Stroke,particularly ischemic stroke,is the leading cause of long-term disability and mortality worldwide.It occurs due to the occlusion of the cerebral arteries,which significantly reduces the delivery of blood,oxygen...Stroke,particularly ischemic stroke,is the leading cause of long-term disability and mortality worldwide.It occurs due to the occlusion of the cerebral arteries,which significantly reduces the delivery of blood,oxygen,and essential nutrients to brain tissues.This deprivation triggers a cascade of cellular events that ultimately leads to neuronal death.Recent studies have clarified the multifactorial pathogenesis of ischemic stroke,highlighting the roles of energy failure,excitotoxicity,oxidative stress,neuroinflammation,and apoptosis.This review aimed to provide a comprehensive insight into the fundamental mechanisms driving neuronal death triggered by ischemia and to examine the progress of neuroprotective therapeutic approaches designed to mitigate neuronal loss and promote neurological recovery after a stroke.Additionally,we explored widely accepted findings regarding the potential pathways implicated in neuronal death during ischemic stroke,including the interplay of apoptosis,autophagy,pyroptosis,ferroptosis,and necrosis,which collectively influence neuronal fate.We also discussed advancements in neuroprotective therapeutics,encompassing a range of interventions from pharmacological modulation to stem cell-based therapies,aimed at reducing neuronal injury and enhancing functional recovery following ischemic stroke.Despite these advancements,challenges remain in translating mechanistic insights into effective clinical therapies.Although neuroprotective strategies have shown promise in preclinical models,their efficacy in human trials has been inconsistent,often due to the complex pathology of ischemic stroke and the timing of interventions.In conclusion,this review synthesizes mechanistic insights into the intricate interplay of molecular and cellular pathways driving neuronal death post-ischemia.It sheds light on cutting-edge advancements in potential neuroprotective therapeutics,underscores the promise of regenerative medicine,and offers a forward-looking perspective on potential clinical breakthroughs.The ongoing evolution of precision-targeted interventions is expected to significantly enhance preventative strategies and improve clinical outcomes.展开更多
Neuronal cell death is a common outcome of multiple pathophysiological processes and a key factor in neurological dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Neuronal ferroptosis in particular plays an important role in...Neuronal cell death is a common outcome of multiple pathophysiological processes and a key factor in neurological dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Neuronal ferroptosis in particular plays an important role in early brain injury.Bromodomain-containing protein 4,a member of the bromo and extraterminal domain family of proteins,participated in multiple cell death pathways,but the mechanisms by which it regulates ferroptosis remain unclear.The primary aim of this study was to investigate how bromodomain-containing protein 4 affects neuronal ferroptosis following subarachnoid hemorrhage in vivo and in vitro.Our findings revealed that endogenous bromodomain-containing protein 4 co-localized with neurons,and its expression was decreased 48 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage of the cerebral cortex in vivo.In addition,ferroptosis-related pathways were activated in vivo and in vitro after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 in neurons increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular ferrous iron accumulation via ferritinophagy and ultimately led to neuronal ferroptosis.Using cleavage under targets and tagmentation analysis,we found that bromodomain-containing protein 4 enrichment in the Raf-1 promoter region decreased following oxyhemoglobin stimulation in vitro.Furthermore,treating bromodomain-containing protein 4-knockdown HT-22 cell lines with GW5074,a Raf-1 inhibitor,exacerbated neuronal ferroptosis by suppressing the Raf-1/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.Moreover,targeted inhibition of neuronal bromodomain-containing protein 4 exacerbated early and long-term neurological function deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Our findings suggest that bromodomain-containing protein 4 may have neuroprotective effects after subarachnoid hemorrhage,and that inhibiting ferroptosis could help treat subarachnoid hemorrhage.展开更多
Neurodegenerative diseases,which are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and the lack of disease-modifying therapies,are becoming a major global health challenge.The existing neuromodulation techniques,such as ...Neurodegenerative diseases,which are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and the lack of disease-modifying therapies,are becoming a major global health challenge.The existing neuromodulation techniques,such as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation,show limitations such as invasiveness,restricted cortical targeting,and irreversible tissue effects.In this context,low-intensity transcranial ultrasound has emerged as a promising noninvasive alternative that can penetrate deep into the brain and modulate neuroplasticity.This review comprehensively assesses the therapeutic mechanisms,efficacy,and translational potential of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound in treating neurodegenerative diseases,with emphasis on its role in promoting neuronal regeneration,modulating neuroinflammation,and enhancing functional recovery.We summarize the findings of previous studies and systematically illustrate the potential of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound in regulating cell death mechanisms,enhancing neural repair and regeneration,and alleviating symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases.Preclinical findings indicate that low-intensity transcranial ultrasound can enhance the release of neurotrophic factors(e.g.,brain-derived neurotrophic factor),promote autophagy to clear protein aggregates,modulate microglial activation,and temporarily open the blood-brain barrier to facilitate targeted drug delivery.Existing clinical trial data show that low-intensity transcranial ultrasound can reduce amyloid-βplaques,improve motor and cognitive deficits,and promote remyelination in various disease models.Early clinical trials suggest that low-intensity transcranial ultrasound may enhance cognitive scores in Alzheimer’s disease and alleviate motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease,all while demonstrating a favorable safety profile.Past studies support the notion that by integrating safety,precision,and reversibility,low-intensity transcranial ultrasound can transform the treatment landscape for neurodegenerative disease.However,more advancements are necessary for future clinical application of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound,including optimizing parameters such as frequency,intensity,and duty cycle;considering individual anatomical differences;and confirming long-term efficacy.We believe establishing standardized protocols,conducting larger trials,and investigating the underlying mechanisms to clarify dose-response relationships and refine personalized application strategies are essential in this regard.Future research should focus on translating preclinical findings into clinical practice,addressing technical challenges,and exploring combination therapies with pharmacological or gene interventions.展开更多
Spinal cord injury is a severe neurological condition with limited neuronal regeneration and functional recovery.Currently,no effective treatments exist to improve spinal cord injury prognosis.Neuronal guidance protei...Spinal cord injury is a severe neurological condition with limited neuronal regeneration and functional recovery.Currently,no effective treatments exist to improve spinal cord injury prognosis.Neuronal guidance proteins are a diverse group of molecules that play crucial roles in axon and dendrite growth during nervous system development.Increasing evidence highlights their regulatory functions in spinal cord injury.This review provides a brief overview of the modulation patterns of key neuronal guidance proteins in neuronal axon growth during nervous system formation and subsequently focuses on their roles in neuronal regeneration and functional recovery following spinal cord injury.Neuronal guidance proteins include,but are not limited to,semaphorins and their receptors,plexins;netrins and their receptors,deleted in colorectal cancer and UNC5;Eph receptors and their ligands,ephrins;Slit and its receptor,Robo;repulsive guidance molecules and their receptor,neogenin;Wnt proteins and their receptor,Frizzled;and protocadherins.Localized Netrin-1 at the injury site inhibits motor axon regeneration after adult spinal cord injury while promoting oligodendrocyte growth.Slit2 enhances synapse formation in the injured spinal cord of rats.EphA7 regulates acute apoptosis in the early pathophysiological stages of spinal cord injury,while ephrinA1 plays a role in the nervous system’s injury response,with its reduced expression leading to impaired motor function in rats.EphA3 is upregulated following spinal cord injury,promoting an inhibitory environment for axonal regeneration.After spinal cord injury,bidirectional activation of ephrinB2 and EphB2 in astrocytes and fibroblasts results in the formation of a dense astrocyte-meningeal fibroblast scar.EphB1/ephrinB1 signaling mediates pain processing in spinal cord injury by regulating calpain-1 and caspase-3 in neurons.EphB3 expression increases in white matter after spinal cord injury,further inhibiting axon regeneration.Sema3A,expressed by neurons and fibroblasts in the scar surrounding the injury,inhibits motor neuron and sensory nerve growth after spinal cord injury.Sema4D suppresses neuronal axon myelination and axon regeneration,while its inhibition significantly enhances axon regeneration and motor recovery.Sema7A is involved in glial scar formation and may influence serotonin channel remodeling,thereby affecting motor coordination.Given these findings,the local or systemic application of neuronal guidance proteins represents a promising avenue for spinal cord injury treatment.展开更多
Nonhuman primates are increasingly being used as animal models in neuroscience research.However,efficient neuronal tracing techniques for labeling motor neurons and primary sensory afferents in the monkey spinal cord ...Nonhuman primates are increasingly being used as animal models in neuroscience research.However,efficient neuronal tracing techniques for labeling motor neurons and primary sensory afferents in the monkey spinal cord are lacking.Here,by injecting the cholera toxin B subunit into the sciatic nerve of a rhesus monkey,we successfully labeled the motor neurons and primary sensory afferents in the lumbar and sacralspinal cord.Labeled alpha motor neurons were located in lamina IX of the L6–S1 segments,which innervate both flexors and extensors.The labeled primary sensory afferents were mainly myelinated Aβfibers that terminated mostly in laminae I and II of the L4–L7 segments.Together with the labeled proprioceptive afferents,the primary sensory afferents formed excitatory synapses with multiple types of spinal neurons.In summary,our methods successfully traced neuronal connections in the monkey spinal cord and can be used in spinal cord studies when nonhuman primates are used.展开更多
Unwarranted death of neurons is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases.Since mature neurons are postmitotic and do not replicate,their death usually constitutes an irreversible step in pathology.A logical strateg...Unwarranted death of neurons is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases.Since mature neurons are postmitotic and do not replicate,their death usually constitutes an irreversible step in pathology.A logical strategy to prevent neurodegeneration would then be to save all neurons that are still alive,i.e.protecting the ones that are still healthy as well as trying to rescue the ones that are damaged and in the process of dying.Regarding the latter,recent experiments have indicated that the possibility of reversing the cell death process and rescuing dying cells is more significant than previously anticipated.In many situations,the elimination of the cell death trigger alone enables dying cells to spontaneously repair their damage,recover,and survive.In this review,we explore the factors,which determine the fate of neurons engaged in the cell death process.A deeper insight into cell death mechanisms and the intrinsic capacity of cells to recover could pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Parkinson’s disease(PD)is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder.The progressive degeneration of dopamine(DA)producing neurons in the midbrain is the pathological hallmark,which leads to debilitating motor...Parkinson’s disease(PD)is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder.The progressive degeneration of dopamine(DA)producing neurons in the midbrain is the pathological hallmark,which leads to debilitating motor symptoms,including tremors,rigidity,and bradykinesia.Drug treatments,such as levodopa,provide symptomatic relief.However,they do not halt disease progression,and their effectiveness diminishes over time(reviewed in Poewe et al.,2017).展开更多
The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons overcomes limited access to human tissues and offers an unprecedented approach to modeling motor neuron diseases such as dystonia and amyotro...The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons overcomes limited access to human tissues and offers an unprecedented approach to modeling motor neuron diseases such as dystonia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Motor neurons generated through different strategies may exhibit substantial differences in purity,maturation,characterization,and even neuronal identity,leading to variable outcomes in disease modeling and drug screening.However,very few comparative studies have been conducted to determine the similarities and differences among motor neurons prepared via different protocols.In this study,we prepared human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons via lentiviral delivery of transcription factors and chemical induction and performed a systematic comparative analysis.We found that motor neurons generated by both approaches showed typical motor neuron morphology and robustly expressed motor neuron-specific markers,such as nuclear homeobox transcription factor 9 and choline acetyltransferase.The chemical induction protocol utilizes a combination of small molecules to induce motor neuron differentiation,offering a significantly faster maturation time of 35 days compared to 46 days with lentiviral delivery of transcription factors.Additionally,while lentiviral delivery of transcription factors are suitable for downstream biochemical analysis,chemical induction are more applicable for therapeutic approaches as they avoid the use of lentiviruses.Both approaches produce motor neurons with high purity(>95%)and yield.No significant differences were found between chemical induction and lentiviral delivery of transcription factors in terms of motor neuron markers and maturation markers.These robust methodologies offer researchers powerful tools for investigating motor neuron diseases and potential therapeutic strategies.展开更多
Motor neuron diseases are sporadic or inherited fatal neurodegenerative conditions.They selectively affect the upper and/or lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord and feature a slow onset and a subacute cour...Motor neuron diseases are sporadic or inherited fatal neurodegenerative conditions.They selectively affect the upper and/or lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord and feature a slow onset and a subacute course contingent upon the site of damage.The main types include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,progressive muscular atrophy,primary lateral sclerosis,and progressive bulbar palsy,the pathological processes of which are largely identical,with the main disparity lying in the location of the lesions.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the representative condition in this group of diseases,while other types are its variants.Hence,this article mainly focuses on the advancements and challenges in drug research for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but also briefly addresses several other important degenerative motor neuron diseases.Although the precise pathogenesis remains elusive,recent advancements have shed light on various theories,including gene mutation,excitatory amino acid toxicity,autoimmunology,and neurotrophic factors.The US Food and Drug Administration has approved four drugs for use in delaying the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:riluzole,edaravone,AMX0035,and tofersen,with the latter being the most recent to receive approval.However,following several phaseⅢtrials that failed to yield favorable outcomes,AMX0035 has been voluntarily withdrawn from both the US and Canadian markets.This article presents a comprehensive summary of drug trials primarily completed between January 1,2023,and June 30,2024,based on data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov.Among these trials,five are currently in phaseⅠ,seventeen are in phaseⅡ,and eleven are undergoing phaseⅢevaluation.Notably,24 clinical trials are now investigating potential disease-modifying therapy drugs,accounting for the majority of the drugs included in this review.Some promising drugs being investigated in preclinical studies,such as ATH-1105,are included in our analysis,and another review in frontiers in gene therapy and immunotherapy has demonstrated their therapeutic potential for motor neuron diseases.This article was written to be an overview of research trends and treatment prospects related to motor neuron disease drugs,with the aim of highlighting the latest potentialities for clinical therapy.展开更多
DJ-1,also known as Parkinson’s disease protein 7(PARK7),is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in oxidative stress regulation and neuroprotection.Previous studies have shown that DJ-1 affects early...DJ-1,also known as Parkinson’s disease protein 7(PARK7),is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in oxidative stress regulation and neuroprotection.Previous studies have shown that DJ-1 affects early-onset Parkinson’s disease by regulating neuroinflammation,but its specific mechanism remains unclear.The study investigated the role of DJ-1 in mediating microglia-neuron communication to identify potential therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease.In this study,we observed a significant decrease in the levels of C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1)in Park7 knockout mice and SH-SY5Y cells with Park7 knockdown.Protein microarray analysis and validation using GEO datasets confirmed that knockout of the Park7 gene led to downregulation of CX3CL1 and two other chemokines,namely monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8.Further investigation revealed that Park7 deficiency reduced the processing of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 10(ADAM10)in the neuronal endoplasmic reticulum of both mice and SH-SY5Y cells,thereby decreasing CX3CL1 secretion.This subsequently led to abnormal microglial activation,with a shift toward the proinflammatory M1 phenotype,exacerbating neuroinflammatory responses.These effects were mitigated by exogenous CX3CL1 administration.Concurrently,exogenous CX3CL1 improved motor function in Parkinson’s disease model mice with the Park7 knockout,promoting survival of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra and reducing Iba-1-positive microglial activation.These findings demonstrate that DJ-1 exerts neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons by suppressing microglial activation through CX3CL1 regulation,suggesting that targeting the DJ-1/CX3CL1 axis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for modulating neuroinflammation and protecting dopaminergic neurons.展开更多
The number and diversity of inhibitory neurons(INs)increased substantially during mammalian brain evolution.However,the generative mechanisms of the vast repertoire of human INs remain elusive.We performed spatial and...The number and diversity of inhibitory neurons(INs)increased substantially during mammalian brain evolution.However,the generative mechanisms of the vast repertoire of human INs remain elusive.We performed spatial and single-cell transcriptomics of human medial ganglionic eminence(hMGE),a pivotal source of cortical and subpallial INs,and built the trajectories of hMGE-derived cells during brain development.We identified spatiotemporally and molecularly segregated progenitor cell populations fated to produce distinct IN types.展开更多
Epilepsy is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. However, despite the availability of more than 20 antiseizure medications, more than one-third of patients continue to experience seizures. Given the ...Epilepsy is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. However, despite the availability of more than 20 antiseizure medications, more than one-third of patients continue to experience seizures. Given the urgent need to explore new treatment strategies for epilepsy, recent research has highlighted the potential of targeting gliosis, metabolic disturbances, and neural circuit abnormalities as therapeutic strategies. Astrocytes, the largest group of nonneuronal cells in the central nervous system, play several crucial roles in maintaining ionic and energy metabolic homeostasis in neurons, regulating neurotransmitter levels, and modulating synaptic plasticity. This article briefly reviews the critical role of astrocytes in maintaining balance within the central nervous system. Building on previous research, we discuss how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of epilepsy through four key aspects: the imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal signaling, dysregulation of metabolic homeostasis in the neuronal microenvironment, neuroinflammation, and the formation of abnormal neural circuits. We summarize relevant basic research conducted over the past 5 years that has focused on modulating astrocytes as a therapeutic approach for epilepsy. We categorize the therapeutic targets proposed by these studies into four areas: restoration of the excitation–inhibition balance, reestablishment of metabolic homeostasis, modulation of immune and inflammatory responses, and reconstruction of abnormal neural circuits. These targets correspond to the pathophysiological mechanisms by which astrocytes contribute to epilepsy. Additionally, we need to consider the potential challenges and limitations of translating these identified therapeutic targets into clinical treatments. These limitations arise from interspecies differences between humans and animal models, as well as the complex comorbidities associated with epilepsy in humans. We also highlight valuable future research directions worth exploring in the treatment of epilepsy and the regulation of astrocytes, such as gene therapy and imaging strategies. The findings presented in this review may help open new therapeutic avenues for patients with drugresistant epilepsy and for those suffering from other central nervous system disorders associated with astrocytic dysfunction.展开更多
V-raf-leukemia viral oncogene 1(RAF1),a serine/threonine protein kinase,is well established to play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cell development.However,the specific role of hypothalamic RAF1 in regulating ene...V-raf-leukemia viral oncogene 1(RAF1),a serine/threonine protein kinase,is well established to play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cell development.However,the specific role of hypothalamic RAF1 in regulating energy metabolism remains unknown.In this study,we found that the expression of RAF1 was significantly increased in hypothalamic AgRP neurons of diet-induced obesity(DIO)mice.Under normal chow diet feeding,overexpression of Raf1 in AgRP neurons led to obesity in mice characterized by increased body weight,fat mass,and impaired glucose tolerance.Conversely,Raf1 knockout in AgRP neurons protected against diet-induced obesity,reducing fat mass and improving glucose tolerance.Mechanistically,Raf1 activated the MAPK signaling pathway,culminating in the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB),which enhanced transcription of Agrp and Npy.Insulin stimulation further potentiated the RAF1-MEK1/2-ERK1/2-CREB axis,highlighting RAF1's role in integrating hormonal and nutritional signals to regulate energy balance.Collectively,these findings underscore the important role of RAF1 in AgRP neurons in maintaining energy homeostasis and obesity pathogenesis,positioning it and its downstream pathways as potential therapeutic targets for innovative strategies to combat obesity and related metabolic diseases.展开更多
The output voltages for the capacitive elements of a neural circuit model can be mapped into dimensionless capacitive variables,which present firing patterns similar to the membrane potentials detected in biological n...The output voltages for the capacitive elements of a neural circuit model can be mapped into dimensionless capacitive variables,which present firing patterns similar to the membrane potentials detected in biological neurons.The inclusion of a memcapacitor also en‐ables consideration of membrane deformation effects,enhancing the model’s capacity to simulate neuronal behavior across varying physio‐logical and environmental conditions.In this study,a capacitor and a memcapacitor are connected through a linear resistor in parallel with other electric components in different branch circuits composed of an inductor and a nonlinear resistor.The electrical activities in a neuron with a double-layer membrane and two capacitive variables are discussed in detail after converting the nonlinear equations for the neural circuit into a theoretical neuron model.A dimensionless neuron model and its corresponding energy function are derived.The field energy function for the neural circuit is converted into an equivalent Hamilton energy function and further validated via the Helmholtz theorem.Furthermore,the average value of energy serves as an indicator for predicting stochastic resonance,as supported by analyzing the distribu‐tion of the coefficient of variation.The neuronal firing patterns are shown to be energy-dependent.An adaptive control strategy is proposed to regulate mode transitions in electrical activities of the neuron.An analog equivalent circuit is constructed to experimentally verify the nu‐merical results,thereby supporting the reliability of the proposed neuron model.展开更多
Cmyc,a proto-oncogene,is expressed at extremely low levels in mature neurons and is traditionally thought to have no function in these cells.However,recent studies suggest that Cmyc may play a crucial role in maintain...Cmyc,a proto-oncogene,is expressed at extremely low levels in mature neurons and is traditionally thought to have no function in these cells.However,recent studies suggest that Cmyc may play a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of mature dopaminergic neurons.This study assessed the role of Cmyc in dopaminergic neurons and its significance in Parkinson’s disease.We used a conditional knockout approach to specifically delete Cmyc in substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons of adult mice.Our findings showed that Cmyc deletion led to progressive neuron loss,Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms,downregulation of Klotho,and upregulation of senescence-associated inflammatory factors,along with enhanced oxidative stress and nitrated alpha-synuclein accumulation,ultimately causing neuronal death.In vitro experiments confirmed increased senescence in C-MYC knockout cells,which was partially reversible by KLOTHO overexpression.We conclude that low-level Cmyc expression is essential for maintaining the health of mature dopaminergic neurons and preventing neurodegeneration,and suggest the c-Myc/Klotho axis as a potential therapeutic target for age-related neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson’s disease.Our study introduces a novel mouse model for Parkinson’s disease that replicates a condition associated with normal aging,offering a valuable tool for future research into disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.展开更多
Neuronal plasticity,the brain's ability to adapt structurally and functionally,is essential for learning,memory,and recovery from injuries.In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinso...Neuronal plasticity,the brain's ability to adapt structurally and functionally,is essential for learning,memory,and recovery from injuries.In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease,this plasticity is disrupted,leading to cognitive and motor deficits.This review explores the mechanisms of neuronal plasticity and its effect on Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.Alzheimer's disease features amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles that impair synaptic function,while Parkinson's disease involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons affecting motor control.Enhancing neuronal plasticity offers therapeutic potential for these diseases.A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed,Scopus,and Google Scholar,focusing on studies of neuronal plasticity in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.Data synthesis identified key themes such as synaptic mechanisms,neurogenesis,and therapeutic strategies,linking molecular insights to clinical applications.Results highlight that targeting synaptic plasticity mechanisms,such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression,shows promise.Neurotrophic factors,advanced imaging techniques,and molecular tools(e.g.,clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and optogenetics)are crucial in understanding and enhancing plasticity.Current therapies,including dopamine replacement,deep brain stimulation,and lifestyle interventions,demonstrate the potential to alleviate symptoms and improve outcomes.In conclusion,enhancing neuronal plasticity through targeted therapies holds significant promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases.Future research should integrate multidisciplinary approaches to fully harness the therapeutic potential of neuronal plasticity in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.展开更多
Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neurotoxic amyloid beta(Aβ)deposition in the brain.Neurons can internalize and exocytose Aβ;however,the molecular pathways governing Aβreleas...Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neurotoxic amyloid beta(Aβ)deposition in the brain.Neurons can internalize and exocytose Aβ;however,the molecular pathways governing Aβrelease remain poorly understood.To identify key regulators of Aβ42 transport,we applied formaldehyde cross-linking of protein complexes combined with co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis to identify TMED10 as a novel Aβ42-interacting protein.In cultured neurons,TMED10 knockdown(KD)increased intracellular Aβ42 levels by preventing Aβ42 exocytosis.TMED10 expression was significantly reduced in the cortex of AD patients.Overexpression of TMED10 in primary neurons mitigated the toxic effects of exogenous Aβ42.In 5×FAD mice,overexpression of TMED10 via tail vein injection of a brain-penetrable adeno-associated virus improved cognitive function and reduced Aβ42 plaque accumulation.Together,these findings position TMED10 as a potential regulator of Aβ42 exocytosis and underscore the need for further studies to evaluate its therapeutic potential in AD.展开更多
The human brain is a complex intelligent system composed of tens of billions of neurons interconnected through synapses,and its intricate network structure has consistently attracted numerous scientists to explore the...The human brain is a complex intelligent system composed of tens of billions of neurons interconnected through synapses,and its intricate network structure has consistently attracted numerous scientists to explore the mysteries of brain functions.However,most existing studies have only verified the biological mimicry characteristics of memristors at the single neuron-synapse level,and there is still a lack of research on memristors simulating synaptic coupling between neurons in multi-neuron networks.Based on this,this paper uses discrete memristors to couple dual discrete Rulkov neurons,and adds synaptic crosstalk between the two discrete memristors to form a neuronal network.A memristor-coupled dual-neuron map,called the Rulkov-memristor-Rulkov(R-M-R)map,is constructed to simulate synaptic connections between neurons in biological tissues.Then,the equilibrium points of the R-M-R map are studied.Subsequently,the effect of parameter variations on the dynamic performance of the R-M-R map is comprehensively analyzed using bifurcation diagram,phase diagram,Lyapunov exponent spectrum(LEs),firing diagram,and spectral entropy(SE)complexity algorithms.In the RM-R map,diverse categories of periodic,chaotic,and hyperchaotic attractors,as well as different states of firing patterns,can be observed.Additionally,different types of state transitions and coexisting attractors are discovered.Finally,the feasibility of the model in digital circuits is verified using a DSP hardware platform.In this study,the coupling principle of biological neurons is simulated,the chaotic dynamic behavior of the R-M-R map is analyzed,and a foundation is laid for deciphering the complex working mechanisms of the brain.展开更多
Avian cognitive abilities rival those of primates.These capacities have been linked to high pallial neuronal density and prefrontal cortex-like dorsal ventricular ridge(DVR)circuitry.Although the DVR is now recognized...Avian cognitive abilities rival those of primates.These capacities have been linked to high pallial neuronal density and prefrontal cortex-like dorsal ventricular ridge(DVR)circuitry.Although the DVR is now recognized as a pallial structure homologous to the mammalian cortex,its morphological basis remains unclear.Here,we combine Nissl staining,Golgi-Cox labeling,and 3D reconstruction to map neuronal morphology across five telencephalic regions in the Rock Pigeon(Columba livia).From 64 fully reconstructed neurons,we quantified dendritic field area,total dendritic length,branching architecture,and radial arbor organization.DVR neurons showed the largest dendritic fields and the highest branching complexity.Single-nucleus transcriptomic data further revealed that the Nidopallium Caudolaterale(NCL),the core DVR subregion,expresses a neuronmorphogenesis gene module whose activity correlates with dendritic field size.Together,these results identify a molecular and morphological signature of DVR neurons and highlight the computational significance of Nidopallium Caudolaterale.This work provides an integrated comparison of telencephalic neuronal morphology and gene expression in birds.展开更多
Indicaxanthin is a betalain that is abundant in Opuntia ficus-indica orange fruit and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, very little is known about the neuroprotective potential of indicaxa...Indicaxanthin is a betalain that is abundant in Opuntia ficus-indica orange fruit and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, very little is known about the neuroprotective potential of indicaxanthin. This study investigated the impact of indicaxanthin on neuronal damage and gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet in mice. The mice were divided into three groups according to different diets: the negative control group was fed a standard diet;the high-fat diet group was fed a high-fat diet;and the high-fat diet + indicaxanthin group was fed a high-fat diet and received indicaxanthin orally(0.86 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Brain apoptosis, redox status, inflammation, and the gut microbiota composition were compared among the different animal groups. The results demonstrated that indicaxanthin treatment reduced neuronal apoptosis by downregulating the expression of proapoptotic genes and increasing the expression of antiapoptotic genes. Indicaxanthin also markedly decreased the expression of neuroinflammatory proteins and genes and inhibited high-fat diet–induced neuronal oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels. In addition, indicaxanthin treatment improved the microflora composition by increasing the abundance of healthy bacterial genera, known as producers of short-chain fatty acids(Lachnospiraceae, Alloprovetella, and Lactobacillus), and by reducing bacteria related to unhealthy profiles(Blautia, Faecalibaculum, Romboutsia and Bilophila). In conclusion, indicaxanthin has a positive effect on high-fat diet–induced neuronal damage and on the gut microbiota composition in obese mice.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82171387 and 31830111(both to SL).
文摘Stroke,particularly ischemic stroke,is the leading cause of long-term disability and mortality worldwide.It occurs due to the occlusion of the cerebral arteries,which significantly reduces the delivery of blood,oxygen,and essential nutrients to brain tissues.This deprivation triggers a cascade of cellular events that ultimately leads to neuronal death.Recent studies have clarified the multifactorial pathogenesis of ischemic stroke,highlighting the roles of energy failure,excitotoxicity,oxidative stress,neuroinflammation,and apoptosis.This review aimed to provide a comprehensive insight into the fundamental mechanisms driving neuronal death triggered by ischemia and to examine the progress of neuroprotective therapeutic approaches designed to mitigate neuronal loss and promote neurological recovery after a stroke.Additionally,we explored widely accepted findings regarding the potential pathways implicated in neuronal death during ischemic stroke,including the interplay of apoptosis,autophagy,pyroptosis,ferroptosis,and necrosis,which collectively influence neuronal fate.We also discussed advancements in neuroprotective therapeutics,encompassing a range of interventions from pharmacological modulation to stem cell-based therapies,aimed at reducing neuronal injury and enhancing functional recovery following ischemic stroke.Despite these advancements,challenges remain in translating mechanistic insights into effective clinical therapies.Although neuroprotective strategies have shown promise in preclinical models,their efficacy in human trials has been inconsistent,often due to the complex pathology of ischemic stroke and the timing of interventions.In conclusion,this review synthesizes mechanistic insights into the intricate interplay of molecular and cellular pathways driving neuronal death post-ischemia.It sheds light on cutting-edge advancements in potential neuroprotective therapeutics,underscores the promise of regenerative medicine,and offers a forward-looking perspective on potential clinical breakthroughs.The ongoing evolution of precision-targeted interventions is expected to significantly enhance preventative strategies and improve clinical outcomes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82371310(to YJ),82271306(to JP)the Sichuan Science and Technology Support Program,Nos.2023YFH0069(to JP),2023NSFSC0028(to YJ),2023NSFSC1559(to YJ),2022YFS0615(to JP),2022NSFSC1421(to JP)+1 种基金Scientific Research Project of Sichuan Provincial Health Commission,No.23LCYJ040(to YJ)Youth Foundation of Southwestern Medical University and Southwest Medical University Project,Nos.2020ZRQNA038(to JP),2021ZKZD013(to JP),2021LZXNYD-P01(to YJ),2023QN014(to JP).
文摘Neuronal cell death is a common outcome of multiple pathophysiological processes and a key factor in neurological dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Neuronal ferroptosis in particular plays an important role in early brain injury.Bromodomain-containing protein 4,a member of the bromo and extraterminal domain family of proteins,participated in multiple cell death pathways,but the mechanisms by which it regulates ferroptosis remain unclear.The primary aim of this study was to investigate how bromodomain-containing protein 4 affects neuronal ferroptosis following subarachnoid hemorrhage in vivo and in vitro.Our findings revealed that endogenous bromodomain-containing protein 4 co-localized with neurons,and its expression was decreased 48 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage of the cerebral cortex in vivo.In addition,ferroptosis-related pathways were activated in vivo and in vitro after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 in neurons increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular ferrous iron accumulation via ferritinophagy and ultimately led to neuronal ferroptosis.Using cleavage under targets and tagmentation analysis,we found that bromodomain-containing protein 4 enrichment in the Raf-1 promoter region decreased following oxyhemoglobin stimulation in vitro.Furthermore,treating bromodomain-containing protein 4-knockdown HT-22 cell lines with GW5074,a Raf-1 inhibitor,exacerbated neuronal ferroptosis by suppressing the Raf-1/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.Moreover,targeted inhibition of neuronal bromodomain-containing protein 4 exacerbated early and long-term neurological function deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Our findings suggest that bromodomain-containing protein 4 may have neuroprotective effects after subarachnoid hemorrhage,and that inhibiting ferroptosis could help treat subarachnoid hemorrhage.
基金supported by STI2030-Major Project,No,2021ZD0204200(to LX).
文摘Neurodegenerative diseases,which are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and the lack of disease-modifying therapies,are becoming a major global health challenge.The existing neuromodulation techniques,such as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation,show limitations such as invasiveness,restricted cortical targeting,and irreversible tissue effects.In this context,low-intensity transcranial ultrasound has emerged as a promising noninvasive alternative that can penetrate deep into the brain and modulate neuroplasticity.This review comprehensively assesses the therapeutic mechanisms,efficacy,and translational potential of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound in treating neurodegenerative diseases,with emphasis on its role in promoting neuronal regeneration,modulating neuroinflammation,and enhancing functional recovery.We summarize the findings of previous studies and systematically illustrate the potential of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound in regulating cell death mechanisms,enhancing neural repair and regeneration,and alleviating symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases.Preclinical findings indicate that low-intensity transcranial ultrasound can enhance the release of neurotrophic factors(e.g.,brain-derived neurotrophic factor),promote autophagy to clear protein aggregates,modulate microglial activation,and temporarily open the blood-brain barrier to facilitate targeted drug delivery.Existing clinical trial data show that low-intensity transcranial ultrasound can reduce amyloid-βplaques,improve motor and cognitive deficits,and promote remyelination in various disease models.Early clinical trials suggest that low-intensity transcranial ultrasound may enhance cognitive scores in Alzheimer’s disease and alleviate motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease,all while demonstrating a favorable safety profile.Past studies support the notion that by integrating safety,precision,and reversibility,low-intensity transcranial ultrasound can transform the treatment landscape for neurodegenerative disease.However,more advancements are necessary for future clinical application of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound,including optimizing parameters such as frequency,intensity,and duty cycle;considering individual anatomical differences;and confirming long-term efficacy.We believe establishing standardized protocols,conducting larger trials,and investigating the underlying mechanisms to clarify dose-response relationships and refine personalized application strategies are essential in this regard.Future research should focus on translating preclinical findings into clinical practice,addressing technical challenges,and exploring combination therapies with pharmacological or gene interventions.
基金supported by Shenzhen University General Hospital Scientific Research Project,No.SUGH2019QD002Shenzhen Science and Technology Development Foundation,No.20220810173216001(both to ZS).
文摘Spinal cord injury is a severe neurological condition with limited neuronal regeneration and functional recovery.Currently,no effective treatments exist to improve spinal cord injury prognosis.Neuronal guidance proteins are a diverse group of molecules that play crucial roles in axon and dendrite growth during nervous system development.Increasing evidence highlights their regulatory functions in spinal cord injury.This review provides a brief overview of the modulation patterns of key neuronal guidance proteins in neuronal axon growth during nervous system formation and subsequently focuses on their roles in neuronal regeneration and functional recovery following spinal cord injury.Neuronal guidance proteins include,but are not limited to,semaphorins and their receptors,plexins;netrins and their receptors,deleted in colorectal cancer and UNC5;Eph receptors and their ligands,ephrins;Slit and its receptor,Robo;repulsive guidance molecules and their receptor,neogenin;Wnt proteins and their receptor,Frizzled;and protocadherins.Localized Netrin-1 at the injury site inhibits motor axon regeneration after adult spinal cord injury while promoting oligodendrocyte growth.Slit2 enhances synapse formation in the injured spinal cord of rats.EphA7 regulates acute apoptosis in the early pathophysiological stages of spinal cord injury,while ephrinA1 plays a role in the nervous system’s injury response,with its reduced expression leading to impaired motor function in rats.EphA3 is upregulated following spinal cord injury,promoting an inhibitory environment for axonal regeneration.After spinal cord injury,bidirectional activation of ephrinB2 and EphB2 in astrocytes and fibroblasts results in the formation of a dense astrocyte-meningeal fibroblast scar.EphB1/ephrinB1 signaling mediates pain processing in spinal cord injury by regulating calpain-1 and caspase-3 in neurons.EphB3 expression increases in white matter after spinal cord injury,further inhibiting axon regeneration.Sema3A,expressed by neurons and fibroblasts in the scar surrounding the injury,inhibits motor neuron and sensory nerve growth after spinal cord injury.Sema4D suppresses neuronal axon myelination and axon regeneration,while its inhibition significantly enhances axon regeneration and motor recovery.Sema7A is involved in glial scar formation and may influence serotonin channel remodeling,thereby affecting motor coordination.Given these findings,the local or systemic application of neuronal guidance proteins represents a promising avenue for spinal cord injury treatment.
基金supported by a grant from Ministry of Science and Technology China,No.2022ZD0204704(to WW)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82301572(to XZ)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2023M731202(to XZ)。
文摘Nonhuman primates are increasingly being used as animal models in neuroscience research.However,efficient neuronal tracing techniques for labeling motor neurons and primary sensory afferents in the monkey spinal cord are lacking.Here,by injecting the cholera toxin B subunit into the sciatic nerve of a rhesus monkey,we successfully labeled the motor neurons and primary sensory afferents in the lumbar and sacralspinal cord.Labeled alpha motor neurons were located in lamina IX of the L6–S1 segments,which innervate both flexors and extensors.The labeled primary sensory afferents were mainly myelinated Aβfibers that terminated mostly in laminae I and II of the L4–L7 segments.Together with the labeled proprioceptive afferents,the primary sensory afferents formed excitatory synapses with multiple types of spinal neurons.In summary,our methods successfully traced neuronal connections in the monkey spinal cord and can be used in spinal cord studies when nonhuman primates are used.
基金supported by the following foundations:“Stichting Oogfonds Nederland(No.2023-26)”the“Landelijke Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden(No.2023-24)”that contributed through UitZicht,ZonMw grant(No.435005020)a grant of the Chinese Scholarship Council(No.201809110169)(to TGMFG,CPMR,and WY).
文摘Unwarranted death of neurons is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases.Since mature neurons are postmitotic and do not replicate,their death usually constitutes an irreversible step in pathology.A logical strategy to prevent neurodegeneration would then be to save all neurons that are still alive,i.e.protecting the ones that are still healthy as well as trying to rescue the ones that are damaged and in the process of dying.Regarding the latter,recent experiments have indicated that the possibility of reversing the cell death process and rescuing dying cells is more significant than previously anticipated.In many situations,the elimination of the cell death trigger alone enables dying cells to spontaneously repair their damage,recover,and survive.In this review,we explore the factors,which determine the fate of neurons engaged in the cell death process.A deeper insight into cell death mechanisms and the intrinsic capacity of cells to recover could pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases.
基金supported by the DGIST start-up funds from the Ministry of Science and ICT(2024010330)a National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea Government(MSIT)(No.RS-2024-00351442)(to TWK).
文摘Parkinson’s disease(PD)is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder.The progressive degeneration of dopamine(DA)producing neurons in the midbrain is the pathological hallmark,which leads to debilitating motor symptoms,including tremors,rigidity,and bradykinesia.Drug treatments,such as levodopa,provide symptomatic relief.However,they do not halt disease progression,and their effectiveness diminishes over time(reviewed in Poewe et al.,2017).
基金National Institute of Health(NIH)National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke(NINDS),Nos.NS112910,NS133252(to BD)Department of Defense(DoD)Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program(PRMRP)Discovery Award,No.W81XWH2010186(to BD).
文摘The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons overcomes limited access to human tissues and offers an unprecedented approach to modeling motor neuron diseases such as dystonia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Motor neurons generated through different strategies may exhibit substantial differences in purity,maturation,characterization,and even neuronal identity,leading to variable outcomes in disease modeling and drug screening.However,very few comparative studies have been conducted to determine the similarities and differences among motor neurons prepared via different protocols.In this study,we prepared human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons via lentiviral delivery of transcription factors and chemical induction and performed a systematic comparative analysis.We found that motor neurons generated by both approaches showed typical motor neuron morphology and robustly expressed motor neuron-specific markers,such as nuclear homeobox transcription factor 9 and choline acetyltransferase.The chemical induction protocol utilizes a combination of small molecules to induce motor neuron differentiation,offering a significantly faster maturation time of 35 days compared to 46 days with lentiviral delivery of transcription factors.Additionally,while lentiviral delivery of transcription factors are suitable for downstream biochemical analysis,chemical induction are more applicable for therapeutic approaches as they avoid the use of lentiviruses.Both approaches produce motor neurons with high purity(>95%)and yield.No significant differences were found between chemical induction and lentiviral delivery of transcription factors in terms of motor neuron markers and maturation markers.These robust methodologies offer researchers powerful tools for investigating motor neuron diseases and potential therapeutic strategies.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2022YFC2703101(to YC)the National Natural Science Fundation of China,No.82371422(to YC)+1 种基金the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students,No.202310611408(to XW)the 1·3·5 Project for Disciplines of Excellence Clinical Research Fund,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,No.2023HXFH032(to YC)。
文摘Motor neuron diseases are sporadic or inherited fatal neurodegenerative conditions.They selectively affect the upper and/or lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord and feature a slow onset and a subacute course contingent upon the site of damage.The main types include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,progressive muscular atrophy,primary lateral sclerosis,and progressive bulbar palsy,the pathological processes of which are largely identical,with the main disparity lying in the location of the lesions.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the representative condition in this group of diseases,while other types are its variants.Hence,this article mainly focuses on the advancements and challenges in drug research for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but also briefly addresses several other important degenerative motor neuron diseases.Although the precise pathogenesis remains elusive,recent advancements have shed light on various theories,including gene mutation,excitatory amino acid toxicity,autoimmunology,and neurotrophic factors.The US Food and Drug Administration has approved four drugs for use in delaying the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:riluzole,edaravone,AMX0035,and tofersen,with the latter being the most recent to receive approval.However,following several phaseⅢtrials that failed to yield favorable outcomes,AMX0035 has been voluntarily withdrawn from both the US and Canadian markets.This article presents a comprehensive summary of drug trials primarily completed between January 1,2023,and June 30,2024,based on data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov.Among these trials,five are currently in phaseⅠ,seventeen are in phaseⅡ,and eleven are undergoing phaseⅢevaluation.Notably,24 clinical trials are now investigating potential disease-modifying therapy drugs,accounting for the majority of the drugs included in this review.Some promising drugs being investigated in preclinical studies,such as ATH-1105,are included in our analysis,and another review in frontiers in gene therapy and immunotherapy has demonstrated their therapeutic potential for motor neuron diseases.This article was written to be an overview of research trends and treatment prospects related to motor neuron disease drugs,with the aim of highlighting the latest potentialities for clinical therapy.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82471264(to YL),82201392(to AZ),82071415(to JL)Shanghai Rising Stars of Medical Talents Youth Development Program,No.2023-62(to YL)+2 种基金the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Clinical Research Special Fund for the Health Industry,No.20234Y0026(to YL)the Shanghai Sailing Program,No.22YF1425100(to AZ)Chinese Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2021M702169(to YJ).
文摘DJ-1,also known as Parkinson’s disease protein 7(PARK7),is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in oxidative stress regulation and neuroprotection.Previous studies have shown that DJ-1 affects early-onset Parkinson’s disease by regulating neuroinflammation,but its specific mechanism remains unclear.The study investigated the role of DJ-1 in mediating microglia-neuron communication to identify potential therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease.In this study,we observed a significant decrease in the levels of C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1)in Park7 knockout mice and SH-SY5Y cells with Park7 knockdown.Protein microarray analysis and validation using GEO datasets confirmed that knockout of the Park7 gene led to downregulation of CX3CL1 and two other chemokines,namely monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8.Further investigation revealed that Park7 deficiency reduced the processing of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 10(ADAM10)in the neuronal endoplasmic reticulum of both mice and SH-SY5Y cells,thereby decreasing CX3CL1 secretion.This subsequently led to abnormal microglial activation,with a shift toward the proinflammatory M1 phenotype,exacerbating neuroinflammatory responses.These effects were mitigated by exogenous CX3CL1 administration.Concurrently,exogenous CX3CL1 improved motor function in Parkinson’s disease model mice with the Park7 knockout,promoting survival of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra and reducing Iba-1-positive microglial activation.These findings demonstrate that DJ-1 exerts neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons by suppressing microglial activation through CX3CL1 regulation,suggesting that targeting the DJ-1/CX3CL1 axis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for modulating neuroinflammation and protecting dopaminergic neurons.
文摘The number and diversity of inhibitory neurons(INs)increased substantially during mammalian brain evolution.However,the generative mechanisms of the vast repertoire of human INs remain elusive.We performed spatial and single-cell transcriptomics of human medial ganglionic eminence(hMGE),a pivotal source of cortical and subpallial INs,and built the trajectories of hMGE-derived cells during brain development.We identified spatiotemporally and molecularly segregated progenitor cell populations fated to produce distinct IN types.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No. 2023YFF0714200 (to CW)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos. 82472038 and 82202224 (both to CW)+3 种基金the Shanghai Rising-Star Program,No. 23QA1407700 (to CW)the Construction Project of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging,No. 18DZ2260400 (to CW)the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars,No. 82025019 (to CL)the Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou)(to CW)。
文摘Epilepsy is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. However, despite the availability of more than 20 antiseizure medications, more than one-third of patients continue to experience seizures. Given the urgent need to explore new treatment strategies for epilepsy, recent research has highlighted the potential of targeting gliosis, metabolic disturbances, and neural circuit abnormalities as therapeutic strategies. Astrocytes, the largest group of nonneuronal cells in the central nervous system, play several crucial roles in maintaining ionic and energy metabolic homeostasis in neurons, regulating neurotransmitter levels, and modulating synaptic plasticity. This article briefly reviews the critical role of astrocytes in maintaining balance within the central nervous system. Building on previous research, we discuss how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of epilepsy through four key aspects: the imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal signaling, dysregulation of metabolic homeostasis in the neuronal microenvironment, neuroinflammation, and the formation of abnormal neural circuits. We summarize relevant basic research conducted over the past 5 years that has focused on modulating astrocytes as a therapeutic approach for epilepsy. We categorize the therapeutic targets proposed by these studies into four areas: restoration of the excitation–inhibition balance, reestablishment of metabolic homeostasis, modulation of immune and inflammatory responses, and reconstruction of abnormal neural circuits. These targets correspond to the pathophysiological mechanisms by which astrocytes contribute to epilepsy. Additionally, we need to consider the potential challenges and limitations of translating these identified therapeutic targets into clinical treatments. These limitations arise from interspecies differences between humans and animal models, as well as the complex comorbidities associated with epilepsy in humans. We also highlight valuable future research directions worth exploring in the treatment of epilepsy and the regulation of astrocytes, such as gene therapy and imaging strategies. The findings presented in this review may help open new therapeutic avenues for patients with drugresistant epilepsy and for those suffering from other central nervous system disorders associated with astrocytic dysfunction.
基金support from various sources,including the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.81570774,82070872,92049118,and 82370854)the Junior Thousand Talents Program of China,and the Nanjing Medical University Startup Fund(All awarded to J.L.)support provided by Jiangsu Province's Innovation Personal as well as Innovative and Entrepreneurial Team of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.JSSCTD2021)(All awarded to J.L.).
文摘V-raf-leukemia viral oncogene 1(RAF1),a serine/threonine protein kinase,is well established to play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cell development.However,the specific role of hypothalamic RAF1 in regulating energy metabolism remains unknown.In this study,we found that the expression of RAF1 was significantly increased in hypothalamic AgRP neurons of diet-induced obesity(DIO)mice.Under normal chow diet feeding,overexpression of Raf1 in AgRP neurons led to obesity in mice characterized by increased body weight,fat mass,and impaired glucose tolerance.Conversely,Raf1 knockout in AgRP neurons protected against diet-induced obesity,reducing fat mass and improving glucose tolerance.Mechanistically,Raf1 activated the MAPK signaling pathway,culminating in the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB),which enhanced transcription of Agrp and Npy.Insulin stimulation further potentiated the RAF1-MEK1/2-ERK1/2-CREB axis,highlighting RAF1's role in integrating hormonal and nutritional signals to regulate energy balance.Collectively,these findings underscore the important role of RAF1 in AgRP neurons in maintaining energy homeostasis and obesity pathogenesis,positioning it and its downstream pathways as potential therapeutic targets for innovative strategies to combat obesity and related metabolic diseases.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12072139).
文摘The output voltages for the capacitive elements of a neural circuit model can be mapped into dimensionless capacitive variables,which present firing patterns similar to the membrane potentials detected in biological neurons.The inclusion of a memcapacitor also en‐ables consideration of membrane deformation effects,enhancing the model’s capacity to simulate neuronal behavior across varying physio‐logical and environmental conditions.In this study,a capacitor and a memcapacitor are connected through a linear resistor in parallel with other electric components in different branch circuits composed of an inductor and a nonlinear resistor.The electrical activities in a neuron with a double-layer membrane and two capacitive variables are discussed in detail after converting the nonlinear equations for the neural circuit into a theoretical neuron model.A dimensionless neuron model and its corresponding energy function are derived.The field energy function for the neural circuit is converted into an equivalent Hamilton energy function and further validated via the Helmholtz theorem.Furthermore,the average value of energy serves as an indicator for predicting stochastic resonance,as supported by analyzing the distribu‐tion of the coefficient of variation.The neuronal firing patterns are shown to be energy-dependent.An adaptive control strategy is proposed to regulate mode transitions in electrical activities of the neuron.An analog equivalent circuit is constructed to experimentally verify the nu‐merical results,thereby supporting the reliability of the proposed neuron model.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81671263(to XX)Scientific Research and Innovation Team,Education Department of Anhui Province,China,No.2023AH010072(to XX)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province,No.2208085MH221(to XX)The Key Projects for National Science Research of Education Department of Anhui Province,No.KJ2021A0851(to YD).
文摘Cmyc,a proto-oncogene,is expressed at extremely low levels in mature neurons and is traditionally thought to have no function in these cells.However,recent studies suggest that Cmyc may play a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of mature dopaminergic neurons.This study assessed the role of Cmyc in dopaminergic neurons and its significance in Parkinson’s disease.We used a conditional knockout approach to specifically delete Cmyc in substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons of adult mice.Our findings showed that Cmyc deletion led to progressive neuron loss,Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms,downregulation of Klotho,and upregulation of senescence-associated inflammatory factors,along with enhanced oxidative stress and nitrated alpha-synuclein accumulation,ultimately causing neuronal death.In vitro experiments confirmed increased senescence in C-MYC knockout cells,which was partially reversible by KLOTHO overexpression.We conclude that low-level Cmyc expression is essential for maintaining the health of mature dopaminergic neurons and preventing neurodegeneration,and suggest the c-Myc/Klotho axis as a potential therapeutic target for age-related neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson’s disease.Our study introduces a novel mouse model for Parkinson’s disease that replicates a condition associated with normal aging,offering a valuable tool for future research into disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
基金financially supported by King Abdulaziz University,Deanship of Scientific Research(DSR)。
文摘Neuronal plasticity,the brain's ability to adapt structurally and functionally,is essential for learning,memory,and recovery from injuries.In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease,this plasticity is disrupted,leading to cognitive and motor deficits.This review explores the mechanisms of neuronal plasticity and its effect on Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.Alzheimer's disease features amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles that impair synaptic function,while Parkinson's disease involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons affecting motor control.Enhancing neuronal plasticity offers therapeutic potential for these diseases.A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed,Scopus,and Google Scholar,focusing on studies of neuronal plasticity in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.Data synthesis identified key themes such as synaptic mechanisms,neurogenesis,and therapeutic strategies,linking molecular insights to clinical applications.Results highlight that targeting synaptic plasticity mechanisms,such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression,shows promise.Neurotrophic factors,advanced imaging techniques,and molecular tools(e.g.,clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and optogenetics)are crucial in understanding and enhancing plasticity.Current therapies,including dopamine replacement,deep brain stimulation,and lifestyle interventions,demonstrate the potential to alleviate symptoms and improve outcomes.In conclusion,enhancing neuronal plasticity through targeted therapies holds significant promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases.Future research should integrate multidisciplinary approaches to fully harness the therapeutic potential of neuronal plasticity in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
基金supported by research grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0804502)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82101545)+1 种基金the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2022-I2M-1-002)National High-Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding(2022-PUMCH-D-002).
文摘Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neurotoxic amyloid beta(Aβ)deposition in the brain.Neurons can internalize and exocytose Aβ;however,the molecular pathways governing Aβrelease remain poorly understood.To identify key regulators of Aβ42 transport,we applied formaldehyde cross-linking of protein complexes combined with co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis to identify TMED10 as a novel Aβ42-interacting protein.In cultured neurons,TMED10 knockdown(KD)increased intracellular Aβ42 levels by preventing Aβ42 exocytosis.TMED10 expression was significantly reduced in the cortex of AD patients.Overexpression of TMED10 in primary neurons mitigated the toxic effects of exogenous Aβ42.In 5×FAD mice,overexpression of TMED10 via tail vein injection of a brain-penetrable adeno-associated virus improved cognitive function and reduced Aβ42 plaque accumulation.Together,these findings position TMED10 as a potential regulator of Aβ42 exocytosis and underscore the need for further studies to evaluate its therapeutic potential in AD.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.62571079)the Technological Innovation Projects in the Field of Artificial Intelligence in Liaoning Province(Grant No.2023JH26/10300011)+1 种基金the Basic Scientific Research Projects in the Department of Education of Liaoning Province(Grant No.LJ212410152049)the Liaoning Provincial Science and Technology Plan Joint Project(Grant No.2025-BSLH-041)。
文摘The human brain is a complex intelligent system composed of tens of billions of neurons interconnected through synapses,and its intricate network structure has consistently attracted numerous scientists to explore the mysteries of brain functions.However,most existing studies have only verified the biological mimicry characteristics of memristors at the single neuron-synapse level,and there is still a lack of research on memristors simulating synaptic coupling between neurons in multi-neuron networks.Based on this,this paper uses discrete memristors to couple dual discrete Rulkov neurons,and adds synaptic crosstalk between the two discrete memristors to form a neuronal network.A memristor-coupled dual-neuron map,called the Rulkov-memristor-Rulkov(R-M-R)map,is constructed to simulate synaptic connections between neurons in biological tissues.Then,the equilibrium points of the R-M-R map are studied.Subsequently,the effect of parameter variations on the dynamic performance of the R-M-R map is comprehensively analyzed using bifurcation diagram,phase diagram,Lyapunov exponent spectrum(LEs),firing diagram,and spectral entropy(SE)complexity algorithms.In the RM-R map,diverse categories of periodic,chaotic,and hyperchaotic attractors,as well as different states of firing patterns,can be observed.Additionally,different types of state transitions and coexisting attractors are discovered.Finally,the feasibility of the model in digital circuits is verified using a DSP hardware platform.In this study,the coupling principle of biological neurons is simulated,the chaotic dynamic behavior of the R-M-R map is analyzed,and a foundation is laid for deciphering the complex working mechanisms of the brain.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32170642 and 32370682)。
文摘Avian cognitive abilities rival those of primates.These capacities have been linked to high pallial neuronal density and prefrontal cortex-like dorsal ventricular ridge(DVR)circuitry.Although the DVR is now recognized as a pallial structure homologous to the mammalian cortex,its morphological basis remains unclear.Here,we combine Nissl staining,Golgi-Cox labeling,and 3D reconstruction to map neuronal morphology across five telencephalic regions in the Rock Pigeon(Columba livia).From 64 fully reconstructed neurons,we quantified dendritic field area,total dendritic length,branching architecture,and radial arbor organization.DVR neurons showed the largest dendritic fields and the highest branching complexity.Single-nucleus transcriptomic data further revealed that the Nidopallium Caudolaterale(NCL),the core DVR subregion,expresses a neuronmorphogenesis gene module whose activity correlates with dendritic field size.Together,these results identify a molecular and morphological signature of DVR neurons and highlight the computational significance of Nidopallium Caudolaterale.This work provides an integrated comparison of telencephalic neuronal morphology and gene expression in birds.
基金funding from the European Union -NextGenerationEU through the Italian Ministry of University and Research under PRIN PNRR REG D.R.1718-2022– Project number PRJ-1575 INDICA。
文摘Indicaxanthin is a betalain that is abundant in Opuntia ficus-indica orange fruit and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, very little is known about the neuroprotective potential of indicaxanthin. This study investigated the impact of indicaxanthin on neuronal damage and gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet in mice. The mice were divided into three groups according to different diets: the negative control group was fed a standard diet;the high-fat diet group was fed a high-fat diet;and the high-fat diet + indicaxanthin group was fed a high-fat diet and received indicaxanthin orally(0.86 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Brain apoptosis, redox status, inflammation, and the gut microbiota composition were compared among the different animal groups. The results demonstrated that indicaxanthin treatment reduced neuronal apoptosis by downregulating the expression of proapoptotic genes and increasing the expression of antiapoptotic genes. Indicaxanthin also markedly decreased the expression of neuroinflammatory proteins and genes and inhibited high-fat diet–induced neuronal oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels. In addition, indicaxanthin treatment improved the microflora composition by increasing the abundance of healthy bacterial genera, known as producers of short-chain fatty acids(Lachnospiraceae, Alloprovetella, and Lactobacillus), and by reducing bacteria related to unhealthy profiles(Blautia, Faecalibaculum, Romboutsia and Bilophila). In conclusion, indicaxanthin has a positive effect on high-fat diet–induced neuronal damage and on the gut microbiota composition in obese mice.
