Neuroscience letters
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Neuroscience letters · Jul 2019
Regional homogeneity analysis of major Parkinson's disease subtypes based on functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Regional homogeneity (ReHo) differences in encephalic regions of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients of different subtypes were investigated to analyze its clinical significance during disease occurrence. ⋯ In the present study, ReHo values increased in the TD PD subtype group of patients, indicating a compensatory performance of slow progressive cognitive decline when compared to the PIGD PD subtype group. Two subtypes of PD manifest ReHo changes in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and in several areas of the cerebral cortex, areas that are likely to correlate with non-motor symptoms, such as cognition and emotions.
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Neuroscience letters · Jul 2019
Investigation of the novel mTOR inhibitor AZD2014 in neuronal ischemia.
Hamartin, a component of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) that actively inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), may mediate the endogenous resistance of Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) hippocampal neurons following global cerebral ischemia. Pharmacological compounds that selectively inhibit mTOR may afford neuroprotection following ischemic stroke. We hypothesize that AZD2014, a novel mTORC1/2 inhibitor, may protect neurons following oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). ⋯ AZD2014 was detrimental to neurons that underwent ischemia. AZD2014 appeared to reduce hamartin, a known neuroprotective mediator, thereby preventing any beneficial effects of mTOR inhibition. Further characterization of the role of individual mTOR complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) and their upstream and downstream regulators are necessary to reveal whether these pathways are neuroprotective targets for stroke.
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Neuroscience letters · Jul 2019
ReviewPsychosocial and affective comorbidities in sickle cell disease.
Psychosocial and affective comorbidities are common in sickle cell disease (SCD) and can strongly influence disease outcomes, especially those related to pain such as frequency and intensity of pain, use of emergency- and hospital-based care and opioid use. Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and substance use challenges are among the common comorbidities that inform the patient experience of SCD. ⋯ In this mini-review, we discuss psychosocial and affective disorders that can coexist in children and adults with SCD and highlight how these common psychological pathologies may interact with complications associated with SCD. Patients with SCD should be screened for these comorbidities using standardized screening tools and managed appropriately to improve outcomes.
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Neuroscience letters · Jul 2019
ReviewSensitization of nociceptors and dorsal horn neurons contributes to pain in sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) describes a group of disorders associated with a point mutation in the beta chain of hemoglobin. The mutation leads to the creation of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and causes distortion of erythrocytes through polymerization under low oxygen, resulting in characteristic sickle red blood cells. Vaso-occlusion episodes caused by accumulation of sRBCs results in ischemia-reperfusion injury, reduced oxygen supply to organs, oxidative stress, organ damage and severe pain that often requires hospitalization and opioid treatment. ⋯ Progress towards the development of novel strategies for both acute and chronic pain in patients with SCD has been impeded by a lack of understanding the mechanisms underlying pain in SCD. The purpose of this review is to highlight evidence for the contribution of peripheral and central sensitization that leads to widespread, chronic pain and hyperalgesia. Targeting the mechanisms that initiate and maintain sensitization in SCD might offer effective approaches to manage the severe and debilitating pain associated with this condition.
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Neuroscience letters · Jul 2019
Early stage of diffusional kurtosis imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging correlated with long-term neurocognitive function after experimental traumatic brain injury.
Development of a reliable biomarker for prognostic monitoring of cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is of great importance. The aim of the study was to explore the value of early diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in evaluation of chronic cognitive function after TBI. MRI was performed on TBI and control rats at 7 days post-injury. ⋯ NeuN, and GFAP and Iba-1 correlated significantly with MK value in ipsilateral regions of cortex. The MK value of ipsilateral cortex and CC and Ktrans value of ipsilateral cortex also correlated significantly with time in the target quadrant. Therefore, our study indicated that early DKI and DCE-MRI could be used to assess the microstructural changes associated with long-term cognitive outcome following TBI.