15,745 results match your criteria: "Department of Neuropharmacology; Institute of Experimental Medicine[Affiliation]"

Aims: Fibromyalgia (FM) is an idiopathic syndrome with painful burdensome symptoms. Radiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic modalities for treating various malignancies and there is a probable association between FM exacerbation and exposure to ionizing radiation. Based on that nanomedicines progressively being explored for their promising applications in medicine, the aim of the current study is to assess the possible therapeutic benefits of nanoform of pregabalin (N-PG) in managing FM symptoms during being exposed to ionizing radiation.

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The skin aging process is a complex interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, such as chemical pollution and UV radiation. There is growing evidence that biosurfactants, especially those of microbial origin, have distinct age-supportive effects through different mechanisms, such as stimulation of fibroblast growth, high antioxidant capacities, and favorable anti-inflammatory properties. With a growing financial contribution of more than 15 m€per year, microbial surfactants (MSs) display unique biological effects on the skin including improved cell mobility, better nutrient access, and facilitated cellular growth under harsh conditions.

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The ventral tegmental area dopamine to basolateral amygdala projection supports acquisition of cocaine self-administration.

Neuropharmacology

December 2024

Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • Dopamine signaling in the amygdala is crucial for associative learning, particularly in linking environmental cues to the effects of drugs like cocaine.
  • Researchers used chemogenetics to alter dopamine inputs from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) during cocaine-related behaviors, revealing that inhibiting dopamine reduced the motivation to seek cocaine when exposed to previously associated cues.
  • The findings suggest that targeting dopamine pathways in the amygdala could lead to new treatments for substance use disorders by potentially modifying the associations formed between cues and drug use.
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Effective action of silymarin against ketamine-induced schizophrenia in male mice: Insight into the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of action.

J Psychiatr Res

November 2024

DELSU Joint Canada-Israel Neuroscience and Biopsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Background: Neurochemical dysregulations resulting from N-methyl-D-aspartate hypofunction (NMDA), are exacerbated by neuroimmune and oxidative stress and are known risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia-like diseases. Here, we investigate the protective and curative effects, and mechanisms of silymarin, a polyphenolic flavonoid with neuroprotective functions in preventive-reversal model of ketamine, an NMDA antagonist in mice.

Methods: Mice were grouped into 6 cohorts (n = 9).

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A comparison of the antiepileptogenic efficacy of two rationally chosen multitargeted drug combinations in a rat model of posttraumatic epilepsy.

Exp Neurol

December 2024

Department of Neurology and FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; PrevEp, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA. Electronic address:

Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a recurrent and often drug-refractory seizure disorder caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). No single drug treatment prevents PTE, but preventive drug combinations that may prophylax against PTE have not been studied. Based on a systematic evaluation of rationally chosen drug combinations in the intrahippocampal kainate (IHK) mouse model of acquired epilepsy, we identified two multi-targeted drug cocktails that exert strong antiepileptogenic effects.

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Chronic pain is a complex, debilitating, and escalating health problem worldwide, impacting 1 in 5 adults. Current treatment is compromised by dose-limiting side effects, including high abuse liability, loss of ability to function socially and professionally, fatigue, drowsiness, and apathy. PICK1 has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of chronic pain conditions.

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A Multimodal, In Vivo Approach for Assessing Structurally and Phenotypically Related Neuroactive Molecules.

ACS Chem Neurosci

November 2024

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States.

A recently reported behavioral screen in larval zebrafish for phenocopiers of known anesthetics and associated drugs yielded an isoflavone. Related isoflavones have also been reported as GABA potentiators. From this, we synthesized a small library of isoflavones and incorporated an in vivo phenotypic approach to perform structure-behavior relationship studies of the screening hit and related analogs via behavioral profiling, patch-clamp experiments, and whole brain imaging.

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Background: Hypopharyngeal cancer (HC) comprises less than 5% of all malignant tumors in the head and neck. They often present at an advanced stage, thereby resulting in high mortalities. We aimed to report the epidemiology of HC globally, regionally, and nationally by age, sex, and socioeconomic status in 2020 and its projection to 2040.

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Tonic and burst-like locus coeruleus stimulation distinctly shift network activity across the cortical hierarchy.

Nat Neurosci

November 2024

Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

Article Synopsis
  • Noradrenaline (NA) release from the locus coeruleus (LC) affects brain activity and behavior by utilizing different firing patterns, specifically tonic and burst-like activity.
  • Research using advanced techniques in mice shows that moderate tonic activation of the LC influences areas linked to associative processing, while burst-like stimulation shifts focus towards sensory processing.
  • The study also identifies that these different firing patterns alter local brain activity and structure, demonstrating the LC-NA system's complex role in regulating brain circuits.
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Therapeutic efficacy of intracerebral hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Nat Commun

September 2024

Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Women and Child's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.

The conditions supporting the generation of microglia-like cells in the central nervous system (CNS) after transplantation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) have been studied to advance the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we explored the transplantation efficacy of different cell subsets and delivery routes with the goal of favoring the establishment of a stable and exclusive engraftment of HSPCs and their progeny in the CNS of female mice. In this setting, we show that the CNS environment drives the expansion, distribution and myeloid differentiation of the locally transplanted cells towards a microglia-like phenotype.

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The orexin system participates in the regulation of depression; however, its effects show significant heterogeneity, indicating the involvement of complex downstream neural circuit mechanisms. The lateral septum (LS), located downstream of the orexin system, contributes to depression. However, the effects and mechanisms underlying the orexin-mediated modulation of the LS in patients with depression remain unclear.

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Deletion of histamine H2 receptor in VTA dopaminergic neurons of mice induces behavior reminiscent of mania.

Cell Rep

September 2024

Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321299, China. Electronic address:

Hyperfunction of the dopamine system has been implicated in manic episodes in bipolar disorders. How dopaminergic neuronal function is regulated in the pathogenesis of mania remains unclear. Histaminergic neurons project dense efferents into the midbrain dopaminergic nuclei.

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Emerging roles of cannabinoid receptor CB2 receptor in the central nervous system: therapeutic target for CNS disorders.

Psychopharmacology (Berl)

October 2024

Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India.

Rationale: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family of cell membranes and is associated with neuropsychiatric conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases. Cannabinoid 2 receptors (CB2) are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) on microglia and subgroups of neurons and are involved in various behavioural processes via immunological and neural regulation.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to summarize and explore the impact of CB2 receptors on neuronal modulation, their involvement in various neurological disorders, and their influence on mood, behavior, and cognitive function.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study introduces a practical method for creating Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) that can potentially combat leukemia by inducing ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death.
  • Using a natural extract, the researchers synthesized and characterized ZnO NPs, and tested their effects on leukemic and normal cells at various concentrations over 24 and 48 hours.
  • Results showed that ZnO NPs successfully reduced leukemic cell survival without harming normal cells, indicating their potential as a complementary treatment in leukemia therapies by altering iron levels and increasing oxidative stress in cancer cells.
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Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common motor disorders with debilitating effects on the affected individuals. The endocannabinoid system is widely involved in cerebellar signaling. Therefore, modulation of cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1Rs) has emerged as a novel target for motor disorders.

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Background: The hippocampus is susceptible to damage, leading to negative impacts on cognition. Conditioned medium (CM) obtained from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) have shown neuroprotective effects independently. This study explored the synergistic potential of ASA and CM from adipose-derived MSCs against hippocampal injury.

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Article Synopsis
  • Different wavelengths from LEDs impact the growth and development of various cell types, particularly human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal cells (hUCMs), which are valuable in regenerative medicine and stem cell research.
  • This study found that exposing hUCMs to green and red LED light significantly boosted the expression of genes and proteins associated with neural development, like nestin and β-tubulin III.
  • Alternating between green and red light further enhanced the expression of these neural markers, indicating potential for future research into LED use for neural repair and regeneration therapies.
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GPR37 processing in neurodegeneration: a potential marker for Parkinson's Disease progression rate.

NPJ Parkinsons Dis

September 2024

Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.

The orphan G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37), widely associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), undergoes proteolytic processing under physiological conditions. The N-terminus domain is proteolyzed by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM-10), which generates various membrane receptor forms and ectodomain shedding (ecto-GPR37) in the extracellular environment. We investigated the processing and density of GPR37 in several neurodegenerative conditions, including Lewy body disease (LBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

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From Viral Infections to Alzheimer's Disease: Unveiling the Mechanistic Links Through Systems Bioinformatics.

J Infect Dis

September 2024

Department of Psychology, Translational Neuropharmacology Laboratory, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus.

Article Synopsis
  • * A systems bioinformatics approach was used to examine how specific viruses could interact with proteins in the host, leading to alterations in processes related to AD, such as amyloid-β formation and neuronal death.
  • * The study highlights a potential harmful synergy between herpesvirus reactivation during COVID-19 infections, suggesting that this interaction could worsen neurodegeneration and increase AD susceptibility.
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Structural plasticity of dendritic spines in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is crucial for learning from aversive experiences. Activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) stimulates Ca-dependent signaling that leads to changes in the actin cytoskeleton, mediated by the Rho family of GTPases, resulting in postsynaptic remodeling essential for learning. We investigated how phosphorylation events downstream of NMDAR activation drive the changes in synaptic morphology that underlie aversive learning.

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Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome in the elderly with COVID-19 complicated by airway obstruction with sputum and mucus, and cases of asphyxia with blood, serous fluid, pus, or meconium in newborns and people of different ages can sometimes cause hypoxemia and death from hypoxic damage to brain cells, because the medical standard does not include intrapulmonary injections of oxygen-producing solutions. The physical-chemical repurposing of hydrogen peroxide from an antiseptic to an oxygen-producing antihypoxant offers hope for the development of new drugs.

Methods: This manuscript is a meta-analysis performed according to PRISMA guidelines.

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Oxytocin modulation of explicit pandemic stigma in men with varying social anxiety levels.

Neuropharmacology

December 2024

CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Objective: Stigma can create divisions within societies, hindering social cohesion and cooperation. Notably, it has significant public health implications, especially during infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. However, little is known about the neural and molecular basis of disease-related stigma and their association with individual differences.

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Exploring the interplay between cannabinoids and thymic functions.

Toxicol Sci

November 2024

Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, 57072-900, Brazil.

Cannabinoids, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, have garnered increasing attention for their potential therapeutic applications in various diseases. The pharmacologically active compounds in Cannabis, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, exhibit diverse immunomodulatory properties. Although studies have explored the effects of cannabinoids on immune function, their specific interactions with the thymus, a primary immune organ critical for T-cell development and maturation, remain an intriguing area of investigation.

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Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is abundant in the human brain and has an important role in brain homeostasis and diseases. AQP4 expression has been found to be associated with glioma malignancies. However, the complete understanding of the biological processes and curative importance of AQP4 in glioma remains unclear.

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Agrochemical inducible gene expression system provides cost-effective and orthogonal control of energy and information flow in bacterial cells. However, the previous version of Mandipropamid inducible gene expression system (Mandi-T7) became constitutively active at room temperature. We moved the split site of the eRNAP from position LYS179 to position ILE109.

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