Distribution of Alox15 in the Rat Brain and Its Role in Prefrontal Cortical Resolvin D1 Formation and Spatial Working Memory.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is enriched in membrane phospholipids of the central nervous system (CNS) and has a role in aging and neuropsychiatric disorders. DHA is metabolized by the enzyme Alox15 to 17S-hydroxy-DHA, which is then converted to 7S-hydroperoxy,17S-hydroxy-DHA by a 5-lipoxygenase, and thence via epoxy intermediates to the anti-inflammatory molecule, resolvin D1 (RvD1 or 7S,8R,17S-trihydroxy-docosa-Z,9E,11E,13Z,15E,19Z-hexaenoic acid). In this study, we investigated the distribution and function of Alox15 in the CNS.

Enterovirus 71 infection of motor neuron-like NSC-34 cells undergoes a non-lytic exit pathway.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) causing Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, is regarded as the most important neurotropic virus worldwide. EV71 is believed to replicate in muscles and infect motor neurons to reach the central nervous system (CNS). To further investigate the mechanisms involved, we have employed the motor neuron cell line NSC-34.

Role of prefrontal cortical calcium-independent phospholipase A in antinociceptive effect of the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepresssant maprotiline.

The prefrontal cortex is essential for executive functions such as decision-making and planning. There is also accumulating evidence that it is important for the modulation of pain. In this study, we investigated a possible role of prefrontal cortical calcium-independent phospholipase A (iPLA) in antinociception induced by the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) and tetracyclic (tricyclic) antidepressant, maprotiline.

The Analgesic and Anxiolytic Effect of Souvenaid, a Novel Nutraceutical, Is Mediated by Alox15 Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex.

Pain and anxiety have a complex relationship and pain is known to share neurobiological pathways and neurotransmitters with anxiety. Top-down modulatory pathways of pain have been shown to originate from cortical and subcortical regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In this study, a novel docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-containing nutraceutical, Souvenaid, was administered to mice with infraorbital nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain and behavioral responses recorded.

Role of constitutive calcium-independent phospholipase A2 beta in hippocampo-prefrontal cortical long term potentiation and spatial working memory.

Calcium independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) is an 85 kDa protein that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 acyl ester bond of glycerophospholipids to liberate free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. In this study, we determined the role of constitutive iPLA2β in long term potentiation (LTP) of the hippocampo-prefrontal cortical pathway in vivo. We also examined the effect of iPLA2β knockdown using the rewarded alternation in T-maze task, a test of spatial working memory which is dependent on this pathway.

Nose-to-brain drug delivery by nanoparticles in the treatment of neurological disorders.

Many potential drugs for the treatment of neurological diseases are unable to reach the brain in sufficient enough concentrations to be therapeutic because of the blood brain barrier. On the other hand, direct delivery of drugs to the brain provides the possibility of a greater therapeutic-toxic ratio than with systemic drug delivery. The use of intranasal delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain provides a means of bypassing the blood brain barrier in a non-invasive manner.