Neuroscience
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From the start of pregnancy, mother and child induce reciprocal neurobiological changes in the brain that will prove critical for neurodevelopment and survival of both. Molecular communication between mother and fetus is constantly active and persists even after the fetus starts to synthesize its hormones in late gestation. Intriguingly, some mother and fetus exchange cells remain in the other's brain and body with long-lasting effects and memories that do not follow the laws of classical genetics but involve complex epigenetic mechanisms. ⋯ The interplay between these two "limbo" states allows for an easier transition to the subsequent phases of development. In this review, we will trace mother's and child's path from pregnancy to the months following birth and, in particular, unravel i) the key features of pregnancy and brain development and the reciprocal influences; ii) how a transitory pattern of functioning characterize mother and child, moving them toward more flexible and evolved forms; and iii) how mother and fetus act during childbirth to promote neuroprotection, pain reduction, and neurophysiological changes. Therefore, this review covers a wide range of topics, integrating neuroanatomical, neurological, biochemical, neurophysiological, and psychological studies in a meaningful way, trying to integrate them in a holistic view of the mother-child interface that is usually neglected.
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Review
Dualism, Materialism, and the relationship between the brain and the mind in experiencing pain.
Characterizing the relationship between the brain and the mind is essential, both for understanding how we experience sensations and for attempts to create machine-based artificial intelligence. Materialists argue that the brain and the mind are both physical/material in nature whereas Cartesian dualists posit that the brain is material, the mind is non-material, and that they are separate. Recent investigations into the mechanisms responsible for pain can resolve this issue. ⋯ The material brain and immaterial mind are therefore separate and we can no longer attribute painfulness solely to the activities of the brain. This is a radical departure from the contemporary view of brain functions and supports Cartesian Dualism. Consequently, consciousness and higher mental functions cannot be duplicated by mimicking the activities of the brain.
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The presence of ionotropic receptors to neurotransmitters in presynaptic structures is well documented in many synapses of the mammalian brain. However, due to technical limitations, the actual prevalence of presynaptic ionotropic receptors, as well as their potential functional roles, have remained largely uncertain. The relatively simple and regular organization of neurites in the cerebellar cortex has offered a unique opportunity to bridge this gap of knowledge, by systematically probing the presence and role of presynaptic ionotropic receptors at various synapses. ⋯ They indicate a surprisingly large prevalence of presynaptic ionotropic receptors, with many synapses displaying several such receptors, often to both neurotransmitters. These results indicate that the presence of several types of presynaptic ionotropic receptors may be the rule rather than the exception in mammalian brain synapses. In addition, we discuss the functional roles of presynaptic ionotropic receptors in the induction of various forms of cerebellar long-term synaptic plasticity, as well as the potential consequences of having multiple presynaptic ionotropic receptors in a single synapse.
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Fluorescent carbon dots have emerged as promising nanomaterials for various applications, including bioimaging, food safety detection and drug delivery. However, their potential impact on neurological systems, especially in-vivo models, remains a critical area of investigation. This review focuses on the neurological effects of carbon dots and carbon quantum dots on zebrafish, an established vertebrate model with a conserved central nervous system. ⋯ Neurotoxicity assessments reveal both short-term and long-term effects, ranging from immediate behavioral alterations to subtle changes in neuronal morphology. The review discusses potential mechanisms underlying these effects highlights the need for standardized methodologies in assessing neurological outcomes and emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in nanomaterial research. As the field of nanotechnology continues to advance, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of fluorescent carbon dots on neurological function in zebrafish is crucial for informing safe and sustainable applications in medicine and beyond.
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Suicide ideation (SI) is the major cause of death in persons with depression, whereas effective and accurate biomarkers for suicidal behavior of persons with depression are still lack. Recently, manifold studies in vivo revealed that epigenetic alterations including DNA methylation, non-coding RNA regulation, RNA editing and histone modification, were associated with depressive severity and SI, and peripheral epigenetic molecules may be potential biomarkers for suicidal risk of persons with depression. Therefore, we firstly reviewed recent epigenetic advancements in depression with suicide ideation (DSI) according to studies based on human tissue. Furthermore, we discussed the significance and potential of minimally-invasive peripheral epigenetic molecules to identify potential suicidal biomarkers for DSI, aiming to promote early identification and therapeutic evaluation of DSI.