Time Window of the Critical Period for Neuroplasticity in S1, V1, and A1 Sensory Areas of Small Rodents: A Systematic Review.

The plasticity of the central nervous system (CNS) allows the change of neuronal organization and function after environmental stimuli or adaptation after sensory deprivation. The so-called critical period (CP) for neuroplasticity is the time window when each sensory brain region is more sensitive to changes and adaptations. This time window is usually different for each primary sensory area: somatosensory (S1), visual (V1), and auditory (A1).

Preclinical evidences of aluminum-induced neurotoxicity in hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex of rats exposed to low doses.

Aluminum (Al) is a neurotoxicant agent implicated in several behavioral, neuropathological and neurochemical changes associated with cognitive impairments. Nevertheless, mechanisms of damage and safety concentrations are still very discussed. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate whether two aluminum low doses were able to produce deleterious effects on cognition of adult rats, including oxidative stress in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, two important areas for cognition.

Spinal cord neurodegeneration after inorganic mercury long-term exposure in adult rats: Ultrastructural, proteomic and biochemical damages associated with reduced neuronal density.

Mercury chloride (HgCl) is a chemical pollutant widely found in the environment. This form of mercury is able to promote several damages to the Central Nervous System (CNS), however the effects of HgCl on the spinal cord, an important pathway for the communication between the CNS and the periphery, are still poorly understood. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of HgCl exposure on spinal cord of adult rats.

Aerobic Physical Exercise as a Neuroprotector Strategy for Ethanol Binge-Drinking Effects in the Hippocampus and Systemic Redox Status in Rats.

The heavy and episodic EtOH drinking pattern, equivalent to weekend consumption, characterizes the binge-drinking pattern and promotes a misbalance of encephalic metabolic functions, concurring to neurodegeneration and cerebral dysfunction. And for being a legal drug, it has global public health and social relevance. In this way, we aimed to investigate the effects of physical training, in a treadmill, on the deleterious effects of EtOH on hippocampal functions, related to memory and learning.

Physical Activity Reduces the Prevalence of Periodontal Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Regular physical activity boosts several physical capacities and reduces many inflammatory markers of several diseases. In this sense, periodontal disease is a multifactorial inflammatory disease of tooth supporting tissues that has been claimed to trigger processes of systemic alterations. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of physical activity on periodontal disease.

Physical Exercise Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Morphofunctional Cerebellar Damages Induced by the Ethanol Binge Drinking Paradigm from Adolescence to Adulthood in Rats.

Ethanol (EtOH) binge drinking is characterized by high EtOH intake during few hours followed by withdrawal. Protection strategies against the damages generated by this binge are poorly explored. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the protective role of treadmill physical exercise (PE) on the damage caused after repeated cycles of binge-like EtOH exposure in the oxidative biochemistry, morphology, and cerebellar function of rats from adolescence to adulthood.

The Effects of Moderate Physical Exercise on Adult Cognition: A Systematic Review.

Physical exercise is a systematic sequence of movements executed with a predefined purpose. This muscular activity impacts not only on circulatory adaptations, but also neuronal integration with the potential to influence cognition. The aim of this review was to determine whether the literature supports the idea that physical exercise promotes cognitive benefits in healthy adults.