Neuroscience
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Naturally occurring variations in neuropeptide receptor distributions in the brain contribute to numerous mammalian social behaviors. In naked mole-rats, which live in large social groups and exhibit remarkable reproductive skew, colony-related social behaviors vary with reproductive status. Here we examined whether variation in social status is associated with variations in the location and/or density of oxytocin binding in this species. ⋯ While there were no main effects of reproductive status in any region, a sex difference in OTR binding in the nucleus accumbens was mediated by status. Specifically, breeding males tended to have more OTR binding than breeding females in the nucleus accumbens, while no sex difference was observed in subordinates. These effects suggest that oxytocin may act in a sex- and region-specific way that corresponds to reproductive status and associated social behaviors.
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Understanding the mechanisms that influence brain excitability and synchronization provides hope that epileptic seizures can be controlled. In this scenario, non-synaptic mechanisms have a critical role in seizure activity. The contribution of ion transporters to the regulation of seizure-like activity has not been extensively studied. ⋯ In addition, bumetanide, a selective inhibitor of neuronal Cl(-) uptake mediated by NKCC1, was used to confirm that the NKCC1 increase effectively contributed to NEA changes in the DG. Furthermore, 7 days after KA, prominent NKCC1 staining was identified in the axon initial segments of granule cells, at the exact site where action potentials are preferentially initiated, which endowed these neurons with increased excitability. Taken together, our data suggest a key role of NKCC1 in NEA in the DG.
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Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder with increased oxidative stress, the underlying vital process contributing to cell death. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a major bioactive diterpene quinone of Salva miltiorrhiza, had been proved effective in the MPTP model through its anti-inflammatory activity. Here in this research, we found that Tan IIA prevented the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons by activating the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. ⋯ Further studies revealed that Tan IIA reduced the enhancement of miR-153 by 6-OHDA, which targeted the 3'-UTR of Nrf2, and suppressed its expression and activation. Additionally, neurodegeneration caused by in vivo stereotaxic injection of 6-OHDA could also be ameliorated by the administration of Tan IIA. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that Tan IIA may be beneficial for the treatment of PD, and also confirm that targeting the Nrf2/ARE pathway is a promising strategy for therapeutic intervention in PD.
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Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness. Although its etiology is still largely unknown, strides have been taken throughout the last several decades to elucidate the nature of the neuropathology behind this disorder. The advent of neuroimaging technologies such as computerized axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have progressed knowledge about the macroscopic brain changes that occur in schizophrenia, including the characteristic enlarged ventricle size and reductions in gray matter volume, whole-brain volume, and white matter anisotropy. ⋯ This is consistent with neuroimaging data and implicates an altered aging trajectory as a factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Combined with evidence from other neuroanatomical studies reviewed here, as well as studies in childhood-onset schizophrenia, the evidence converges on a progressive neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia related to altered neuroplasticity. The evidence also supports a particular vulnerability of inhibitory cortical circuits with markers of interneurons showing some of the more consistent reductions in schizophrenia.
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Effects of the long-term use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on the brains of patients with epilepsy have been previously reported. The aim of this study was to determine the rapid brain structure remodeling induced by single-dose intravenous AED administration that rules out the potential effects of epilepsy. ⋯ Single-dose intravenous administration of a level of VPA or LEV that mimics clinical use is associated with rapid and reversible VBM-detected GMV or WMV alterations in rhesus monkeys. This finding may provide new insights into the understanding of AED-induced brain structure remodeling and may contribute to our understanding of the brain-level mechanisms and targets of AED action.