Small molecule targeting long noncoding RNA GAS5 administered intranasally improves neuronal insulin signaling and decreases neuroinflammation in an aged mouse model.

Shifts in normal aging set stage for neurodegeneration and dementia affecting 1 in 10 adults. The study demonstrates that lncRNA GAS5 is decreased in aged and Alzheimer's disease brain. The role and targets of lncRNA GAS5 in the aging brain were elucidated using a GAS5-targeting small molecule NPC86, a frontier in lncRNA-targeting therapeutic.

Intranasal delivery of exosomes from human adipose derived stem cells at forty-eight hours post injury reduces motor and cognitive impairments following traumatic brain injury.

The neuroprotective role of human adipose-derived stems cells (hASCs) has raised great interest in regenerative medicine due to their ability to modulate their surrounding environment. Our group has demonstrated that exosomes derived from hASC (hASCexo) are a cell-free regenerative approach to long term recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Previously, we demonstrated the efficacy of exosome treatment with intravenous delivery at 3 h post TBI in rats.

Polyphenol Supplementation Reverses Age-Related Changes in Microglial Signaling Cascades.

Microglial activity in the aging neuroimmune system is a central player in aging-related dysfunction. Aging alters microglial function via shifts in protein signaling cascades. These shifts can propagate neurodegenerative pathology.

T cell infiltration and upregulation of MHCII in microglia leads to accelerated neuronal loss in an α-synuclein rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent movement disorder characterized by up to 80% loss of dopamine (DA) neurons and accumulation of Lewy body deposits composed of α-synuclein (α-syn). Accumulation of α-syn is associated with microglial activation, leading to a pro-inflammatory environment linked with the pathogenesis of PD. Along with microglia, CD4 and CD8 T cells are observed in SNpc.

Effects of nutraceutical intervention on serum proteins in aged rats.

Aging is associated with many pathophysiological changes that could lead to the onset of degenerative disease. Some of the physiological changes that occur with aging include increased inflammation and decreased stem cell proliferation, leading to decreased capacity for tissue regeneration and loss of function. In previous studies, we and others have found nutraceutical intervention to ameliorate some of the deleterious effects associated with aging.

Experimental and computational evidence for C=O π-bonding in [CHOH] and related oxonium ions.

The question of whether [CHOH] should be described as the hydroxymethyl cation, CHOH, or protonated formaldehyde, CH=OH, is reconsidered in the light of experimental information and new computational evidence. Previous arguments that the charge distribution in [CHOH] may be probed by considering the incremental stabilisation of [CHOH] induced by homologation on carbon (to give [CHCHOH]) or oxygen (to produce [CHOCH]) are critically examined. Cation stabilisation energies are shown to be better indicators of the nature of these oxonium ions.

Astaxanthin supplementation modulates cognitive function and synaptic plasticity in young and aged mice.

The incidence of neurodegenerative disorders and cognitive impairment is increasing. Rising prevalence of age-related medical conditions is associated with a dramatic economic burden; therefore, developing strategies to manage these health concerns is of great public health interest. Nutritionally based interventions have shown promise in treatment of these age-associated conditions.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 in exosomes drives regenerative function and modulates inflammation-linked networks following traumatic brain injury.

Background: Neuroinflammation is a common therapeutic target for traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to its contribution to delayed secondary cell death and has the potential to occur for years after the initial insult. Exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) containing the long noncoding RNA MALAT1 are a novel, cell-free regenerative approach to long-term recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI) that have the potential to modulate inflammation at the genomic level. The long noncoding RNA MALAT1 has been shown to be an important component of the secretome of hASCs.

HIV Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Efavirenz Reduces Neural Stem Cell Proliferation in Vitro and in Vivo.

The prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains high despite combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). There is evidence that neural stem cells (NSCs) can migrate to sites of brain injury such as those caused by inflammation and oxidative stress, which are pathological features of HAND. Thus, reductions in NSCs may contribute to HAND pathogenesis.

NT-020 treatment reduces inflammation and augments Nrf-2 and Wnt signaling in aged rats.

Background: Aging is associated with a decline in stem cell proliferation that is thought to be a result of dysregulated signaling in the neurogenic niche. This results in a diminished and less efficient pool of progenitors. The Wnt pathway plays a key role in the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells.

Anti-human α-synuclein N-terminal peptide antibody protects against dopaminergic cell death and ameliorates behavioral deficits in an AAV-α-synuclein rat model of Parkinson's disease.

The protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) has a central role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and immunotherapeutic approaches targeting this molecule have shown promising results. In this study, novel antibodies were generated against specific peptides from full length human α-Syn and evaluated for effectiveness in ameliorating α-Syn-induced cell death and behavioral deficits in an AAV-α-Syn expressing rat model of PD. Fisher 344 rats were injected with rAAV vector into the right substantia nigra (SN), while control rats received an AAV vector expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Fractalkine over expression suppresses α-synuclein-mediated neurodegeneration.

In Parkinson's disease, α-synuclein is known to activate microglia and this activation has been proposed as one of the mechanisms of neurodegeneration. There are several signals produced by neurons that have an anti-inflammatory action on microglia, including CX3CL1 (fractalkine). We have shown that a soluble form of CX3CL1 is required to reduce neuron loss in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice and that fractalkine agonism can reduce neuron loss in a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion model.

Hospital Dementia Services Project: aged care and dementia services in New South Wales hospitals.

Aims: To describe the availability of aged care and dementia services in public hospitals in New South Wales (NSW), Australia in 2006/2007.

Method: Hospitals were surveyed about issues relevant to dementia in acute care including the types of aged care wards and staff, policies, practices, clinics, community services and resources for dementia care.

Results: Responses were obtained from 163 hospitals (82%); responding hospitals represented 93.

Daily electrode change and effect on cardiac monitor alarms: an evidence-based practice approach.

Frequent monitor alarms are distracting and interfere with clinicians performing critical tasks. This article describes a quality improvement rapid-cycle change approach to explore the benefits of changing electrodes daily on the number of cardiac monitor alarms. Eight days of baseline and intervention data were compared for 2 adult acute care units.

A spirulina-enhanced diet provides neuroprotection in an α-synuclein model of Parkinson's disease.

Inflammation in the brain plays a major role in neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, microglial cell activation is believed to be associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). An increase in microglia activation has been shown in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of PD models when there has been a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells.

An open-label, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of a weekday/weekend treatment regimen with calcitriol ointment 3 microg/g and clobetasol propionate spray 0.05% in the management of plaque psoriasis.

High-potency topical corticosteroids are the cornerstone of psoriasis therapy. Although highly effective, long-term use of topical steroids can cause adverse side effects. Additionally, steroids alone do not address the multiple pathophysiologic factors that cause the disease.

CX3CR1 deficiency leads to impairment of hippocampal cognitive function and synaptic plasticity.

The protective/neurotoxic role of fractalkine (CX3CL1) and its receptor CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) signaling in neurodegenerative disease is an intricate and highly debated research topic and it is becoming even more complicated as new studies reveal discordant results. It appears that the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis plays a direct role in neurodegeneration and/or neuroprotection depending on the CNS insult. However, all the above studies focused on the role of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling in pathological conditions, ignoring the relevance of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling under physiological conditions.

An open-label, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of an AM/PM treatment regimen with clobetasol propionate spray 0.05% and calcitriol ointment 3 microg/g in the management of plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition with serious quality-of-life ramifications. Dermatologists seek alternative treatments of patients with plaque psoriasis that provide both efficacy and safety while minimizing exposure to high-potency steroids that can have adverse effects following long-term use. We report an open-label, multicenter study designed to evaluate a morning/evening (AM/PM) treatment regimen involving clobetasol propionate spray 0.

Clobetasol propionate 0.05% spray for the management of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis of the scalp: results from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Clobetasol propionate 0.05% spray is available for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis; however, there is limited information with plaque psoriasis of the scalp.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy, safety, and quality-of-life impact of clobetasol propionate 0.

A multi-center, open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a sequential treatment regimen of clobetasol propionate 0.05% spray followed by Calcitriol 3 mg/g ointment in the management of plaque psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a hyperproliferative and inflammatory skin disorder that affects roughly 2 percent of the worldwide population. Clobetasol propionate is the most common corticosteroid used to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis but the potential for side effects limits its long-term use. Topical vitamin D, which is used to treat mild-to-moderate psoriasis, has been shown to be safe when used daily for up to 52 weeks.

CX3CL1 reduces neurotoxicity and microglial activation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The cause of the neurodegeneration is unknown. Neuroinflammation has been clearly shown in Parkinson's disease and may be involved in the progressive nature of the disease.

Spirulina promotes stem cell genesis and protects against LPS induced declines in neural stem cell proliferation.

Adult stem cells are present in many tissues including, skin, muscle, adipose, bone marrow, and in the brain. Neuroinflammation has been shown to be a potent negative regulator of stem cell and progenitor cell proliferation in the neurogenic regions of the brain. Recently we demonstrated that decreasing a key neuroinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta in the hippocampus of aged rats reversed the age-related cognitive decline and increased neurogenesis in the age rats.

Fractalkine and CX 3 CR1 regulate hippocampal neurogenesis in adult and aged rats.

Microglia have neuroprotective capacities, yet chronic activation can promote neurotoxic inflammation. Neuronal fractalkine (FKN), acting on CX(3)CR1, has been shown to suppress excessive microglia activation. We found that disruption in FKN/CX(3)CR1 signaling in young adult rodents decreased survival and proliferation of neural progenitor cells through IL-1β.