Neurotoxicology
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Review Meta Analysis
Onset and progression factors in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review.
Current research has identified several factors thought to be associated with the onset and progression of Parkinson's Disease (PD); however, whether certain factors contribute to or are protective against PD remains unclear. As such, a systematic search of the literature was performed using variations of MeSH and keyword search terms to identify and summarize systematic reviews and primary studies pertaining to factors associated with the onset and progression of PD. Factors referred to both traditional risk factors and prodromal markers. ⋯ Conversely, coffee consumption, cigarette smoking, and some polymorphisms were consistently found to be negatively associated with the onset of PD. Urate was the only identified factor linked to the progression of PD; it was mostly found to be negatively associated with PD. In sum, the evidence was systematically found and summarized in the literature pertaining to factors related to the onset and progression of PD.
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Review Meta Analysis
Factors associated with the onset and progression of neurotrauma: A systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Neurotrauma, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI), is a preventable condition that imposes an important burden on the Canadian society. In this study, the current evidence on risk factors for the onset and progression of neurotrauma is systematically reviewed and synthesized. Searches of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Medline and Medline in Process (via OVID), EMBASE and PsycINFO from inception to February 2013 were conducted to identify relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in English or French. ⋯ Substantial evidence supports the use of helmets for the prevention of TBI in sports and motorcycling and face shields in ice hockey. Addressing bicycle helmet legislation across Canada may be an effective option for reducing TBI caused by bicycle accidents. Limited evidence on relevant risk factors for spinal cord injuries and neurotrauma progression was available.
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The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) concept has recently been proposed to support a paradigm shift in regulatory toxicology testing and risk assessment. This concept is similar to the Mode of Action (MOA), in that it describes a sequence of measurable key events triggered by a molecular initiating event in which a stressor interacts with a biological target. The resulting cascade of key events includes molecular, cellular, structural and functional changes in biological systems, resulting in a measurable adverse outcome. ⋯ Because of the biological and functional complexity of the CNS and PNS, it has been challenging to establish causative links and quantitative relationships between key events that comprise the pathways leading from chemical exposure to an adverse outcome in the nervous system. Following introduction of the principles of MOA and AOPs, examples of potential or putative adverse outcome pathways specific for developmental or adult neurotoxicity are summarized and aspects of their assessment considered. Their possible application in developing mechanistically informed Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) is also discussed.
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Betulin is extracted from birch tree bark and exerts diverse pharmacological activities. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of betulin (BE) on cognitive decline in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The diabetic model was built by streptozotocin (STZ) (30mg/kg, ip). ⋯ BE also markedly reduced the contents of inflammatory cytokines in serum and hippocampus. Furthermore, administration of BE effectively upregulated the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and blocked the phosphorylations of IκB, NF-κB. In summary, BE might exhibit protective effect on cognitive decline in STZ-induced diabetic rats through HO-1/Nrf-2/NF-κB pathway.
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Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and incidence of brain tumours: The Danish Nurse Cohort.
Air pollution has been considered a potent environmental risk factor for neuropathology through neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which might also cause brain tumour formation. However, epidemiological evidence on the association between air pollution and brain tumours in humans is sparse, with no data on exposure to particles. In this study we aim to examine associations between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and risk for development of brain tumours. ⋯ We found weak evidence for association between risk of brain tumours and long-term exposure to air pollution in women older than 44 years. However, we present novel results that obese women may be susceptible, as well as a positive tendency towards elevated risk for meninges and benign tumours, which require further investigation.