorder characterized by stiffness and weakness of the limb and trunk muscles. Mutations in the SCN4A gene encoding the alpha-subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.4 have been reported to be responsible for sodium channel myotonia (SCM). The Nav1.4 channel is expressed in skeletal muscles, and its related channelopathies affect skeletal muscle excitability, which can manifest as SCM, paramyotonia, and periodic paralysis. In this study, the missense mutation p.V445M was identified in two individual families with MC. To determine the functional consequences of having a mutated Nav1.4 channel, whole-cell patch-clamp recording of transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells was performed. Evaluation of the transient Na+ current found that a hyperpolarizing shift occurs at both the activation and inactivation curves with an increase of the window currents in the mutant channels. The Nav1.4 channel’s co-expression with the Navβ4 peptide can generate resurgent Na+ currents at repolarization following a depolarization. The magnitude of the resurgent currents is higher in the mutant than in the wild-type (WT) channel. Although the decay kinetics are comparable between the mutant and WT channels, the time to the peak of resurgent Na+ currents in the mutant channel is significantly protracted compared with that in the WT channel. These findings suggest that the p.V445M mutation in the Nav1.4 channel results in an increase of both sustained and resurgent Na+ currents, which may contribute to hyperexcitability with repetitive firing and is likely to facilitate recurrent myotonia in SCM patients.
  • 1.5K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Dendritic Spine
Dendritic spines are small, bulbous protrusions along neuronal dendrites where most of the excitatory synapses are located. Dendritic spine density in normal human brain increases rapidly before and after birth achieving the highest density around 2–8 years. Density decreases during adolescence, reaching a stable level in adulthood. The changes in dendritic spines are considered structural correlates for synaptic plasticity as well as the basis of experience-dependent remodeling of neuronal circuits. Alterations in spine density correspond to aberrant brain function observed in various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Dendritic spine initiation affects spine density. In this review, we discuss the importance of spine initiation in brain development, learning, and potential complications resulting from altered spine initiation in neurological diseases. Current literature shows that two Bin Amphiphysin Rvs (BAR) domain-containing proteins, MIM/Mtss1 and SrGAP3, are involved in spine initiation. We review existing literature and open databases to discuss whether other BAR-domain proteins could also take part in spine initiation. Finally, we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms on how BAR-domain proteins could regulate spine initiation. 
  • 1.5K
  • 24 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Effects of Capsaicin on Cerebrovascular Function and Cognition
Impaired cognition is the primary symptom of dementia, which can lead to functional disability and reduced quality of life among an increasingly ageing population. Ageing is associated with increased oxidative stress, chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, which reduces cerebrovascular function leading to cognitive decline. Chronic low-grade systemic inflammatory conditions, such as obesity, exacerbate this decline beyond normal ageing and predispose individuals to neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. Capsaicin, the major pungent molecule of chilli, has recently demonstrated improvements in cognition in animal models via activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV1). Capsaicin-induced TRPV1 activation reduces adiposity, chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress, as well as improves endothelial function, all of which are associated with cerebrovascular function and cognition. 
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Brain Lesion Theory
The term Brain lesion theory is a colloquialism which generally refers to the idea that brain lesions and traumatic brain injury are associated with aggressive and violent behaviour, criminality and anti-sociality . The concept of a correlation between brain injury and violent or aggressive behaviour has a strong basis in scientific literature and has been explored across multiple disciplines including forensics, psychology and sociology. Most findings in psychology suggest that the correlation between brain injury and aggression is specific to frontal lobe injury. There’s is little evidence to suggest that damage to other areas of the brain correlates with aggression. The correlations between frontal lobe injury and aggression have important implications in terms of function localisation in the brain. Function localisation is the idea that certain functions are specific certain areas of the brain. There is evidence to suggest that the frontal lobe is responsible for the control of cognitive skills like judgment and emotion regulation. Consequently, damage to the frontal lobe may lead to loss of control and impairment in social/emotional judgement therefore reducing a person’s ability to inhibit negative emotion and as a consequence increase aggressive responses. However, it is important to note that the evidence for a correlation between frontal lobe injury and aggression is heavily based on case study and consequently cannot be used to imply a causal factor in either direction. Further, aggression, violence and anti-sociality also correlate with alcoholism, abuse and a number of psychological, environmental and biological factors thus even if there was evidence for a causal link between brain injury and aggression it cannot be concluded that brain injury alone causes aggression.
  • 1.5K
  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Apathy in Parkinson’s Disease
Apathy is a neurobehavioural symptom affecting Parkinson’s disease patients of all disease stages. Apathy seems to be associated with a specific underlying non-motor disease subtype and reflects dysfunction of separate neural networks with distinct neurotransmitter systems.
  • 1.5K
  • 01 Aug 2022
Topic Review
S1P in Multiple Sclerosis
Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling molecule with complex biological functions that are exerted through the activation of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors 1–5 (S1PR1–5). S1PR expression is necessary for cell proliferation, angiogenesis, neurogenesis and, importantly, for the egress of lymphocytes from secondary lymphoid organs. Since the inflammatory process is a key element of immune-mediated diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), S1PR modulators are currently used to ameliorate systemic immune responses. 
  • 1.5K
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Glioblastoma Therapy
Glioblastoma (GB) stands out as the most prevalent and lethal form of brain cancer. Despite multimodality treatments, recurrence is almost universal with survival rates under 2 years after diagnosis. 
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB)
Blood–brain barrier (BBB) is one of the most specialized biological barriers in the human body. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) includes BBB dysfunction, which leads to the failure of Aβ transport from the brain to the peripheral circulatory system, causing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, the BBB is the first protective defense line to prevent foreign substances from traversing from the blood to the brain.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Apr 2022
Topic Review
People with Aphasia
People with Aphasia (PWA) are individuals who experience difficulties in one or more aspects of communication, such as the ability to speak, understand, read and write, due to acquired brain damage (e.g.stroke, dementia, brain tumour, traumatic brain injury).  
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Astrocytic GABAergic Regulation in Alcohol Use
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Most GABAergic neurons synthesize GABA from glutamate and release it in the synaptic cleft in the CNS. However, astrocytes can also synthesize and release GABA, activating GABA receptors in the neighboring neurons in physiological and pathological conditions. As the primary homeostatic glial cells in the brain, astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating GABA homeostasis and synaptic neurotransmission. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that astrocytic GABA dysregulation is implicated in psychiatric disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), the most prevalent co-occurring psychiatric disorders. 
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Feb 2024
Topic Review
NCAM2
NCAM2 governs neuronal morphogenesis and axodendritic architecture, and controls important neuron-specific processes such as neuronal differentiation, synaptogenesis and memory formation. In the adult brain, NCAM2 is highly expressed in dendritic spines, and it regulates synaptic plasticity and learning processes. NCAM2’s functions are related to its ability to adapt to the external inputs of the cell and to modify the cytoskeleton accordingly. Different studies show that NCAM2 interacts with proteins involved in cytoskeleton stability and proteins that regulate calcium influx, which could also modify the cytoskeleton.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
The NK-1 Receptor Signaling in the Eye
Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) signaling pathways play a crucial role in a number of biological processes in the eye. Specifically, in the ocular surface, their activity modulates epithelial integrity, inflammation, and generation of pain, while they have a role in visual processing in the retina. The NK1R is broadly expressed in the eye, in both ocular and non-ocular cells, such as leukocytes and neurons. 
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota and Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most prevalent neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric disease, affecting 1% of seniors worldwide. The gut microbiota (GM) is one of the key access controls for most diseases and disorders. Disturbance in the GM creates an imbalance in the function and circulation of metabolites, resulting in unhealthy conditions. Any dysbiosis could affect the function of the gut, consequently disturbing the equilibrium in the intestine, and provoking pro-inflammatory conditions in the gut lumen, which send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) through the vagus enteric nervous system, possibly disturbing the blood–brain barrier. The neuroinflammatory conditions in the brain cause accumulation of α-syn, and progressively develop PD. An important aspect of understanding and treating the disease is access to broad knowledge about the influence of dietary supplements on GM.
  • 1.5K
  • 05 Aug 2022
Topic Review
NGF and the Male Reproductive System
Infertility is a worldwide health issue defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the inability to establish a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Male infertility etiology can be related to either congenital or acquired factors. The therapeutical approach to male infertility depends on the underlying causes and includes medical and surgical treatments. The potential role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in male reproductive physiology has been proposed. It has been hypothesized that neurotrophins might be involved in testis morphogenesis and regulation of several aspects of spermatogenesis. Moreover, it has been shown that NGF exerts its role on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons through the activation of the PKC/p–ERK1/2/p–CREB cascade, which leads to the activation of hypothalamic cells and the consequent activation of hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG) with the secretion of GnRH.
  • 1.5K
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Parkinson’s Disease and Taste
In the common language, the word “taste” is often used to describe sensations arising from the oral cavity. However, in biology the sense of taste includes all sensations mediated by a chemosensory gustatory system specialized anatomically and physiologically. The molecular mechanisms underlying the perception of taste include the reception and signal transduction mechanisms, which play important roles in the oral cavity and also in a diversity of tissues including the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, kidney and even brain.
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Optic Flow in Postural Control
Optic flow stimuli are crucial for the control of stance in the upright position. The visual control of posture has recently received a lot of interest from several researchers. One of the most intriguing aspects is the contribution of the different parts of the visual field in the control of stance.
  • 1.5K
  • 17 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Arterial Hypertension and Tension-Type Headache
Arterial hypertension (AH) is a prevalent condition worldwide and is the key risk factor for non-fatal and fatal cardiovascular complications. Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common type of primary headache and is considered a common everyday headache.
  • 1.5K
  • 11 Oct 2021
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