GABAergic interneuron diversity and organization are crucial for the generation of human-specific functional neural networks in cerebral organoids.

This mini review investigates the importance of GABAergic interneurons for the network function of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived brain organoids. The presented evidence suggests that the abundance, diversity and three-dimensional cortical organization of GABAergic interneurons are the primary elements responsible for the creation of synchronous neuronal firing patterns. Without intricate inhibition, coupled oscillatory patterns cannot reach a sufficient complexity to transfer spatiotemporal information constituting physiological network function.

Concentrations of escitalopram in blood of patients treated in a naturalistic setting: focus on patients with alcohol and benzodiazepine use disorder.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram (ESC) is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Monitoring of blood levels (BLs) is strongly indicated due to ESC's high interindividual pharmacokinetic variability. The aim of this study was to analyse clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetic influences on ESC BLs, in patients with depressive disorder alone and with comorbid alcohol or benzodiazepine use disorder.

Isolation of the ALG5 locus encoding the UDP-glucose:dolichyl-phosphate glucosyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

UDP-glucose:dolichyl-phosphate glucosyltransferase is a transmembrane-bound enzyme of the endoplasmic reticulum involved in protein N-linked glycosylation. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of glucose from UDP-glucose to dolichyl phosphate. The structural gene encoding this transferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated by complementation of an alg5-1 mutation.