The laminar position, morphology, and gene expression profiles of cortical astrocytes are influenced by time of birth from ventricular/subventricular progenitors.

Astrocytes that reside in superficial (SL) and deep cortical layers have distinct molecular profiles and morphologies, which may underlie specific functions. Here, we demonstrate that the production of SL and deep layer (DL) astrocyte populations from neural progenitor cells in the mouse is temporally regulated. Lineage tracking following in utero and postnatal electroporation with PiggyBac (PB) EGFP and birth dating with EdU and FlashTag, showed that apical progenitors produce astrocytes during late embryogenesis (E16.

Ectopic Expression of Neurod1 Is Sufficient for Functional Recovery following a Sensory-Motor Cortical Stroke.

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability worldwide. The majority of stroke survivors are left with devastating functional impairments for which few treatment options exist. Recently, a number of studies have used ectopic expression of transcription factors that direct neuronal cell fate with the intention of converting astrocytes to neurons in various models of brain injury and disease.

Star power: harnessing the reactive astrocyte response to promote remyelination in multiple sclerosis.

Astrocytes are indispensable for central nervous system development and homeostasis. In response to injury and disease, astrocytes are integral to the immunological- and the, albeit limited, repair response. In this review, we will examine some of the functions reactive astrocytes play in the context of multiple sclerosis and related animal models.

Oral probiotic therapy improves motor function in a rodent model of sensorimotor stroke.

Ischemic stroke is a debilitating neurological disease with few effective therapeutics. Previous work has shown that oral probiotic treatment prior to stroke can attenuate cerebral infarction and neuroinflammation, highlighting the gut-microbiota-brain axis as a novel therapeutic target. Whether a more clinically relevant, post-stroke, administration of probiotics can improve stroke outcomes is unknown.

Comparing cardiovascular risk factors in older persons with mild cognitive impairment and lifetime history of major depressive disorder.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of select cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) versus lifetime history of major depression disorder (MDD) and a normal comparison group using baseline data from the Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia with Cognitive Remediation plus Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (PACt-MD) study.

Design: Baseline data from a multi-centered intervention study of older adults with MCI, history of MDD, or combined MCI and history of MDD (PACt-MD) were analyzed.

Setting: Community-based multi-centered study based in Toronto across 5 academic sites.

Examining the Link Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Major Depressive Disorder in Remission.

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) have been linked to both depression and cognitive decline but their role in neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) has yet to be clarified.

Objective: Understanding the role of CVRFs in the etiology of NPS for prospective treatments and preventive strategies to minimize these symptoms.

Methods: We examined the distribution of NPS using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scores in three cohorts from the Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia with Cognitive Remediation Plus Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Depression (PACt-MD) study: older patients with a lifetime history of major depressive disorder (MDD) in remission, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and patients with combined MCI and MDD.