Neuroscience
-
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment is widely accepted as an evidence-based treatment option for depression and anxiety. However, the underlying mechanism of this treatment maneuver has not been clearly understood. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was used to establish depression and anxiety-like behavior in rats. ⋯ Following Nrf2 silencing, the antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effect produced by rTMS was abolished. Moreover, the elevated Nrf2 nuclear translocation, and the reduced production of TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β, and IL-6 in hippocampus mediated by rTMS, were reversed by Nrf2 knockdown. Together, these results reveal that the Nrf2-induced anti-inflammation effect is crucial in regulating antidepressant-related behaviors produced by rTMS.
-
C1q/TNF-related protein 4 (CTRP4) has been reported to decrease food intake and regulate energy homeostasis. However, its underlying mechanism and signaling pathway remain unknown. Using an adenovirus-mediated hypothalamic CTRP4 overexpression model, we investigated the impact of CTRP4 on food intake and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in normal chow-fed mice. ⋯ The changes of neuropeptides were accompanied by significant increased STAT3 phosphorylation and decreased SOCS3 levels. The same changes of neuropeptides and STAT3 signaling were also found in N2a cells after CTRP4 overexpression intervention. Collectively, our data reveals that CTRP4 induces the activation of STAT3 signaling and decreases food intake.
-
Non-invasive treatment methods for neuropathic pain are lacking. We assess how modulatory low intensity focused ultrasound (liFUS) at the L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) affects behavioral responses and sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) in a common peroneal nerve injury (CPNI) model. Rats were assessed for mechanical and thermal responses using Von Frey filaments (VFF) and the hot plate test (HPT) following CPNI surgery. ⋯ This is the first in vivo study of the impact of liFUS on peripheral nerve electrophysiology in a model of chronic pain. This study demonstrates the effects of liFUS on peripheral nerve electrophysiology in vivo. We found that external liFUS treatment results in transient decreased latency in common peroneal nerve (CPN) sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) with no change in signal amplitude.
-
Age-related hearing loss affects the ability to hear high frequencies and therefore leads to difficulties in understanding speech, particularly under adverse listening conditions. This decrease in hearing can be partly compensated by the recruitment of executive functions, such as working memory. The compensatory effort may, however, lead to a decrease in available neural resources compromising cognitive abilities. ⋯ Cognitive flexibility and hearing abilities further predicted speech-in-noise perception. We conclude that neural and behavioral signatures of working memory are intact in mild to moderate hearing loss. Moreover, cognitive flexibility seems to be closely related to hearing impairment and speech-in-noise perception and should, therefore, be investigated in future studies assessing age-related hearing loss and its implications on prefrontal functions.
-
Microglia are the brain mononuclear phagocytes which plays a key role in neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's. Till date, microglia have been explored mostly for their neuro-inflammatory functions. Recent studies have shifted their focus towards less explored functions which involve non-autonomous clearance of protein aggregates. ⋯ Sulforaphane (SFN) treatment has shown to induce the phagocytic activity of Aβo treated microglial cells. In addition, low dose Aβo and SFN treatment have not shown modulation in the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators of microglia. Taken together, these findings suggest that SFN treatment may ameliorate the Aβo mediated decrease in microglial phagocytic activity.