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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.
  • 1.4K
  • 30 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Callous and Unemotional (CU) Traits
Behavioral disorders (BD), including disruptive, aggressive, and/or antisocial behavior, are some of the most common disorders in children and adolescents. The notion of BD used in our review is an umbrella term, including children and adolescents with a range of emotional and behavioral disorders. It includes a population with heterogeneous behavioral diagnoses such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), internalized disorders (ID), conditions often associated with aggressive and/or antisocial behavior. Retrospective research in the field notes heterogeneous developmental trajectories that could be explained by certain risk factors, including the severity of callous-unemotional (CU) traits, a constellation of emotional and personality traits in children considered as a precursor to adult psychopathy.
  • 1.4K
  • 18 May 2021
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.
  • 1.4K
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Xenopus Oocytes to Study Fully-Processed Membrane Proteins
The use of Xenopus oocytes in electrophysiological and biophysical research constitutes a long and successful story, providing major advances to the knowledge of the function and modulation of membrane proteins, mostly receptors, ion channels, and transporters. These cells are capable of correctly expressing heterologous proteins after injecting the corresponding mRNA or cDNA. The Xenopus oocyte has become an outstanding host–cell model to carry out detailed studies on the function of fully-processed foreign membrane proteins after their microtransplantation to the oocyte. 
  • 1.4K
  • 24 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Nrf2 Activation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration and loss of nerve cells. Oxidative stress has been proposed as one factor that plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders since neuron cells are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is strictly related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidative cell response; therefore, its activation and the consequent enhancement of the related cellular pathways have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach.
  • 1.4K
  • 12 Apr 2023
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.
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment
Microplastics, or microbeads, are plastic particles < 5 mm diameter, and they include nano-sized particles (1 nm). Their size has been miniaturized or fragmented enough that there might be a need for the use of microscopy techniques to study them. In many cases, microplastics continue to carry the chemical structure of their parent plastic with minimum alterations due to exposure to varied environments.
  • 1.4K
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Altered Mitostasis in ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal multisystem disease characterized by progressive death of motor neurons, loss of muscle mass, and impaired energy metabolism. The morphology and dynamics of mitochondrial network, quality control mechanisms, motility, and overall mitochondrial function are closely interrelated pathways that play a fundamental role in the dyshomeostasis of mitochondria in neurons, surrounding glial cells, myocytes, and many other cell types across peripheral tissues. Molecular mechanisms responsible for altered mitostasis in ALS-affected cells contribute to excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, energy deficiency and, ultimately, the death of motoneurons and other cells. Damaged mitochondria can release a number of proapoptotic factors and inflammatory response activators called damage-related molecular patterns, which creates a cycle of direct communication between mitochondrial disorders, inflammation, and cell degeneration.
  • 1.4K
  • 19 Dec 2023
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. 
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Mar 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.
  • 1.4K
  • 01 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Chromatin Profiling Techniques
The genetic architecture of complex traits is multifactorial. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified risk loci for complex traits and diseases that are disproportionately located at the non-coding regions of the genome. On the other hand, we have just begun to understand the regulatory roles of the non-coding genome, making it challenging to precisely interpret the functions of non-coding variants associated with complex diseases. Additionally, the epigenome plays an active role in mediating cellular responses to fluctuations of sensory or environmental stimuli. However, it remains unclear how exactly non-coding elements associate with epigenetic modifications to regulate gene expression changes and mediate phenotypic outcomes. Therefore, finer interrogations of the human epigenomic landscape in associating with non-coding variants are warranted.
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis [family Lamiaceae]), an herb of economic and gustatory repute, is employed in traditional medicines in many countries. Rosemary contains carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol (CS), abietane-type phenolic diterpenes, which account for most of its biological and pharmacological actions, although claims have also been made for contributions of another constituent, rosmarinic acid. 
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Astrocytes in Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease
Astrocytes play a key role in the functioning of neurons in norm and pathology, being a target for stress and glucocorticoids, are a promising target for the treatment of stress-dependent depression and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Depression, as a mental disorder, is characterized by two core symptoms, depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as cognitive impairments, sleep disturbance, psychomotor retardation or agitation, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
  • 1.4K
  • 20 May 2022
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. 
  • 1.4K
  • 24 Sep 2021
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.
  • 1.4K
  • 26 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Salt Intake
Salt (NaCl) intake is processed by receptors in the tongue and digestive system, which transmit the information to the nucleus of the solitary tract via a neural pathway (chorda tympani/vagus nerves) and to circumventricular organs, including the subfornical organ and area postrema, via a humoral pathway (blood/cerebrospinal fluid). Circuits are formed that stimulate or inhibit homeostatic sodium (Na) intake involving participation of the parabrachial nucleus, pre-locus coeruleus, medial tuberomammillary nuclei, median eminence, paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, and other structures with reward properties such as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, central amygdala, and ventral tegmental area. Finally, the kidney uses neural signals (e.g., renal sympathetic nerves) and vascular (e.g., renal perfusion pressure) and humoral (e.g., renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, cardiac natriuretic peptides, antidiuretic hormone, and oxytocin) factors to promote Na excretion or retention and thereby maintain extracellular fluid volume. 
  • 1.4K
  • 15 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of MSC-EVs in Neurodegenerative Disorders
The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represents a new promising approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Growing evidence suggests that the therapeutic effects of MSCs are due to the secretion of neurotrophic molecules through extracellular vesicles. The extracellular vesicles produced by MSCs (MSC-EVs) have valuable innate properties deriving from parental cells and could be exploited as cell-free treatments for many neurological diseases.
  • 1.4K
  • 23 Feb 2023
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. 
  • 1.4K
  • 30 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are an essential pharmacological treatment for patients with unmanageable premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD). SSRIs can be taken either continuously or in the luteal phase to reduce the symptoms of PMS and PMDD. Most SSRIs exhibit equal efficacy for the treatment of PMS and PMDD, so a provider’s choice of SSRI should be based on anticipated side effects and the patient’s response to the drug.
  • 1.4K
  • 23 Aug 2021
Topic Review Video Peer Reviewed
Depression in Elderly People
Depression is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of will or laziness. It is not a simple “being sad” or bored, but rather a pathology that needs intervention, treatment, and monitoring by professionals with expertise in mental health. It is a disorder that impacts the lives of people who do not receive timely help affecting not only the individual himself in his feelings, thoughts, and behaviors but also harming his relationships and daily life and is prevalent among elderly people. Depression manifests through multiple symptoms, is caused by numerous factors, and is preventable with specific practices. It is described as the “most frequent mental health problem worldwide,” has a higher prevalence in women, is different from mourning and sadness, and needs to be addressed to avoid extreme situations, such as suicide.
  • 1.4K
  • 31 May 2023
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