Mulling the Marijuana Munchies: How the Brain Flips the Hunger Switch
The “munchies,” or that uncontrollable urge to eat after using marijuana, appear to be driven by neurons in the brain that are normally involved in suppressing appetite, according to a new study. [Press release from Yale University discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release|Abstract
Labeling of Active Neural Circuits In Vivo with Designed Calcium Integrators
Scientists designed a fluorescent sensor, CaMPARI, that combines the genetic targetability and quantitative link to neural activity of genetically encoded calcium indicators with the permanent, large-scale labeling of immediate early genes, allowing a temporally precise “activity snapshot” of a large tissue volume. [Science] Abstract|Press Release
Stem Cell Transplantation Reverses Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction
Scientists showed that chronic cyclophosphamide treatment induced significant performance-based decrements on behavioral tasks designed to interrogate hippocampal and cortical function. In transplanted animals, grafted cells survived and differentiated along neuronal and astroglial lineages, where improved cognition was associated with reduced neuroinflammation and enhanced host dendritic arborization. [Cancer Res] Abstract|Press Release
Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy in Mutant hAPP Neurons and Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Brains
Scientists revealed that Parkin-mediated mitophagy is robustly induced in mutant hAPP neurons and Alzheimer’s disease patient brains. In the absence of mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation reagents, hAPP neurons exhibit increased recruitment of cytosolic Parkin to depolarized mitochondria. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract
Targeting Cyclin D3/CDK6 Activity for Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Researchers investigated the effects of two histone deacetylase inhibitors, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and sodium butyrate, and the m-TOR inhibitor rapamycin on cell viability and cyclin D3/CDK6 activity. The potential neuroprotective action of these drugs was evaluated in 6-hydroxy-dopamine treated dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells and primary rat mesencephalic cultures. [J Neurochem] Abstract
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