The Role of Astrocytes and Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease: A Review.

The search for new therapies to reduce symptoms and find a cure for Parkinson's disease has focused attention on two key points: the accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates and astrocytes. The former is a hallmark of the disease, while the latter corresponds to a type of glial cell with an important role in both the prevention and development of this neurodegenerative disorder. Traditionally, research has focused on therapies targeting dopaminergic neurons.

Pubertal stress in male rats: Effects on juvenile play behavior and adult sexual partner preference.

Puberty is a period of brain organization impacting the expression of social and sexual behaviors. Here, we assessed the effects of an acute pubertal stressor (immune challenge) on the expression of juvenile play (short-term) and sexual partner preference (long-term) in male rats. Juvenile play was assessed over ten trials at postnatal days (PND) (31-40) with age- and sex-matched conspecifics, and at PND35 males received a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1.

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Facet Osteoarthritis Pain in Spine: A Clinical Approach Evaluating Cryotherapy.

Background: Chronic pain management remains a challenging aspect of neurosurgical care, with facet arthrosis being a significant contributor to the global burden of low back pain. This study evaluates the effectiveness of cryotherapy as a minimally invasive treatment for patients with facet arthrosis. By focusing on reducing drug dependency and pain intensity, the research aims to contribute to the evolving field of pain management techniques, offering an alternative to traditional pain management strategies.

Cohabitation with receptive females under D2-type agonism in adulthood restores partner preference and brain dimorphism in the SDN-POA following neonatal gonadectomy in male rats.

Perinatal testosterone, or its metabolite estradiol, organize the brain toward a male phenotype. Male rodents with insufficient testosterone during this period fail to display sexual behavior and partner preference for receptive females in adulthood. However, cohabitation with non-reproductive conspecifics under the influence of a D2 agonist facilitates the expression of conditioned partner preference via Pavlovian learning in gonadally intact male rats.

Multiunit Recording of Cerebellar Cortex in Autistic Male Rats during Social Interaction in Enriched Environments.

Autism in humans is a lifelong behavioral disorder that typically manifests in early infancy, primarily affecting boys. It arises from neurodevelopmental changes that significantly impact social behavior, with the cerebellum being one of the principal affected regions. In this study, we investigated the cerebellum in an autism animal model, recording the multiunit activity of cerebellar vermis lobules 6 and 7 (L6 and L7) in male rats with autism-like behavior induced by postnatal valproate treatment.

Olfactory Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease, Its Functional and Neuroanatomical Correlates.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is known for its motor alterations, but the importance of non-motor symptoms (NMSs), such as olfactory dysfunction (OD), is increasingly recognized. OD may manifest during the prodromal period of the disease, even before motor symptoms appear. Therefore, it is suggested that this symptom could be considered a marker of PD.

Electrophysiological Characterization of Cerebellar Responses during Exploration and Grooming Behaviors in a Rat Model of Parkinsonism.

Parkinson's disease is currently a global public health challenge due to the rapid growth of aging populations. To understand its pathophysiology is necessary to study the functional correlation between the basal ganglia (BG) and the cerebellum, which are involved in motor control. Herein, we explored multiunit electrical activity (MUA) in the cerebellum of rats with induced Parkinsonism as a result of lesions following bilateral placement of electrodes and passing of current in the ventrolateral striatum (VLS).

Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease: From Gene to Clinic: A Systematic Review.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease whose progression and clinical characteristics have a close bidirectional and multilevel relationship with the process of neuroinflammation. In this context, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in this neuroinflammation-PD link. This systematic search was, hereby, conducted with a focus on the four levels where alterations associated with neuroinflammation in PD have been described (genetic, cellular, histopathological and clinical-behavioral) by consulting the PubMed, Google Scholar, Scielo and Redalyc search engines, including clinical studies, review articles, book chapters and case studies.

Neurobiology of Maternal Behavior in Nonhuman Mammals: Acceptance, Recognition, Motivation, and Rejection.

Among the different species of mammals, the expression of maternal behavior varies considerably, although the end points of nurturance and protection are the same. Females may display passive or active responses of acceptance, recognition, rejection/fear, or motivation to care for the offspring. Each type of response may indicate different levels of neural activation.

Enhanced D2 Agonism Induces Conditioned Appetitive Sexual Responses Toward Non-reproductive Conspecifics.

Brain mechanisms of sexual attraction toward reproductive partners develop from a systematic interrelationship between biology (nature) and learning (nurture). However, the causes of attraction toward non-reproductive partners are poorly understood. Here, we explored the role of Pavlovian learning under dopaminergic agonism on the development of sexual preference and brain activation for young male rats.

Changes in multiunit activity pattern in cerebellar cortex associated to olfactory cues during sexual learning in male rats.

The cerebellum is a structure of the central nervous system which has been previously studied with different techniques and animal models and even humans, so it is associated with multiple functions such as cognition, memory, emotional processing, balance, control of movement, among others. Its relationship with sensory systems has already been explored, however, the role it plays in olfactory processing in the cerebellum is unclear. Several hypotheses have been proposed from work done in humans and animal models with neuroimaging and immunohistochemical techniques.

Brain activation associated to olfactory conditioned same-sex partner preference in male rats.

Sexual preferences can be strongly modified by Pavlovian learning. For instance, olfactory conditioned same-sex partner preference can occur when a sexually naïve male cohabits with an scented male during repeated periods under the effects of enhanced D2-type activity. Preference is observed days later via social and sexual behaviors.

Olfactory stimulation induces cerebellar vermis activation during sexual learning in male rats.

The cerebellum is a complex structure mainly recognized for its participation in motor activity and balance, and less understood for its role in olfactory processing. Herein, we assessed Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) in the cerebellar vermis following exposure to different odors during sexual training in male rats. Males were allowed to copulate for either one, three or five sessions.

Heterosexual experience prevents the development of conditioned same-sex partner preference in male rats.

Sexual partner preferences can be strengthened, weakened or even drastically modified via Pavlovian conditioning. For example, conditioned same-sex partner preference develops in sexually-naïve male rats that undergo same-sex cohabitation under the effects of quinpirole (QNP, D2 agonist). Here, we assessed the effect of prior heterosexual experience on the probability to develop a conditioned same-sex preference.

Polarized dosimetry method for Gafchromic EBT3.

Purpose: To analyze the changes in the polarization state of the flatbed scanner light caused by the EBT3 films and to propose a new method for correcting the lateral effects.

Methods And Materials: The polarization changes induced by radiochromic films are analyzed using linear polarizing film. Based on the results, the linear polarizing films are used in the scanning process of the EBT3 films.

Effect of hyperprolactinemia on PRL-receptor expression and activation of Stat and Mapk cell signaling in the prostate of long-term sexually-active rats.

The abnormal elevation of serum PRL, referred to as hyperprolactinemia (HyperPRL), produces alterations in several reproductive parameters of male rats such as penile erection or decreased tendency to reach ejaculation. Additionally, this situation produces a significant modification of prostate histology, as observed in the epithelial structure and alveolar area, which could reach a level of hyperplasia in the long-term. In this tissue, HyperPRL produces an increase in expression of PRL receptors and activation of the Stat3 signaling pathway that is correlated with the evolution of prostate pathologies.

Androgen receptors in Purkinje neurons are modulated by systemic testosterone and sexual training in a region-specific manner in the male rat.

The androgen receptor (AR) is a widely distributed molecule indicating the spread actions of its ligand steroid, and plays an important role underlying male sexual behavior. Nevertheless, the influence of steroid hormones and their receptors on cerebellar neurons, as foundation of sexual behavior, is largely unknown. We sought to determine the influence of peripheral hormones on the AR expression in Purkinje neurons across cerebellar lobules in the vermis of male rats.

A new method to measure electron density and effective atomic number using dual-energy CT images.

The purpose of this work is to present a new method to extract the electron density ([Formula: see text]) and the effective atomic number (Z eff) from dual-energy CT images, based on a Karhunen-Loeve expansion (KLE) of the atomic cross section per electron. This method was used to calibrate a Siemens Definition CT using the CIRS phantom. The predicted electron density and effective atomic number using 80 kVp and 140 kVp were compared with a calibration phantom and an independent set of samples.

Neurobiology of social attachments.

Many types of social attachments can be observed in nature. We discuss the neurobiology of two types (1) intraspecific (with a partner) and (2) parental (with the offspring). Stimuli related to copulation facilitate the first, whereas pregnancy, parturition and lactation facilitate the second.

Improving the calibration of radiochromic films by the use of uncertainties in optical density and dose.

Purpose: To compare how the inclusion of the uncertainties in dose and optical density affects the results of the calibration of Gafchromic(®) EBT3 radiochromic films.

Methods: Five methods of least square minimization were compared for calibration of radiochromic films. These differed in the way in which the uncertainties of dose and optical density are taken into account.

Testing comprehensive models of disclosure of sexual orientation in HIV-positive Latino men who have sex with men (MSM).

Individuals who disclose their sexual orientation are more likely to also disclose their HIV status. Disclosure of HIV-serostatus is associated with better health outcomes. The goal of this study was to build and test comprehensive models of sexual orientation that included eight theory-informed predictors of disclosure to mothers, fathers, and closest friends in a sample of HIV-positive Latino gay and bisexual men.

Enhaced D2-type receptor activity facilitates the development of conditioned same-sex partner preference in male rats.

Animal models have shown that the neural bases of social attachment, sexual preference and pair bonds, depend on dopamine D2-type receptor and oxytocin activity. In addition, studies have demonstrated that cohabitation can shape partner preference via conditioning. Herein, we used rats to explore the development of learned same-sex partner preferences in adulthood as a result of cohabitation during enhanced D2 activity.