Neuroscience
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Review
Virtual reality modulating dynamics of neuroplasticity: Innovations in neuro-motor rehabilitation.
Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a ground-breaking tool in neuroscience, revolutionizing our understanding of neuroplasticity and its implications for neurological rehabilitation. By immersing individuals in simulated environments, VR induces profound neurobiological transformations, affecting neuronal connectivity, sensory feedback mechanisms, motor learning processes, and cognitive functions. These changes highlight the dynamic interplay between molecular events, synaptic adaptations, and neural reorganization, emphasizing the potential of VR as a therapeutic intervention in various neurological disorders. ⋯ Integrating molecular neuroscience with VR technology allows for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, opening doors to personalized interventions and precise treatment strategies for individuals with neurological impairments. Moreover, the review emphasizes the ethical considerations and challenges that come with implementing VR-based interventions in clinical practice, stressing the importance of data privacy, informed consent, and collaborative interdisciplinary efforts. By leveraging advanced molecular imaging techniques, VR-based research methodologies, and computational modelling, the review envisions a future where VR technology plays a central role in revolutionizing neuroscience research and clinical neurorehabilitation, ultimately providing tailored and impactful solutions for individuals facing neurological challenges.
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Apelin, an endogenous ligand of G protein-coupled receptor APJ, is widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS). It can be divided into such subtypes as Apelin-13, Apelin-17, and Apelin-36 as they have different amino acid structures. ⋯ As an adipokine, Apelin has been found to play a crucial role in cardiovascular disease development. In this paper, we reviewed the effects and mechanisms of Apelin in treating CNS diseases, such as neurotrauma, stroke, spinal cord injury, primary tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric diseases, epilepsy, and pain.
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Review
Cross-species dissection of the modular role of the ventral tegmental area in depressive disorders.
Depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), represent one of the most prevalent set of disorders worldwide. MDD is characterized by a range of cognitive, behavioral, and neurobiological changes that contribute to the vast array of symptom profiles that make this disorder particularly difficult to treat. A multitude of established evidence suggests a role for the dopamine system, stemming in part from the ventral tegmental area (VTA), in mediating symptoms and behavioral changes that underlie depression. ⋯ Then, we introduce the role of the VTA in reward processing as it compares to aversion processing. Next, we characterize distinct neural pathways within the VTA circuitry to understand the effects of chronic social and non-social stress and tie together how these neurobiological changes manifest into specific behavioral phenotypes. Finally, we relate these preclinical findings to clinical findings to parse the heterogeneity of depressive phenotypes and explain the efficacy of recent novel pharmacological interventions that may target the VTA in MDD.
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Endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs) and nitric oxide (NO) are classical retrograde transmitters that modulate synaptic function throughout the brain. Although much is known about how these signals individually control synaptic activity and behavior, accumulating evidence suggests that they can also interact in a multitude of ways in the brain and beyond. Here, we present evidence for interactions between endogenous cannabinoids and nitric oxide in the brain. ⋯ We also provide an overview on how these transmitters work together or in opposition at the same synapses. This information will further our understanding of how two important, ubiquitous signals interact in the brain to ultimately affect neural function and behavior. Because eCBs and NO are involved in many physiological and pathological phenomena, understanding how these transmitters interact in non-human animals could lead to important therapeutic interventions in humans that potentially target both systems.
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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an effective rehabilitation strategy that promotes motor learning. The related studies reported different findings through different modalities of tDCS over different brain regions. This study aimed to identify the optimal effects of tDCS on motor learning through a systematic review and network meta-analysis, focusing on determining the best electrode montage and assessing the efficacy of various tDCS configurations. ⋯ Dual site tDCS enhances motor learning (efficacy on parameters of motor learning; RT and ER), with more efficacy as compared to unilateral tDCS (P < 0.05, 78 % to 84 % in SUCRA). In addition, the findings indicated that PPC a-tDCS has the least efficacy of motor learning as compared to the other tDCS interventions (P < 0.05, 0.5 % to 0.13 %). It is suggested that dual site tDCS and M1 or cerebellar a-tDCS be used, as compared to other tDCS interventions in other brain regions, for the improvement of motor learning.