Neuroscience
-
Similar to other brain regions, the neurons in the lateral septum (LS) are of heterogeneous populations. However, their resting membrane potential (RMP) on average is not too far apart. Cells were characterized based on biological markers by using brain slices, as under these in vitro conditions, neurons retain their morphologies. ⋯ The type III AP is selectively triggered by Ca2+ in GAD and SOM-positive neurons. Conclusions are supported by established pharmacologic tools, nimodipine, TTX, and ZD7288, a selective HCN channel antagonist. Collectively, these observations revitalize our knowledge from pioneering studies with regard to the brain of mammals in general and septal structures in particular.
-
Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that early life stress can increase the risk of developing ethanol use disorder later in life. Although the endocannabinoid (eCB) system plays a role in stress-related behaviors and ethanol consumption, it remains unclear whether the eCB system is affected in response to a combination of both factors. ⋯ In Experiment 2, during a two-bottle free choice paradigm, we found that MS increased mice preference for high ethanol concentrations (15 % and 20 %) but not lower ethanol concentrations (5 % and 10 %). Except for Mgll gene expression in the dorsal striatum (DS) in Experiment 2, no statistically significant effects of MS were observed regarding neuronal activation on the prefrontal cortex, DS, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra following a binge operant ethanol self-administration session (Experiment 1) or the eCB system molecules (Cnr1 and Faah gene expression) in the DS (Experiment 2).
-
The most characteristic feature of the human electroencephalogram is the peak alpha frequency (PAF). While PAF has been proposed as a biomarker in several diseases and disorders, the disease mechanisms modulating PAF, as well as its physiological substrates, remain elusive. This has partly been due to challenges related to experimental manipulation and invasive procedures in human neuroscience, as well as the scarcity of animal models where PAF is consistently present in resting-state. ⋯ Using this conservative threshold, PAF was present in 18/20 pigs with a normal distribution of the peak frequency between 8-12 Hz, producing similar findings to human recordings. We show that PAF was present in 69.6 % of epochs of approximately six-minute-long resting-state recordings. In sum, we propose that the pig is a suitable candidate for investigating the neural mechanisms of PAF as a biomarker for disease and disorders such as pain, neuropsychiatric disorders, and response to pharmacotherapy.
-
Infectious diseases are often concomitant with symptoms of lassitude and emotional disturbances, including depression, the so-called sickness behavior. Kososan, a Kampo (traditional Japanese herbal) formula, has been clinically used for depressive mood, with demonstrated efficacy in stress-induced depressive-like behavior mouse models. Additionally, our previous study has shown that nobiletin-rich kososan (NKS) prevents aging-related depressive-like behaviors and neuroinflammation in mice. ⋯ Moreover, the claudin-5 levels in BMVECs were also increased under LPS-stimulated conditions. These results suggest that NKS exerts prophylactic effects against the LPS-induced apathy-like behavior, partly mediated by the increase in the anti-inflammatory milieu and in the levels of tight junction proteins in the brain. This study provides scientific evidence supporting the potential efficacy of NKS in preventing post-infection depression.
-
Neuroinflammation can be directly linked to the imbalance in the Kynurenine-tryptophan Pathway (KP) metabolism. Under inflammatory circumstances, the KP is activated, resulting in a rise in the KP metabolite L-kynurenine (KYN) in the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNS). Increased amounts of KYN in the brain may lead to neurotoxic KYN metabolites, mostly due to breakdown by Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO). ⋯ The neurobehavioural assessment involving elevated plus-maze, sucrose preference test, line crossing, and actophotometer revealed that the test drug is capable of decreasing LPS-induced anxiety, depression, and anhedonia at both low and high doses respectively. The histopathological analysis indicated that the neurodegeneration is attenuated at high doses of Tetrahydrocoptisine. A test drug demonstrated potency in inhibiting Kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) expression in the brain, leading to reduced levels of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation compared to a control group.