Brain research
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The inferior longitudinal fascicle (ILF) is one of the major occipital-temporal association pathways. Several studies have mapped its hierarchical segmentation to specific functions. There is, however, no consensus regarding a detailed description of ILF fibre organisation. ⋯ ILF volume was significantly lateralised to the right. The examined indices of ILF subcomponents did not show any significant difference in lateralisation. The connectivity pattern and the quantitative distribution of ILF subcomponents suggest a pivotal role for this bundle in integrating information from highly specialised modular visual areas with activity in anterior temporal territory, which has been previously shown to be important for memory and emotions.
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Status epilepticus (SE, a prolonged seizure activity) is a high risk factor of developing vasogenic edema, which leads to secondary complications following SE. In the present study, we investigated whether transient receptor potential canonical channel-3 (TRPC3) may link vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway to NFκB/ETB receptor axis in the rat piriform cortex during vasogenic edema formation. Following SE, TRPC3 and ETB receptor independently activated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway. ⋯ These findings indicate that PI3K/AKT may be common down-stream molecules for TRPC3- and ETB receptor signaling pathways during vasogenic edema formation. In addition, the present data demonstrate for the first time that TRPC3 may integrate VEGF- and NFκB-mediated vasogenic edema formation following SE. Thus, we suggest that PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may be one of considerable therapeutic targets for vasogenic edema.
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Hypothermia has demonstrated neuroprotection following ischemia in preclinical studies while its clinical application is still very limited. The aim of this study was to explore whether combining local hypothermia in ischemic territory achieved by intra-arterial cold infusions (IACIs) with pharmacologically induced hypothermia enhances therapeutic outcomes, as well as the underlying mechanism. ⋯ The combination approach is able to enhance the efficiency of hypothermia and efficacy of hypothermia-induced neuroprotection following ischemic stroke. The findings here move us a step closer towards translating this long recognized TH from bench to bedside.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to morbidity in children, and more boys experience TBI. Cerebral autoregulation is impaired after TBI, contributing to poor outcome. Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP) is often normalized by use of vasoactive agents to increase mean arterial pressure (MAP). ⋯ These data indicate that DA protects autoregulation and limits hippocampal neuronal cell necrosis via block of ERK after FPI in male and female juvenile pigs. Of the vasoactive agents prior investigated, including norepinephrine, epinephrine, and phenylephrine, DA is the only one demonstrated to improve outcome after TBI in both sexes and ages. These data suggest that DA should be considered as a first line treatment to protect cerebral autoregulation and promote cerebral outcomes in pediatric TBI irrespective of age and sex.
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High-mobility group box1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein widely expressed in the central nervous system. Extracellular HMGB1 serves as a proinflammatory cytokine and contributes to brain injury during the acute stage post-stroke. Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated beneficial effects of HMGB1 in some types of brain injury, but little is known about its effects during the late phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ Recombinant HMGB1 can promote cytokine stimulating activity and aggravate brain injury. However, oxidized HMGB1 was unable to stimulate TNF production but can promote brain recovery by promoting neurotrophin expression. In conclusion, our investigation identified that HMGB1 promotes neurovascular recovery via Rage and may act in the oxidized state in the late stage of SAH.