Publications by authors named "K McCann"

Background: Long COVID, described as "the continuation or development of new symptoms 3 months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection", is estimated to affect at least 10-20 % of all cases of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of its novelty, information regarding the experience of Long COVID is still emerging.

Methods: This study examines psychological distress in two long COVID populations, and their experience of fatigue, cognitive failures, experiential avoidance, rumination, and perceived injustice.

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Neuronal activity in the hippocampus is critical for many types of memory acquisition and retrieval and influences an animal's response to stress. Moreover, the molecularly distinct principal neurons of hippocampal area CA2 are required for social recognition memory and aggression in mice. To interrogate the effects of stress on CA2-dependent behaviors, we chemogenetically manipulated neuronal activity in vivo during an acute, socially derived stressor and tested whether memory for the defeat was influenced.

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Article Synopsis
  • Sleep and arousal disorders are common, influenced by the locus coeruleus and wake-promoting neurons in the ventral periaqueductal gray (vPAG), yet the exact mechanisms of wakefulness remain unclear.
  • The study employs genetic techniques, calcium imaging, and behavioral tests in mice to examine how astrocytic alpha-1 adrenergic receptors (αARs) affect neuron activity through adenosine signaling.
  • Results show that activating αARs boosts calcium activity and excitability in vPAG neurons, while blocking adenosine receptors hampers this wake-promoting function, highlighting the essential role of astrocytic αARs in maintaining arousal.
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Introduction: Cognitive changes are very frequently reported by people with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), but there is limited understanding of the underpinning mechanisms leading to these difficulties. It is possible that cognitive difficulties are related to immune status and/or low mood. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between immune status and cognitive functioning in PCS, while considering whether depression symptoms also influence this association.

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