scholarly journals Substantial acetylcholine reduction in multiple brain regions of Mecp2-deficient female rats and associated behavioral abnormalities

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258830
Author(s):  
Hiroyasu Murasawa ◽  
Hiroyuki Kobayashi ◽  
Jun Imai ◽  
Takahiko Nagase ◽  
Hitomi Soumiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Insulin ◽  
Gene Deletion ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dominant Inheritance ◽  
Lower Plasma ◽  
Robust Model ◽  
Behavioral Abnormalities

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with X-linked dominant inheritance caused mainly by mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. The effects of various Mecp2 mutations have been extensively assessed in mouse models, but none adequately mimic the symptoms and pathological changes of RTT. In this study, we assessed the effects of Mecp2 gene deletion on female rats (Mecp2+/−) and found severe impairments in social behavior [at 8 weeks (w), 12 w, and 23 w of age], motor function [at 16 w and 26 w], and spatial cognition [at 29 w] as well as lower plasma insulin-like growth factor (but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and markedly reduced acetylcholine (30%–50%) in multiple brain regions compared to female Mecp2+/+ rats [at 29 w]. Alternatively, changes in brain monoamine levels were relatively small, in contrast to reports on mouse Mecp2 mutants. Female Mecp2-deficient rats express phenotypes resembling RTT and so may provide a robust model for future research on RTT pathobiology and treatment.

The Social Neuroscience of Cooperation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Joseph Van Bavel
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Social Neuroscience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
A Value ◽  
Group Cooperation ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cooperative Decision Making

We review literature from several fields to describe common experimental tasks used to measure human cooperation as well as the theoretical models that have been used to characterize cooperative decision-making, as well as brain regions implicated in cooperation. Building on work in neuroeconomics, we suggest a value-based account may provide the most powerful understanding the psychology and neuroscience of group cooperation. We also review the role of individual differences and social context in shaping the mental processes that underlie cooperation and consider gaps in the literature and potential directions for future research on the social neuroscience of cooperation. We suggest that this multi-level approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of the mental and neural processes that underlie the decision to cooperate with others.

scholarly journals Metacognition: ideas and insights from neuro- and educational sciences

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien S. Fleur ◽  
Bert Bredeweg ◽  
Wouter van den Bos
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Metacognitive Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Metacognitive Control ◽  
Domain Generality ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Control Research ◽  
Educational Sciences

AbstractMetacognition comprises both the ability to be aware of one’s cognitive processes (metacognitive knowledge) and to regulate them (metacognitive control). Research in educational sciences has amassed a large body of evidence on the importance of metacognition in learning and academic achievement. More recently, metacognition has been studied from experimental and cognitive neuroscience perspectives. This research has started to identify brain regions that encode metacognitive processes. However, the educational and neuroscience disciplines have largely developed separately with little exchange and communication. In this article, we review the literature on metacognition in educational and cognitive neuroscience and identify entry points for synthesis. We argue that to improve our understanding of metacognition, future research needs to (i) investigate the degree to which different protocols relate to the similar or different metacognitive constructs and processes, (ii) implement experiments to identify neural substrates necessary for metacognition based on protocols used in educational sciences, (iii) study the effects of training metacognitive knowledge in the brain, and (iv) perform developmental research in the metacognitive brain and compare it with the existing developmental literature from educational sciences regarding the domain-generality of metacognition.

scholarly journals Social exclusion increases the executive function of attention networks

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huoyin Zhang ◽  
Shiyunmeng Zhang ◽  
Jiachen Lu ◽  
Yi Lei ◽  
Hong Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Attention Network ◽  
Attention Networks ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Control

AbstractPrevious studies in humans have shown that brain regions activating social exclusion overlap with those related to attention. However, in the context of social exclusion, how does behavioral monitoring affect individual behavior? In this study, we used the Cyberball game to induce the social exclusion effect in a group of participants. To explore the influence of social exclusion on the attention network, we administered the Attention Network Test (ANT) and compared results for the three subsystems of the attention network (orienting, alerting, and executive control) between exclusion (N = 60) and inclusion (N = 60) groups. Compared with the inclusion group, the exclusion group showed shorter overall response time and better executive control performance, but no significant differences in orienting or alerting. The excluded individuals showed a stronger ability to detect and control conflicts. It appears that social exclusion does not always exert a negative influence on individuals. In future research, attention to network can be used as indicators of social exclusion. This may further reveal how social exclusion affects individuals' psychosomatic mechanisms.

scholarly journals Cannabinoids, reward processing, and psychosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Gunasekera ◽  
Kelly Diederen ◽  
Sagnik Bhattacharyya
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Neural Substrates ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Dopamine Synthesis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Drug Challenge ◽  
Psychotomimetic Effects

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that an overlap exists between the neurobiology of psychotic disorders and the effects of cannabinoids on neurocognitive and neurochemical substrates involved in reward processing. Aims We investigate whether the psychotomimetic effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the antipsychotic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) are underpinned by their effects on the reward system and dopamine. Methods This narrative review focuses on the overlap between altered dopamine signalling and reward processing induced by cannabinoids, pre-clinically and in humans. A systematic search was conducted of acute cannabinoid drug-challenge studies using neuroimaging in healthy subjects and those with psychosis Results There is evidence of increased striatal presynaptic dopamine synthesis and release in psychosis, as well as abnormal engagement of the striatum during reward processing. Although, acute THC challenges have elicited a modest effect on striatal dopamine, cannabis users generally indicate impaired presynaptic dopaminergic function. Functional MRI studies have identified that a single dose of THC may modulate regions involved in reward and salience processing such as the striatum, midbrain, insular, and anterior cingulate, with some effects correlating with the severity of THC-induced psychotic symptoms. CBD may modulate brain regions involved in reward/salience processing in an opposite direction to that of THC. Conclusions There is evidence to suggest modulation of reward processing and its neural substrates by THC and CBD. Whether such effects underlie the psychotomimetic/antipsychotic effects of these cannabinoids remains unclear. Future research should address these unanswered questions to understand the relationship between endocannabinoid dysfunction, reward processing abnormalities, and psychosis.

scholarly journals Lower plasma insulin levels during overnight closed-loop in school children with type 1 diabetes: Potential advantage? A randomized cross-over trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e0212013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Schierloh ◽  
Malgorzata E. Wilinska ◽  
Ineke M. Pit-ten Cate ◽  
Petra Baumann ◽  
Roman Hovorka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
School Children ◽  
Plasma Insulin ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Lower Plasma ◽  
Insulin Levels ◽  
Plasma Insulin Levels

scholarly journals Plasma mineral (selenium, zinc or copper) concentrations in the general pregnant population, adjusted for supplement intake, in relation to thyroid function

2020 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78
Author(s):  
Victor Pop ◽  
Johannes Krabbe ◽  
Wolfgang Maret ◽  
Margaret Rayman
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Lower Plasma ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Supplement Intake

AbstractThe present study reports on first-trimester reference ranges of plasma mineral Se/Zn/Cu concentration in relation to free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), assessed at 12 weeks’ gestation in 2041 pregnant women, including 544 women not taking supplements containing Se/Zn/Cu. The reference range (2·5th–97·5th percentiles) in these 544 women was 0·72–1·25 µmol/l for Se, 17·15–35·98 µmol/l for Cu and 9·57–16·41 µmol/l for Zn. These women had significantly lower mean plasma Se concentration (0·94 (sd 0·12) µmol/l) than those (n 1479) taking Se/Zn/Cu supplements (1·03 (sd 0·14) µmol/l; P < 0·001), while the mean Cu (26·25 µmol/l) and Zn (12·55 µmol/l) concentrations were almost identical in these sub-groups. Women with hypothyroxinaemia (FT4 below reference range with normal TSH) had significantly lower plasma Zn concentrations than euthyroid women. After adjusting for covariates including supplement intake, plasma Se (negatively), Zn and Cu (positively) concentrations were significantly related to logFT4; Se and Cu (but not Zn) were positively and significantly related to logTSH. Women taking additional Se/Zn/Cu supplements were 1·46 (95 % CI 1·09, 2·04) times less likely to have elevated titres of TPO-Ab at 12 weeks of gestation. We conclude that first-trimester Se reference ranges are influenced by Se-supplement intake, while Cu and Zn ranges are not. Plasma mineral Se/Zn/Cu concentrations are associated with thyroid FT4 and TSH concentrations. Se/Zn/Cu supplement intake affects TPO-Ab status. Future research should focus on the impact of trace mineral status during gestation on thyroid function.

Effects of combined exposure to dichlorvos and monocrotophos on blood and brain biochemical variables in rats

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Dwivedi ◽  
Yangchen D Bhutia ◽  
Vinesh Kumar ◽  
Preeti Yadav ◽  
Pramod Kushwaha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Biochemical Variables ◽  
Aspartate Amino Transferase ◽  
Brain Ache Activity ◽  
Concomitant Exposure ◽  
Cholinergic Effects

Dichlorvos (DDVP) and monocrotophos (MC) are systemic insecticides and known to produce cholinergic and non-cholinergic effects. Individual toxic effects of these chemicals are known but their combined effects have not been studied. We studied the effect of concomitant exposure to DDVP and MC on selected biochemical variables suggestive of liver damage, changes in whole brain biogenic amines levels, acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities in rats. Female rats were exposed to DDVP (2.5 mg/kg subcutaneously) and MC (1.8 mg/kg oral) either individually or in combination for 4 weeks. We observed significant decrease in more pronounced depletion in norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels during co-exposure to DDVP and MC. Brain AChE activity increased and activity of MAO showed significant depletion on co-exposure to DDVP and MC. Brain glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio decreased significantly during exposure to DDVP or MC while co-exposure to these toxicants led to a more pronounced depletion of GSH: GSSG ratio. Serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities increased significantly on exposure to MC suggesting liver injury, while DDVP alone had no effect on these variables. There were no effects of DDVP and MC exposure on haematological biochemical variables except for depletion in serum glucose level after MC exposure which was more pronounced DDVP + MC during co-exposure. It can be concluded that only moderate synergistic effects occur between MC and DDVP during co-exposure. A more detailed study with variable doses, prolonged exposure and alterations in different brain regions is recommended.

Towards a general model explaining physical and digital counterfeits

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco-Jose Molina-Castillo ◽  
Elfriede Penz ◽  
Barbara Stöttinger
Keyword(s):  
General Model ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Digital Piracy ◽  
Digital Products ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Robust Model ◽  
Research Goal

PurposeDemand for fake physical and digital products is a global phenomenon with substantive detrimental effects on companies and consumers. This raises various questions and issues, such as whether there are generalizable explanations of purchase intentions.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on consumer samples from three different countries. This paper develops and tests a model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain both the demand for counterfeits and digital piracy. Respondents were questioned about physical products (e.g. clothing, accessories) from well-known brands and digital products (e.g. software, music).FindingsSocially oriented motives such as embarrassment potential, ethical concerns and social norms explain the intention to purchase fake physical and digital products, while personally oriented motives (e.g. self-identity) have indirect effects but not a direct impact on purchase intention.Research limitations/implicationsAs our results show, we find evidence for a general model – contributing and supporting our first and primary research goal of providing a theoretically robust model that bridges the gap between two streams of literature.Practical implicationsThe fact that drivers of buying counterfeit physical and digital goods are similar across countries provides justification for companies and international organizations to bundle their efforts and thus leverage them more strongly on a global scale.Originality/valueWe provide a basis for consolidating future research on demand for counterfeits and pirated goods because underlying factors driving demand are similar across the three countries studied herein.

scholarly journals Diagnostic path of a genetic disease: a case of Williams-Beuren syndrome in Burkina Faso

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoura Barro ◽  
Bintou Sanogo ◽  
Aimée S. Kissou ◽  
Ad Bafa Ibrahim Ouattara ◽  
Boubacar Nacro
Keyword(s):  
Mental Retardation ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Examination ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Genetic Disease ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Dysmorphic Feature ◽  
Chromosome Band ◽  
Behavioral Abnormalities

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a set of somatic, psychological, and behavioral abnormalities, which is caused by a deletion of several genes. Herein we report a 6 year-old boy, who presented with mental retardation and psychological disorders. The result of the first clinical examination was poor, since it didn’t detect any dysmorphic feature which is a major component for the clinical diagnosis of WBS. Despite the multidisciplinary and the multicenter approaches used, the diagnosis of WBS (deletion of chromosome band 7q11. 23) was established more than 3 years after the first medical consultation. Rare partial forms of WBS have been recently described and they are both clinically and genetically difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, this disorder is still little known by health professionals.

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