Neuroscience
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The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and peripheral blood biomarkers in assessing cognitive function in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). A total of 58 CSVD patients were recruited. Six features of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were derived from MRI scans. ⋯ An integrated model incorporating WMHs features, neurodegenerative biomarkers, and neuroinflammatory markers was developed, demonstrating high predictive accuracy for cognitive impairment with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95 (accuracy 0.88, sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.89). Another integrated model that includes features of WMHs and inflammatory cytokines for predicting cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) achieved an AUC of 0.95 (accuracy 0.88, sensitivity 0.82, specificity 0.92). Our findings suggest that these markers have the potential to be used for the early detection of cognitive decline and CMBs in patients with CSVD.
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Age-related hearing loss in humans has been associated with cognitive decline, though the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We investigated the long-term effects of hearing loss on attention, impulse control, social interaction, and neural activity within medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) subregions. Hearing loss was induced in adult rats via intracochlear neomycin injection (n = 13), with non-operated rats as controls (n = 10). ⋯ Electrophysiology showed decreased power in theta, alpha, and beta frequency, and enhanced high gamma band in the mPFC in deafened rats, which was most pronounced in the cingulate subregion (Cg1). The number of NeuN+ and Parvalbumin+ cells, however, did not differ between groups. The behavioral deficits together with the altered neuronal activity found in the Cg1 subregion of the mPFC in adult deafened rats may be used as an endophenotype to elucidate the mechanisms behind the cognitive decline seen in older patients with hearing loss.
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While mounting evidence suggests that scalp acupuncture (SA) may be effective in alleviating neurological deficits in patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS), its effect on remote hippocampal damage in acute IS and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Thus, proteomics analysis was conducted to identify potential targets of SA therapy in acute IS. SA significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume and attenuated neuronal damage in the ischemic penumbra and hippocampus, as well as alleviated neurological deficits in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). ⋯ Proteomic analysis suggested that this effect is related to the modulation of the acute inflammatory response. SA attenuated remote hippocampal damage after IS by inhibiting microglia activation and neuroinflammation. Lastly, Kng1, Brd9, and Magl were identified as potential targets that mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of SA.
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Neural stem cells and/or progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) in the subventricular and subgranular zones of the adult mammal forebrain generate new neurons and are involved in partial repair after injury. Recently, NSCs/NPCs were identified in the area postrema (AP) of the medulla oblongata of the hindbrain. In this study, we used the properties of fenestrate capillaries to observe specific neuronal elimination in the AP of adult mice and investigated subsequent neuronal regeneration by neurogenesis. ⋯ Within 7 days of MSG administration, the number of BrdU+ Sox2+ and BrdU+ Math1+ cells increased markedly, and at least the BrdU+ Math1+ cells similarly increased for the next following 7 days. A remarkable number of HuC/D+ neurons with BrdU+ nuclei were observed 35 days after MSG administration. This study reveals that neurogenesis occurs in the AP of adult mice, recovering and maintaining normal neuronal density after neuronal death.
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Previous research has shown that visual impairment results in reduced audio, tactile and proprioceptive ability. One hypothesis is that these issues arise from inaccurate body representations. Few studies have investigated metric body representations in a visually impaired population. ⋯ Our results showed thatblind participants overestimated their hands and feetto a similar degree. Sighted controls overestimated their hands significantly more than their feet. Taken together, our results partially support our hypothesis and suggest that visual deprivation, even for short periods result in hand size overestimation.