Neuroscience letters
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Neuroscience letters · Sep 2018
Effects of nerve growth factor neutralization on TRP channel expression in laser-captured bladder afferent neurons in mice with spinal cord injury.
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is reportedly involved in the changes in C-fiber bladder afferent pathways that induce detrusor overactivity (DO) following spinal cord injury (SCI). This study examined the roles of NGF in TRP channel expression in bladder afferent neurons in mice with SCI using laser-capture microdissection (LCM) methods. Spinal intact (SI) and SCI mice were divided into 3 groups: (1) SI with vehicle treatment; (2) SCI with vehicle treatment; and (3) SCI with anti-NGF antibody. ⋯ The expression level of TRPC3 and TRPC6 in vehicle-treated SCI mice was lower than in SI mice. However, in SCI mice treated with anti-NGF antibody, the mRNA expression of TRPV1 was lower, and the mRNA levels of TRPC3 and TRPC6 were higher than in vehicle-SCI mice. These results suggest that the NGF-dependent changes in specific TRP channel genes, such as TRPV1, TRPC3, and TRPC6, could be involved in SCI-induced afferent hyperexcitability and DO.
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Neuroscience letters · May 2018
Microencapsulated Schwann cell transplantation inhibits P2X2/3 receptors overexpression in a sciatic nerve injury rat model with neuropathic pain.
Transplantation of Schwann cells (SCs) can promote axonal regeneration and formation of the myelin sheath, reduce inflammation, and promote repair to the damaged nerve. Our previous studies have shown that transplantation of free or micro-encapsulated olfactory ensheathing cells can relieve neuropathic pain. There are no related reports regarding whether the transplantation of micro-encapsulated SCs can alleviate neuropathic pain mediated by P2X2/3 receptors. ⋯ Co-expression of P2X2/3 receptors with other markers in neurons in the L4-5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were assessed using double-label immunofluorescence 14 days after surgery. We determined P2X2/3 mRNA expression and protein level changes in the DRG using quantitative real-time polymerase change reaction technology and Western blotting analysis. We have investigated that the transplantation of micro-encapsulated SCs can alleviate pathological pain caused by P2X2/3 receptor stimulation and explored new methods for the prevention and treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Neuroscience letters · May 2018
Analysis of white matter characteristics with tract-based spatial statistics according to diffusion tensor imaging in early Parkinson's disease.
To analyze the microstructure of brain white matter according to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) based on tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) in early Parkinson's disease (PD). ⋯ There is wide alteration of white matter microstructure in early PD patients, which is characterized by disruption of projection fibers in the descending pathway, limbic system-related fasciculi, corpus callosum, thalamus after radiation, posterior thalamic radiation, Gratiolet's bundle and other fasciculi in the white matter.
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The relationship between consciousness and feature binding has long been a topic of debate. Although they may be associated, there is growing evidence supporting the notion that feature binding and visual consciousness can be separated to some degree. ⋯ A priming effect was observed even when the priming stimuli were invisible, implying that the color-motion features of the prime could bind unconsciously. These findings support the notion that, at least under certain conditions, feature binding and visual consciousness are separable psychological processes wherein feature binding is not sufficient to establish visual awareness.
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Neuroscience letters · May 2018
Inter-session reliability of short-interval intracortical inhibition measured by threshold tracking TMS.
Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using fixed test stimuli suffers from marked variability of the motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude. Threshold tracking TMS (TT-TMS) was introduced to overcome this problem. The aim of this work was to describe the absolute and relative reliability of short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) using TT-TMS. ⋯ The MDC in averaged SICI was reduced from 6.7% to 2% if the number of subjects was increased from one to eleven. In conclusion, averaged SICI is the most reproducible variable across paired-pulse TT-TMS measures, showing an excellent ICC. It is recommended that, in longitudinal studies, testing be performed at the same time of day and that changes in cortical excitability should be measured and averaged over a number of interstimulus intervals to minimise variability.