Publications by authors named "R Vazquez-Torres"

Cerebrovascular dysfunction has been implicated as a major contributor to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology, with cerebral endothelial cell (cEC) stress promoting ischemia, cerebral-blood flow impairments and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Recent evidence suggests that cardiovascular (CV)/cerebrovascular risk factors, including hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy), exacerbate AD pathology and risk. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms for this interaction remain unclear.

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Aims: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebral amyloid β (Aβ) deposition and tau pathology. The AD-mediated degeneration of the brain neuro-signaling pathways, together with a potential peripheral amyloid accumulation, may also result in the derangement of the peripheral nervous system, culminating in detrimental effects on other organs, including the heart. However, whether and how AD pathology modulates cardiac function, neurotrophins, innervation, and amyloidosis is still unknown.

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Introduction: Cerebrovascular pathology is an early and causal hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), in need of effective therapies.

Methods: Based on the success of our previous in vitro studies, we tested for the first time in a model of AD and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) methazolamide and acetazolamide, Food and Drug Administration-approved against glaucoma and high-altitude sickness.

Results: Both CAIs reduced cerebral, vascular, and glial amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation and caspase activation, diminished gliosis, and ameliorated cognition in TgSwDI mice.

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Article Synopsis
  • The brain's ability to handle novelty stimulates curiosity and exploration, which may influence sensitivity to cocaine.
  • Key brain areas involved in exploring new environments include the locus coeruleus (LC), the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and the hippocampus.
  • The study found that exposure to novel environments affects the activity of VTA dopamine neurons, suggesting the LC plays a significant role in regulating dopamine responses even after cocaine exposure.
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The hyperpolarization-activated cation current (I) is a determinant of intrinsic excitability in various cells, including dopaminergic neurons (DA) of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In contrast to other cellular conductances, I is activated by hyperpolarization negative to -55 mV and activating I produces a time-dependent depolarizing current. Our laboratory demonstrated that cocaine sensitization, a chronic cocaine behavioral model, significantly reduces I amplitude in VTA DA neurons.

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