Publications by authors named "Irene Carunchio"
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers compared the effects of D-Aspartate in normal mice and those lacking the D-aspartate oxidase gene (Ddo(-/-)), finding that high D-Aspartate levels enhance NMDA receptor activity without altering the basic properties of dopamine cells.
- * The results suggest that elevated D-Aspartate levels may trigger mechanisms in dopamine neurons to regulate receptor numbers and prevent excessive cell activation, potentially protecting against cognitive and motor issues associated with high dopamine levels.
The higher risk factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) among Italian soccer players is a question that is still debated. One of the hypotheses that have been formulated to explain a possible link between ALS and soccer players is related to the abuse of dietary supplements and drugs for enhancing sporting performance. In particular, it has been reported that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are widely used among athletes as nutritional supplements.
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- Brivaracetam (BRV) is a new antiepileptic drug that has a stronger affinity for the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A compared to levetiracetam (LEV), which is the target site for LEV and is linked to its efficacy in treating epilepsy.
- In laboratory studies on rat neurons, BRV was found to inhibit voltage-dependent Na(+) currents in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC(50) values indicating effectiveness at specific voltages.
- Additionally, BRV altered the recovery from fast inactivation of Na(+) currents and displayed a significant use-dependent blocking effect at higher stimulation frequencies, suggesting that these properties contribute to its potential antiepileptic effects.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease defined by motor neuron loss. Transgenic mouse model (Tg SOD1G93A) shows pathological features that closely mimic those seen in ALS patients. An hypothetic link between AD and ALS was suggested by finding an higher amount of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the spinal cord anterior horn neurons, and of Abeta peptides in ALS patients skin.
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- - The study explored cortical hyperexcitability in a mouse model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), specifically focusing on neurons from mice with the G93A SOD1 mutation, which is linked to familial ALS.
- - Researchers compared the membrane properties and firing patterns of cortical neurons from control mice and G93A mice, finding that the G93A neurons had decreased action potential thresholds and increased firing frequency.
- - The results indicated that the persistent sodium current was significantly higher in G93A neurons, and the use of Riluzole to block this current decreased hyperexcitability, suggesting this mechanism may play a role in ALS pathology.
Article Synopsis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that leads to the breakdown of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain, which affects muscle control and movement.
- This study examined how GABA(A) receptors function and how specific subunits (alpha1 and alpha2) express in motor neurons from a genetic model of ALS compared to healthy controls.
- Results showed that while high levels of GABA produced similar responses in neurons from different groups, ALS neurons had altered sensitivity and increased expression of the alpha1 subunit, suggesting changes in the way these neurons respond to inhibitory signals.
Article Synopsis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to the loss of motor neurons in key areas of the nervous system.
- A study using a genetic mouse model of ALS (G93A) explored how these motor neurons handle calcium levels when stimulated by AMPA receptors, comparing them to control neurons.
- Findings reveal that while the initial calcium signal response is similar, G93A motor neurons have a significantly slower recovery of calcium levels after stimulation, indicating a specific impairment linked to AMPA receptor activation.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV) affects AMPA receptor channels in cultured mouse cortical neurons.
- Using patch-clamp techniques, researchers found that LEV did not produce direct currents but significantly decreased currents induced by kainate and AMPA.
- The findings suggest that LEV modifies AMPA receptor activity, indicating a potential new mechanism for its antiepileptic properties.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a substantial loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem, and motor cortex. Previous evidence showed that in a mouse model of a familial form of ALS expressing high levels of the human mutated protein Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Gly(93)-->Ala, G93A), the firing properties of single motor neurons are altered to induce neuronal hyperexcitability. To determine whether the functionality of the macroscopic voltage-dependent Na(+) currents is modified in G93A motor neurons, in the present work their physiological properties were examined.
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- * Substance P (SP) does not enhance AMPA receptor activity in cerebellar granule cells, whereas neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) significantly increase ionic currents through these receptors, indicating a regulatory role in glutamatergic signaling.
- * The study identifies the presence of NK3 receptors in cerebellar granule cells, which co-localize with the GLUR2 AMPA subunit, confirming that tachykinins contribute