Publications by authors named "Yoon-Sil Yang"
Article Synopsis
- - This study explores how elevated membrane potentials (MPs) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) differ from those in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), using experimental data and neural network models to understand these differences.
- - Researchers found that NMDA receptors play a significant role in increasing MP levels in the PFC, which affects overall neural network dynamics and cognitive functions in both brain areas.
- - The study emphasizes the importance of using modeling tools to examine how changes in synaptic properties can enhance cognitive functions by influencing the activities of neural populations in the PFC and PPC.
Functional restoration by the re-establishment of cellular or neural connections remains a major challenge in targeted cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Recent advances in magnetically powered microrobots have shown potential for use in controlled and targeted cell therapy. In this study, a magnetic neurospheroid (Mag-Neurobot) that can form both structural and functional connections with an organotypic hippocampal slice (OHS) is assessed using an ex vivo model as a bridge toward in vivo application.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypoxia typically accompanies acute inflammatory responses in patients and animal models. However, a limited number of studies have examined the effect of hypoxia in combination with inflammation (Hypo-Inf) on neural function. We previously reported that neuronal excitability in hippocampal CA1 neurons decreased during hypoxia and greatly rebounded upon reoxygenation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The venom from the jellyfish Chrysaora pacifica causes severe pain, inflammation, and potential organ dysfunction, but the exact mechanisms behind these effects are not fully understood.
- Research on rats shows that the venom triggers a nociceptive response, leading to increased sensitivity to pain, which can be blocked by specific channel blockers and calcium chelators.
- The study suggests that the pain caused by jellyfish venom may be linked to calcium influx and oxidative signaling, which activates pain pathways and could be targeted for therapeutic purposes to alleviate pain and cellular damage from the venom.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how combined hypoxia (low oxygen) and inflammation affect basic neural function, with a focus on synaptic transmission and neuron excitability.
- It was found that the combination of hypoxia and inflammation significantly reduces synaptic transmission and excitability, while reoxygenation leads to increased neuronal excitability.
- The research highlights that the reduced neurotransmitter release during hypoxia and inflammation is linked to adenosine receptors and dynamic changes in specific ion currents, suggesting that zatebradine may help treat brain injuries caused by reperfusion.
Article Synopsis
- A-type K channels (I channels) are important for learning and memory in the brain by controlling how excited neurons are, influenced by calcium levels from NMDA receptors during long-term potentiation (LTP).
- This study explored the role of two endoplasmic reticulum receptors, ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol phosphate receptors (IP Rs), in the downregulation of I channels due to changes in calcium concentration in rat hippocampal neurons.
- Results showed that increasing calcium levels or using glycine reduced I channel activity, and blocking RyRs specifically stopped this downregulation, indicating a critical role for RyRs in regulating neuron excitability and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
Article Synopsis
- Excessive calcium (Ca) levels in neurons cause hyperexcitability and cell damage, necessitating cellular mechanisms to regulate Ca homeostasis.
- The study measured the response of delayed rectifier K channels (I channels) in hippocampal neurons exposed to high Ca levels, finding that Ca significantly increased I channel activity without altering their gating kinetics.
- The results suggest that the enhancement of I channels is influenced by voltage-dependent Ca channels and Src family tyrosine kinases, indicating a potential neuroprotective mechanism against calcium-induced damage.
Article Synopsis
- Excessive activation of microglia, which leads to neuroinflammation, contributes to synaptic loss and neuron death, playing a role in neurodegenerative diseases, prompting the exploration of therapeutic strategies that target microglial activation.
- The study investigates dieckol (DEK), a compound from the brown alga Ecklonia cava, and its effects on microglial activation through specific molecular pathways, aiming to clarify its neuroprotective mechanisms.
- Results show that DEK effectively reduces the activation of signaling pathways (ERK, Akt, and NADPH oxidase) involved in microglial function, ultimately protecting neurons from cell death caused by neurotoxic substances released by activated microglia.
Article Synopsis
- Aromatherapy massage is used for stress management and therapeutic purposes in cancer patients, but its biological effects are not well understood.
- A study involved 13 females receiving aromatherapy massage and a control group, focusing on psychological assessments and neurobiological indicators.
- Results showed that aromatherapy massage improved psychological scores, increased plasma BDNF levels, changed brain wave patterns, and reduced salivary cortisol levels, indicating its significant impact on mental and biological health.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how the downregulation of A-type K(+) channels (IA channels) affects somatic excitability in young hippocampal neurons during synaptic activity.
- High levels of KCl and glutamate treatment significantly reduced IA channel activity, while blocking NMDA receptors with MK801 negated this reduction, indicating that synaptic activation is crucial for IA channel modulation.
- The findings suggest that synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) enhances somatic excitability by altering the expression and kinetics of IA channels, which may play a role in memory processes or the development of certain neurological conditions.
Article Synopsis
- The text discusses how the mammalian brain encodes and stores information through synaptic plasticity mechanisms in areas like the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
- It highlights the importance of synaptic excitability and the role of intracellular calcium signaling in facilitating these processes.
- The A-type K(+) channel (IA) is identified as a crucial component that modulates calcium influx through NMDA receptors, thereby supporting memory formation and stabilization.
Article Synopsis
- Immature hippocampal neurons with high input resistances (R(in)) may be more prone to hyperexcitability and seizures, raising questions about how I(h) channels help protect these neurons.
- The study classified CA1 neurons from young rats based on their action potential firing times and found those firing faster had higher R(in) but also larger I(h) amplitudes.
- Application of a depolarizing stimulus showed that I(h) channels provided neuroprotection specifically in neurons with higher R(in), indicating a crucial role of these channels in preventing excitability in vulnerable neurons.
Article Synopsis
- Mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm ) influences calcium entry into mitochondria, and even slight depolarization can prevent calcium overload and apoptosis, highlighting a protective mechanism.
- The study found that ethanolic peel extract from Citrus sunki (CPE) induces mild mitochondrial depolarization and enhances neuronal viability in H2 O2-treated cells, primarily due to active compounds like nobiletin and tangeretin.
- CPE treatment also inhibits H2 O2-induced apoptosis markers and blocks mitochondrial calcium overload, indicating its potential as a neuroprotective agent.