How Wnt Signaling Builds the Brain: Bridging Development and Disease

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rivka Noelanders ◽  
Kris Vleminckx
Keyword(s):  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Neural Differentiation ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Neurological Dysfunction ◽  
The Brain

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a crucial role throughout all stages of brain development and remains important in the adult brain. Accordingly, many neurological disorders have been linked to Wnt signaling. Defects in Wnt signaling during neural development can give rise to birth defects or lead to neurological dysfunction later in life. Developmental signaling events can also be hijacked in the adult and result in disease. Moreover, knowledge about the physiological role of Wnt signaling in the brain might lead to new therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases. Especially, the important role for Wnt signaling in neural differentiation of pluripotent stem cells has received much attention as this might provide a cure for neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the versatile role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling during neural development and discuss some recent studies linking Wnt signaling to neurological disorders.

scholarly journals Store-Operated Calcium Channels in Physiological and Pathological States of the Nervous System

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isis Zhang ◽  
Huijuan Hu
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Store Operated Calcium Entry ◽  
Important Pathway ◽  
Molecular Components

Store-operated calcium channels (SOCs) are widely expressed in excitatory and non-excitatory cells where they mediate significant store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), an important pathway for calcium signaling throughout the body. While the activity of SOCs has been well studied in non-excitable cells, attention has turned to their role in neurons and glia in recent years. In particular, the role of SOCs in the nervous system has been extensively investigated, with links to their dysregulation found in a wide variety of neurological diseases from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to pain. In this review, we provide an overview of their molecular components, expression, and physiological role in the nervous system and describe how the dysregulation of those roles could potentially lead to various neurological disorders. Although further studies are still needed to understand how SOCs are activated under physiological conditions and how they are linked to pathological states, growing evidence indicates that SOCs are important players in neurological disorders and could be potential new targets for therapies. While the role of SOCE in the nervous system continues to be multifaceted and controversial, the study of SOCs provides a potentially fruitful avenue into better understanding the nervous system and its pathologies.

The Impact of Phytosterols on the Healthy and Diseased Brain

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (37) ◽  
pp. 6750-6765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tess Dierckx ◽  
Jeroen F.J. Bogie ◽  
Jerome J.A. Hendriks
Keyword(s):  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cholesterol Homeostasis ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most cholesterol-rich organ in mammals. Cholesterol homeostasis is essential for proper brain functioning and dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism can lead to neurological problems. Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are examples of neurological diseases that are characterized by a disturbed cholesterol metabolism. Phytosterols (PS) are plant-derived components that structurally and functionally resemble cholesterol. PS are known for their cholesterol-lowering properties. Due to their ability to reach the brain, researchers have started to investigate the physiological role of PS in the CNS. In this review, the metabolism and function of PS in the diseased and healthy CNS are discussed.

Astrocytes: From the Physiology to the Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 675-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Trujillo-Estrada ◽  
Angela Gomez-Arboledas ◽  
Stefânia Forner ◽  
Alessandra Cadete Martini ◽  
Antonia Gutierrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Neuronal Metabolism ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Neurotransmitter Synthesis ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Astrocytes are key cells for adequate brain formation and regulation of cerebral blood flow as well as for the maintenance of neuronal metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis and exocytosis, and synaptic transmission. Many of these functions are intrinsically related to neurodegeneration, allowing refocusing on the role of astrocytes in physiological and neurodegenerative states. Indeed, emerging evidence in the field indicates that abnormalities in the astrocytic function are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Huntington’s Disease (HD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In the present review, we highlight the physiological role of astrocytes in the CNS, including their communication with other cells in the brain. Furthermore, we discuss exciting findings and novel experimental approaches that elucidate the role of astrocytes in multiple neurological disorders.

scholarly journals Anatomical basis and physiological role of cerebrospinal fluid transport through the murine cribriform plate

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan N. Norwood ◽  
Qingguang Zhang ◽  
David Card ◽  
Amanda Craine ◽  
Timothy M. Ryan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Fluid Transport ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cribriform Plate ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Anatomical Basis ◽  
Outflow Pathway ◽  
The Brain

AbstractCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows through the brain, transporting chemical signals and removing waste. CSF production in the brain is balanced by a constant outflow of CSF, the anatomical basis of which is poorly understood. Here we characterized the anatomy and physiological function of the CSF outflow pathway along the olfactory sensory nerves through the cribriform plate, and into the nasal epithelia. Chemical ablation of olfactory sensory nerves greatly reduced outflow of CSF through the cribriform plate. The reduction in CSF outflow did not cause an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP), consistent with an alteration in the pattern of CSF drainage or production. Our results suggest that damage to olfactory sensory neurons (such as from air pollution) could contribute to altered CSF turnover and flow, providing a potential mechanism for neurological diseases.

scholarly journals Anatomical basis and physiological role of cerebrospinal fluid transport through the murine cribriform plate

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan N Norwood ◽  
Qingguang Zhang ◽  
David Card ◽  
Amanda Craine ◽  
Timothy M Ryan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Fluid Transport ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cribriform Plate ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Anatomical Basis ◽  
Outflow Pathway ◽  
The Brain

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows through the brain, transporting chemical signals and removing waste. CSF production in the brain is balanced by a constant outflow of CSF, the anatomical basis of which is poorly understood. Here, we characterized the anatomy and physiological function of the CSF outflow pathway along the olfactory sensory nerves through the cribriform plate, and into the nasal epithelia. Chemical ablation of olfactory sensory nerves greatly reduced outflow of CSF through the cribriform plate. The reduction in CSF outflow did not cause an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP), consistent with an alteration in the pattern of CSF drainage or production. Our results suggest that damage to olfactory sensory neurons (such as from air pollution) could contribute to altered CSF turnover and flow, providing a potential mechanism for neurological diseases.

Microbiota-Immune System Interactions in Human Neurological Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 509-526
Author(s):  
Qin Huang ◽  
Fang Yu ◽  
Di Liao ◽  
Jian Xia
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Gut Dysbiosis ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

: Recent studies implicate microbiota-brain communication as an essential factor for physiology and pathophysiology in brain function and neurodevelopment. One of the pivotal mechanisms about gut to brain communication is through the regulation and interaction of gut microbiota on the host immune system. In this review, we will discuss the role of microbiota-immune systeminteractions in human neurological disorders. The characteristic features in the development of neurological diseases include gut dysbiosis, the disturbed intestinal/Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) permeability, the activated inflammatory response, and the changed microbial metabolites. Neurological disorders contribute to gut dysbiosis and some relevant metabolites in a top-down way. In turn, the activated immune system induced by the change of gut microbiota may deteriorate the development of neurological diseases through the disturbed gut/BBB barrier in a down-top way. Understanding the characterization and identification of microbiome-immune- brain signaling pathways will help us to yield novel therapeutic strategies by targeting the gut microbiome in neurological disease.

scholarly journals Role of Enzymes in Causing Neurological Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 466-476
Author(s):  
Vysakh Visweswaran ◽  
Roshni PR
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Permanent Disability ◽  
Genetic Abnormalities ◽  
Underlying Pathology

Diseases of the nervous system are always associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The fragile nature of the neurons and their inability to replicate means that neurological disorders are associated with a permanent disability. Pharmacotherapy of neurological diseases requires understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease pathology. In most of the cases a faulty cellular biochemical pathway is involved, resulting from a defective enzyme. This article focusses on role of enzymes in various neurological disorders. To review pertinent literature and summarise the role of enzymes in the underlying pathology of various neurological disorders. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, J-GATE and Google Scholar and relevant papers were collected using the keywords enzymes, Alzheimer's disease, redox, thiamine, depression, neurotransmitters, epileptogenesis. The literature review highlighted the role of enzymes in major neurological disorders and their potential to be used as drug targets and biomarkers. Identifying defective enzymes gives us new molecular targets to focus on for developing more effective pharmacotherapeutic options. They can be also considered as potential biomarkers. An abnormal enzyme is most often a direct result of an underlying genetic abnormality. Identifying and screening for these genetic abnormalities can be used in early identification and prevention of disease in individuals who have a genetic predisposition. The modern advances in genetic engineering shows a lot of promise in correcting these abnormalities and development of revolutionary cures although ethical concerns remain. 

scholarly journals Insights Into the Role of CSF1R in the Central Nervous System and Neurological Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banglian Hu ◽  
Shengshun Duan ◽  
Ziwei Wang ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Yuhang Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Colony Stimulating Factor ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Axonal Spheroids ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Stimulating Factor

The colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is a key tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptor modulating microglial homeostasis, neurogenesis, and neuronal survival in the central nervous system (CNS). CSF1R, which can be proteolytically cleaved into a soluble ectodomain and an intracellular protein fragment, supports the survival of myeloid cells upon activation by two ligands, colony stimulating factor 1 and interleukin 34. CSF1R loss-of-function mutations are the major cause of adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) and its dysfunction has also been implicated in other neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we review the physiological functions of CSF1R in the CNS and its pathological effects in neurological disorders including ALSP, AD, frontotemporal dementia and multiple sclerosis. Understanding the pathophysiology of CSF1R is critical for developing targeted therapies for related neurological diseases.

Role of Vitamins in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Ranjan Kumar ◽  
Lovekesh Singh ◽  
Amandeep Thakur ◽  
Shamsher Singh ◽  
Bhupinder Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Huntington's Disease ◽  
Huntington’S Disease ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
The Brain

Background: Vitamins are the micronutrients required for boosting the immune system and managing any future infection. Vitamins are involved in neurogenesis, a defense mechanism working in neurons, metabolic reactions, neuronal survival, and neuronal transmission. Their deficiency leads to abnormal functions in the brain like oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of proteins (synuclein, Aβ plaques), neurodegeneration, and excitotoxicity. Methods: In this review, we have compiled various reports collected from PubMed, Scholar Google, Research gate, and Science direct. The findings were evaluated, compiled, and represented in this manuscript. Conclusion: The deficiency of vitamins in the body causes various neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington's disease, and depression. We have discussed the role of vitamins in neurological disorders and the normal human body. Depression is linked to a deficiency of vitamin-C and vitamin B. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, there is a lack of vitamin-B1, B12, and vitamin-A, which results in Aβ-plaques. Similarly, in Parkinson’s disease, vitamin-D deficiency leads to a decrease in the level of dopamine, and imbalance in vitamin D leads to accumulation of synuclein. In MS, Vitamin-C and Vitamin-D deficiency causes demyelination of neurons. In Huntington's disease, vitamin- C deficiency decreases the antioxidant level, enhances oxidative stress, and disrupts the glucose cycle. Vitamin B5 deficiency in Huntington's disease disrupts the synthesis of acetylcholine and hormones in the brain.

scholarly journals Leptin down-regulates KCC2 activity and controls chloride homeostasis in the neonatal rat hippocampus

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Dumon ◽  
Yasmine Belaidouni ◽  
Diabe Diabira ◽  
Suzanne M. Appleyard ◽  
Gary A. Wayman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Rat Hippocampus ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Chloride Homeostasis ◽  
Hypothalamic Nuclei ◽  
Hippocampal Networks ◽  
Developing Rat

Abstract The canonical physiological role of leptin is to regulate hunger and satiety acting on specific hypothalamic nuclei. Beyond this key metabolic function; leptin also regulates many aspects of development and functioning of neuronal hippocampal networks throughout life. Here we show that leptin controls chloride homeostasis in the developing rat hippocampus in vitro. The effect of leptin relies on the down-regulation of the potassium/chloride extruder KCC2 activity and is present during a restricted period of postnatal development. This study confirms and extends the role of leptin in the ontogenesis of functional GABAergic inhibition and helps understanding how abnormal levels of leptin may contribute to neurological disorders.

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