Sleep/Wake Behavior and EEG Signatures of the TgF344-AD Rat Model at the Prodromal Stage.

Transgenic modification of the two most common genes (APPsw, PS1ΔE9) related to familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) in rats has produced a rodent model that develops pathognomonic signs of AD without genetic tau-protein modification. We used 17-month-old AD rats ( = 8) and age-matched controls (AC, = 7) to evaluate differences in sleep behavior and EEG features during wakefulness (WAKE), non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM), and rapid eye movement sleep (REM) over 24-h EEG recording (12:12h dark-light cycle). We discovered that AD rats had more sleep-wake transitions and an increased probability of shorter REM and NREM bouts.

Reversing interferon-alpha neurotoxicity in a HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder mouse model.

Objective: Increased brain interferon-alpha (IFNα) is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). HAND occurs in approximately 50% of individuals with HIV despite combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Therefore, adjunctive therapies must be developed that prevent progression of mild forms of HAND to HIV-associated dementia.

In vitro and Ex vivo Neurotoxic Effects of Efavirenz are Greater than Those of Other Common Antiretrovirals.

Although antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has reduced the incidence of severe dementia associated with HIV infection, there has been a rise in milder neurocognitive complaints. Data from HIV patients taking ARVs have shown measurable neurocognitive improvements during drug cessation, suggesting a neurotoxic role of the therapy itself. Mechanisms underlying potential ARV neurotoxicity have not been thoroughly investigated, however pathologic oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been suspected.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonists attenuate biofilm formation by .

is a significant contributor to recalcitrant multidrug-resistant infections, especially in immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. The pathogenic profile of is related to its ability to secrete a variety of virulence factors and to promote biofilm formation. Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism wherein secretes small diffusible molecules, specifically acyl homo serine lactones, such as N-(3-oxo-dodecanoyl)--homoserine lactone (3O-C12-HSL), that promote biofilm formation and virulence interbacterial communication.

Whole-eye electrical stimulation therapy preserves visual function and structure in P23H-1 rats.

Low-level electrical stimulation to the eye has been shown to be neuroprotective against retinal degeneration in both human and animal subjects, using approaches such as subretinal implants and transcorneal electrical stimulation. In this study, we investigated the benefits of whole-eye electrical stimulation (WES) in a rodent model of retinitis pigmentosa. Transgenic rats with a P23H-1 rhodopsin mutation were treated with 30 min of low-level electrical stimulation (4 μA at 5 Hz; n = 10) or sham stimulation (Sham group; n = 15), twice per week, from 4 to 24 weeks of age.