Institute of Psychology,Chinese Academy Of Sciences
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SELF ADMINISTRATION OF OXYCODONE BY ADOLESCENT AND ADULT MICE AFFECTS STRIATAL NEUROTRANSMITTER RECEPTOR GENE EXPRESSION
No full textIllicit use of prescription opioid analgesics (e.g., oxycodone) in adolescence is a pressing public health issue. Our goal was to determine whether oxycodone self administration differentially affects striatal neurotransmitter receptor gene expression in the dorsal striatum of adolescent compared to adult C57BL/6J mice. Groups of adolescent mice (4 weeks old, n=12) and of adult mice (11 weeks old, n=11) underwent surgery during which a catheter was implanted into their jugular veins. After recovering from surgery, mice self administered oxycodone (0.25 mg/kg/infusion) 2 h/day for 14 consecutive days or served as yoked saline controls. Mice were sacrificed within 1 h after the last self- administration session and the dorsal striatum was isolated for mRNA analysis. Gene expression was analyzed with real time PCR using a commercially available neurotransmitter receptor PCR array containing 84 genes. We found that adolescent mice self administered less oxycodone than adult mice over the 14 days. Monoamine oxidase A (Maoa) and neuropeptide Y receptor 5 mRNA levels were lower in adolescent mice than in adult mice without oxycodone exposure. Oxycodone self administration increased Maoa mRNA levels compared to controls in both age groups. There was a positive correlation of the amount of oxycodone self administered in the last session or across 14 sessions with Maoa mRNA levels. Gastrinreleasing peptide receptor mRNA showed a significant Drug x Age interaction, with point- wise significance. More genes in the dorsal striatum of adolescents (19) changed in response to oxycodone self administration compared to controls than in adult (4) mice. Overall, this study demonstrates that repeated oxycodone self administration alters neurotransmitter receptors gene expression in the dorsal striatum of adolescent and adult mice. (C) 2013 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Working memory and affective decision-making in addiction: A neurocognitive comparison between heroin addicts, pathological gamblers and healthy controls
No full textBackground: Cognitive deficits are observed both in heroin dependence and in pathological gambling (PG) on various tasks. PG, as a non-substance addiction, is free of toxic consequences of drug use. Therefore a direct neurocognitive comparison of heroin addicts and pathological gamblers helps dissociate the consequences of chronic heroin use on cognitive function from the cognitive vulnerabilities that predispose addiction
Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on the Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 3, 4 and Their Signalling Transduction Factors in the NG108-15 Murine Neuroglial Cell Line
No full textAs one of the most important components of Panax ginseng, ginsenoside Rg1 has certain anti-aging effects, improving the activity of learning and memory. Studies have showed that ginsenoside Rg1 improves the memory impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 were investigated through the activity of toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, TLR4 and their signaling transduction pathways in amyloid beta peptide 25-35 (A beta(25-35)) induced AD cell model. Thus we investigated several critical components of the TLR pathway. The neuroglial cell line NG108-15 was stimulated with or without A beta(25-35), while different concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1 were administered. After 24 h, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-beta (IFN-beta) in cell supernatant and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cell lysate supernatant were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The mRNA and protein expression of TLR3, TLR4, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6) were detected by real-time PCR and western blot methods, respectively. The experimental results showed that A beta(25-35) could markedly raise the level of TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha and iNOS, and increase the expressions of mRNA and TLR3, TLR4, NF-kappa B and TRAF-6 protein in the NG108-15 cells. At the same time, the ginsenoside Rg1 significantly reduced the expressions of proteins and mRNA of TLR3, TLR4, NF-kappa B and TRAF-6, and down-regulated the levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha of cell supernatant and iNOS of cell lysate supernatant in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rg1 has good activity for suppressing the signaling transduction pathway of TLR3 and TLR4, and decreasing the inflammation factors induced by A beta(25-35) in NG108-15 cells, and this may be the mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 action in AD treatment, but more studies are needed to identify its specificity
Connectivity trajectory across lifespan differentiates the precuneus from the default network
No full textThe default network of the human brain has drawn much attention due to its relevance to various brain disorders, cognition, and behavior. However, its functional components and boundaries have not been precisely defined. There is no consensus as to whether the precuneus, a hub in the functional connectome, acts as part of the default network This discrepancy is more critical for brain development and aging studies: it is not clear whether age has a stronger impact on the default network or precuneus, or both. We used Generalized Ranking and Averaging Independent Component Analysis by Reproducibility (gRAICAR) to investigate the lifespan trajectories of intrinsic functional networks. By estimating individual-specific spatial components and aligning them across subjects, gRAICAR measures the spatial variation of component maps across a population without constraining the same components to appear in every subject In a cross-lifespan fMRI dataset (N = 126, 7-85 years old), we observed stronger age dependence in the spatial pattern of a precuneus-dorsal posterior cingulate cortex network compared to the default network, despite the fact that the two networks exhibit considerable spatial overlap and temporal correlation. These results remained even when analyses were restricted to a subpopulation with very similar head motion across age. Our analyses further showed that the two networks tend to merge with increasing age. Post-hoc analyses of functional connectivity confirmed the distinguishable cross-lifespan trajectories between the two networks. Based on these observations, we proposed a dynamic model of cross-lifespan functional segregation and integration between the two networks, suggesting that the precuneus network may have a different functional role than the default network, which declines with age. These findings have implications for understanding the functional roles of the default network, gaining insight into its dynamics throughout life, and guiding interpretation of alterations in brain disorders. Published by Elsevier Inc
信息推送-美加州：Cal-BRAIN计划致力于创造新一代技术群集
No full textThe kavli foundation
美加州：Cal-BRAIN计划致力于创造新一代技术群集
6月20日，加利福尼亚州州长Jerry Brown签署了一项州预算法案，划拨200万美元建立加利福尼亚神经科学先进创新研究蓝图（California Blueprint for Research to Advance Innovations in Neuroscience，Cal-BRAIN）计划。
Cal-BRAIN是对联邦BRAIN计划的补充，其目的是加速推动包括新技术研发在内的大脑图谱测绘技术。由加州大学圣地亚哥分校（University of California, San Diego，UCSD）负责协调组织。Cal-BRAIN将为理解大脑以及所有类型脑疾病的诊断和治疗带来革命性创新。力图在更精密的空间尺度和更准确的时间维度上让我们“看见”大脑中正在发生的事情，Cal-BRAIN旨在解决困扰从儿童到无家可归者在内的每一个人的精神问题，如自闭症、阿尔茨海默症、帕金森氏病和PTSD等等。
UCSD脑活动图谱中心（Center for Brain Activity Mapping）主任、科维理心智与脑研究所（Kavli Institute for Mind and Brain）副所长Ralph Greenspan与劳伦斯伯克利国家实验室（Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory）主任、科维理能源纳米科学研究所（Kavli Energy Nanosciences Institute）所长Paul Alivisatos合作为加州大学理事会和州立法机构撰写了一项即将入法的法案建议。该建议提出在加州南部和北部，即UCSD和伯克利实验室建立组织核心，便于协调研究活动、简化交流，以及从私人和产业合作伙伴处获得额外资助。
Cal-BRAIN和联邦BRAIN都期望不仅仅在学术方面获得突破，更加希望能产生基于新一代神经技术（neurotechnology）的工业簇集（cluster）。大脑测绘所必须的工具和相应发明将非常有可能在疾病监测领域获得广泛应用，甚至在大脑以外更甚至在健康以外领域有所作为。
UCSD校长Pradeep K. Khosla表示，该校将像以往在高技术和清洁技术等领域取得成绩一样，致力于发展神经技术领域的新一代技术集群，产生高薪就业机会和世界瞩目的成果。基于该校在神经科学和生物技术领域的优势，Pradeep K. Khosla表示对于即将产生伴有巨大社会效应的突破性研究十分有信心。
科维理脑与心智研究所副所长、神经生物学与认知科学教授Greenspan表示，对于实现为大脑数万亿神经连接实时测绘这一终极目标而言，Cal-BRAIN将是一个伟大的开始。
原文标题：Cal-BRAIN Kickstarts California Efforts to Map the Brain
原文链接：
http://www.kavlifoundation.org/kavli-news/cal-brain-kickstarts-california-efforts-map-brain
检索日期：2014年6月25日<br /
信息推送-英国和澳大利亚如何评估研究的影响力
No full text《卫报》评论
英国和澳大利亚如何评估研究的影响力
正值12月末即将发布2014版研究卓越框架（Research Excellence Framework，REF）之际，全世界科研评估人员都将目光投向英国。
2014版REF是对全英高等教育机构研究质量进行评估的项目。REF的前身——研究评估考核（Research Assessment Exercise，RAE）自1986年启动大约每5年开展一次，评估结果用于指导大学研究经费分配。
今年的评估将建立在以下3个标准上：科研产出质量；科研环境活力；研究的广泛影响力。2014版REF中对研究广泛影响力的评估占了总数的20%，并且在未来有可能增加至25%。
英国是全世界第一个尝试根据研究的广泛社会影响力来分配资金的国家。而在2012年，澳大利亚一个高等教育机构小组曾经开展过一个小范围试验性影响力评估项目——澳大利亚卓越创新影响评估试验（Excellence in innovation for Australia impact assessment trial ，EIA）。兰德公司的兰德欧洲部（RAND Europe）曾经评估过EIA，现在该部门正在参与2014版REF影响力元素的过程评价。
那么从英国和澳大利亚的评估方法比较中我们能了解到什么呢？
影响力时滞
REF和EIA对影响力的定义是相似的：都是从更广泛的社会、文化、经济和环境收益角度来评价研究。但是，影响力发生作用通常是在研究开展很久以后才产生的。REF和EIA都已认识到这一点，在评估中将研究影响力通常提前15年，EIA中如有特殊原因甚至可以提前更多。
然而事实是，我们并不确切知道时滞到底是或者应该是多久；兰德欧洲部已经在生物医学科学的不同领域研究过从研究获得成果到发挥影响之间的时滞，一般是15到20年。
影响力领域
在英国，一个评估个案作者可以提出多种类型的影响力。与之不同的是，澳大利亚的评估是限定在特定影响力范畴，如定义为“社会-经济目标”，例如对国防的影响力，或者对经济的影响力。对不同类型影响力分开评价可能会限制所要评估的影响力的水平，并且事先就对何种类型影响力适用于评估做出规定也会产生偏见。
来自产业与慈善机构的评审专家
两国的评估人员均由高等教育体系内外成员构成。其中，产业、商业与慈善机构等作为研究的使用者他们对于影响力的评价是至关重要的。
在REF和EIA，全部影响力评估均有体系外研究使用者参与，不过两国在评估影响力时这部分人员所占比重不同：澳大利亚占了70%，而英国只有32%。这一现象可能反映了评估规模：前者有162个研究要评审，而后者评估了6975个。多方观点的融合十分必要，理想的平衡点是未来评估的重头戏。
评估呈现顺序
考虑到信息获取顺序的不同，英国和澳大利亚在描述影响力时的个案研究模板是不同的。在EIA，影响力描述部分在前，然后是相关支持研究；REF模板采用了按时间先后顺序叙述的方式，在描述结果部分的影响力前聚焦于支持性研究。两种方式各有利弊。
评估的信度
研究者很可能会质疑评审团队是否能够对众多研究项目的巨大多样化影响力进行有效评估。基于笔者对EIA的研究以及评审团队的报告，评估者可以对诸如证据的质量、影响力发生的背景与环境，甚至写作质量等各元素做出释疑，最终对个案加以区别和等级划分。
注：RAE (Research Assessment Exercise)是由英格兰高等教育基金委员会（Higher Education Funding Council， HEFCE)、苏格兰基金委员会（Funding Council，SFC)、威尔士高等教育基金委员会（Higher Education Funding Council，HEFCW)和北爱尔兰就业与学习部（Department for Employment and Learning，DEL)等四个高等教育基金委员会联合评出的，目的是对由这四个高等教育基金委员会提供科研经费的大学及教育机构的科研水平和科研贡献做出评估，也为以后对这些学校的资金支持力度提供指导，所以这项评选的结果对于英国大学来说至关重要。
原文标题：Measuring Impact: How Australia and the UK Are Tackling Research Assessment
原文链接：
http://www.rand.org/blog/2014/12/measuring-impact-how-australia-and-the-uk-are-tackling.html
检索日期：2014-12-11
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Acute Aerobic Exercise Increases Cortical Activity during Working Memory: A Functional MRI Study in Female College Students
No full textThere is increasing evidence that acute aerobic exercise is associated with improved cognitive function. However, neural correlates of its cognitive plasticity remain largely unknown. The present study examined the effect of a session of acute aerobic exercise on working memory task-evoked brain activity as well as task performance. A within-subjects design with a counterbalanced order was employed. Fifteen young female participants (M = 19.56, SD = 0.81) were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a working memory task, the N-back task, both following an acute exercise session with 20 minutes of moderate intensity and a control rest session. Although an acute session of exercise did not improve behavioral performance, we observed that it had a significant impact on brain activity during the 2-back condition of the N-back task. Specifically, acute exercise induced increased brain activation in the right middle prefrontal gyrus, the right lingual gyrus, and the left fusiform gyrus as well as deactivations in the anterior cingulate cortexes, the left inferior frontal gyrus, and the right paracentral lobule. Despite the lack of an effect on behavioral measures, significant changes after acute exercise with activation of the prefrontal and occipital cortexes and deactivation of the anterior cingulate cortexes and left frontal hemisphere reflect the improvement of executive control processes, indicating that acute exercise could benefit working memory at a macro-neural level. In addition to its effects on reversing recent obesity and disease trends, our results provide substantial evidence highlighting the importance of promoting physical activity across the lifespan to prevent or reverse cognitive and neural decline
Lesions of the posterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus attenuate fear expression
No full textThe paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) has generated interest because of its strong projections to areas of the brain associated with the regulation of emotional behaviors. The posterior aspect of the PVT (pPVT) is notable for its projection to the central nucleus of the amygdala which is essential for the expression of a conditioned fear response. The present study was done to determine if the pPVT is involved in the expression of fear by examining the effect of post conditioning lesions of the pPVT. Male rats were trained to bar press for food pellets on a variable ratio schedule. Fear conditioning was done using auditory tones (30 s) that co-terminate with footschocks (0.65 mA, 1.0 s). Rats were anesthetized 24 h later and small bilateral electrolytic lesions of the pPVT were made. Fear expression to the tone was assessed using suppression of bar-pressing and freezing after one week of recovery from the surgical procedure. Small bilateral lesions of the pPVT increased bar-pressing for food and decreased freezing during the presentation of the conditioned tone. Lesions of the pPVT had no effect on fear extinction, fear conditioning to a novel tone, or the motivation for food as assessed using a progressive ratio (PR) schedule. The results of the experiment support a role for the pPVT in fear expression. In contrast, the pPVT does not appear to be involved in fear learning or extinction nor does it appear to play a role in the motivation of rats to bar press for food
Altered local activity and functional connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex in elderly individuals with subthreshold depression
No full textThe anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is recognized as a key structure in the pathogenesis of depression. This study aimed to investigate the resting-state regional activity and functional connectivity of the ACC in a community sample of elderly individuals with subthreshold depression (StD). We employed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to acquire data from 19 elderly subjects with StD and 18 normal controls. We used a regional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analysis and a correlation-based functional connectivity (FC) approach to explore changes in local activity and remote connectivity of the ACC in StD. Compared to controls, the StD group demonstrated increased ALFF in the anterior portion of the dorsal ACC (adACC). The adACC also displayed increased PC with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and supplementary motor area and decreased PC with several subcortical regions. The FC levels of the adACC displayed a trending correlation with self-reported depressive symptoms. This study is the first to reveal the ACC changes in resting-state activity and connectivity in the elderly with StD, suggesting that altered ALFF/FC of the adACC is an important feature of StD. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved
Driving anger in China: Psychometric properties of the Driving Anger Scale (DAS) and its relationship with aggressive driving
No full textIn this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Driving Anger Scale (DAS; Deffenbacher, Oetting, & Lynch, 1994) and its relationship with aggressive driving in Chinese context. A total of 411 drivers from five cities in China completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the fit of the original six-dimension solution was good. Chinese drivers reported lower level of anger than their American counterparts on all six subscales, as well as New Zealand and Spanish drivers on discourtesy and illegal driving. No gender effects were revealed on driving anger. Those drivers reporting a higher level of anger on some subscales tended to be younger, from a more congested city, reporting a lower weekly mileage, and more experienced. The overall driving anger was significantly related to aggressive driving. Further relative importance analysis showed that anger from slow driving, police presence and hostile gestures contributed to most of variances in aggressive driving. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
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