Hanna E Willis, Berkeley Fahrenthold, Rebecca S Millington-Truby, Rebecca Willis, Lucy Starling, Matthew R Cavanaugh, Marco Tamietto, Krystel Huxlin, Holly Bridge
{"title":"Persistence of training-induced visual improvements after occipital stroke.","authors":"Hanna E Willis, Berkeley Fahrenthold, Rebecca S Millington-Truby, Rebecca Willis, Lucy Starling, Matthew R Cavanaugh, Marco Tamietto, Krystel Huxlin, Holly Bridge","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2024.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2024.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Damage to the primary visual cortex causes homonymous visual impairments that appear to benefit from visual discrimination training. However, whether improvements persist without continued training remains to be determined and was the focus of the present study. After a baseline assessment visit, 20 participants trained twice daily in their blind-field for a minimum of six months (median=155 sessions), using a motion discrimination and integration task. At the end of training, a return study visit was used to assess recovery. Three months later, 14 of the participants returned for a third study visit to assess persistence of recovery. At each study visit, motion discrimination and integration thresholds, Humphrey visual fields, and structural MRI scans were collected. Immediately after training, all but four participants showed improvements in the trained discrimination task, and shrinkage of the perimetrically-defined visual defect. While these gains were sustained in seven out of eleven participants who improved with training, four participants lost their improvement in motion discrimination thresholds at the follow-up visit. Persistence of recovery was not related to age, time since lesion, number of training sessions performed, proportion of V1 damaged, deficit size, or optic tract degeneration measured from structural MRI scans. The present findings underscore the potential of extended visual training to induce long-term improvements in stroke-induced vision loss. However, they also highlight the need for further investigations to better understand the mechanisms driving recovery, its persistence post-training, and especially heterogeneity among participants.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"292 ","pages":"113-142"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144132817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bilal El-Mansoury, Jawad Laadraoui, Youssef Razouqi, Asmaa Haj-Khlifa, Hanane El Fatimi, Omar El Hiba, Arumugam R Jayakumar
{"title":"Therapeutic effects of positive emotions on neural pathways and neurotransmitter systems.","authors":"Bilal El-Mansoury, Jawad Laadraoui, Youssef Razouqi, Asmaa Haj-Khlifa, Hanane El Fatimi, Omar El Hiba, Arumugam R Jayakumar","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Positive emotions have long been recognized for their impact on overall health, yet emerging research highlights the underlying neural mechanisms and neurotransmitter systems that mediate these effects. Several key brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and insula, play a role in processing positive emotions and emotional regulation. Several neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, including dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin are involved emotional resilience and psychological health. Positive emotions can reshape neural circuits, and foster neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Therefore, positive emotion-based interventions could play an important role in alleviating mood disorders, improve cognitive function, and enhance social and physiological health. This chapter highlights the transformative impact of integrating the science of positive emotions into therapeutic practices, showcasing their potential to improve overall well-being. It delves into the therapeutic effect of positive emotions on neural pathways and neurotransmitter systems, emphasizing their significance in fostering both mental and physical health.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"293 ","pages":"149-178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144182281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hormesis-induced neuroplasticity: Targeting neuroinflammation signaling cascades for therapeutic insights in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.","authors":"Thays Calista Santiago Pretes, Cristoforo Scavone","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.05.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.05.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The signaling pathways associated with α-Klotho, glutamate, mediators of the inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS) and that related to different isoforms of the Na, K-ATPase (NKA) protein as a pump and receptor for endogenous steroids (ouabain-like hormones) are associated with neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. This neuroadaptive response induced by pharmacologic (Cardiotonic Steroids, Klotho, Resveratrol, Curcumin, and other Phytochemicals), and non-pharmacologic strategies (intermittent fasting and physical exercise) involves glial and neuronal cell crosstalk through activation of different intracellular pathways involving mediators, such as glutamate, cytokines, transcription factors, and gene expression which will exert a marked influence on the adaptive processes (neuroplasticity) that prevent premature aging, in addition to playing an essential role in cognition and neurodegenerative processes. The present text addresses the effect of these agents on the Central Nervous System (CNS), exploring neuroplasticity changes associated with the neuroinflammation induced by these mediators in the presence of a modified expression or signaling of the α-Klotho and the different α-isoforms of NKA. The studies involve in vitro approaches using models of neuronal and glial cells and in vivo studies with a behavioral and biochemical approach. Studies were also done in the presence (or absence) of changes in the expression of these proteins (by using vectors, interference RNA, and transgenic animals with specific protein-modified expression, such as TNF-α and Klotho). It has been also several human studies evaluating these hermetic strategies associated with physical exercise and intermittent diet. The present chapter discusses the benefit of these strategies in the induction of neuroadaptive response.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"295 ","pages":"259-284"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144795178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sérgio Mota-Rolim, Pedro da Costa Melo, Victor Vilhena Barroso, Eric Joel Ferreira do Amaral, John Fontenele Araujo, Sidarta Ribeiro
{"title":"Green light to sleep: Does cannabis work for insomnia? A case report and brief review.","authors":"Sérgio Mota-Rolim, Pedro da Costa Melo, Victor Vilhena Barroso, Eric Joel Ferreira do Amaral, John Fontenele Araujo, Sidarta Ribeiro","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insomnia is characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep and affects 10-20 % of adults. Conventional pharmacotherapies for insomnia, initially comprising benzodiazepines and later the Z-drugs, often present significant adverse effects, including dependence and tolerance. Here we provide a brief review on cannabis therapy for insomnia and present a relevant case report. We first discuss the sleep stages and the main clinical aspects of insomnia. Next, we report the case of a 37 year-old patient who, after a grief situation, began to experience insomnia that was resistant to various conventional treatments, even with dosage adjustment. The insomnia diminished after replacing the conventional pharmacotherapies with full spectrum Cannabis sativa oil, rich in cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Finally, we note that medical societies from several major countries such as England, Australia and Brazil already recommend the use of Cannabis (plants rich in THC and/or CBD) to treat insomnia. These societies base their guidelines on studies that reported a mitigation of the symptoms of insomnia with the use of cannabinoids. However, recent meta-analyses highlight the heterogeneity of the participants, interventions, and results. Further research is essential to elucidate the influence of cannabinoids on both physiological and pathological aspects of sleep.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"296 ","pages":"55-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145086695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Stress in specific population: Cognitive decline in aging, occupational challenges, strategies for medical professionals.","authors":"Gargi Gautam, Nasrollah Moradikor","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.01.017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.01.017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding cognitive decline and its contributing causes, such as stress, which presents differently in different groups, is crucial given the aging population's rapid growth. This chapter looks at how stress affects older persons' cognitive decline, with a particular emphasis on the difficulties faced by medical professionals in their line of work and how to lessen the consequences. The severity and course of cognitive decline differ from person to person and are impacted by factors such as lifestyle, medical history, and stress at work. The COVID-19 pandemic has made medical practitioners' already high demands even more precarious. Stress in underprivileged areas and among veterans emphasizes the negative effects of work-related stress on mental health even more. Techniques that improve psychological well-being and lessen burnout include resilience training, digital tools, supportive leadership, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Enhancing work-life balance and promoting a healthier work environment can be achieved by combining these interventions with organizational changes. Aging-related cognitive impairment necessitates a multimodal strategy that includes targeted stress reduction methods and organizational adjustments. Setting mental health as a top priority in healthcare settings promotes the wellbeing of staff members, enhances patient care, and improves healthcare results.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"291 ","pages":"363-379"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144030602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Introduction to neurobiology and pharmacology of stress.","authors":"Saeid Abbasi-Maleki, Babak Nakhaei, Samira Rostami Mehr, Nasrollah Moradikor","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.01.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In order to improve individual and community health outcomes, stress research is crucial for developing our understanding of human biology, psychology, and social dynamics. It also informs therapeutic practices, public health campaigns, and educational activities. The chapter explores how neurotransmitters, including glutamate, GABA, adrenaline, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline, mediate stress responses, impact mood and behavior, and play a part in a number of stress-related disorders. The relevance of focused research and therapy approaches aimed at reestablishing equilibrium within these systems is highlighted by the fact that dysregulation of these neurotransmitters can exacerbate health problems. Additionally, it is investigated how the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex interact to process emotions, build resilience, and determine an individual's susceptibility to stress. These interactions are regulated by both neuroplasticity and hereditary and epigenetic factors. The chapter discusses the pharmaceutical approach to stress management, which includes a variety of drugs such as beta-blockers, anxiolytics, and antidepressants that work by targeting different neurotransmitter systems to reduce anxiety and mood disorders. Even while these therapies work, they may have negative consequences and side effects that should be carefully considered in clinical settings. The chapter promotes a comprehensive approach to stress management that combines medication, lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and stress-reduction methods. Healthcare workers can improve patient care and ultimately the health and quality of life for people with stress-related disorders by knowing the complexity of pharmaceutical therapies and how they affect the stress response.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"291 ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144042299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cardiovascular influence on cognitive decline: The heart's role in neurodegenerative disorders.","authors":"Gargi Gautam, Nasrollah Moradikor","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.04.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cognitive performance is greatly influenced by cardiovascular health, as vascular integrity and brain perfusion are directly related to diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia. Examining the intricate relationship between the heart and brain, this chapter highlights how atrial fibrillation, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia affect neurovascular coupling (NVC). Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction are some of the risk factors that lead to neurodegeneration. The cerebral microvasculature is further compromised by atherosclerosis and heart failure, which exacerbates neuronal damage and increases the risk of dementia. Supported by clinical and epidemiological data, the discussion delves into the mechanisms behind vascular dementia and the vascular contributions to Alzheimer's disease. Slowing cognitive deterioration requires early intervention through lipid management, blood pressure control, and anticoagulant medication. Additionally, developments in precision medicine and neurovascular-targeted therapies present encouraging paths toward management and prevention. Through the discussion of modifiable cardiovascular risks, this chapter emphasizes how vital vascular health is to maintaining cognitive function and slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"294 ","pages":"33-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144668207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matthew-Zane L Broderick, Qadir Khan, Nasrollah Moradikor
{"title":"Healthy happiness: The effect of happiness in promoting brain health.","authors":"Matthew-Zane L Broderick, Qadir Khan, Nasrollah Moradikor","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.03.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines happiness as \"a state of well-being and contentment\". Psychologically, happiness can be defined as a state of current well-being and positivity resulting from recent stimuli, as well as long-term life satisfaction and peace of mind. This refers to two aspects of happiness discussed in psychology, first coined by Aristotle, pleasurable happiness known as \"hedonia\" and the long-term happiness of living a good life called \"eudaimonia\". These early concepts break down the vaguer and complex idea of happiness into long-term pleasure and positivity. This is where it starts to get more challenging when we try to define happiness in neurobiological terms. Many regions, pathways and circuits in the brain work in tandem to create the conscious and recognized state of happiness we cognitively perceive as humans. However, happiness is a feeling that transcends species boundaries. It is a positive state of emotions that can be expressed in different ways, including contentedness, peace, pleasure, excitement, relief, joy, and more. To do this, happiness must be broken down into constituent parts, localized to specific neuroanatomical regions, and associated with specific projects and structures to really build the anatomical architecture of happiness. Understanding how emotion is quantified and experimentally studied allows the field of neuroscience to build a comprehensive \"neurobiological happiness model\". Here in this chapter, we discuss historical and novel findings into this emotion; we discuss its implication as an evolutionary advantage in the adaptive response, how laughter is associated with happiness, and how a state of positive well-being plays a role in promoting positive brain health.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"293 ","pages":"127-148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144181214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Influence of feelings on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and drug delivery.","authors":"Omnia Ocab, Hager Adel Saad, Rowan Mashal, Karim Osama, Mahmoud Marzouk, Nabila Hamdi","doi":"10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.03.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical regulator of cerebral homeostasis, displaying high dynamicity of influx and efflux of substances to and from the central nervous system (CNS). In an exploration of the neurochemical pathways through which positive and negative emotions can influence the physiological characteristics of the BBB, this chapter delves into the multifaceted relationship between emotional states and BBB integrity and permeability. Negative emotions exemplified by stress, chronic anxiety, and depression have shown harmful effects on the BBB, suggesting a state of hyperpermeability that compromises the otherwise conferred protection. Few reports in literature examined the exact molecular mechanisms by which negative emotions exhibit signs of damaged and leaky BBB. Although research deciphering those mechanisms is limited, there is consensus that the disruption of tight junction (TJ) protein integrity and expression, along with neuroinflammatory processes, oxidative Stress, and excitotoxicity, plays a role in the induction of BBB damage. Conversely, positive emotions have been shown to exert protective effects, potentially reversing the increased permeability of the BBB. Compared to the research focused on the neural correlates of negative emotions, the neuroscience literature on positive emotions and well-being is still in its infancy. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which positive emotions modulate the BBB remains necessary. Additionally, we discuss the therapeutic implications of these findings, considering how emotional well-being can be leveraged in developing treatments for neurological disorders. By integrating neuroscience, psychology, and pharmacology insights, this chapter aims to comprehensively understand the dynamic interplay between emotions and the BBB and its potential to inform novel therapeutic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":20598,"journal":{"name":"Progress in brain research","volume":"293 ","pages":"203-242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144181220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}