Neuroscience
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Sleep plays an important role in the process of memory. This study investigated the role of the circadian clock gene, BMAL1 of the master circadian clock in mediating the impairment of hippocampus-dependent recognition memory caused by sleep deprivation. After 4 weeks of sleep deprivation, the novel object recognitiontask was used to evaluate the recognition memory of mice, the expression levels of circadian clock genes, and Nrf2 and PKA/CREB/BDNF signal pathways were detected by Western blot, Realtime-qPCR, and immunofluorescence. ⋯ The protein expression levels of PER1, PER2, CLOCK, and BMAL1, and PKA/CREB/BDNF pathway in the hippocampus of the SD group were significantly reduced, and the Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidative capacity was also compromised in the SD group. Moreover, these aberrations could be mitigated through compensation with BMAL1 in the SCN of the hypothalamus. Sleep deprivation resulted in a reduction in the expression of the core clock gene BMAL1 in the hippocampus, leading to an imbalance in the antioxidant system and damaging down-regulating the PKA/CREB/BDNF signal pathway that related to the proteins associated with recognition memory in the hippocampal synapse plasticity and oxidative stress, which could be reversed by overexpression compensation of BMAL1 in the SCN that might rely on the multi-synaptic neural projections to the hippocampus.
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Although many studies have addressed the role of the amygdala in modulating long-term memory, it is not known whether weak training plus amygdala stimulation can transform a short-term memory into a remote memory. Object place recognition (OPR) memory after strong training remains hippocampus-dependent through the persistent action of protein kinase Mzeta (PKMζ) for at least 6 days, but it is unknown whether weak training plus amygdala stimulation can transform short-term memory into an even longer memory, and whether such memory is stored through more persistent action of PKMζ in hippocampus. We trained male rats (150 total in our study) to acquire OPR and 15 min or 5 h later induced a brief pattern of electrical stimulation in basolateral amygdala (BLA). ⋯ To examine how this remote memory is maintained, we injected ZIP, an inhibitor of atypical protein kinase Cs (aPKCs), PKMζ and PKCι/λ, into either hippocampal CA1, dentate gyrus (DG), or anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Our data reveal amygdala stimulation produces consolidation into remote memory, not by persistent aPKC activation in the hippocampal formation, but in ACC. Our data establish a powerful modulating role of the BLA in forming remote memory and open a path in the search for neurological restoration of memory, based on enhancing synaptic plasticity in aging or neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
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The call to synergize brain health with mental health has major ramifications for research and policy. Mental health has been recognized as a universal human right, but no such declaration exists for brain health. Here, I defend the right to lifelong brain health as a derived, intermediary, and generative right. ⋯ A rights-based approach to brain health also has important consequences for research. It would help to move research away from the disease paradigm that focuses on individual risk and responsibility to the study of deeper contributions to brain health and disease through a population neuroscience approach to public brain health. Until the right to brain health is recognized alongside mental health, their synergy will remain incomplete, and brain health promotion will lack unity.
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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an effective rehabilitation strategy that promotes motor learning. The related studies reported different findings through different modalities of tDCS over different brain regions. This study aimed to identify the optimal effects of tDCS on motor learning through a systematic review and network meta-analysis, focusing on determining the best electrode montage and assessing the efficacy of various tDCS configurations. ⋯ Dual site tDCS enhances motor learning (efficacy on parameters of motor learning; RT and ER), with more efficacy as compared to unilateral tDCS (P < 0.05, 78 % to 84 % in SUCRA). In addition, the findings indicated that PPC a-tDCS has the least efficacy of motor learning as compared to the other tDCS interventions (P < 0.05, 0.5 % to 0.13 %). It is suggested that dual site tDCS and M1 or cerebellar a-tDCS be used, as compared to other tDCS interventions in other brain regions, for the improvement of motor learning.
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Behavior in both humans and animals is significantly influenced by the brain's reward system. Many studies have shown that this dopaminergic system is the root of drug addiction and abuse. Melatonin, an indoleamine neurohormone, has been studied for its potential negative effects on addictive drugs such as morphine. This study evaluates the effect of intraventricular melatonin injection during different phases of morphine conditioning. ⋯ This study demonstrates the neural interaction between melatonin and the opioid system. The evidence suggests that melatonin may be effective at decreasing drug-related rewards and has potential utility in preventing addiction.