Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Murine models of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have resulted in numerous discoveries leading to a better understanding of AD pathogenesis but results poorly translated to novel treatment options. Over the past years, iPSC-derived human neuronal cultures have been developed to better model AD in vitro. One key hallmark of AD is the presence of insoluble Aß plaques in the brain.

Astrocyte Regulation of Cerebral Blood Flow in Health and Disease.

Astrocytes play an important role in controlling microvascular diameter and regulating local cerebral blood flow (CBF) in several physiological and pathological scenarios. Neurotransmitters released from active neurons evoke Ca increases in astrocytes, leading to the release of vasoactive metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) from astrocyte endfeet. Synthesis of prostaglandin E (PGE) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) dilate blood vessels while 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) constricts vessels.

Chronic pregabalin treatment protects against spreading depolarization and alters hippocampal synaptic characteristics in a model of familial hemiplegic migraine-type 1.

Familial hemiplegic migraine type-1 (FHM-1) is a form of migraine with aura caused by mutations in the P/Q-type (Cav2.1) voltage-gated calcium channel. Pregabalin, used clinically in the treatment of chronic pain and epilepsy, inhibits P/Q-type calcium channel activity and recent studies suggest that it may have potential for the treatment of migraine.

Pannexin-1 opening in neuronal edema causes cell death but also leads to protection via increased microglia contacts.

Neuronal swelling during cytotoxic edema is triggered by Na and Cl entry and is Ca independent. However, the causes of neuronal death during swelling are unknown. Here, we investigate the role of large-conductance Pannexin-1 (Panx1) channels in neuronal death during cytotoxic edema.