scholarly journals Neurochemical mechanisms and pharmacology of ghrelins

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-22
Author(s):  
Petr D. Shabanov ◽  
Andrei A. Lebedev ◽  
Eugenii R. Bychkov ◽  
Nikanor V. Lavrov ◽  
Vitalii I. Morozov
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Molecular Forms ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Ghrelin Receptor ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ghrelin Receptors ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

The purpose of the review was to analyze the neurochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms of the ghrelin system and the role of ghrelin in body functions and behavior. The focus is on the participation of ghrelin in the mechanisms of reinforcement and the formation of addictive behavior. At the beginning of the review a history of the first works on the field of ghrelin and its receptor was described. Then, genetic control, molecular precursor of ghrelin, molecular forms of ghrelin and ghrelin receptor were represented. In particular, the distribution of the ghrelin receptor, ghrelin-producing cells in the brain and its participation in various physiological functions of the body were shown. The hypothalamic functions of ghrelin were discussed: energy balance, regulation of glucose metabolism, stimulation of eating behavior, regulation of hypophys-pituitary axis (HPA) system. The connection of ghrelin with the brain CRH system was demonstrated. In particular, activation of HPA was described as a possible mechanism through which ghrelin regulates a number of physiological processes. Extrahypothalamic action of ghrelin was shown on the basis of the mechanisms of reinforcement and addiction. On the basis of their own data and literary, it was concluded that action of alcohol and psychoactive drugs are reduced after the ghrelin receptors blockade. In particular, it has been demonstrated that alcoholization of mothers affects the activity of the ghrelin system during the prenatal and early postnatal periods of development in the offspring of rats. It was shown the participation of ghrelin in memory and learning. The further perspective of the study and practical application of ghrelin-based pharmacological agents was analyzed.

scholarly journals Historical epistemology of the body-mind interaction in psychiatry

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13
Keyword(s):  
Body Problem ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mind And Body ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mind ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Brain

This paper deals with the history of the relationship between the mind-body dualism and the epistemology of madness. Earlier versions of such dualism posed little problem in regard to the manner of their communication. The Cartesian view that mind and body did, in fact, name different substances introduced a problem of incommunicability that is yet to be resolved. Earlier views that madness may be related to changes in the brain began gaining empirical support during the 17th century. Writers on madness chose to resolve the mind-body problem differently Some stated that such communication was not needed; others, that mind was a redundant concept, as madness could be fully explained by structural changes in the brain; and yet others described psychological spaces for madness to inhabit as a symbolic conflict. The epistemology of the neurosciences bypasses the conundrum, as it processes all together the variables representing the brain, subjectivity, and behavior and bridges the “philosophical” gap by means of correlational structures.

scholarly journals A comparative study of impact on cognitive function between diabetic and non-diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 1547
Author(s):  
Dharnaben A. Patel ◽  
Dhruv J. Patel ◽  
N. D. Kantharia
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
The Body ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Proper Understanding ◽  
History Of ◽  
Control Of Diabetes ◽  
The Brain

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, polyuria, hyperlipidemia etc, resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. It affects various organs of the body including the brain. Cognitive function is the thinking process of the brain. In any chronic disease evaluation of cognitive function is justified as it may affect various common day to day activities.Methods: It is a prospective, observational and non-interventional study. Thirty diabetic patients who were recently started on insulin i.e. within 7 days were enrolled in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty non diabetic healthy individuals served as a control. Cognitive function was accessed by Adenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE III) at the time of enrollment.Results: The results were analysed using paired t-test. Attention, Memory and Visiospatial ability was significantly reduced in diabetic patients compared to control. Verbal fluency and language was also reduced but the change was not significant. Total ACE III score was significantly reduced in diabetic patients compared to control.Conclusions: Cognitive function is significantly reduced in Diabetic patients recently started on insulin. Hyperglycemia could be the possible reason of cognitive decline. Proper understanding of the natural history of Diabetes and the pathogenesis of cognitive decline as well as control of Diabetes can help to prevent development of cognitive dysfunction.

Limitations Using Neuroimaging to Reconstruct Mental State After a Crime

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-701
Author(s):  
Michael J. Vitacco ◽  
Alynda M. Randolph ◽  
Rebecca J. Nelson Aguiar ◽  
Megan L. Porter Staats
Keyword(s):  
Mental State ◽  
Insanity Defense ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
History Of ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Brain

AbstractNeuroimaging offers great potential to clinicians and researchers for a host of mental and physical conditions. The use of imaging has been trumpeted for forensic psychiatric and psychological evaluations to allow greater insight into the relationship between the brain and behavior. The results of imaging certainly can be used to inform clinical diagnoses; however, there continue to be limitations in using neuroimaging for insanity cases due to limited scientific backing for how neuroimaging can inform retrospective evaluations of mental state. In making this case, this paper reviews the history of the insanity defense and explains how the use of neuroimaging is not an effective way of improving the reliability of insanity defense evaluations.

Convexity Meningioma Presenting as Postpartum Eclampsia

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bello B Shehu ◽  
Nasiru J Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
The Body ◽  
History Of ◽  
Neurological Features ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Tomography Scan ◽  
Progressive Weakness ◽  
In Pregnancy

A 37-year-old woman, Para 5+0 presented with a 1 year history of recurrent convulsions and progressive weakness of the right side of the body. She had been treated for postpartum eclampsia in her last delivery but symptoms recurred 3 months later. Evaluation including computerized tomography scan of the brain suggested a parieto-temporal meningioma, which was completely excised at craniotomy. Histology confirmed this to be a meningioma. The patient was well at 8 months of follow up. The growth of meningiomas may increase during pregnancy due to presence of receptors for progestational hormones in the tumour and the meningioma may become symptomatic in pregnancy, presenting as eclampsia. Close follow up of patients with eclampsia is necessary to identify neurological features that may lead to a diagnosis of meningioma. Early diagnosis is essential if a good outcome is to be ensured.

scholarly journals Remote Photonic Detection of Human Senses Using Secondary Speckle Patterns

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeev Kalyuzhner ◽  
Sergey Agdarov ◽  
Itai Orr ◽  
Yafim Beiderman ◽  
Aviya Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Spatiotemporal Analysis ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Speckle Patterns ◽  
The Subject ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Activity Sensing ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Neural activity research has recently gained significant attention due to its association with sensory information and behavior control. However, current methods of brain activity sensing require expensive equipment and physical contact with the subject. We propose a novel photonic-based method for remote detection of human senses. Physiological processes associated with hemodynamic activity due to activation of the cerebral cortex affected by different senses have been detected by remote monitoring of nano‐vibrations generated due to the transient blood flow to specific regions of the brain. We have found that combination of defocused, self‐interference random speckle patterns with a spatiotemporal analysis using Deep Neural Network (DNN) allows associating between the activated sense and the seemingly random speckle patterns.

Nanobiomaterials’ applications in neurodegenerative diseases

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 953-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Silva Adaya ◽  
Lucinda Aguirre-Cruz ◽  
Jorge Guevara ◽  
Emma Ortiz-Islas
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
The Body ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
Circulating Cells ◽  
Parkinson’S Diseases ◽  
History Of ◽  
Therapeutic Compounds ◽  
Cell Material Interactions ◽  
The Brain

The blood–brain barrier is the interface between the blood and brain, impeding the passage of most circulating cells and molecules, protecting the latter from foreign substances, and maintaining central nervous system homeostasis. However, its restrictive nature constitutes an obstacle, preventing therapeutic drugs from entering the brain. Usually, a large systemic dose is required to achieve pharmacological therapeutic levels in the brain, leading to adverse effects in the body. As a consequence, various strategies are being developed to enhance the amount and concentration of therapeutic compounds in the brain. One such tool is nanotechnology, in which nanostructures that are 1–100 nm are designed to deliver drugs to the brain. In this review, we examine many nanotechnology-based approaches to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The review begins with a brief history of nanotechnology, followed by a discussion of its definition, the properties of most reported nanomaterials, their biocompatibility, the mechanisms of cell–material interactions, and the current status of nanotechnology in treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Of all strategies to deliver drug to the brain that are used in nanotechnology, drug release systems are the most frequently reported.

scholarly journals MAP Training My Brain™: Meditation Plus Aerobic Exercise Lessens Trauma of Sexual Violence More Than Either Activity Alone

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Shors ◽  
Han Y.M. Chang ◽  
Emma Millon
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Training Session ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Brain

Sexual violence against women often leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental illness characterized by intrusive thoughts and memories about the traumatic event (Shors and Millon, 2016). These mental processes are obviously generated by the brain but often felt in the body. MAP Training My Brain is a novel clinical intervention that combines mental training of the brain with physical training of the body (Curlik and Shors, 2013; Shors et al., 2014). Each training session begins with 20-min of sitting meditation, followed by 10-min of slow-walking meditation, and ending with 30-min of aerobic exercise at 60–80% of the maximum heart rate (see maptrainmybrain.com). In previous studies, the combination of mental and physical (MAP) training together significantly reduced symptoms of depression and ruminative thoughts, while reducing anxiety (Shors et al., 2014, 2017; Alderman et al., 2016). We also documented positive changes in brain activity during cognitive control and whole-body oxygen consumption in various populations. In the present pilot study, we asked whether the combination of meditation and aerobic exercise during MAP Training would reduce trauma-related thoughts, ruminations, and memories in women and if so, whether the combination would be more effective than either activity alone. To test this hypothesis, interventions were provided to a group of women (n = 105), many of whom had a history of sexual violence (n = 32). Groups were trained with (1) MAP Training, (2) meditation alone, (3) aerobic exercise alone, or (4) not trained. Individuals in training groups completed two sessions a week for at least 6 weeks. MAP Training My Brain significantly reduced post-traumatic cognitions and ruminative thoughts in women with a history of sexual violence, whereas meditation alone, and exercise alone did not. MAP Training significantly enhanced a measure of self-worth, whereas meditation and exercise alone did not. Similar positive effects were observed for all participants, although meditation alone was also effective in reducing trauma-related thoughts. Overall, these data indicate the combination of meditation and exercise is synergistic. As a consequence, MAP Training is preferable and especially so for women who have experienced sexual violence in their past. Simply put, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Penfield’s Homunculus and Other Grotesque Creatures from the Land of If

Nuncius ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Pogliano
Keyword(s):  
Functional Organization ◽  
The Body ◽  
Medical Texts ◽  
Montreal Neurological Institute ◽  
Surgical Ablation ◽  
Cortical Areas ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mcgill University ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Different Parts

The neurosurgeon Wilder Graves Penfield (1891-1976) helped to develop a surgical treatment for epilepsy and used his results to investigate the functional organization of the brain. He was instrumental in founding the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University, which he directed from 1934 to 1960. There he studied, with his collaborators, the effects of stimulation and surgical ablation on different parts of the brain in order to localize their somatosensory functions. To visualize the results of this research, Hortense Pauline Cantlie drew images of a homunculus whose proportions reflected the extent of the cortical areas controlling different parts of the body. These images were published by Penfield in 1937; a modified version followed in 1950, opening the way for such developments as the diagrams of mammalian brains drawn by the neurophysiologist Clinton N. Woolsey in 1958. This article will reconstruct the history of Penfield’s map of the human brain, which was utilized in medical texts for many decades, but which eventually would be severely criticized.

scholarly journals A Brief Background on Cannabis: From Plant to Medical Indications

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 412-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda E Klumpers ◽  
David L Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
The Body ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Loss Of Appetite ◽  
Medical Indications ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Cannabis has been used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years. As a result of centuries of breeding and selection, there are now over 700 varieties of cannabis that contain hundreds of compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes. Cannabinoids are fatty compounds that are the main biological active constituents of cannabis. Terpenes are volatilecompounds that occur in many plants and have distinct odors. Cannabinoids exert their effect on the body by binding to receptors, specifically cannabinoid receptors types 1 and 2. These receptors, together with endogenous cannabinoids and the systems forsynthesis, transport, and degradation, are called the Endocannabinoid System. The two most prevalent and commonly known cannabinoids in the cannabis plantare delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol. The speed, strength, and type of effects of cannabis vary based on the route of administration. THC is rapidly distributed through the body to fattytissues like the brain and is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system to 11-hydroxy-THC, which is also psychoactive. Cannabis and cannabinoids have been indicated for several medical conditions. There is evidence of efficacy in the symptomatic treatmentof nausea and vomiting, pain, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, loss of appetite, Tourette’s syndrome, and epilepsy. Cannabis hasalso been associated with treatment for glaucoma, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and dystonia, but thereis not good evidence tosupport its efficacy. Side effects of cannabis include psychosis and anxiety, which can be severe. Here, we provided a summary ofthe history of cannabis,its pharmacology, and its medical uses.

scholarly journals Antioxidant Therapies for Neuroprotection-A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teleanu ◽  
Chircov ◽  
Grumezescu ◽  
Volceanov ◽  
Teleanu
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Nitrogen Species ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Defense ◽  
The Body ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Progressive Loss ◽  
Cellular Regeneration ◽  
Brain Oxidative Stress ◽  
The Brain

Although moderate concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are crucial for various physiological processes within the human body, their overproduction leads to oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between the production and accumulation of ROS and the ability of the body to neutralize and eliminate them. In the brain, oxidative stress exhibits significant effects, due to its increased metabolical activity and limited cellular regeneration. Thus, oxidative stress is a major factor in the progressive loss of neurons structures and functions, leading to the development of severe neurodegenerative disorders. In this context, recent years have witnessed tremendous advancements in the field of antioxidant therapies, with a special emphasis for neuroprotection. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms and to present the most recent studies on antioxidant therapies for neuroprotection.

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