Brain research
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This study aimed to identify the neural correlates of aggression-related attentional selectivity to angry faces in physical aggression. Physical aggression in a non-clinical sample of young men (N = 36) was measured using an aggression questionnaire. Visual attentional bias to angry faces was assessed using a dot-probe task during which angry and neutral faces were presented simultaneously, and EEG was recorded. ⋯ It was concluded that the aggressive males selectively attend to angry faces, and that attentional bias is characterized by undifferentiated P3 amplitude. We propose that this results from an inferior ability to downregulate competing angry face distractors when responding to probes replacing neutral faces (as reflected by the P3 response). These findings indicate that attentional bias to angry faces in individuals with higher physical aggression is characterized by a distinctive ERP signature; this could inform the development of therapeutic interventions seeking to reduce aggression.
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Mas oncogene-related gene receptors (Mrg) are uniquely distributed in small and medium cells of trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The physiological and pharmacological properties of Mrg are unknown. We have shown that intermittent activation of MrgC prevents and reverses morphine tolerance. ⋯ All of these responses were not seen when BAM8-22 or MSH was co-administered with the PKC inhibitor CLT (3 nmol) or GF-109203X (10 nmol). The present study suggested that the chronic activation of MrgC upregulated expressions of pronociceptive mediators via PKC signaling pathway leading to the suppression of antinociceptive property of morphine. These effects are opposite to those occurred when MrgC is activated acutely or moderately.
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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive tool used to treat brain disorders. The DC electric field is thought to modulate neuronal excitability and it has been reported to exert effects within the localized treatment area under the electrode, as well as in diffuse brain regions extending beyond the electrode. However, the manner in which tDCS influences neural transmission in the cortex and modulates neural activity in distant interconnected cortical regions remains unclear. ⋯ Taken together, these results suggest that, when applied to the cortex, the aDCS may have intrinsic local effects, influencing afferent neural activity immediately underneath the stimulation site. Thus, the present results indicate that aDCS has less influence on neural activity in distant cortical areas interconnected to the stimulation site than at the stimulation site itself. Therefore, the findings do not support the idea of DCS remote activation via cortico-cortical connections, at least between the S1-M1 and M2 regions in rats.
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Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) always results in severe neurologic dysfunction, nevertheless effective treatments are limited and the underlying mechanism also remains unclear. In this study, we firstly established the neonatal HIE model in the postnatal day 7 SD rats, Zea-Longa score and TTC staining were employed to assess the neurological behavior and infarct volume of the brain after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Afterwards, protein chip was adopted to detect the differential proteins in the right cortex, hippocampus and lung, ultimately, PDGF was noticed. ⋯ Moreover, the protein level of P-PI3K and P-AKT signaling pathways were largely decreased following PDGF-shRNA application in the cortical neurons. In conclusion, PDGF suppression aggravated neuronal dysfunction, and the underlying mechanism is associated with inhibiting the phosphorylation of P-PI3K and P-AKT. Together, PDGF regulating PI3K and AKT may be an important panel in HIE events and therefore may provide possible strategy for the treatment of HIE in future clinic trail.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder which is characterized by altered bowel habits. A growing number of studies investigate the association between IBS and cognitive impairments. Current studies report conflicting results regarding cognitive impairment in IBS patients. We therefore conducted the first systematic review to examine the association between IBS and cognitive impairment and identify the types of cognitive domain involved. ⋯ There is evidence of attentional bias in individuals with IBS; the evidence on cognitive impairment was either inconclusive or insufficient in other cognitive domains. Further studies are needed to confirm prevalence rates and examine potential mechanisms.