Differential Expression of Platelet Activation Markers, CD62P and CD63, after Exposure to Breast Cancer Cells Treated with , and Seed Oils .

Cancer patients, including breast cancer patients, live in a hypercoagulable state. Chemo- and hormone- therapy used in the treatment of breast cancer increases the risk of thrombosis. Due to differences in health care services between developed and developing countries, the survival rate of women with breast cancer in developing countries is low.

Effects of combination antiretroviral drugs (cART) on hippocampal neuroplasticity in female mice.

The incidence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) continues despite the introduction of combination antiretroviral drugs (cART). Several studies have reported the neurotoxicity of individual antiretroviral drugs (monotherapy), while the common approach for HIV treatment is through cART. Hence, the current study investigated the effects of long-term exposure to cART on cognitive function, oxidative damage, autophagy, and neuroplasticity in the hippocampus of mice.

Long-Term Treatment with Fluvoxamine Decreases Nonmotor Symptoms and Dopamine Depletion in a Postnatal Stress Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits are frequently observed in Parkinson's disease (PD) and precede the onset of motor symptoms by years. We have recently explored the short-term effects of Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on dopaminergic neurons in a parkinsonian rat model. Here, we report the long-term effects of Fluvoxamine, on early-life stress-induced changes in the brain and behavior.

Dielectric Constant and Conductivity of Blood Plasma: Possible Novel Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a complex debilitating neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. The lack of reliable biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease has made the evaluation of the efficacy of new treatments difficult and reliant on only clinical symptoms. In an aged population where cognitive function may be deteriorating for other reasons, the dependence on clinical symptoms is also unreliable.

Cocaine-induced inheritable epigenetic marks may be altered by changing early postnatal fostering.

Here, we explored the hypothesis that parental cocaine exposure could alter epigenetic machinery in their drug-naive offspring while early postnatal fostering may further modify the accompanied neurochemical and functional components. Variant drug-naive pups were produced from cocaine-exposed or unexposed C57BL/6 female mice that were matched with their male counterparts for mating. Within 3 days of birth, half of the pups were cross-fostered and nurtured by non-biological lactating dams.

Effect of long-term administration of antiretroviral drugs (Tenofovir and Nevirapine) on neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity in mouse hippocampi.

The use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been successful in suppressing HIV-1 replication and restoring peripheral immune functioning in HIV-infected individuals. Despite these advances in the management of HIV, neurocognitive impairments continue to be diagnosed in HIV-infected patients on treatment, even when the viral load is low. Of interest is the observation that deficiencies in brain function in these individuals are marked by a persistent presence of neuroinflammation.

Rosmarinic acid reverses the deleterious effects of repetitive stress and tat protein.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) has infected more than 40 million people worldwide and is associated with central nervous system (CNS) disruption in at least 30% of these persons. The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has significantly reduced the systemic immunopathology associated with HIV, but the occurrence of neurological disorders continues to be reported in notable numbers. The present study evaluated the potential of rosmarinic acid to reverse the detrimental effects of an intracerebral injection of the viral protein tat.

The effects of repetitive stress on tat protein-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release and steroid receptor expression in the hippocampus of rats.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) affects the central nervous system (CNS) that may lead to the development of HIV-associated neuropathologies. Tat protein is one of the viral proteins that have been linked to the neurotoxic effects of HIV. Since many individuals living with HIV often experience significant adverse circumstances, the present study investigated whether exposure to stressful conditions would exacerbate harmful effects of tat protein on brain function.

Addiction: A dysregulation of satiety and inflammatory processes.

Over the years, drug addiction has proven to be a perplexing conundrum for scientists. In attempts to decipher the components of the puzzle, multiple theories of addiction have been proposed. While these theories have assisted in providing essential fundamental information, current research recommends that a new theory needs to be presented taking into consideration the results of recent developments in the fields of neuroimmunology, genetics, and neuropsychiatry.

Poly-N-methylated Aβ-Peptide C-Terminal fragments (MEPTIDES) reverse the deleterious effects of amyloid-β in rats.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques. These protein deposits impair synaptic plasticity thereby producing a progressive decline in cognitive function. Current therapies are merely palliative and only slow cognitive decline.

Differential epigenetic changes in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of female mice that had free access to cocaine.

Alterations in gene expression within the neural networks of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC) are known to contribute to behavioural phenotypes associated with drug intake. However, the functional consequences of regulated expression patterns of Fosb and Crem (cAMP response element modulator) in both brain regions in response to volitional intake of cocaine in social environment is yet to be explored. Here, we first exposed young adult mice to cocaine (300 mg/L) and water concurrently for 30 days in the IntelliCage to investigate consumption preference, and subsequently for 28 days during which persistent motivated drug seeking behaviours were examined.

Repetitive stress leads to impaired cognitive function that is associated with DNA hypomethylation, reduced BDNF and a dysregulated HPA axis.

Exposure to repetitive stress has a negative influence on cognitive-affective functioning, with growing evidence that these effects may be mediated by a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, abnormal neurotrophic factor levels and its subsequent impact on hippocampal function. However, there are few data about the effect of repetitive stressors on epigenetic changes in the hippocampus. In the present study, we examine how repetitive restrain stress (RRS) affects cognitive-affective functioning, HPA axis regulation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and global hippocampal DNA methylation.

Epigenetics: a link between addiction and social environment.

The detrimental effects of drug abuse are apparently not limited to individuals but may also impact the vulnerability of their progenies to develop addictive behaviours. Epigenetic signatures, early life experience and environmental factors, converge to influence gene expression patterns in addiction phenotypes and consequently may serve as mediators of behavioural trait transmission between generations. The majority of studies investigating the role of epigenetics in addiction do not consider the influence of social interactions.

Tat-induced histopathological alterations mediate hippocampus-associated behavioural impairments in rats.

Background: HIV-1 is a global catastrophe, and is exceedingly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder is characterized by symptoms such as motor impairments, a decline in cognition, and behavioural irregularities. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the fundamental behavioural and histopathological mechanisms underlying the development and progression of HIV-1 neuropathology.

The interaction between stress and exercise, and its impact on brain function.

In response to acute adversity, emotional signals shift the body into a state that permits rapid detection, identification, and appropriate response to a potential threat. The stress response involves the release of a variety of substances, including neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, hormones, and cytokines, that enable the body to deal with the challenges of daily life. The subsequent activation of various physiological systems can be both protective and damaging to the individual, depending on timing, intensity, and duration of the stressor.

Effect of exercise on dopamine neuron survival in prenatally stressed rats.

Prenatal stress has been associated with increased vulnerability to psychiatric disturbances including schizophrenia, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. Elevated maternal circulating stress hormones alter development of neural circuits in the fetal brain and cause long-term changes in behaviour. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether mild prenatal stress increases the vulnerability of dopamine neurons in adulthood.

Behavioral and quantitative mitochondrial proteome analyses of the effects of simvastatin: implications for models of neural degeneration.

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, simvastatin, is used for lowering elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. This translates into reduced cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality, while the drugs' anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have earmarked it as a potential treatment strategy against various neurological conditions. Statins have been shown to protect neurons from degeneration in a number of animal models.

Neuroproteomics as a promising tool in Parkinson's disease research.

Despite the vast number of studies on Parkinson's disease (PD), its effective diagnosis and treatment remains unsatisfactory. Hence, the relentless search for an optimal cure continues. The emergence of neuroproteomics, with its sophisticated techniques and non-biased ability to quantify proteins, provides a methodology with which to study the changes in neurons that are associated with neurodegeneration.

Maternal separation of rat pups increases the risk of developing depressive-like behavior after subsequent chronic stress by altering corticosterone and neurotrophin levels in the hippocampus.

Children that are abused have an increased risk for developing psychiatric disorders later in life, because of the negative effects of stress on the developing brain. We used a maternal separation model in rats to see how neurotrophins, stress hormones, behavior and the anti-oxidant potential of serum are affected. Rat pups were separated from their mothers for 3h/day on days 2-14.