1,721,013 research outputs found
Hebbian and homeostatic synaptic plasticity of AMPA receptors in epileptogenesis
Full text linkAMPA receptors' synaptic plasticity is involved in epileptogenesis. In this issue, Eiro et al.(1) demonstrate that Hebbian plasticity is responsible for increased AMPAR in focal seizures, while homeostatic plasticity induces the reduction of AMPAR in generalized onset seizures
Synaptic reshaping and neuronal outcomes in the temporal lobe epilepsy
Full text linkTemporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of focal epilepsy, character-ized by recurrent spontaneous seizures originating in the temporal lobe(s), with mesial TLE (mTLE) as the worst form of TLE, often associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Abnormal epileptiform discharges are the result, among others, of altered cell-to-cell communication in both chemical and electrical transmissions. Current knowledge about the neurobiology of TLE in human patients emerges from pathological studies of biopsy specimens isolated from the epileptogenic zone or, in a few more recent investigations, from living subjects using positron emission tomography (PET). To overcome limitations related to the use of human tissue, animal models are of great help as they allow the selection of homogeneous samples still presenting a more various scenario of the epileptic syndrome, the presence of a comparable control group, and the availability of a greater amount of tissue for in vitro/ex vivo investigations. This review provides an overview of the structural and functional alterations of synaptic connections in the brain of TLE/mTLE patients and animal models
Hippocampal and neocortical dynamics at physiological or febrile temperature are not modified in the pre-epileptic period in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome.
No full textHippocampal and neocortical dynamics at physiological or febrile temperature are not modified in the pre-epileptic period in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome
Preface to 'Advanced neurotechnologies: Translating innovation for health and well-being'
Full text linkWearable Electronics for Neurological Applications: A Review of Undergraduate Engineering Programmes
No full textNeuroscientists accept that we are indeed faced with an overwhelming challenge in understanding how the brain works. A better understanding of the brain will ultimately enable us to appreciate how well our students have grasped their learning materials. It will also enable us to diagnose and treat neurological disorders more effectively. Designing and developing the next generation of wearable devices is an important steppingstone towards this endeavor. Consequently, interdisciplinary efforts are required in co-creating educational materials that enable future neuro-engineers to develop these new devices. The aim of this article is to present a review of current undergraduate programmes that deal with this issue. Moreover, we provide recommendations for how new programmes in this field can be organized and delivered to ensure effective benefit for transnational students
Wohlfahrtiosis in italy: A case in a puppy and overview of geographical distribution
No full textThe report describes a case of urogenital myiasis in a puppy, Canis lupus familiaris (Carnivora: Canidae) caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Calabria, southern Italy. This species is an obligatory agent of myiasis in human and other warm-blooded vertebrates. The puppy was healthy and was not living near farm animals, usual hosts of this flesh fly. An overview of cases of human and animal myiasis caused by W. magnifica in Italy and of data and specimens documented in entomology museum collections is also reported
The increasing and evolving pediatric IBD: a single centre focus on “old” and “new” patients.
No full textImplantable and Wearable Neuroengineering Education: A Review of Postgraduate Programmes
Full text linkNeurological diseases (NDs) such as epilepsy, dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease currently affect almost two thirds of Europe's population. Furthermore, enormous financial commitments are required to deal with these diseases. Therefore, there is growing concern that countries with transitional economies may struggle to handle this financial burden, which warrants the urgent development of new technologies for early disease identification and treatment. Consequently, the aim of our article is to survey the range of postgraduate programmes that strive to nurture neuroengineering graduates who will excel in designing and developing implantable and wearable technologies for ND applications. Based on the basic building blocks of these technologies, we have identified four key areas that programmes need to cover, which include Neuroscience, Integrated Circuits, Communications and Signal Processing as well as Electronic Devices. According to our systematic review, a total of fifteen institutes satisfied our search criteria and provided the necessary neuroengineering training. The majority of these programmes are located in Europe and North America, which means that cross border and interdisciplinary efforts are required to develop educational programmes in countries most vulnerable to these diseases. We also provide recommendations for how these programmes can be delivered using non-traditional teaching approaches to ensure that graduates develop the necessary soft skills required by the constantly shifting job market
Editorial: Bridging the Gap between Integrative Neuroscience and Translational Neuroscience
Full text linkEffect of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine on wild-type and mutant neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors linked to nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy
No full textCarbamazepine (5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide) and oxcarbazepine (10,11-dihydro-10-oxo-5Hdibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide) are widely used for the treatment of partial epilepsy. Recent work
indicates that these drugs, in addition to targeting voltage-gated Na+ channels, can modulate ligand-gated channels. These compounds appear to be particularly effective for treatment of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, which can be caused by mutant neuronal nicotinic receptors. We compared the effects of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine on heteromeric nicotinic receptors to better understand the underlying
mechanism of the effect of these drugs in epileptic patients. Receptors were expressed in cell lines and studied by patch-clamp methods at −60 mV. For α2β4 receptors activated with 100 μM nicotine, IC50 for
carbamazepine was 49 μM. Receptors in which α2 was substituted with α2-I279N, linked to autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, had an IC50 of 21 μM. For oxcarbazepine, the IC50 was larger than
500 μM for wild-type receptors and approximately 100 μM for mutant receptors. A similar inhibition was observed in the presence of 10 μM nicotine, indicating a non-competitive mechanism. The monohydroxy
derivative (MHD) of oxcarbazepine, clinically the most relevant compound, was tested on both α2β4 and α4β2 receptors, to obtain a broader view of its possible physiological effects. At the typical concentration present in blood (100 μM), MHD produced an approximate 40% channel block on α4β2, but no significant effect on α2β4 receptors. Oxcarbazepine and MHD retarded the channel deactivation, suggesting that these compounds produce open channel block. These results may explain the particular efficacy of these drugs in nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy
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