Yardley Brice, Larry Morgan, Maaida Kirmani, Maha Kirmani, Mercy C Udeh
{"title":"COVID-19 Vaccine Evolution and Beyond.","authors":"Yardley Brice, Larry Morgan, Maaida Kirmani, Maha Kirmani, Mercy C Udeh","doi":"10.1177/26331055231180543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055231180543","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In December 2019, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) was first reported in China. It would quickly spread and emerge as a COVID-19 pandemic. The illness caused by SARS CoV-2 would fall on a clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic, mild to severe respiratory symptoms, ARDS, and death. This led to significant morbidity and mortality further impacting at-risk populations with severe complications. Thus, a concerted worldwide effort to meet the challenges of diagnosing, treating, and preventing COVID-19 led to rapid advances in medicine. Some mitigating methods of masking, social distancing, and frequent handwashing, helped to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Effective therapeutics consisting of antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, plus their use for prophylaxis, contributed to the management of COVID-19. The vaccines from various platforms (mRNA, viral vectors, protein base, and inactivated) contributed to decreased incidence, severity, and overall decreased hospitalizations and mortality. This article aims to review the novel mRNA vaccines (Moderna + Pfizer/BioNTech), viral vector (Janssen& Johnson), and protein base (Novavax), their side effects, and their use as boosters.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"26331055231180543"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/4d/09/10.1177_26331055231180543.PMC10280118.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10070968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Larry Morgan, Mary Hollist, Katherine Au, Lena Ayari, Colton Betts, Batool F Kirmani
{"title":"Neuromuscular Disorders Associated With COVID-19.","authors":"Larry Morgan, Mary Hollist, Katherine Au, Lena Ayari, Colton Betts, Batool F Kirmani","doi":"10.1177/26331055231176251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055231176251","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an enormous impact on practically every aspect of daily life, and those with neuromuscular disorders have certainly not been spared. The effects of COVID-19 infection are far-reaching, going well beyond respiratory symptoms alone. From simple myalgias to debilitating critical illness neuromyopathies, we continue to learn and catalog the diverse pathologies presented by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS<i>-</i>CoV-2) as it relates to the neuromuscular system. Complications have been documented both as a direct result of primary infection but also in those with pre-existing neuromuscular disorders from myasthenia gravis to devastating critical illness neuromyopathies. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between COVID-19 infection and critical illness neuromyopathy, peripheral nerve palsies, myalgias, positional compressive neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"26331055231176251"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/72/aa/10.1177_26331055231176251.PMC10225906.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9545193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Neurobiology of Disorganized Attachment: A Review of Primary Studies on Human Beings.","authors":"Marcelo Arancibia, Mariane Lutz, Álvaro Ardiles, Camila Fuentes","doi":"10.1177/26331055221145681","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055221145681","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article describes and analyzes various aspects related to the neurobiology of disorganized attachment (DA), which is associated with personality, eating, affective, dissociative, and addictive disorders. We included primary studies in humans, published in PubMed from 2000 to 2022. Eight genetic and one epigenetic study were considered. Three molecular studies describe possible roles of oxytocin and cortisol, seven neurophysiological studies investigated functional correlates, and five morphological studies describe anatomical changes. Findings in candidate genes involved in dopaminergic, serotonergic, and oxytonergic systems have not been able to be replicated in large-scale human studies. Alterations in the functioning of cortisol and oxytocin are preliminary. Neurophysiological studies show changes in subcortical structures (mainly in the hippocampus) and occipital, temporal, parietal, and insular cortices. Since there is a lack of robust evidence on the neurobiology of DA in humans, the possible inferences of these studies are preliminary, which restricts their translation to clinical parameters.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"26331055221145681"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/18/08/10.1177_26331055221145681.PMC9947683.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9340857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexandria Wilson, Erica M Periandri, Mackenzie Sievers, Emily Petruccelli
{"title":"<i>Drosophila</i> Stat92E Signaling Following Pre-exposure to Ethanol.","authors":"Alexandria Wilson, Erica M Periandri, Mackenzie Sievers, Emily Petruccelli","doi":"10.1177/26331055221146755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055221146755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Repeated exposure to alcohol alters neuromolecular signaling that influences acute and long-lasting behaviors underlying Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Recent animal model research has implicated changes in the conserved JAK/STAT pathway, a signaling pathway classically associated with development and the innate immune system. How ethanol exposure impacts STAT signaling within neural cells is currently unclear. Here, we investigated the role of <i>Drosophila</i> Stat92E in ethanol-induced locomotion, signaling activity, and downstream transcriptional responses. Findings suggest that expressing <i>Stat92E-RNAi</i> causes enhanced ethanol-induced hyperactivity in flies previously exposed to ethanol. Furthermore, alternative splicing of <i>Stat92E</i> itself was detected after repeated ethanol exposure, although no changes were found in downstream transcriptional activity. This work adds to our growing understanding of altered neuromolecular signaling following ethanol exposure and suggests that STAT signaling may be a relevant target to consider for AUD treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"26331055221146755"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/c2/47/10.1177_26331055221146755.PMC9834942.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10589583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Somnath J Gupta, Matthew A Churchward, Kathryn G Todd, Ian R Winship
{"title":"Pleiotrophin Signals Through ALK Receptor to Enhance the Growth of Neurons in the Presence of Inhibitory Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans.","authors":"Somnath J Gupta, Matthew A Churchward, Kathryn G Todd, Ian R Winship","doi":"10.1177/26331055231186993","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055231186993","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), one of the major extracellular matrix components of the glial scar that surrounds central nervous system (CNS) injuries, are known to inhibit the regeneration of neurons. This study investigated whether pleiotrophin (PTN), a growth factor upregulated during early CNS development, can overcome the inhibition mediated by CSPGs and promote the neurite outgrowth of neurons in vitro. The data showed that a CSPG matrix inhibited the outgrowth of neurites in primary cortical neuron cultures compared to a control matrix. PTN elicited a dose-dependent increase in the neurite outgrowth even in the presence of the growth inhibitory CSPG matrix, with optimal growth at 15 ng mL<sup>-1</sup> of PTN (114.8% of neuronal outgrowth relative to laminin control). The growth-promoting effect of PTN was blocked by inhibition of the receptor anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) by alectinib in a dose-dependent manner. Neurite outgrowth in the presence of this CSPG matrix was induced by activation of the protein kinase B (AKT) pathway, a key downstream mediator of ALK activation. This study identified PTN as a dose-dependent regulator of neurite outgrowth in primary cortical neurons cultured in the presence of a CSPG matrix and identified ALK activation as a key driver of PTN-induced growth.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"26331055231186993"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/03/79/10.1177_26331055231186993.PMC10350765.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10665326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Possible Gender Differences in Classical Music, Flamenco and Fado.","authors":"Alicia Garcia-Falgueras","doi":"10.1177/26331055221147009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055221147009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Music is an art form and cultural activity whose language, the sounds and silences, is organized in time with logic and sensitivity. Music as a whole is the result of an ancestral nonverbal and international mode of human expression and communication. The primitive and former mother-child bonding might be highly influenced and modulated by the music and singing with their babies. Musicality and music imply two different sides of the same coin, where the former is based on the human capacity to produce the latter. Some theories about evolution suggest music might have an adaptive advantage for humans in society. Historical examples of different styles in music point out that if any allusion or reminder about gender in music might happen most probably occurs in folk non always written pagan or secular music with lyrics or voice. This genre of music usually tells about traditional gender differences in jobs, habits, lifestyles, etc., and has a clear preference for male musicians, while on the contrary, classical music usually does not have a clear gender difference in meaning, and instruments are played by both. In this text, I explore and empirically describe, neuroanatomically or functionally, some examples of different genres of music and brain differences, related to music and dance. Three different genres of music (Classical music, Fado and Flamenco) are explored in an attempt to elucidate some reasons for possible gender differences.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"26331055221147009"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/ca/2a/10.1177_26331055221147009.PMC9813978.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10513876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Neuroscience InsightsPub Date : 2022-09-15eCollection Date: 2022-01-01DOI: 10.1177/26331055221123072
Nazaret Gamez, Rodrigo Morales
{"title":"The Role of Circulating Aβ Seeds in the Progression of Cerebral Amyloidosis.","authors":"Nazaret Gamez, Rodrigo Morales","doi":"10.1177/26331055221123072","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26331055221123072","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While understudied, it is suspected that peripheral Aβ peptides affect Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated pathological changes in the brain. The peripheral sink hypothesis postulates that the central and peripheral pools of Aβ co-exist in equilibrium. As such, cerebral amyloid levels may be modulated by intervening circulating Aβ. In this commentary, we discuss relevant literature supporting the potential role of peripheral Aβ in exacerbating brain amyloidosis in both humans and mouse models of AD. Moreover, we highlight the need to further understand the mechanisms by which circulating Aβ peptides may reach the brain and contribute to neuropathology. Finally, we discuss the implications of targeting peripheral Aβ as a therapeutic approach in treating AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"17 ","pages":"26331055221123072"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/31/e3/10.1177_26331055221123072.PMC9493672.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9504455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Timothy R Macaulay, Amy Hegarty, Lirong Yan, Dominique Duncan, Judy Pa, Jason J Kutch, Marianna La Rocca, Christianne J Lane, E Todd Schroeder
{"title":"Effects of a 12-Week Periodized Resistance Training Program on Resting Brain Activity and Cerebrovascular Function: A Nonrandomized Pilot Trial.","authors":"Timothy R Macaulay, Amy Hegarty, Lirong Yan, Dominique Duncan, Judy Pa, Jason J Kutch, Marianna La Rocca, Christianne J Lane, E Todd Schroeder","doi":"10.1177/26331055221119441","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055221119441","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Resistance training is a promising strategy to promote healthy cognitive aging; however, the brain mechanisms by which resistance training benefits cognition have yet to be determined. Here, we examined the effects of a 12-week resistance training program on resting brain activity and cerebrovascular function in 20 healthy older adults (14 females, mean age 69.1 years). In this single group clinical trial, multimodal 3 T magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 3 time points: baseline (preceding a 12-week control period), pre-intervention, and post-intervention. Along with significant improvements in fluid cognition (<i>d</i> = 1.27), 4 significant voxelwise clusters were identified for decreases in resting brain activity after the intervention (Cerebellum, Right Middle Temporal Gyrus, Left Inferior Parietal Lobule, and Right Inferior Parietal Lobule), but none were identified for changes in resting cerebral blood flow. Using a separate region of interest approach, we provide estimates for improved cerebral blood flow, compared with declines over the initial control period, in regions associated with cognitive impairment, such as hippocampal blood flow (<i>d</i> = 0.40), and posterior cingulate blood flow (<i>d</i> = 0.61). Finally, resistance training had a small countermeasure effect on the age-related progression of white matter lesion volume (rank-biserial = -0.22), a biomarker of cerebrovascular disease. These proof-of-concept data support larger trials to determine whether resistance training can attenuate or even reverse salient neurodegenerative processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"17 ","pages":"26331055221119441"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/f7/36/10.1177_26331055221119441.PMC9379950.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10608764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harnessing Spinal Interneurons for Spinal Cord Repair.","authors":"Lyandysha V Zholudeva, Michael A Lane","doi":"10.1177/26331055221101607","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055221101607","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Interest in spinal interneurons (SpINs), their heterogeneity in the naive spinal cord and their varying responses to central nervous system injury or disease has been steadily increasing. Our recent review on this topic highlights the vast phenotypic heterogeneity of SpINs and the efforts being made to better identify and classify these neurons. As our understanding of SpIN phenotype, connectivity, and neuroplastic capacity continues to expand, new therapeutic targets are being revealed and novel treatment approaches developed to harness their potential. Here, we expand on that initial discussion and highlight how SpINs can be used to develop advanced, targeted cellular therapies and personalized medicines.</p>","PeriodicalId":36527,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience Insights","volume":"17 ","pages":"26331055221101607"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/e0/43/10.1177_26331055221101607.PMC9125099.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10251635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}