Role of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channel isoforms for brain function

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 903-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Striessnig ◽  
A. Koschak ◽  
M.J. Sinnegger-Brauns ◽  
A. Hetzenauer ◽  
N.K. Nguyen ◽  
...  

Voltage-gated LTCCs (L-type Ca2+ channels) are established drug targets for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. LTCCs are also expressed outside the cardiovascular system. In the brain, LTCCs control synaptic plasticity in neurons, and DHP (dihydropyridine) LTCC blockers such as nifedipine modulate brain function (such as fear memory extinction and depression-like behaviour). Voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 are the predominant brain LTCCs. As DHPs and other classes of organic LTCC blockers inhibit both isoforms, their pharmacological distinction is impossible and their individual contributions to defined brain functions remain largely unknown. Here, we summarize our recent experiments with two genetically modified mouse strains, which we generated to explore the individual biophysical features of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 LTCCs and to determine their relative contributions to various physiological peripheral and neuronal functions. The results described here also allow predictions about the pharmacotherapeutic potential of isoform-selective LTCC modulators.

Mediaevistik ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 366-366
Author(s):  
Albrecht Classen

Eddic poetry constitutes one of the most important genres in Old Norse or Scandinavian literature and has been studied since the earliest time of modern-day philology. The progress we have made in that field is impressive, considering the many excellent editions and translations, not to mention the countless critical studies in monographs and articles. Nevertheless, there is always a great need to revisit, to summarize, to review, and to digest the knowledge gained so far. The present handbook intends to address all those goals and does so, to spell it out right away, exceedingly well. But in contrast to traditional concepts, the individual contributions constitute fully developed critical article, each with a specialized topic elucidating it as comprehensively as possible, and concluding with a section of notes. Those are kept very brief, but the volume rounds it all off with an inclusive, comprehensive bibliography. And there is also a very useful index at the end. At the beginning, we find, following the table of contents, a list of the contributors, unfortunately without emails, a list of translations and abbreviations of the titles of Eddic poems in the Codex Regius and then elsewhere, and a very insightful and pleasant introduction by Carolyne Larrington. She briefly introduces the genre and then summarizes the essential points made by the individual authors. The entire volume is based on the Eddic Network established by the three editors in 2012, and on two workshops held at St. John’s College, Oxford in 2013 and 2014.


This volume comprises 27 chapters focused on the design and execution of employee survey programs. These chapters reflect the latest advances in technology and analytics and a pervasive emphasis on driving organizational performance and effectiveness. The individual chapters represent the full range of survey-related topics, including design, administration, analysis, feedback, and action-taking. The latest methodological trends and capabilities are discussed including computational linguistics, applications of artificial intelligence, and the use of qualitative methods such as focus groups. Extending beyond traditional employee surveys, contributions include the role of passive data collection as an alternative or supplement in a comprehensive employee listening system. Unique contextual factors are discussed including the use of surveys in a unionized environment. Individual contributions also reflect increasing stakeholder concerns for the protection of privacy among other ethical considerations. Finally, significant clarifications to the literature are provided on the use of surveys for measuring organization culture, strategic climate, and employee engagement.


Author(s):  
J. Adam Carter ◽  
Emma C. Gordon ◽  
Benjamin W. Jarvis

In this introductory chapter, the volume’s editors provide a theoretical background to the volume’s topic and a brief overview of the papers included. The chapter is divided into five parts: Section 1 explains the main contours of the knowledge-first approach, as it was initially advanced by Timothy Williamson in Knowledge and its Limits. In Sections 2–3, some of the key philosophical motivations for the knowledge-first approach are reviewed, and several key contemporary research themes associated with this approach in epistemology, the philosophy of mind and elsewhere are outlined and briefly discussed. The volume’s papers are divided into two broad categories: foundational issues and applications and new directions. Section 4 discusses briefly the scope and aim of the volume as the editors have conceived it, and Section 5 offers an overview of each of the individual contributions in the volume.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Byuckjin Lee ◽  
Byeongnam Kim ◽  
Sun K. Yoo

AbstractObjectivesThe phase characteristics of the representative frequency components of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) can be a means of understanding the brain functions of human senses and perception. In this paper, we found out that visual evoked potential (VEP) is composed of the dominant multi-band component signals of the EEG through the experiment.MethodsWe analyzed the characteristics of VEP based on the theory that brain evoked potentials can be decomposed into phase synchronized signals. In order to decompose the EEG signal into across each frequency component signals, we extracted the signals in the time-frequency domain with high resolution using the empirical mode decomposition method. We applied the Hilbert transform (HT) to extract the signal and synthesized it into a frequency band signal representing VEP components. VEP could be decomposed into phase synchronized δ, θ, α, and β frequency signals. We investigated the features of visual brain function by analyzing the amplitude and latency of the decomposed signals in phase synchronized with the VEP and the phase-locking value (PLV) between brain regions.ResultsIn response to visual stimulation, PLV values were higher in the posterior lobe region than in the anterior lobe. In the occipital region, the PLV value of theta band was observed high.ConclusionsThe VEP signals decomposed into constituent frequency components through phase analysis can be used as a method of analyzing the relationship between activated signals and brain function related to visual stimuli.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-41
Author(s):  
Xi Jiang ◽  
Tuo Zhang ◽  
Shu Zhang ◽  
Keith M Kendrick ◽  
Tianming Liu

Abstract Folding of the cerebral cortex is a prominent characteristic of mammalian brains. Alterations or deficits in cortical folding are strongly correlated with abnormal brain function, cognition, and behavior. Therefore, a precise mapping between the anatomy and function of the brain is critical to our understanding of the mechanisms of brain structural architecture in both health and diseases. Gyri and sulci, the standard nomenclature for cortical anatomy, serve as building blocks to make up complex folding patterns, providing a window to decipher cortical anatomy and its relation with brain functions. Huge efforts have been devoted to this research topic from a variety of disciplines including genetics, cell biology, anatomy, neuroimaging, and neurology, as well as involving computational approaches based on machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms. However, despite increasing progress, our understanding of the functional anatomy of gyro-sulcal patterns is still in its infancy. In this review, we present the current state of this field and provide our perspectives of the methodologies and conclusions concerning functional differentiation between gyri and sulci, as well as the supporting information from genetic, cell biology, and brain structure research. In particular, we will further present a proposed framework for attempting to interpret the dynamic mechanisms of the functional interplay between gyri and sulci. Hopefully, this review will provide a comprehensive summary of anatomo-functional relationships in the cortical gyro-sulcal system together with a consideration of how these contribute to brain function, cognition, and behavior, as well as to mental disorders.


2018 ◽  
Vol 293 (37) ◽  
pp. 14444-14454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Garza-Lopez ◽  
Josue A. Lopez ◽  
Jussara Hagen ◽  
Ruth Sheffer ◽  
Vardiella Meiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Barbara Schulte ◽  
Marina Svensson

This special issue approaches information and communication technologies (ICT) visions and their realisation/implementation at various levels, among different actors and from various perspectives. Conceptually, we distinguish three different dimensions, even though those overlap in the individual contributions as well as in empirical reality – namely ideational, instrumental, and relational. The different contributions address both visions formulated by the Chinese state and by individual actors such as entrepreneurs. Even though the conditions for the use of ICT in China are deeply affected by state governance, this governance is in no way tantamount to one single government. As this issue’s contributions show, state attempts at building a stable cyber-governance are in need of allies and, depending on the allies’ visions and other, competitive visions, the outcomes of these dynamics are seldom truthful realisations of one original grand masterplan.


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