人神经干细胞移植改善衰老大脑的认知功能

神经干细胞移植治疗神经退行性疾病代表了一种新的研究方向。Ｑｕ等把神经球状态的未分化人神经干细胞 (ＨＮＳＣｓ)注射到大鼠侧室。 30天后 ,发现移植的ＨＮＳＣｓ分化成神经细胞和星形胶质细胞 ,这些细胞以非常有序的模式迁移到海马和皮层部位。形态学显示ＢｒｄＵ标记阳性的细胞沿侧脑室壁分布 ,有一些细胞则直接迁移到脑室内壁 ,而且与宿主脑建立了功能性联接。组织化学进一步证实 ,在大脑皮层ＨＮＳＣｓ来源的 βＩＩＩ ｔｕｂｕｌｉｎ阳性细胞长出朝向皮层边缘的树突 ,而在海马这些细胞表现出多重突起和分支 ,星形胶质细胞着色明显的…     

环孢素A对异种脱细胞神经移植的影响

目的研究脱细胞异种面神经移植中环孢素A（cyclosporin A,CSA）的作用效果。方法 48只Wistar大鼠随机选择一侧作为实验侧,解剖面神经后于颊支制造1cm的神经缺损。按神经移植的种类分为4组,A组：异种面神经移植组;B组：异种面神经移植应用CSA免疫抑制组;C组：异种脱细胞神经移植组;D组：异种脱细胞神经移植应用CSA免疫抑制组。各组实验动物分别于术后5周,12周进行电生理学测试（潜伏期、运动神经传导速度）,并进行光镜、电镜观察形态学变化。结果术后5周和12周时,C,D组动物在电生理指标及光镜、电镜指标上均优于A,B组,术后5周和12周,D组面神经颊支传导速度均高于其它各组。结论 1.0 cm缺损的异种脱细胞面神经移植动物实验中,应用CSA5mg/（kg.d）5周可以降低排斥反应,提高神经再生能力。     

神经干细胞移植对AD模型大鼠SNAP-25表达的影响

目的：观察神经干细胞对AD大鼠海马周围微环境中SNAP-25 表达及其认知功能的影响。方法：取成年雄性Wistar大鼠30 只,随机分为对照组、AD模型组、细胞移植组,每组10 只。采用凝聚态Abeta1-42 注射到大鼠海马组织内建立阿尔茨海默病(AD)大 鼠动物模型,通过Y 迷宫测试大鼠学习记忆能力和Western blot技术检测大鼠海马组织内SNAP-25 的表达。结果：Y 迷宫测试结 果显示术后4 周时AD模型组和细胞移植组大鼠学习记忆均低于对照组,与AD模型组比较,细胞移植组大鼠学习记忆能力明显 高于AD模型组,差异有统计学意义（P＜ 0.05）;Western blot 检测结果显示术后4 周时AD模型组和细胞移植组大鼠海马组织内 SNAP-25 蛋白表达量均低于对照组,与AD 模型组比较,细胞移植组大鼠海马组织SNAP-25 蛋白表达量高于AD 模型组差异有 统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：移植的NSCs 可改善AD 大鼠的学习和记忆能力,其机制可能是通过改变海马区周围的微环境并上 调了海马组织内SNAP-25 表达。     

当归对宫内低氧新生大鼠海马神经元与神经胶质细胞的影响及其机制

目的:探讨宫内低氧对新生大鼠海马CA3区神经元与神经胶质细胞的影响及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在低氧后的表达与当归的干预作用。方法:将大鼠随机分为对照组、低氧组和当归组分别受孕,取新生鼠脑组织制片后做神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)mRNA、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)mRNA、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA原位杂交。结果:当归能显著增大低氧新生鼠海马CA3区NSE mRNA和VEGF mRNA原位杂交阳性细胞IOD值,减小GFAP mRNA原位杂交阳性细胞IOD值。结论:当归注射液可增加低氧所致的新生大鼠海马CA3区神经元的数量,减弱该区神经胶质细胞的增生,其机制可能是进一步上调低氧后VEGFmRNA的表达。     

小鼠脊髓损伤模型的建立及神经干细胞移植后运动功能恢复情况的研究

目的制作小鼠脊髓损伤打击模型,观察神经干细胞(NSCs)移植对脊髓损伤小鼠运动功能恢复及Nestin表达的影响。方法将50只小鼠随机分为空白组(5只)、模型组(15只)、对照组(15只)、治疗组(15只),运用改良Allen's法制备小鼠T10脊髓损伤模型并立即在损伤节段进行NSCs移植,于损伤后1、3、7、14、21d进行BBB评分,并通过免疫荧光法及荧光定量PCR检测Nestin的表达情况。结果所有脊髓打击后小鼠均出现双后肢瘫痪,但随时间延长运动功能可有不同程度恢复,NSCs移植14d后治疗组较模型组及对照组BBB评分显著增高(P0.05),且治疗组Nestin表达量也高于模型组及对照组。结论成功建立了小鼠脊髓损伤打击模型;移植的外源性神经干细胞在脊髓损伤处存活并促进损伤后小鼠运动功能的恢复。     

在大鼠创伤性脑损伤模型中神经干细胞移植对突触素表达的影响

目的探讨神经干细胞（NSCs）移植对创伤性脑损伤（TBI）模型大鼠感觉运动功能的恢复作用及其对损伤脑组织中突触素（SYP）表达的影响。方法体外培养大鼠胚胎皮质NSCs;采用Feeney法制备TBI模型,于造模后72h,移植组采用PKH26荧光示踪剂标记的NSCs直接移植于脑损伤区,对照组以等量生理盐水代替NSCs;分别于移植后不同时间点,采用Gridwalk和Latency试验检测TBI大鼠的感觉运动功能;荧光显微镜下计数移植细胞的存活数量;采用免疫印迹和RT-PCR技术检测脑损伤区及周围组织中SYP的表达。结果 NSCs移植大鼠前、后肢功能分别在移植后第2w和4w恢复至手术前水平,而直到第8w,对照组大鼠后肢功能和通过平板移动时间与NSCs移植组和基线比较仍有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。移植的NSCs随移植时间延长存活数量减少,移植后第4w和8w的存活数分别为6.3%±1.0%和4.1%±0.9%。在移植后的8w期间,移植组脑损伤区及周围组织中SYP的表达均明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论移植的NSCs在TBI脑内能够存活,并明显改善了TBI大鼠对侧肢体的感觉运动功能;NSCs移植促进了脑损伤区及周围组织中SYP的表达,这可能是NSCs移植促进功能恢复的机理之一。     

川续断皂苷Ⅵ对睡眠剥夺小鼠神经发生及认知功能的改善作用研究CSCD

本文旨在探讨川续断皂苷Ⅵ(asperosaponin Ⅵ,ASA Ⅵ)对睡眠剥夺小鼠认知功能的改善作用及相关机制。采用多平台水环境法对C57BL/6J小鼠进行睡眠剥夺,期间腹腔注射ASA Ⅵ进行干预,采用新物体识别实验及Morris水迷宫实验评估小鼠的认知功能,运用q-PCR、免疫组化、Western blotting分别检测小鼠海马区的炎症水平、神经发生及信号通路变化。结果显示:与对照组相比,模型组小鼠海马中的小胶质细胞呈激活状态,炎症因子的表达水平显著提高(P<0.05),新生神经元数量显著减少(P<0.05),并导致认知功能下降。ASA Ⅵ干预显著改善了睡眠剥夺小鼠的认知功能,抑制海马中促炎性细胞因子IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-6的表达(P<0.05),同时显著提高抗炎性细胞因子IL-4、IL-10和神经营养因子BDNF的表达水平(P<0.05)。ASA Ⅵ干预还显著提高了睡眠剥夺小鼠海马中的p-PI3K、PI3K、Akt蛋白表达水平及新生神经元数量(P<0.05)。PI3K/Akt抑制剂LY294002处理显著降低ASA Ⅵ的干预效果。结果表明,ASA Ⅵ可改善睡眠剥夺小鼠学习记忆能力,其机制与PI3K/Akt信号通路激活相关。因此,作为抗炎、神经保护药物,ASA Ⅵ具有潜在的开发前景。     

曲可芦丁联合胞磷胆碱对脑梗死患者认知功能的改善作用及机制

为了探讨曲克芦丁联合胞磷胆碱对脑梗死的治疗效果及机制,本研究将100例急性脑梗死患者分为对照组和观察组(n=50),对照组患者采用常规治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上加用曲克芦丁和胞磷胆碱。采用简易精神状态检查表(MMSE)对脑梗死患者的认知功能进行评价。将60只SD大鼠随机分为3组(n=20):假手术组、模型组和曲克芦丁+胞磷胆碱组。通过Morris水迷宫实验评价大鼠的认知功能。TTC染色评价大鼠脑梗死体积。Nissl染色评价大鼠海马区的组织形态。TUNEL染色评价大鼠海马细胞凋亡。Western blotting检查海马组织中TGF-β2、VEGF-A和CD34的蛋白表达。研究显示,治疗后观察组的MMSE总评分显著高于对照组(p0.05)。与模型组比较,曲克芦丁+胞磷胆碱组大鼠的逃避潜伏期显著降低,而穿越平台次数显著升高(p0.05)。与模型组相比,曲克芦丁+胞磷胆碱组大鼠的梗塞体积明显减少(p0.05)。与模型组相比,曲克芦丁+胞磷胆碱组的海马CA1区细胞凋亡率显著降低(p0.05)。与模型组相比,曲克芦丁+胞磷胆碱组的TGF-β2、VEGF-A和CD34的表达水平显著上调(p0.05)。本研究表明,曲克芦丁联合胞磷胆碱可有效改善脑梗死患者和动物模型的认知功能。2种药物组合的脑保护作用可能与减弱脑组织损伤、抑制神经元凋亡、促进血管生成有关。     

十八碳二烯酸对神经胶质瘤细胞增殖与凋亡的影响及其机制

目的:探索十八碳二烯酸(ODA)抑制神经胶质瘤细胞增殖与促凋亡作用及其机制。方法:取培养的人神经胶质瘤细胞(细胞密度2×10⁶ cells/L)分为溶剂对照组(给予DMSO,含量为30μl/L)、5-FU组(含量10 mg/L)和十八碳二烯酸组(设0.3、0.6、1.2 mg/L三个剂量组)。用台盼蓝、噻唑蓝(MTT)检测ODA对神经胶质瘤细胞的毒性作用,用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测神经胶质瘤细胞P53、PI3K、P21、PKB/Akt、caspase-9蛋白表达水平。结果:(1)光学显微镜细胞计数显示：ODA低、中、高剂量组和5-FU组细胞增殖抑制率比溶剂对照组显著升高(P<0.01),与5-FU组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(2)MTT检测结果显示：与溶剂对照组相比,ODA低、中、高剂量组和5-FU组细胞增殖抑制率显著升高(P<0.01);与5-FU组相比,仅ODA高剂量组细胞增殖抑制率显著增加(P<0.01)。(3)流式细胞仪检测结果显示：与溶剂对照组相比,ODA低、中、高剂量组和5-FU组G₀/...     

间充质干细胞外泌体在阿尔兹海默症治疗中的研究进展

阿尔兹海默症（AD）是一种病理机制复杂,以进行性认知功能障碍为主的中枢神经系统疾病,目前仍缺乏有效的治疗方法。多项研究结果显示,间充质干细胞（MSCs）外泌体能够促进抗炎、调节免疫功能、加强Aβ降解、促进神经细胞轴突生长等,能很好地针对AD的核心病理机制发挥效果从而达到治疗效果。本文主要介绍MSCs外泌体在各项AD病理机制治疗中的研究进展。     

The db mutation improves memory in younger mice in a model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease, while obesity is a major global public health problem associated with the metabolic disorder type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Chronic obesity and T2DM have been identified as invariant risk factors for dementia and late-onset AD, while their impacts on the occurrence and development of AD remain unclear. As shown in our previous study, the diabetic mutation (db, Lepr^db/db) induces mixed or vascular dementia in mature to middle-aged APP^ΔNL/ΔNL x PS1^P264L/P264L knock-in mice (db/AD). In the present study, the impacts of the db mutation on young AD mice at 10 weeks of age were evaluated. The db mutation not only conferred young AD mice with severe obesity, impaired glucose regulation and activated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the mouse cortex, but lead to a surprising improvement in memory. At this young age, mice also had decreased cerebral Aβ content, which we have not observed at older ages. This was unlikely to be related to altered Aβ synthesis, as both β- and γ-secretase were unchanged. The db mutation also reduced the cortical IL-1β mRNA level and IBA1 protein level in young AD mice, with no significant effect on the activation of microglia and astrocytes. We conclude that the db mutation could transitorily improve the memory of young AD mice, a finding that may be partially explained by the relatively improved glucose homeostasis in the brains of db/AD mice compared to their counterpart AD mice, suggesting that glucose regulation could be a strategy for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like AD.     

B-GOS对阿尔茨海默病转基因小鼠认知行为和抑郁情绪的影响*

目的: 观察新型低聚半乳糖(B-GOS)对APP/PS1/tau阿尔茨海默病转基因小鼠认知行为和抑郁情绪的影响。方法: 选用5月龄雄性APP/PS1/tau AD转基因小鼠和C57BL/6J对照小鼠,分为C57+Vehicle组、C57+B-GOS组、APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组和APP/PS1/tau+B-GOS组,每组10只。B-GOS连续给予5个月后,依次采用旷场实验、新物体识别实验、Y迷宫实验、Morris水迷宫实验、悬尾实验、强迫游泳实验和条件恐惧实验,检测各组小鼠的认知行为表现和抑郁情绪变化。结果: ① 旷场实验:APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组小鼠在旷场中央区域的活动时间百分比显著低于C57+Vehicle组小鼠(P＜0.01),经过B-GOS干预后显著升高(P＜0.05)。② 新物体识别实验:APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组小鼠的新物体识别指数(NOI)显著低于C57+Vehicle组小鼠(P＜0.01), 经过B-GOS干预后显著升高(P＜0.05)。③ Y迷宫实验:APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组小鼠的自发交替正确率显著低于C57+Vehicle组小鼠(P＜0.01),经过B-GOS干预后显著升高(P＜0.01)。④ 经典水迷宫实验:APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组小鼠在第4日和第5日的逃避潜伏期显著长于C57+Vehicle组小鼠(P＜0.01),经过B-GOS干预后均显著缩短(P＜0.05);在空间探索阶段,APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组小鼠的目标象限游泳时间百分比和穿越平台次数均显著低于C57+Vehicle组小鼠(P＜0.01),经过B-GOS干预后均显著增加(P＜0.01)。⑤ 悬尾试验和强迫游泳实验:APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组小鼠的不动时间百分比均显著高于C57+Vehicle组小鼠(P＜0.01),经过B-GOS干预后均显著降低(P＜0.01)。⑥ 条件恐惧实验:在条件刺激(CS)作用前,各组小鼠的僵直比率无统计学差异(P＞0.05)。CS作用后,APP/PS1/tau+Vehicle组小鼠的僵直比率显著低于C57+Vehicle 组小鼠(P＜0.01),经过B-GOS干预后均显著上升(P＜0.01)。结论: B-GOS能够较大程度地逆转APP/PS1/tau小鼠的认知行为损伤,并减轻其抑郁情绪。     

Dementia model mice exhibited improvements of neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as cognitive dysfunction with neural cell transplantation

Elderly patients with dementia suffer from cognitive dysfunctions and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as anxiety and depression. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a form of age-related dementia, and loss of cholinergic neurons is intimately associated with development of AD symptoms. We and others have reported that neural cell transplantation ameliorated cognitive dysfunction in AD model mice. It remains largely unclear whether neural cell transplantation ameliorates the NPS of AD. It would be interesting to determine whether NPS correlates with cognitive dysfunctions before and after neural cell transplantation in AD model mice. Based on the revalidation of our previous data from a Morris water maze test, we found that neural cell transplantation improved anxiety and depression significantly and marginally affected locomotion activity in AD mice. A correlation analysis revealed that the spatial learning function of AD mice was correlated with their NPS scores both before and after cell transplantation in a similar manner. In contrast, in the mice subjected to cell transplantation, spatial reference memory function was not correlated with NPS scores. These results suggested the neural cell transplantation in the AD model mice significantly improved NPS to the same degree as cognitive dysfunctions, possibly via distinct mechanisms, such as the cholinergic and GABAergic systems.     

Inhibition of Rac1-dependent forgetting alleviates memory deficits in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease

Accelerated forgetting has been identified as a feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the therapeutic efficacy of the manipulation of biological mechanisms of forgetting has not been assessed in AD animal models. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), a small GTPase, has been shown to regulate active forgetting in Drosophila and mice. Here, we showed that Rac1 activity is aberrantly elevated in the hippocampal tissues of AD patients and AD animal models. Moreover, amyloid-beta 42 could induce Rac1 activation in cultured cells. The elevation of Rac1 activity not only accelerated 6-hour spatial memory decay in 3-month-old APP/PS1 mice, but also significantly contributed to severe memory loss in aged APP/PS1 mice. A similar age-dependent Rac1 activity-based memory loss was also observed in an AD fly model. Moreover, inhibition of Rac1 activity could ameliorate cognitive defects and synaptic plasticity in AD animal models. Finally, two novel compounds, identified through behavioral screening of a randomly selected pool of brain permeable small molecules for their positive effect in rescuing memory loss in both fly and mouse models, were found to be capable of inhibiting Rac1 activity. Thus, multiple lines of evidence corroborate in supporting the idea that inhibition of Rac1 activity is effective for treating AD-related memory loss.     

Adenovirus 36 improves glycemic control and markers of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. While the causes of AD are unclear, several risk factors have been identified, including impaired glycemic control, which significantly increases the risk of cognitive decline and AD. In vitro and in vivo studies show that human adenovirus 36 (Ad36) improves glycemic control by increasing cellular glucose uptake in cells, experimental animal models and in humans who are naturally exposed to the virus. This study, tested improvement in glycemic control by Ad36 and delay in onset of cognitive decline in APPswe transgenic mice (Tg2576 line), a model of genetic predisposition to impaired glycemic control and AD. Three-month old APPswe mice were divided into Ad36 infected (Ad36) or mock infected (control) groups and baseline glycemic control measured by glucose tolerance test (GTT) prior to infection. Changes in glycemic control were determined 10- and 24-week post infection. Serum insulin was also measured during GTT. Cognition was determined by Y-maze test, while motor coordination and skill acquisition by rotarod test. Glycemic control as determined by GTT showed less deterioration in Ad36 infected mice over time, accompanied by a significant attenuation of cognitive decline. Analysis of brain tissue lysate showed significantly reduced levels of amyloid beta 42 in Ad36 mice relative to control mice. Golgi-Cox staining analysis also revealed reduced dendritic spines and synaptic gene expression in control mice compared to Ad36 infected mice. This proof of concept study shows that in a mouse model of AD, Ad36 improves glycemic control and ameliorates cognitive decline.     

Acetylation as a major determinant to microtubule-dependent autophagy: Relevance to Alzheimer's and Parkinson disease pathology

Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) that potentiate protein aggregation have been implicated in several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In fact, Tau and alpha-synuclein (ASYN) undergo several PTMs potentiating their aggregation and neurotoxicity.Recent data posits a role for acetylation in Tau and ASYN aggregation. Herein we aimed to clarify the role of Sirtuin-2 (SIRT2) and HDAC6 tubulin deacetylases as well as p300 acetyltransferase in AD and PD neurodegeneration. We used transmitochondrial cybrids that recapitulate pathogenic alterations observed in sporadic PD and AD patient brains and ASYN and Tau cellular models.We confirmed that Tau protein and ASYN are microtubules (MTs)-associated proteins (MAPs). Moreover, our results suggest that α-tubulin acetylation induced by SIRT2 inhibition is functionally associated with the improvement of MT dynamic determined by decreased Tau phosphorylation and by increased Tau/tubulin and ASYN/tubulin binding. Our data provide a strong evidence for a functional role of tubulin and MAPs acetylation on autophagic vesicular traffic and cargo clearance. Additionally, we showed that an accumulation of ASYN oligomers imbalance mitochondrial dynamics, which further compromise autophagy. We also demonstrated that an increase in Tau acetylation is associated with Tau phosphorylation. We found that p300, HDAC6 and SIRT2 influences Tau phosphorylation and autophagic flux in AD. In addition, we demonstrated that p300 and HDAC6 modulate Tau and Tubulin acetylation.Overall, our data disclose the role of Tau and ASYN modifications through acetylation in AD and PD pathology, respectively. Moreover, this study indicates that MTs can be a promising therapeutic target in the field of neurodegenerative disorders in which intracellular transport is altered.     

Endometrial stem cell transplantation restores dopamine production in a Parkinson’s disease model

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Adult human endometrial derived stem cells (HEDSC), a readily obtainable type of mesenchymal stem‐like cell, were used to generate dopaminergic cells and for transplantation. Cells expressing CD90, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)‐Rβ and CD146 but not CD45 or CD31 were differentiated in vitro into dopaminergic neurons that exhibited axon projections, pyramidal cell bodies and dendritic projections that recapitulate synapse formation; these cells also expressed the neural marker nestin and tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate‐limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. Whole cell patch clamp recording identified G‐protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium current 2 channels characteristic of central neurons. A 1‐methyl 4‐phenyl 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydro pyridine induced animal model of PD was used to demonstrate the ability of labelled HEDSC to engraft, migrate to the site of lesion, differentiate in vivo and significantly increase striatal dopamine and dopamine metabolite concentrations. HEDSC are a highly inducible source of allogenic stem cells that rescue dopamine concentrations in an immunocompetent PD mouse model.     

Novel MicroRNA-455-3p and its protective effects against abnormal APP processing and amyloid beta toxicity in Alzheimer's disease

The purpose of our study is to understand the protective role of miR-455-3p against abnormal amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, defective mitochondrial biogenesis/dynamics and synaptic damage in AD progression. In-silico analysis of miR-455-3p has identified the APP gene as a putative target. Using mutant APP cells, miR-455-3p construct, biochemical and molecular assays, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses, we studied the protective effects of miR-455-3p on – 1) APP regulation, amyloid beta (Aβ)(1–40) & (1–42) levels, mitochondrial biogenesis & dynamics; 3) synaptic activities and 4) cell viability & apoptosis. Our luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding of miR-455-3p at the 3’UTR of APP gene. Immunoblot, sandwich ELISA and immunostaining analyses revealed that the reduced levels of the mutant APP, Aβ(1–40) & Aβ(1–42), and C99 by miR-455-3p. We also found the reduced levels of mRNA and proteins of mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1α, NRF1, NRF2, and TFAM) and synaptic genes (synaptophysin and PSD95) in mutant APP cells; on the other hand, mutant APP cells that express miR-455-3p showed increased mRNA and protein levels of biogenesis and synaptic genes. Additionally, expression of mitochondrial fission proteins (DRP1 and FIS1) were decreased while the fusion proteins (OPA1, Mfn1 and Mfn2) were increased by miR-455-3p. Our TEM analysis showed a decrease in mitochondria number and an increase in the size of mitochondrial length in mutant APP cells transfected with miR-455-3p. Based on these observations, we cautiously conclude that miR-455-3p regulate APP processing and protective against mutant APP-induced mitochondrial and synaptic abnormalities in AD.     

A dynamical model for the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical oscillatory activity and its implications in Parkinson’s disease

We propose to investigate brain electrophysiological alterations associated with Parkinson’s disease through a novel adaptive dynamical model of the network of the basal ganglia, the cortex and the thalamus. The model uniquely unifies the influence of dopamine in the regulation of the activity of all basal ganglia nuclei, the self-organised neuronal interdependent activity of basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits and the generation of subcortical background oscillations. Variations in the amount of dopamine produced in the neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta are key both in the onset of Parkinson’s disease and in the basal ganglia action selection. We model these dopamine-induced relationships, and Parkinsonian states are interpreted as spontaneous emergent behaviours associated with different rhythms of oscillatory activity patterns of the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network. These results are significant because: (1) the neural populations are built upon single-neuron models that have been robustly designed to have eletrophysiologically-realistic responses, and (2) our model distinctively links changes in the oscillatory activity in subcortical structures, dopamine levels in the basal ganglia and pathological synchronisation neuronal patterns compatible with Parkinsonian states, this still remains an open problem and is crucial to better understand the progression of the disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11571-020-09653-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.