Activation of σ-1 receptor mitigates estrogen withdrawal-induced anxiety/depressive-like behavior in mice via restoration of GABA/glutamate signaling and neuroplasticity in the hippocampus
By Peng Ren, Jing-Ya Wang, Hong-Lei Chen, Yue Wang, Lin-Yu Cui, Jing-Yao Duan, Wen-Zhi Guo, Yong-Qi Zhao, and Yun-Feng Li Excerpt from the article published in Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, Volume 154, Issue 4, April 2024, Pages 236-245, ISSN 1347-8613, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphs.2024.02.003. Abstract Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. […]
Continue ReadingSigma-1 receptor activation mediates the sustained antidepressant effect of ketamine in mice via increasing BDNF levels
By Hui Ma, Jin-feng Li, Xin Qiao, Yue Zhang, Xiao-juan Hou, Hai-xia Chang, Hong-lei Chen, Yong Zhang, and Yun-feng Li Excerpt from the article published in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 45, 704–713 (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41401-023-01201-8 Abstract Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is a unique multi-tasking chaperone protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. Since S1R agonists exhibit potent antidepressant-like activity, […]
Continue ReadingSigma receptor ligands are potent anti-prion compounds that act independently of sigma receptor binding
By Robert C. C. Mercer, Nhat T. T. Le, Mei C. Q. Houser, Aaron B. Beeler, and David A. Harris Excerpt from the article published in bioRxiv 2023.11.28.569035; November 29, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.11.28.569035 Editor’s Highlights Abstract Prion diseases are invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other animals for which there are no treatment options. Previous work from […]
Continue ReadingSchizophrenia Synaptic Pathology and Antipsychotic Treatment in the Framework of Oxidative and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Translational Highlights for the Clinics and Treatment
By Giuseppe De Simone, Benedetta Mazza, Licia Vellucci, Annarita Barone, Mariateresa Ciccarelli, and Andrea de Bartolomeis Excerpt from the article published in Antioxidants 12, 21 April 2023, no. 4: 975. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12040975 Editor’s Highlights Abstract Schizophrenia is a worldwide mental illness characterized by alterations at dopaminergic and glutamatergic synapses resulting in global dysconnectivity within and between […]
Continue ReadingGut microbiota from sigma-1 receptor knockout mice induces depression-like behaviors and modulates the cAMP/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway
By Jia-Hao Li, Jia-Li Liu, Xiu-Wen Li, Yi Liu, Jian-Zheng Yang, Li-Jian Chen, Kai-Kai Zhang, Xiao-Li Xie, and Qi Wang Excerpt from the article published in Frontiers in Microbiology, 06 April 2023, Sec. Evolutionary and Genomic Microbiology, Volume 14 – 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1143648 Editor’s Highlights Abstract Introduction: Depression is a common mental disorder that affects approximately 350 […]
Continue ReadingGender and Neurosteroids: Implications for Brain Function, Neuroplasticity, and Rehabilitation
By Loredana Raciti, Caterina Formica, Gianfranco Raciti, Angelo Quartarone, and Rocco Salvatore Calabrò Excerpt from the article published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(5):4758. 1 March 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054758 Editor’s Highlights Abstract Neurosteroids are synthesized de novo in the nervous system; they mainly moderate neuronal excitability, and reach target cells via the […]
Continue ReadingSSRIs differentially modulate the effects of pro-inflammatory stimulation on hippocampal plasticity and memory via sigma 1 receptors and neurosteroids
By Yukitoshi Izumi, Angela M. Reiersen, Eric J. Lenze, Steven J. Mennerick, and Charles F. Zorumski Excerpt from the article published in Translational Psychiatry 13, 39, 03 February 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02343-3 Editor’s Highlights Abstract Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models, and recent clinical studies suggest that fluvoxamine can prevent deterioration […]
Continue ReadingSigma-1 Receptor as a Protective Factor for Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Dysfunction via Regulating Astrocytic Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrion Contact and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
By Mengyu Du, Tao Jiang, Shuxuan He Bo Cheng, Xin Zhang, Liya Li, Lan Yang, Wei Gao, Yansong Li, and Qiang Wang Excerpt from the article published in Cells 2023, 12(1), 197; 3 January 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12010197 Editor’s Highlights Abstract The prevalence of diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) has increased to 13.5%. Dementia, as the most severe DACD, […]
Continue ReadingProtein Misfolding and Aggregation in the Brain: Common Pathogenetic Pathways in Neurodegenerative and Mental Disorders
By Aleksandra Ochneva, Yana Zorkina, Olga Abramova, Olga Pavlova, Valeriya Ushakova, Anna Morozova, Eugene Zubkov, Konstantin Pavlov, Olga Gurina, and Vladimir Chekhonin Excerpt from the article published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23, no. 22: 14498. 21 November 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232214498 Editor’s Highlights Abstract Mental disorders represent common brain diseases characterized by substantial impairments of […]
Continue ReadingNeurexin1α knockout rats display oscillatory abnormalities and sensory processing deficits back-translating key endophenotypes of psychiatric disorders
By Philipp Janz, Marie Bainier, Samuel Marashli, Philipp Schoenenberger, Miguel Valencia, and Roger L. Redondo Excerpt from the article published in Translational Psychiatry volume 12, Article number: 455, 28 October 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02224-1 Editor’s Highlights Neurexins (NRXNs) are a large family of cell adhesion proteins that play a central role in synapse maturation and organization […]
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