HIV-Induced Hyperactivity of Striatal Neurons Is Associated with Dysfunction of Voltage-Gated Calcium and Potassium Channels at Middle Age.

Despite combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) occur in ~50% of people living with HIV (PLWH), which are associated with dysfunction of the corticostriatal pathway. The mechanism by which HIV alters the neuronal activity in the striatum is unknown. The goal of this study is to reveal the dysfunction of striatal neurons in the context of neuroHIV during aging.

An iterative three-dimensional parabolic equation solver for propagation above irregular boundaries.

This paper describes the development of an iterative three-dimensional parabolic equation solver that takes into account the effects of irregular boundaries and refraction from a layered atmosphere. A terrain-following coordinate transformation, based on the well-known Beilis-Tappert mapping, is applied to the narrow-angle parabolic equation in an inhomogeneous media. The main advantage of this approach, which has been used in two dimensions in the past, is the simplification of the impedance boundary condition at the earth's surface.

Aging and HIV-1 alter the function of specific K channels in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons.

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a key regulator of neurocognition. The glutamatergic pyramidal neurons are the predominant component of neurons in the mPFC. Aging and HIV profoundly alter the structure and function of mPFC pyramidal neurons, including, but are not limited to, dysregulation of NMDA receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels.

Small Molecule Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Processing Modulators Lower Amyloid-β Peptide Levels via cKit Signaling.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides consisting of 39-43 amino acids, proteolytically derived fragments of the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP), and the accumulation of the hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau. Inhibiting Aβ production may reduce neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction associated with AD. We have previously used an AβPP-firefly luciferase enzyme complementation assay to conduct a high throughput screen of a compound library for inhibitors of AβPP dimerization, and identified a compound that reduces Aβ levels.

Methamphetamine decreases K channel function in human fetal astrocytes by activating the trace amine-associated receptor type-1.

Methamphetamine (Meth) is a potent and commonly abused psychostimulant. Meth alters neuron and astrocyte activity; yet the underlying mechanism(s) is not fully understood. Here we assessed the impact of acute Meth on human fetal astrocytes (HFAs) using whole-cell patch-clamping.