Early-Life Stress Influences the Transcriptional Activation of Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor and Associated Protein Kinase A Signaling Molecules in the Frontal Cortex of Rats.

Early life is a highly sensitive period associated with profound changes in brain structure and function. Adverse experiences of early-life stress (ELS) are prominent risk factors for the precipitation of major depressive disorder (MDD). In recent years, dysfunction of the central noradrenergic (NA) system and subsequent deficits in norepinephrine (NE) signaling have gained increasing attention in the pathophysiology of MDD.

Effects of a brief HIIT intervention on cognitive performance in older women.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) mitigates age-related decline in cognition and brain volume. Little is known, however, about the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive aging and the relationship between HIIT, cognition, hippocampal subfield volumes, and cerebral oxygen extraction fraction (OEF). Older sedentary women participated in an 8-week HIIT intervention.

Excitatory and inhibitory imbalances in the trisynaptic pathway in the hippocampus in schizophrenia: a postmortem ultrastructural study.

A preponderance of evidence suggests that the hippocampus is a key region of dysfunction in schizophrenia. Neuroimaging and other studies indicate a relationship between hippocampal dysfunction and the degree of psychosis. Clinical data indicate hyperactivity in the hippocampus that precedes the onset of psychosis, and is correlated with symptom severity.

Evidence for upregulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the substantia nigra in Schizophrenia: a postmortem ultrastructural study.

The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that psychotic symptoms originate from dysregulation of dopaminergic activity, which may be controlled by upstream innervation. We hypothesized that we would find anatomical evidence for the hyperexcitability seen in the SN. We examined and quantified synaptic morphology, which correlates with function, in the postmortem substantia nigra (SN) from 15 schizophrenia and 12 normal subjects.

Corticosterone-mediated regulation and functions of miR-218-5p in rat brain.

Chronic stress is one of the key precipitating factors in major depressive disorder (MDD). Stress associated studies have underscored the mechanistic role of epigenetic master players like microRNAs (miRNAs) in depression pathophysiology at both preclinical and clinical levels. Previously, we had reported changes in miR-218-5p expression in response to corticosterone (CORT) induced chronic stress.

Electrodiagnostic Assessment of Polyneuropathy.

This article focuses on principles of nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography applied to the electrodiagnosis of polyneuropathy. The components of the electrodiagnostic evaluation of polyneuropathy and the electrophysiological characteristics of axonal and demyelinating neuropathies and nodo-paranodopathies are reviewed.

Early life and adult stress promote sex dependent changes in hypothalamic miRNAs and environmental enrichment prevents stress-induced miRNA and gene expression changes in rats.

Background: The hypothalamus plays a key role in the stress response. While early life stress (ELS) increases susceptibility to psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), acute stress during adulthood can also precipitate MDD after ELS.

Aim: Here, we tested the expression of miRNAs following ELS and susceptibility to depression-like behavior and whether sex or acute stress exacerbates this response.

A multimodal magnetoencephalography 7 T fMRI and 7 T proton MR spectroscopy study in first episode psychosis.

We combined magnetoencephalography (MEG), 7 T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and 7 T fMRI during performance of a task in a group of 23 first episode psychosis (FEP) patients and 26 matched healthy controls (HC). We recorded both the auditory evoked response to 40 Hz tone clicks and the resting state in MEG. Neurometabolite levels were obtained from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

Exploiting Circulating MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Psychiatric Disorders.

Non-invasive peripheral biomarkers play a significant role in both disease diagnosis and progression. In the past few years, microRNA (miRNA) expression changes in circulating peripheral tissues have been found to be correlative with changes in neuronal tissues from patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. This is a notable quality of a biomolecule to be considered as a biomarker for both prognosis and diagnosis of disease.

A Novel Animal Model for Studying Depression Featuring the Induction of the Unfolded Protein Response in Hippocampus.

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide with global distribution of 322 million people suffering from the disease. While much is understood about depression, the underlying pathophysiology is yet to be fully characterized. Recently, the unfolded protein response (UPR) has been shown to be involved in regulating key aspects like inflammation, cell death, and behavioral depression.

Alabama Brief Cognitive Screener: Utility of a New Cognitive Screening Instrument in a Memory Disorders Clinic.

Objective: We assessed the clinical utility of the Alabama Brief Cognitive Screener (ABCs), an alternative to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), for cognitive screening in a new electronic medical record. Other available nonproprietary instruments were determined to be more tuned to milder deficits than the MMSE.

Methods: The ABCs was administered as part of routine clinical assessment in the University of Alabama at Birmingham memory disorders clinics from April 30, 2012, to April 30, 2015.

Differences among cigarette-only smokers compared to dual users of cigarettes and little cigars/cigarillos in the criminal justice population.

Introduction: The FDA has restrictions on cigarettes; however, little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) remain largely absent from these regulations. Due to their low prices and flavoring, many engage in dual use of both LCCs and cigarettes. Dual use is particularly prevalent among low income racial/ethnic minority groups.

Factors Associated With Marijuana Use Among Treatment-seeking Adult Cigarette Smokers in the Criminal Justice Population.

Objectives: Due to the elevated rates of cigarette use and marijuana use within the criminal justice system, it is critical to develop a stronger understanding of tobacco and marijuana co-use among this population to inform future interventions.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of baseline data from a smoking cessation randomized clinical trial of adults (n = 500) in a community correction program. Participants were classified as using cigarettes only or both cigarettes and marijuana through either self-report or positive urine drug screening.

Medical, psychosocial, and treatment predictors of opioid overdose among high risk opioid users.

Introduction: Drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. It is imperative to explore predictors of opioid overdose in order to facilitate targeted treatment and prevention efforts. The present study was conducted as an exploratory examination of the factors associated with having a past opioid overdose.

Role of HPA and the HPG Axis Interaction in Testosterone-Mediated Learned Helpless Behavior.

Affective disorders show sex-specific differences in prevalence, symptoms, and complications. One hypothesis for this discrepancy is the interaction between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The present study investigates the influence of androgen on the behavioral phenotype and explores how it interacts with HPA axis genes.

Central nervous system histoplasmosis: Multicenter retrospective study on clinical features, diagnostic approach and outcome of treatment.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement occurs in 5 to 10% of individuals with disseminated histoplasmosis. Most experience has been derived from small single center case series, or case report literature reviews. Therefore, a larger study of central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is needed in order to guide the approach to diagnosis, and treatment.

Improvement in Diagnosis of Histoplasma Meningitis by Combined Testing for Histoplasma Antigen and Immunoglobulin G and Immunoglobulin M Anti-Histoplasma Antibody in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is a life-threatening condition and represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or brain tissue is diagnostic; however, culture is insensitive and slow growth may result in significant treatment delay. We performed a retrospective multicenter study to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a new anti-Histoplasma antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of IgG and IgM antibody in the CSF for diagnosis of CNS histoplasmosis, the primary objective of the study.

Mixed-amphetamine salts expectancies among college students: Is stimulant induced cognitive enhancement a placebo effect?

Introduction: Non-medical use of prescription stimulants for cognitive enhancement in college students is increasing, despite evidence showing little benefit in non-clinical populations. The balanced placebo design (BPD) was used to independently evaluate the pharmacologic versus expectancy effects of mixed amphetamine salts on cognitive performance among a non-clinical sample of college-aged students.

Method: Participants were screened and excluded for ADHD and other psychopathologies.

The recent progress in animal models of depression.

Major depression disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental illness with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the growing number of studies that have emerged, the precise underlying mechanisms of MDD remain unknown. When studying MDD, tissue samples like peripheral blood or post-mortem brain samples are used to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

A pilot trial of In vivo NRT sampling to increase medication adherence in community corrections smokers.

Background: Individuals in the criminal justice system demonstrate high rates of cigarette use (70-80%) and low adherence to smoking cessation medication. Educational approaches have not been shown to promote adherence or cessation, though medication sampling has boosted both use and cessation. The objective of the present study was to determine whether In vivo nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) sampling approach increases NRT adherence among criminal justice smokers during a subsequent quit attempt.

Predictors of medication adherence and smoking cessation among smokers under community corrections supervision.

Introduction: Individuals in the U.S. criminal justice system now represent over 12% of all current U.

The pathogenic relevance of α-integrin in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The molecular determinants and mechanisms involved in leukocyte trafficking across the blood-nerve barrier (BNB) in the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome are incompletely understood. Prior work using a flow-dependent in vitro human BNB model demonstrated a crucial role for α-integrin (CD11b)-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 interactions in AIDP patient leukocyte trafficking. The aim of this study is to directly investigate the biological relevance of CD11b in AIDP pathogenesis.