Brain plasticity, cognitive functions and neural stem cells: a pivotal role for the brain-specific neural master gene |-SRGAP2–FAM72-|

2017 ◽  
Vol 399 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Thanh Ho ◽  
Arne Kutzner ◽  
Klaus Heese
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Cellular Events ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
The Brain

AbstractDue to an aging society with an increased dementia-induced threat to higher cognitive functions, it has become imperative to understand the molecular and cellular events controlling the memory and learning processes in the brain. Here, we suggest that the novel master gene pair |-SRGAP2–FAM72-| (SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase activating the protein 2, family with sequence similarity to 72) reveals a new dogma for the regulation of neural stem cell (NSC) gene expression and is a distinctive player in the control of human brain plasticity. Insight into the specific regulation of the brain-specific neural master gene |-SRGAP2–FAM72-| may essentially contribute to novel therapeutic approaches to restore or improve higher cognitive functions.

scholarly journals Preserved representations and decodability of diverse cognitive functions across the cortex, cerebellum, and subcortex

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoya Nakai ◽  
Shinji Nishimoto
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Functional Representations ◽  
Model Training ◽  
Task Representations ◽  
The Brain

Which part of the brain contributes to our complex cognitive processes? Studies have revealed contributions of the cerebellum and subcortex to higher-order cognitive functions; however it is unclear whether such functional representations are preserved across the cortex, cerebellum, and subcortex. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging data with 103 cognitive tasks and constructed three voxel-wise encoding and decoding models independently using cortical, cerebellar, and subcortical voxels. Representational similarity analysis revealed that the structure of task representations is preserved across the three brain parts. Principal component analysis visualized distinct organizations of abstract cognitive functions in each part of the cerebellum and subcortex. More than 90% of the cognitive tasks were decodable from the cerebellum and subcortical activities, even for the novel tasks not included in model training. Furthermore, we discovered that the cerebellum and subcortex have sufficient information to reconstruct activity in the cerebral cortex.

Dennett, Functionalism, and Introspection

1985 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 55-83
Author(s):  
William Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
The Brain

Recent functionalist accounts of the mental, at least on the part of philosophers, have often been a result of dissatisfaction with the reductionist accounts championed by such physicalists as Place, Smart and Feigl. In particular this new account gained momentum from the growing belief that our map of the mental, at least in regard to the higher cognitive functions, does not seem to be a map of the brain and its processes. The more we find out about the working brain, the less we are able to cling to the belief that our talk about beliefs, evaluations, intentions, desires and motives gives us information about the structure or functioning of our brains.

scholarly journals Cellular Mechanisms Participating in Brain Repair of Adult Zebrafish and Mammals After Injury

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batoul Ghaddar ◽  
Luisa Lübke ◽  
David COURET ◽  
Sepand Rastegar ◽  
Nicolas Diotel
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Adult Neurogenesis ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Adult Zebrafish ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Regenerative Capacity ◽  
Brain Repair ◽  
Cellular Events ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
The Brain

Adult neurogenesis is an evolutionary conserved process occurring in all vertebrates. However, striking differences are observed between the taxa, considering the number of neurogenic niches, the neural stem cell (NSC) identity and brain plasticity under constitutive and injury-induced conditions. Zebrafish has become a popular model for the investigation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in adult neurogenesis. Compared to mammals, the adult zebrafish displays a high number of neurogenic niches distributed throughout the brain. Furthermore, it exhibits a strong regenerative capacity without scar formation or any obvious disabilities. In this review, we will first discuss the similarities and differences regarding (i) the distribution of neurogenic niches in the brain of adult zebrafish and mammals (mainly mouse) and (ii) the nature of the neural stem cells within the main telencephalic niches. In the second part, we will describe the cascade of cellular events occurring after telencephalic injury in zebrafish and mouse. Our study clearly shows that most early events happening right after the brain injury are shared between zebrafish and mouse including cell death, microglia and oligodendrocyte recruitment, as well as injury-induced neurogenesis. In mammals one of the consequences following an injury is the formation of a glial scar that is persistent. This is not the case in zebrafish, which may be one of the main reasons that zebrafish display a higher regenerative capacity.

scholarly journals Bridging the Gap Between Neurons and Cognition Through Assemblies of Neurons

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Christos H. Papadimitriou ◽  
Angela D. Friederici
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Computational Power ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
Simple Sentences ◽  
The Brain

During recent decades, our understanding of the brain has advanced dramatically at both the cellular and molecular levels and at the cognitive neurofunctional level; however, a huge gap remains between the microlevel of physiology and the macrolevel of cognition. We propose that computational models based on assemblies of neurons can serve as a blueprint for bridging these two scales. We discuss recently developed computational models of assemblies that have been demonstrated to mediate higher cognitive functions such as the processing of simple sentences, to be realistically realizable by neural activity, and to possess general computational power.

The Cerebellum

2020 ◽  
pp. 152-165
Author(s):  
Frederick L. Coolidge
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Abstract Thinking ◽  
Dendritic Branching ◽  
Human Cerebellum ◽  
Phylogenetic Origin ◽  
Motor Movements ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
The Brain

The cerebellum is estimated to contain about 80% of all of the brain’s neurons. Its original adaptation appears to be the seamless and smooth execution of motor movements. The dendritic branching of the cerebellum’s neurons is the most complex and extensive in the brain. The lateral and posterior portions of modern humans’ cerebellum have a more recent phylogenetic origin than that of other hominins. An exaptation of the human cerebellum is the cognitive control and refinement of higher cognitive functions, including lower- and higher-level abstract thinking. Numerous empirical studies link insight and creativity to the cerebellum.

The brain as an organ of the living being

2017 ◽  
pp. 107-172
Author(s):  
Thomas Fuchs
Keyword(s):  
Implicit Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Feedback Loops ◽  
Gestalt Perception ◽  
Neuronal Patterns ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Living Being

‘The brain as an organ of the living being’ first presents the brain as the organ of vital regulation, which is connected to the organism through various feedback loops. This constant resonance between brainstem and organism is the basis of a background ‘feeling of being alive’ as the foundation of all conscious experience. Second, the relations of brain, organism, and environment are portrayed by means of the functional cycle of perception and movement. As a consequence of this ecological model, consciousness is regarded as the integral of the functional loops between the organism and the environment. In a third step, the development of capacities is traced back to neuroplasticity and implicit memory. This serves as a basis for the investigation into the higher cognitive functions of the brain, in particular, gestalt perception. The focus lies on the principle of resonance between activated neuronal patterns and configurations of stimuli in the environment.

scholarly journals Cellular Mechanisms Participating in Brain Repair of Adult Zebrafish and Mammals after Injury

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
Batoul Ghaddar ◽  
Luisa Lübke ◽  
David Couret ◽  
Sepand Rastegar ◽  
Nicolas Diotel
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Adult Neurogenesis ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Adult Zebrafish ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Regenerative Capacity ◽  
Brain Repair ◽  
Cellular Events ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
The Brain

Adult neurogenesis is an evolutionary conserved process occurring in all vertebrates. However, striking differences are observed between the taxa, considering the number of neurogenic niches, the neural stem cell (NSC) identity, and brain plasticity under constitutive and injury-induced conditions. Zebrafish has become a popular model for the investigation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in adult neurogenesis. Compared to mammals, the adult zebrafish displays a high number of neurogenic niches distributed throughout the brain. Furthermore, it exhibits a strong regenerative capacity without scar formation or any obvious disabilities. In this review, we will first discuss the similarities and differences regarding (i) the distribution of neurogenic niches in the brain of adult zebrafish and mammals (mainly mouse) and (ii) the nature of the neural stem cells within the main telencephalic niches. In the second part, we will describe the cascade of cellular events occurring after telencephalic injury in zebrafish and mouse. Our study clearly shows that most early events happening right after the brain injury are shared between zebrafish and mouse including cell death, microglia, and oligodendrocyte recruitment, as well as injury-induced neurogenesis. In mammals, one of the consequences following an injury is the formation of a glial scar that is persistent. This is not the case in zebrafish, which may be one of the main reasons that zebrafish display a higher regenerative capacity.

scholarly journals Estrogen Effects on Cognitive and Synaptic Health Over the Lifecourse

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 785-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Hara ◽  
Elizabeth M. Waters ◽  
Bruce S. McEwen ◽  
John H. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
Effects Of Aging ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

Estrogen facilitates higher cognitive functions by exerting effects on brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Estrogen induces spinogenesis and synaptogenesis in these two brain regions and also initiates a complex set of signal transduction pathways via estrogen receptors (ERs). Along with the classical genomic effects mediated by activation of ER α and ER β, there are membrane-bound ER α, ER β, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) that can mediate rapid nongenomic effects. All key ERs present throughout the body are also present in synapses of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. This review summarizes estrogen actions in the brain from the standpoint of their effects on synapse structure and function, noting also the synergistic role of progesterone. We first begin with a review of ER subtypes in the brain and how their abundance and distributions are altered with aging and estrogen loss (e.g., ovariectomy or menopause) in the rodent, monkey, and human brain. As there is much evidence that estrogen loss induced by menopause can exacerbate the effects of aging on cognitive functions, we then review the clinical trials of hormone replacement therapies and their effectiveness on cognitive symptoms experienced by women. Finally, we summarize studies carried out in nonhuman primate models of age- and menopause-related cognitive decline that are highly relevant for developing effective interventions for menopausal women. Together, we highlight a new understanding of how estrogen affects higher cognitive functions and synaptic health that go well beyond its effects on reproduction.

scholarly journals Tissue-Specific Regulation of HNK-1 Biosynthesis by Bisecting GlcNAc

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (17) ◽  
pp. 5176
Author(s):  
Haruka Kawade ◽  
Jyoji Morise ◽  
Sushil K. Mishra ◽  
Shuta Tsujioka ◽  
Shogo Oka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Synaptic Functions ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Bisecting Glcnac

Human natural killer—1 (HNK-1) is a sulfated glyco-epitope regulating cell adhesion and synaptic functions. HNK-1 and its non-sulfated forms, which are specifically expressed in the brain and the kidney, respectively, are distinctly biosynthesized by two homologous glycosyltransferases: GlcAT-P in the brain and GlcAT-S in the kidney. However, it is largely unclear how the activity of these isozymes is regulated in vivo. We recently found that bisecting GlcNAc, a branching sugar in N-glycan, suppresses both GlcAT-P activity and HNK-1 expression in the brain. Here, we observed that the expression of non-sulfated HNK-1 in the kidney is unexpectedly unaltered in mutant mice lacking bisecting GlcNAc. This suggests that the biosynthesis of HNK-1 in the brain and the kidney are differentially regulated by bisecting GlcNAc. Mechanistically, in vitro activity assays demonstrated that bisecting GlcNAc inhibits the activity of GlcAT-P but not that of GlcAT-S. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation showed that GlcAT-P binds poorly to bisected N-glycan substrates, whereas GlcAT-S binds similarly to bisected and non-bisected N-glycans. These findings revealed the difference of the highly homologous isozymes for HNK-1 synthesis, highlighting the novel mechanism of the tissue-specific regulation of HNK-1 synthesis by bisecting GlcNAc.

Lessons From the Neural Bases of Speech and Voice

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Christy L. Ludlow
Keyword(s):  
Brain Networks ◽  
Neural Substrates ◽  
Voice Behavior ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Neural Bases ◽  
Sound Foundation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Normal Speech

The premise of this article is that increased understanding of the brain bases for normal speech and voice behavior will provide a sound foundation for developing therapeutic approaches to establish or re-establish these functions. The neural substrates involved in speech/voice behaviors, the types of muscle patterning for speech and voice, the brain networks involved and their regulation, and how they can be externally modulated for improving function will be addressed.

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