CSF1R-mediated myeloid cell depletion shifts the ratio of motor cortical excitatory to inhibitory neurons in a multiple system atrophy model.

Motor cortical circuit functions depend on the coordinated fine-tuning of two functionally diverse neuronal populations: glutamatergic pyramidal neurons providing synaptic excitation and GABAergic interneurons adjusting the response of pyramidal neurons through synaptic inhibition. Microglia are brain resident macrophages which dynamically refine cortical circuits by monitoring perineuronal extracellular matrix and remodelling synapses. Previously, we showed that colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R)-mediated myeloid cell depletion extended the lifespan, but impaired motor functions of MBP29 mice, a mouse model for multiple system atrophy.

The Bidirectional Interplay of α-Synuclein with Lipids in the Central Nervous System and Its Implications for the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease.

The alteration and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases collectively termed as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). The bidirectional interaction of α-syn with lipids and biomembranes impacts not only α-syn aggregation but also lipid homeostasis. Indeed, lipid composition and metabolism are severely perturbed in PD.

CSF1R-Mediated Myeloid Cell Depletion Prolongs Lifespan But Aggravates Distinct Motor Symptoms in a Model of Multiple System Atrophy.

As the CNS-resident macrophages and member of the myeloid lineage, microglia fulfill manifold functions important for brain development and homeostasis. In the context of neurodegenerative diseases, they have been implicated in degenerative and regenerative processes. The discovery of distinct activation patterns, including increased phagocytosis, indicated a damaging role of myeloid cells in multiple system atrophy (MSA), a devastating, rapidly progressing atypical parkinsonian disorder.

Optical Investigation of Individual Red Blood Cells for Determining Cell Count and Cellular Hemoglobin Concentration in a Microfluidic Channel.

We demonstrate a blood analysis routine by observing red blood cells through light and digital holographic microscopy in a microfluidic channel. With this setup a determination of red blood cell (RBC) concentration, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and corpuscular hemoglobin concentration mean (CHCM) is feasible. Cell count variations in between measurements differed by 2.

Service Utilization Before and After Self-Direction: A Quasi-experimental Difference-in-Differences Analysis of Utah's Mental Health Access to Recovery Program.

Mental health self-direction involves participant control of an individualized budget to support recovery and wellness goals. This quasi-experimental study examined whether self-direction is associated with changes in service utilization. The study involved 2 years of administrative data for 94 self-directing participants and a matched comparison group of 529 non-participants with similar observed characteristics.