Aberrant glial activation and synaptic defects in CaMKIIα-iCre and nestin-Cre transgenic mouse models.

Current scientific research is driven by the ability to manipulate gene expression by utilizing the Cre/loxP system in transgenic mouse models. However, artifacts in Cre-driver mouse lines that introduce undesired effects and confound results are increasingly being reported. Here, we show aberrant neuroinflammation and synaptic changes in two widely used Cre-driver mouse models.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitor LNK-754 attenuates axonal dystrophy and reduces amyloid pathology in mice.

Background: Amyloid plaque deposition and axonal degeneration are early events in AD pathogenesis. Aβ disrupts microtubules in presynaptic dystrophic neurites, resulting in the accumulation of impaired endolysosomal and autophagic organelles transporting β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE1). Consequently, dystrophic neurites generate Aβ42 and significantly contribute to plaque deposition.

Anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol responses to components of energy drinks in zebrafish ().

The current study investigated the independent and combined effects of caffeine and taurine on anxiety-like behavior and neuroendocrine responses in adult zebrafish (). Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylpurine-2,6-dione), the world's most commonly used psychoactive drug, acts as an adenosine receptor blocker and a mild central nervous system stimulant. However, excessive use of caffeine is associated with heightened anxiety levels.