Thoughts for the Future

2020 ◽  
pp. 497-508
Author(s):  
Richard McCarty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Common Theme ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
The Future ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
The Brain

Several exciting lines of research have emerged from the study of animal models of mental disorders. This chapter presents seven opportunities for enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They include improvements to the system for diagnosis of mental disorders, use of induced pluripotent stem cells from patients to generate neuronal cultures for in vitro determination of effective drug therapies for those individuals, use of data-mining techniques for understanding patient variability, a commitment to a greater focus on the prevention of mental disorders, innovative uses of smartphones to track patients and individuals at high risk of developing a mental disorder, and developing next-generation therapies and delivery systems that target a specific area of the brain rather than the entire brain. A common theme in these seven thoughts for the future is a commitment to bringing precision medicine tools to the treatment of patients with mental disorders.

PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant Extract: In vitro Determination of Biological Properties and Minerals Bioaccessibility

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
Ortensia Ilaria Parisi ◽  
Mariarosa Ruffo ◽  
Fabio Amone ◽  
Rocco Malivindi ◽  
Domenico Gorgoglione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Sample ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Ammonium Molybdate ◽  
Antihypertensive Activity ◽  
Protected Designation Of Origin ◽  
The Family ◽  
Oil Red O Staining

Background: The Rotonda’s Red Eggplant belongs to the family of Solanum aethiopicum and it is cultivated in a specific area of Potenza (Basilicata, South of Italy) including villages of Rotonda, Viggianello, Castelluccio Superiore and Castelluccio Inferiore. The Red Eggplant cultivated in this area has gained the PDO, “Protected Designation of Origin”. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant extract as a possible nutraceutical supplement. The antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties were in vitro evaluated. Methods: The antioxidant activity was investigated by evaluating the scavenging properties against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals and by performing the Ammonium Molybdate and Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The hypoglycemic and antihypertensive activity was studied by evaluating the α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, respectively, inhibiting activity. In order to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity, the pancreatic lipase inhibiting property was determined and Oil Red O staining assay was performed. Finally, to evaluate the possible use of this extract as a minerals supplement, Selenium, Potassium and Chrome bioaccessibility was studied. Results: The obtained results underline the good antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive and hypolipidemic in vitro properties of the PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant extract. Moreover, the obtained data show a higher minerals bioaccessibility and this higher value could be ascribable to the natural phytocomplex of PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant, which increases the minerals bioaccessibility if compare it with a control sample. Conclusion: The obtained results show that PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant extract, might be used as a possible nutraceutical supplement, along with traditional therapies, both for its biological properties and for its minerals bioaccessibility value.

scholarly journals Differential effects of propofol and ketamine on critical brain dynamics

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e1008418
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Varley ◽  
Olaf Sporns ◽  
Aina Puce ◽  
John Beggs
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Level ◽  
Brain Dynamics ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Anaesthetized Rats ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Brain

Whether the brain operates at a critical “tipping” point is a long standing scientific question, with evidence from both cellular and systems-scale studies suggesting that the brain does sit in, or near, a critical regime. Neuroimaging studies of humans in altered states of consciousness have prompted the suggestion that maintenance of critical dynamics is necessary for the emergence of consciousness and complex cognition, and that reduced or disorganized consciousness may be associated with deviations from criticality. Unfortunately, many of the cellular-level studies reporting signs of criticality were performed in non-conscious systems (in vitro neuronal cultures) or unconscious animals (e.g. anaesthetized rats). Here we attempted to address this knowledge gap by exploring critical brain dynamics in invasive ECoG recordings from multiple sessions with a single macaque as the animal transitioned from consciousness to unconsciousness under different anaesthetics (ketamine and propofol). We use a previously-validated test of criticality: avalanche dynamics to assess the differences in brain dynamics between normal consciousness and both drug-states. Propofol and ketamine were selected due to their differential effects on consciousness (ketamine, but not propofol, is known to induce an unusual state known as “dissociative anaesthesia”). Our analyses indicate that propofol dramatically restricted the size and duration of avalanches, while ketamine allowed for more awake-like dynamics to persist. In addition, propofol, but not ketamine, triggered a large reduction in the complexity of brain dynamics. All states, however, showed some signs of persistent criticality when testing for exponent relations and universal shape-collapse. Further, maintenance of critical brain dynamics may be important for regulation and control of conscious awareness.

scholarly journals Fragile X syndrome patient-derived neurons developing in the mouse brain show FMR1 -dependent phenotypes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine A Krzisch ◽  
Hao A Wu ◽  
Bingbing Yuan ◽  
Troy W. Whitfield ◽  
X. Shawn Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fragile X Syndrome ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Fragile X ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

Abnormal neuronal development in Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is poorly understood. Data on FXS patients remain scarce and FXS animal models have failed to yield successful therapies. In vitro models do not fully recapitulate the morphology and function of human neurons. Here, we co-injected neural precursor cells (NPCs) from FXS patient-derived and corrected isogenic control induced pluripotent stem cells into the brain of neonatal immune-deprived mice. The transplanted cells populated the brain and a proportion differentiated into neurons and glial cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of transplanted cells revealed upregulated excitatory synaptic transmission and neuronal differentiation pathways in FXS neurons. Immunofluorescence analyses showed accelerated maturation of FXS neurons after an initial delay. Additionally, increased percentages of Arc- and Egr1-positive FXS neurons and wider dendritic protrusions of mature FXS striatal medium spiny neurons pointed to an increase in synaptic activity and synaptic strength as compared to control. This transplantation approach provides new insights into the alterations of neuronal development in FXS by facilitating physiological development of cells in a 3D context, and could be used to test new therapeutic compounds correcting neuronal development defects in FXS.

Influence of 17β-estradiol on the synthesis of reduced neurosteroids in the brain (in vivo) and in glioma cells (in vitro): possible relevance to mental disorders in women

2004 ◽  
Vol 1020 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Maayan ◽  
Benjamin Fisch ◽  
Moran Galdor ◽  
Boris Kaplan ◽  
Nili Shinnar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Glioma Cells ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
The Brain

scholarly journals Application of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cellular and Organoid Models for COVID-19 Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumei Luo ◽  
Mimi Zhang ◽  
Yapei Chen ◽  
Yaoyong Chen ◽  
Detu Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Infection Mechanisms ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
The Brain

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its rapid international spread has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics, which is a global public health crisis. Thus, there is an urgent need to establish biological models to study the pathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which not only involves respiratory failure, but also includes dysregulation of other organs and systems, including the brain, heart, liver, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, eyes, and so on. Cellular and organoid models derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are ideal tools for in vitro simulation of viral life cycles and drug screening to prevent the reemergence of coronavirus. These iPSC-derived models could recapitulate the functions and physiology of various human cell types and assemble the complex microenvironments similar with those in the human organs; therefore, they can improve the study efficiency of viral infection mechanisms, mimic the natural host-virus interaction, and be suited for long-term experiments. In this review, we focus on the application of in vitro iPSC-derived cellular and organoid models in COVID-19 studies.

scholarly journals In vitro Modeling of Prion Strain Tropism

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
Etienne Levavasseur ◽  
Nicolas Privat ◽  
Stéphane Haïk
Keyword(s):  
Protein Misfolding ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Prion Strain ◽  
Specific Targeting ◽  
The Brain

Prions are atypical infectious agents lacking genetic material. Yet, various strains have been isolated from animals and humans using experimental models. They are distinguished by the resulting pattern of disease, including the localization of PrPsc deposits and the spongiform changes they induce in the brain of affected individuals. In this paper, we discuss the emerging use of cellular and acellular models to decipher the mechanisms involved in the strain-specific targeting of distinct brain regions. Recent studies suggest that neuronal cultures, protein misfolding cyclic amplification, and combination of both approaches may be useful to explore this under-investigated but central domain of the prion field.

scholarly journals Opportunities and challenges for the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in modelling neurodegenerative disease

Open Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 180177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Ying Wu ◽  
Feng-Lan Chiu ◽  
Chan-Shien Yeh ◽  
Hung-Chih Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Disease Patient ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Sporadic Disease ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
Human Ipsc

Adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases are among the most difficult human health conditions to model for drug development. Most genetic or toxin-induced cell and animal models cannot faithfully recapitulate pathology in disease-relevant cells, making it excessively challenging to explore the potential mechanisms underlying sporadic disease. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into disease-relevant neurons, providing an unparalleled platform for in vitro modelling and development of therapeutic strategies. Here, we review recent progress in generating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease models from patient-derived iPSCs. We also describe novel discoveries of pathological mechanisms and drug evaluations that have used these patient iPSC-derived neuronal models. Additionally, current human iPSC technology allows researchers to model diseases with 3D brain organoids, which are more representative of tissue architecture than traditional neuronal cultures. We discuss remaining challenges and emerging opportunities for the use of three-dimensional brain organoids in modelling brain development and neurodegeneration.

scholarly journals Measurement of Bmax and Kd with the Glycine Transporter 1 Radiotracer 18F-MK6577 using a Novel Multi-Infusion Paradigm

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 2001-2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Xia ◽  
Ming-Qiang Zheng ◽  
Daniel Holden ◽  
Shu-fei Lin ◽  
Michael Kapinos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rank Order ◽  
Target Concentration ◽  
Glycine Transporter 1 ◽  
Glycine Transporter ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Fitting Method ◽  
The Brain

Glycine is a co-agonist of glutamate at the NMDA receptor. Glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitors are reported to be potential therapeutic agents for schizophrenia. 18F-MK6577 is a new positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer useful for imaging brain GlyT1 and its occupancy in humans. We devised a novel multi-infusion paradigm of radiolabeled and unlabeled compound and an iterative linear/nonlinear alternating fitting method to allow for the determination of in vivo affinity ( Kd) and target concentration ( Bmax) images, constraining Kd to be uniform across the brain. This paradigm was tested with 18F-MK6577 in baboons. Voxel-based analysis produced high quality Bmax images and reliable Kd estimates, and also suggested that the nondisplaceable distribution volume ( VND) is not uniform throughout the brain. In vivo GlyT1 Kd was estimated to be 1.87 nmol/L for 18F-MK6577, and the rank order of GlyT1 distribution measured in the baboon brain was: high in the brainstem (133 nmol/L), medium in the cerebellum (83 nmol/L), and low in the cortex (30 nmol/L). These in vivo Kd and Bmax values agreed well with those determined in vitro, thus validating our novel multi-infusion approach.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document