Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Brain

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Tang ◽  
Gary Thickbroom ◽  
Jennifer Rodger
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies

Since the development of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the early 1980s, a range of repetitive TMS (rTMS) protocols are now available to modulate neuronal plasticity in clinical and non-clinical populations. However, despite the wide application of rTMS in humans, the mechanisms underlying rTMS-induced plasticity remain uncertain. Animal and in vitro models provide an adjunct method of investigating potential synaptic and non-synaptic mechanisms of rTMS-induced plasticity. This review summarizes in vitro experimental studies, in vivo studies with intact rodents, and preclinical models of selected neurological disorders—Parkinson’s disease, depression, and stroke. We suggest that these basic research findings can contribute to the understanding of how rTMS-induced plasticity can be modulated, including novel mechanisms such as neuroprotection and neurogenesis that have significant therapeutic potential.

Viscum album (L) extracts in cancer treatment: a systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-52
Author(s):  
Aloisio Cunha de Carvalho ◽  
Leoni Villano Bonamin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Pharmaceutical Preparations ◽  
Viscum Album ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Anti Cancer

Background: Several reviews about phytotherapy and homeopathy have been published in the last years, including Viscum album (VA.L). VA is a parasite plant whose extract has anti-cancer proprieties and is used alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy. Methods: We performed a systematic review about the in vivo and in vitro models described in the literature, including veterinary clinical trials. The literature was consulted from Pubmed database. Results: There are several kinds of pharmaceutical preparations about VA and their active principles used in experimental studies, lectin being frequently studied (alone or as an extract compound). More than 50% of available literature about VA is related to the lectin effects. On the other hand, the effects of viscotoxins are less studied. Among the in vivo experimental studies about VA and its compounds, the B16 murine melanoma is the most used model, followed by Ehrlich, Walker and Dalton tumors. The results point to the apoptotic effects, metastasis control and tumor regression. Some veterinary clinical studies about the use of VA in the treatment of sarcoid, fibrosarcoma and neuroblastoma are quoted in literature too, with interesting results. Considering the in vitro models, our review revealed that NALM6 leukemia cells, B16 melanoma and NC1-H460 lung carcinoma were the most studied tumor models, apoptosis signals being the most important findings. Only one study verified immunoglobulin and interleukin production. All consulted papers were related to phytotherapy preparations only. Conclusions: Although the literature about the anti-cancer activity of VA extract and its lectins is enough, there is a marked lack of information about viscotoxin activities and about the effects of homeopathic preparations of this plant on animal tumors and on in vitro cultivated tumor cells.

The Combination of rTMS and Pharmacotherapy on In Vitro Models: A Mini-Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-226
Author(s):  
Chryssa Pourzitaki ◽  
Ioannis Dardalas ◽  
Frideriki Poutoglidou ◽  
Dimitrios Kouvelas ◽  
Vasilios K. Kimiskidis
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Pubmed Database

Background: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that is being actively explored as a potential therapeutic modality in various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, neuropathic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative disorders, including the Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved rTMS for the treatment of major depression, migraine-associated headaches, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The fact that a significant proportion of patients suffering from these disorders fail to respond to current pharmacological interventions indicates the need for alternative therapies like rTMS. Objective: The objective was to find and summarize all studies combining the use of rTMS and pharmacological interference in vitro, in order to facilitate future studies. Methods: The results of studies combining the use of rTMS with pharmacological interference in vitro were focused on. The PubMed database was searched using the terms “rTMS”, “repetitive”, “transcranial”, “magnetic”, “stimulation”, “in vitro”, “in vivo”, “cell cultures” untilMarch 2019 and 7 eligible studies were found. Results: Overall results show a synergistic effect of rTMS and pharmacotherapy in vitro with additive effectiveness, better prognosis, and superior potential management. Conclusion: The limited amount of knowledge denotes the need for additional in vitro studies on the combination of rTMS and pharmacotherapy, which could be extended to in vivo studies and ultimately help design clinical trials so as to improve the therapeutic management of patients with a wide array of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds for Diabetes Management: Important Advances for Drug Discovery

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kondeti Ramudu Shanmugam ◽  
Bhasha Shanmugam ◽  
Gangigunta Venkatasubbaiah ◽  
Sahukari Ravi ◽  
Kesireddy Sathyavelu Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Major Public Health Problem

Background : Diabetes is a major public health problem in the world. It affects each and every part of the human body and also leads to organ failure. Hence, great progress made in the field of herbal medicine and diabetic research. Objectives: Our review will focus on the effect of bioactive compounds of medicinal plants which are used to treat diabetes in India and other countries. Methods: Information regarding diabetes, oxidative stress, medicinal plants and bioactive compounds were collected from different search engines like Science direct, Springer, Wiley online library, Taylor and francis, Bentham Science, Pubmed and Google scholar. Data was analyzed and summarized in the review. Results and Conclusion: Anti-diabetic drugs that are in use have many side effects on vital organs like heart, liver, kidney and brain. There is an urgent need for alternative medicine to treat diabetes and their disorders. In India and other countries herbal medicine was used to treat diabetes. Many herbal plants have antidiabetic effects. The plants like ginger, phyllanthus, curcumin, aswagandha, aloe, hibiscus and curcuma showed significant anti-hyperglycemic activities in experimental models and humans. The bioactive compounds like Allicin, azadirachtin, cajanin, curcumin, querceitin, gingerol possesses anti-diabetic, antioxidant and other pharmacological properties. This review focuses on the role of bioactive compounds of medicinal plants in prevention and management of diabetes. Conclusion: Moreover, our review suggests that bioactive compounds have the potential therapeutic potential against diabetes. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate these findings.

Modulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Plant-Derived Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Najmi Mohamad Anuar ◽  
Nurul Iman Natasya Zulkafali ◽  
Azizah Ugusman
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinases ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components

: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent metallo-endopeptidase that are responsible towards the degradation, repair and remodelling of extracellular matrix components. MMPs play an important role in maintaining a normal physiological function and preventing diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Natural products derived from plants have been used as traditional medicine for centuries. Its active compounds, such as catechin, resveratrol and quercetin, are suggested to play an important role as MMPs inhibitors, thereby opening new insights into their applications in many fields, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This review summarises the current knowledge on plant-derived natural products with MMP-modulating activities. Most of the reviewed plant-derived products exhibit an inhibitory activity on MMPs. Amongst MMPs, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the most studied. The expression of MMPs is inhibited through respective signalling pathways, such as MAPK, NF-κB and PI3 kinase pathways, which contribute to the reduction in cancer cell behaviours, such as proliferation and migration. Most studies have employed in vitro models, but a limited number of animal studies and clinical trials have been conducted. Even though plant-derived products show promising results in modulating MMPs, more in vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to support their therapeutic applications in the future.

scholarly journals Human Oligodendrocytes and Myelin In Vitro to Evaluate Developmental Neurotoxicity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7929
Author(s):  
Megan Chesnut ◽  
Thomas Hartung ◽  
Helena Hogberg ◽  
David Pamies
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Developmental Neurotoxicity ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
In Vitro Systems ◽  
Human Oligodendrocytes

Neurodevelopment is uniquely sensitive to toxic insults and there are concerns that environmental chemicals are contributing to widespread subclinical developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). Increased DNT evaluation is needed due to the lack of such information for most chemicals in common use, but in vivo studies recommended in regulatory guidelines are not practical for the large-scale screening of potential DNT chemicals. It is widely acknowledged that developmental neurotoxicity is a consequence of disruptions to basic processes in neurodevelopment and that testing strategies using human cell-based in vitro systems that mimic these processes could aid in prioritizing chemicals with DNT potential. Myelination is a fundamental process in neurodevelopment that should be included in a DNT testing strategy, but there are very few in vitro models of myelination. Thus, there is a need to establish an in vitro myelination assay for DNT. Here, we summarize the routes of myelin toxicity and the known models to study this particular endpoint.

scholarly journals Diabetic Cataract—Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Treatment

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Pollreisz ◽  
Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Polyol Pathway ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Diabetic Cataract ◽  
Cataract Development

Cataract in diabetic patients is a major cause of blindness in developed and developing countries. The pathogenesis of diabetic cataract development is still not fully understood. Recent basic research studies have emphasized the role of the polyol pathway in the initiation of the disease process. Population-based studies have greatly increased our knowledge concerning the association between diabetes and cataract formation and have defined risk factors for the development of cataract. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk of complications after phacoemulsification cataract surgery compared to nondiabetics. Aldose-reductase inhibitors and antioxidants have been proven beneficial in the prevention or treatment of this sightthreatening condition in in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. This paper provides an overview of the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract, clinical studies investigating the association between diabetes and cataract development, and current treatment of cataract in diabetics.

A Hybrid Coil/Polymer Device for Occlusion of Cerebral Aneurysms

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangmin Xu ◽  
Kevin Hart ◽  
Claire E. Flanagan ◽  
John C. Nacker ◽  
Roham Moftakhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Polymer Shell ◽  
Device Implantation ◽  
Occlusion Device ◽  
Aneurysm Occlusion ◽  
Aneurysm Model

The treatment of cerebral aneurysms is frequently accomplished via endovascular delivery of metal coils in order to occlude the aneurysm and prevent rupture. This procedure involves imprecise packing of large lengths of wire into the aneurysm and often results in high rates of aneurysm recanalization. Over time, this incomplete aneurysm occlusion can lead to aneurysm enlargement, which may have fatal consequences. This report describes the fabrication and preliminary testing of a novel aneurysm occlusion device composed of a single metal coil surrounded by a biocompatible polymer shell. These coil-in-shell devices were tested under flow conditions in synthetic in vitro models of saccular aneurysms and deployed in vivo in a short-term porcine aneurysm model to study occlusion efficacy. A single nickel titanium shape memory wire was used to deploy a biocompatible, elastic polymeric shell, leading to aneurysmal sac filling in both in vitro and in vivo aneurysm models. The deployment of this coil-in-shell device in synthetic aneurysm models in vitro resulted in varying degrees of aneurysm occlusion, with less than 2% of trials resulting in significant leakage of fluid into the aneurysm. Meanwhile, in vivo coil-in-shell device implantation in a porcine aneurysm model provided proof-of-concept for successful occlusion, as both aneurysms were completely occluded by the devices. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that this coil-in-shell device may be attractive as an alternative to traditional coil embolization methods in some cases, allowing for a more precise and controlled aneurysm occlusion.

scholarly journals The Challenging Melanoma Landscape: From Early Drug Discovery to Clinical Approval

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3088
Author(s):  
Mariana Matias ◽  
Jacinta O. Pinho ◽  
Maria João Penetra ◽  
Gonçalo Campos ◽  
Catarina Pinto Reis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Drug Evaluation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Murine Models ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Melanoma is recognized as the most dangerous type of skin cancer, with high mortality and resistance to currently used treatments. To overcome the limitations of the available therapeutic options, the discovery and development of new, more effective, and safer therapies is required. In this review, the different research steps involved in the process of antimelanoma drug evaluation and selection are explored, including information regarding in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, as well as clinical trial phases. Details are given about the most used cell lines and assays to perform both two- and three-dimensional in vitro screening of drug candidates towards melanoma. For in vivo studies, murine models are, undoubtedly, the most widely used for assessing the therapeutic potential of new compounds and to study the underlying mechanisms of action. Here, the main melanoma murine models are described as well as other animal species. A section is dedicated to ongoing clinical studies, demonstrating the wide interest and successful efforts devoted to melanoma therapy, in particular at advanced stages of the disease, and a final section includes some considerations regarding approval for marketing by regulatory agencies. Overall, considerable commitment is being directed to the continuous development of optimized experimental models, important for the understanding of melanoma biology and for the evaluation and validation of novel therapeutic strategies.

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