Publications by authors named "R Garcia Lujan"

Article Synopsis
  • - Niemann-Pick disease Type C (NPC) is linked to mutations in the NPC1 protein that disrupt cholesterol transport, leading to lipid buildup and psychiatric problems.
  • - In an NPC mouse model, researchers discovered that mGluR (metabotropic glutamate receptors) accumulate abnormally inside cells, affecting their function and leading to changes in long-term depression (a form of synaptic plasticity).
  • - Treatment with the mGluR antagonist CTEP lowered mGluR-related issues and improved psychiatric symptoms, suggesting alterations in mGluR play a role in NPC and offering potential new therapies for affected individuals.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effects of GLP-1 analogs, commonly used for diabetes and obesity, on patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
  • Data was collected from over 3,700 patients with both IBD and diabetes, revealing that those treated with GLP-1 analogs had better health outcomes, reducing the risk of complications.
  • The findings highlight a stronger protective effect in obese patients compared to non-obese patients, suggesting a need for further research on mechanisms and broader applicability of GLP-1 analogs.
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G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K (GIRK/K3) channels are mainly expressed in excitable cells such as neurons and atrial myocytes, where they can respond to a wide variety of neurotransmitters. Four GIRK subunits have been found in mammals (GIRK1-4) and act as downstream targets for various Gαi/o-linked G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Activation of GIRK channels produces a postsynaptic efflux of potassium from the cell, responsible for hyperpolarization/inhibition of the neuron.

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Background And Purpose: GABAergic neurons in mouse ventral tegmental area (VTA) exhibit elevated activity during withdrawal following chronic ethanol exposure. While increased glutamatergic input and decreased GABA receptor sensitivity have been implicated, the impact of inhibitory signaling in VTA GABA neurons has not been fully addressed.

Experimental Approach: We used electrophysiological and ultrastructural approaches to assess the impact of chronic intermittent ethanol vapour exposure in mice on GABAergic transmission in VTA GABA neurons during withdrawal.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid plaques and cognitive decline, the latter of which is thought to be driven by soluble oligomeric amyloid-β (oAβ). The dysregulation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K (GIRK; also known as Kir3) channels has been implicated in rodent models of AD. Here, seeking mechanistic insights, we uncovered a sex-dependent facet of GIRK-dependent signaling in AD-related amyloid pathophysiology.

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