Numerous findings indicate an involvement of heavy metals in the neuropathology of several neurodegenerative disorders, especially Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have demonstrated that Copper (Cu) exhibits a potent neurotoxic effect on dopaminergic neurons and triggers profound neurobehavioral alterations. Curcumin is a major component of Curcuma longa rhizomes and a powerful medicinal plant that exerts many pharmacological effects. However, the neuroprotective action of curcumin on Cu-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity is yet to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of acute Cu-intoxication (10mg/kg B.W. i.p) for 3days on the dopaminergic system and locomotor performance as well as the possible therapeutic efficacy of curcumin I (30mg/kg B.W.). Intoxicated rats showed a significant loss of Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) expression within substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the striatal outputs. This was correlated with a clear decrease in locomotor performance. Critically, curcumin-I co-treatment reversed these changes and showed a noticeable protective effect; both TH expression and locomotor performance was reinstated in intoxicated rats. These results demonstrate altered dopaminergic innervations following Cu intoxication and a new therapeutic potential of curcumin against Cu-induced dopaminergic neurotransmission failure. Curcumin may therefore prevent heavy metal related Parkinsonism.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2017.09.032 | DOI Listing |
Ecol Evol
January 2025
Conservation Science Research Group, School of Environmental and Life Sciences University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales Australia.
Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrate taxa globally. Their global decline necessitates effective conservation actions to bolster populations across both the larval and adult stages. Constructing man-made ponds is one action proven to enhance reproduction in pond-breeding amphibians.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Public Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
The study aimed to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a non-motor intervention utilizing motor imagery (MI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance motor function. The research involved a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with three groups: MIActive, MISham, and Control. Participants engaged in a cognitively demanding obstacle course, with time and prefrontal activation (ΔO2Hb and ΔHHb) measured across three-time points (Baseline, Post-test, 1-week follow-up).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Phys Rehabil Med
January 2025
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan. Electronic address:
Background: Despite the lack of clinically validated strategies for treating spinal cord injury (SCI), combining therapeutic strategies with rehabilitation is believed to promote recovery of motor function; however, current research findings are inconsistent.
Objectives: To explore whether combination therapy involving therapy and rehabilitative training (CIRT) has a synergistic effect on motor function recovery in animal models of SCI.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies identified in a keyword search of 6 databases and extracted open-field motor scores from the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) and the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale (BBB) for meta-analysis using a weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 % CI.
Sensors (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Electrical and Information Engineering (DEI), Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
Abnormal locomotor patterns may occur in case of either motor damages or neurological conditions, thus potentially jeopardizing an individual's safety. Pathological gait recognition (PGR) is a research field that aims to discriminate among different walking patterns. A PGR-oriented system may benefit from the simulation of gait disorders by healthy subjects, since the acquisition of actual pathological gaits would require either a higher experimental time or a larger sample size.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
December 2024
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Artificial rearing (AR) of lambs is nowadays a common practice in Mediterranean dairy sheep production systems to enhance the milk available for cheese or yoghurt manufacturing. The sufficient growth of lambs in an AR system is vital for the economic success of dairy sheep farms. However, AR is often associated with negative impacts on the performance and physiology of lambs.
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