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Mendoza-Ramírez JL, Aguilar-Roblero R, Zainos-Rosales A, Drucker-Colín R. Fetal substantia nigra and adrenal medullary grafts placed contralateral to the nigrostriatal lesion side induce a decrease in turning behavior but not in dopamine receptor density. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2012; 3:177-85. [PMID: 21551635 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-1991-3402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Motor asymmetries as well as changes in the density of postsynaptic dopamine receptors produced by unilateral denervation of the striatum have been reduced by both substantia nigra (SN) and adrenal medullary (AM) grafts. Since to this date all studies have placed the grafts on the side ipsilateral to the lesion, the purpose of this study was to determine whether similar effects can be obtained when grafts are placed contralateral to the denervated side. The results of this study showed that 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats followed up to 150 days with contralaterally placed intraventricular fetal substantia nigra grafts and fetal adrenal medulla grafts have a reduction of turning behavior of 41% and 34% respectively. However, contrary to ipsilateral grafts no normalization of dopamine receptor density as measured by [3H]spiperone autoradiography was observed 6 months after SN grafts, however, after AM grafts normalization did occur except in the anterior portion of the striatum. These results suggest that the compensatory motor changes induced by the grafted tissues could be mediated by mechanisms unrelated to changes in receptor density.
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Ambriz-Tututi M, Sánchez-González V, Drucker-Colín R. Transcranial magnetic stimulation reduces nociceptive threshold in rats. J Neurosci Res 2012; 90:1085-95. [PMID: 22315163 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate or inhibit nerve cells in the brain noninvasively. TMS induces an electromagnetic current in the underlying cortical neurons. Varying frequencies and intensities of TMS increase or decrease excitability in the cortical area directly targeted. It has been suggested that TMS has potential in the treatment of some neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and depression. Initial case reports and open label trials reported by several groups support the use of TMS in pain treatment. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of TMS on the nociceptive threshold in the rat. The parameters used were a frequency of 60 Hz and an intensity of 2 and 6 mT for 2 hr twice per day. After 5 days of TMS treatment, rats were evaluated for mechanical, chemical, and cold stimulation. We observed a significant reduction in the nociceptive threshold in TMS-treated rats but not in sham-treated rats in all behavioral tests evaluated. When TMS treatment was stopped, a slow recovery to normal mechanic threshold was observed. Interestingly, i.c.v. MK-801 or CNQX administration reverted the TMS-induced pronociception. The results suggest that high-frequency TMS can alter the nociceptive threshold and produce allodynia in the rats; results suggest the involvement of NMDA and AMPA/KA receptors on TMS-induced allodynia in the rat.
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De la Herrán-Arita AK, Drucker-Colín R. Models for narcolepsy with cataplexy drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2012; 7:155-64. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2012.651454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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García-Montes JR, Boronat-García A, Drucker-Colín R. Pharmacological strategies for Parkinson’s disease. Health (London) 2012. [DOI: 10.4236/health.2012.431174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Ambriz-Tututi M, Sánchez-González V, Drucker-Colín R. Chromaffin cell transplant in spinal cord reduces secondary allodynia induced by formalin in the rat. Role of opioid receptors and α2-adrenoceptors. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 668:147-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Revised: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Lueneberg K, Domínguez G, Arias-Carrión O, Palomero-Rivero M, Millán-Aldaco D, Morán J, Drucker-Colín R, Murillo-Rodríguez E. Cellular viability effects of fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition on cerebellar neurons. Int Arch Med 2011; 4:28. [PMID: 21854612 PMCID: PMC3171300 DOI: 10.1186/1755-7682-4-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid anandamide (ANA) participates in the control of cell death inducing the formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the ANA degrading enzyme, the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), would induce cellular death. Experiments were performed in cerebellar granule neurons cultured with the FAAH inhibitor, URB597 (25, 50 or 100 nM) as well as endogenous lipids such as oleoylethanolamide (OEA) or palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and cellular viability was determined by MTT test. Neurons cultured with URB597 (25, 50 or 100 nM) displayed a decrease in cellular viability. In addition, if cultured with OEA (25 nM) or PEA (100 nM), cellular death was found. These results further suggest that URB597, OEA or PEA promote cellular death.
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Murillo-Rodríguez E, Palomero-Rivero M, Millán-Aldaco D, Arias-Carrión O, Drucker-Colín R. Administration of URB597, oleoylethanolamide or palmitoylethanolamide increases waking and dopamine in rats. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20766. [PMID: 21779318 PMCID: PMC3136458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) are amides of fatty acids and ethanolamine named N-acylethanolamines or acylethanolamides. The hydrolysis of OEA and PEA is catalyzed by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). A number of FAAH inhibitors that increase the levels of OEA and PEA in the brain have been developed, including URB597. In the present report, we examined whether URB597, OEA or PEA injected into wake-related brain areas, such as lateral hypothalamus (LH) or dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN) would promote wakefulness (W) in rats. Methodology and Principal Findings Male Wistar rats (250–300 g) were implanted for sleep studies with electrodes to record the electroencephalogram and electromyogram as well as a cannulae aimed either into LH or into DRN. Sleep stages were scored to determine W, slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). Power spectra bands underly neurophysiological mechanisms of the sleep-wake cycle and provide information about quality rather than quantity of sleep, thus fast Fourier transformation analysis was collected after the pharmacological trials for alpha (for W; α = 8–12 Hz), delta (for SWS; δ = 0.5–4.0 Hz) and theta (for REMS; θ = 6.0–12.0 Hz). Finally, microdialysis samples were collected from a cannula placed into the nucleus accumbens (AcbC) and the levels of dopamine (DA) were determined by HPLC means after the injection of URB597, OEA or PEA. We found that microinjection of compounds (10, 20, 30 µg/1 µL; each) into LH or DRN during the lights-on period increased W and decreased SWS as well as REMS and enhanced DA extracellular levels. Conclusions URB597, OEA or PEA promoted waking and enhanced DA if injected into LH or DRN. The wake-promoting effects of these compounds could be linked with the enhancement in levels of DA and indirectly mediated by anandamide.
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De la Herrán-Arita AK, Guerra-Crespo M, Drucker-Colín R. Narcolepsy and orexins: an example of progress in sleep research. Front Neurol 2011; 2:26. [PMID: 21541306 PMCID: PMC3082766 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2011.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurodegenerative disease caused by a deficiency of orexin-producing neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. It is clinically characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and by intrusions into wakefulness of physiological aspects of rapid eye movement sleep such as cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations. The major pathophysiology of narcolepsy has been recently described on the bases of the discovery of the neuropeptides named orexins (hypocretins) in 1998; considerable evidence, summarized below, demonstrates that narcolepsy is the result of alterations in the genes involved in the pathology of the orexin ligand or its receptor. Deficient orexin transmission is sufficient to produce narcolepsy, as we describe here, animal models with dysregulated orexin signaling exhibit a narcolepsy-like phenotype. Remarkably, these narcoleptic models have different alterations of the orexinergic circuit, this diversity provide us with the means for making comparison, and have a better understanding of orexin-cell physiology. It is of particular interest that the most remarkable findings regarding this sleep disorder were fortuitous and due to keen observations. Sleep is a highly intricate and regulated state, and narcolepsy is a disorder that still remains as one of the unsolved mysteries in science. Nevertheless, advances and development of technology in neuroscience will provide us with the necessary tools to unravel the narcolepsy puzzle in the near future. Through an evaluation of the scientific literature we traced an updated picture of narcolepsy and orexins in order to provide insight into the means by which neurobiological knowledge is constructed.
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Arias-Carrión O, Palomero-Rivero M, Millán-Aldaco D, Haro R, Drucker-Colín R, Murillo-Rodríguez E. Infusion of modafinil into anterior hypothalamus or pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus at different time-points enhances waking and blocks the expression of recovery sleep in rats after sleep deprivation. Exp Neurol 2011; 229:358-63. [PMID: 21385582 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2010] [Revised: 02/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Clinical studies have indicated that the primary pharmacological activity of modafinil (MOD) is inducing wakefulness; however, the brain targets that underlie its wake-promoting activity have not been described. In the present study, we show that MOD injected into sleep-wake related brain areas promoted alertness. If administered (10, 20, or 30 μg/1 μL) into either anterior hypothalamus (AH) or pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) at 08:00, 12:00 or 16:00 h, MOD enhanced wakefulness whereas diminished slow wave sleep as well as rapid eye movement sleep. In addition, microinjection of MOD (10, 20, or 30 μg/1 μL) either into AH or PPTg after total sleep deprivation prevented the sleep rebound. Taken together, these observations suggest that AH and PPTg play a key role in the wake-inducing effects of MOD and encourage further experimentation to draw a possible mechanism of action.
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Murillo-Rodríguez E, Palomero-Rivero M, Millán-Aldaco D, Mechoulam R, Drucker-Colín R. Effects on sleep and dopamine levels of microdialysis perfusion of cannabidiol into the lateral hypothalamus of rats. Life Sci 2011; 88:504-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Revised: 12/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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González-García N, Armony JL, Soto J, Trejo D, Alegría MA, Drucker-Colín R. Effects of rTMS on Parkinson’s disease: a longitudinal fMRI study. J Neurol 2011; 258:1268-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-011-5923-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2010] [Revised: 12/25/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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García-García F, De la Herrán-Arita AK, Juárez-Aguilar E, Regalado-Santiago C, Millán-Aldaco D, Blanco-Centurión C, Drucker-Colín R. Growth hormone improves hippocampal adult cell survival and counteracts the inhibitory effect of prolonged sleep deprivation on cell proliferation. Brain Res Bull 2011; 84:252-7. [PMID: 21256199 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2010] [Revised: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Sleep deprivation (SD) produces numerous deleterious changes in brain cells, including apoptosis. It has been demonstrated that growth hormone (GH) stimulates cell growth and counteracts apoptosis, although this anti-apoptotic effect has not been tested against SD. To determine the protective effect of GH administration on cell proliferation and survival in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus after sleep deprivation; we injected Wistar adult rats with a low dose of recombinant human GH (rhGH 5 ng/kg) per seven days and then we gently sleep deprived the animals for 48 consecutive hours. 5-Bromodeoxiuridine (BrdU) was administered to assess cell proliferation after the GH treatment and NeuN was used as marker of cell fate. Our results indicate that GH produced a three fold increase in the number of BrdU positive cells within the DG [Control = 1044 ± 106.38 cells, rhGH = 2952 ± 99.84 cells, P<0.01]. In contrast, 48 h of SD significantly reduced cell proliferation but this effect was antagonized by the GH administration [SD = 540 ± 18.3 cells, rhGH + SD = 1116 ± 84.48 cells, P<0.004]. Paradoxically, SD and GH administration increased cell survival separately but no significantly compared with control animals. However, cell survival was increased in animals treated with rhGH+SD compared to rats injected with saline solution [P<0.04]. Within the survival cells, the percentage of neurons was higher in SD animals [95%] compared with saline group, while this percentage (NeuN positive cells) was increased in animals treated with rhGH+SD [120%] compared with rhGH [25%] alone. Our findings indicate that GH strongly promotes cell proliferation in the adult brain and also protects the hippocampal neuronal precursors against the deleterious effect of prolonged sleep loss.
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Túnez I, Drucker-Colín R, Montilla P, Peña J, Jimena I, Medina FJ, Tasset I. Protective effect of nicotine on oxidative and cell damage in rats with depression induced by olfactory bulbectomy. Eur J Pharmacol 2009; 627:115-8. [PMID: 19887066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.10.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2009] [Revised: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 10/14/2009] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the effects of nicotine on cell and oxidative damage caused by olfactory bulbectomy (OBX). The rats were divided into seven groups as follows: i) control; ii) vehicle (6% ethanol); iii) treated with nicotine; iv) sham operated; v) olfactory bulbectomy (OBX); vi) OBX+vehicle; and vii) OBX+Nic. The OBX was performed using the trepanation of frontal bone. The olfactory bulbs were cut and removed without damage to the frontal cortex. Two weeks after surgery nicotine was administered chronically once daily for 14 days, intraperitoneally (i.p.) in doses of 1.5 mg/kg, two weeks after surgery. OBX caused an increase in lipid peroxidation products and caspase-3 but prompted a reduction in reduced glutathione (GSH) content and antioxidative enzyme activity. All these changes were reverted by treatment of nicotine (14 days). In conclusions: i) OBX induces oxidative stress and cell death by apoptosis; and ii) nicotine presents antidepressant and antioxidant effect. All these findings suggest that nicotine would be a therapeutic tool for depression, although more studies are needed in this area to define the appropriate treatment regime.
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Murillo-Rodríguez E, Millán-Aldaco D, Palomero-Rivero M, Mechoulam R, Drucker-Colín R. The nonpsychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is a wake-inducing agent. Behav Neurosci 2008; 122:1378-82. [DOI: 10.1037/a0013278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Murillo-Rodríguez E, Millán-Aldaco D, Di Marzo V, Drucker-Colín R. The anandamide membrane transporter inhibitor, VDM-11, modulates sleep and c-Fos expression in the rat brain. Neuroscience 2008; 157:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.08.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2008] [Revised: 08/26/2008] [Accepted: 08/27/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Murillo-Rodríguez E, Vázquez-Luis E, Millán-Aldaco D, Haro R, Drucker-Colín R. Promoting of wakefulness by administrations of modafinil into anterior hypothalamus and into the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus in rats. Neurosci Lett 2008; 436:283-7. [PMID: 18403119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2007] [Revised: 03/03/2008] [Accepted: 03/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether administration of MOD in rats during the lights-on period into wake-promoting areas, such as anterior hypothalamus (AH) or into the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) would enhance waking. Results showed that microinjections of 1 microL of MOD (10, 20, or 30 microg) into both brain areas increased the total time of alertness and decreased sleep. Additionally, MOD-treated rats showed an enhancement in alpha power spectra but delta power spectra was diminished. Finally, c-Fos expression was found increased into either AH or the PPTg. Collectively, these results suggest that MOD induces waking via the activity of two wake-related brain areas such as AH and the PPTg.
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Arias-Carrión O, Drucker-Colín R. [Neurogenesis as a therapeutic strategy to regenerate central nervous system]. Rev Neurol 2007; 45:739-745. [PMID: 18075989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the past few years, it has been demonstrated that the adult mammalian brain maintains the capacity to generate new neurons from neural stem/progenitor cells. These new neurons integrate into pre-existing systems through a process referred to as 'neurogenesis in the adult brain'. DEVELOPMENT This discovery has modified our understanding of how the central nervous system functions in health and disease. Until today, a great effort has been made attempting to decipher the mechanisms regulating adult neurogenesis, which might help to induce neuronal endogenous cell replacement in various neurological diseases. CONCLUSIONS In this revision, we will attempt to shed some light on the neurogenesis process with respect to diseases of the central nervous system and we will describe some therapeutic potentials in relation to neurodegenerative diseases.
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Moreno-Coutiño A, Calderón-Ezquerro C, Drucker-Colín R. Long-term changes in sleep and depressive symptoms of smokers in abstinence. Nicotine Tob Res 2007; 9:389-96. [PMID: 17365770 DOI: 10.1080/14622200701188901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have evaluated the impact of smoking cessation on objective measures of sleep. The present study assessed the long-term effects of tobacco smoking abstinence on sleep and depression. A total of 15 chronic smokers with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores of less than 9 were evaluated. Subjects were screened for baseline data when they were smoking chronically. They underwent a 5-week psychological treatment for tobacco smoking, after which their depressive symptoms and sleep architecture were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of abstinence. We report the results of the seven patients who completed 1 year of evaluations and of those patients who achieved only partial abstinence. Polysomnographic recordings were taken, level of depression was measured with the HAM-D, and urinary cotinine levels also were evaluated. HAM-D scores were analyzed with and without sleep items. Nicotine abstinence reduced latency to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increased HAM-D scores, suggesting that chronic smokers have depressive symptoms that may be controlled by nicotine administration.
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Arias-Carrión O, Olivares-Buñuelos T, Drucker-Colín R. [Neurogenesis in the adult brain]. Rev Neurol 2007; 44:541-50. [PMID: 17492613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The discovery that new neurons continue to be generated in the adult brain has modified the concept of brain plasticity and has brought to light new mechanisms that ensure the homeostasis of the nervous system. DEVELOPMENT Neurogenesis, that is to say, the process involving the generation of new neurons, has been shown to occur in the hippocampus and in the olfactory bulb in adult mammals, which suggests that neuronal stem cells persist throughout the entire lifespan. The primary precursors have been identified in specialised regions called neurogenic niches. Interestingly, the cells that give rise to the new neurons in the adult brain express markers for glial cells, a cell lineage that is a long way from that of neurons. Studies conducted during the development of the brain have shown that radial glial cells not only give rise to astrocytes but also neurons, oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells. In addition, it is known that radial glial cells are also the precursors of neuronal stem cells in the adult brain. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these data support the idea that stem cells develop from a neuroepithelial-glial radial-astrocytic lineage. Thus, identifying the primary precursors, both in the developing brain and in the adult brain, is essential to understand the functioning of the nervous system and, from there, to develop strategies for neuronal replacement in the adult brain when needed.
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Fernandez-Ruiz J, Velásquez-Perez L, Díaz R, Drucker-Colín R, Pérez-González R, Canales N, Sánchez-Cruz G, Martínez-Góngora E, Medrano Y, Almaguer-Mederos L, Seifried C, Auburger G. Prism adaptation in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. Neuropsychologia 2007; 45:2692-8. [PMID: 17507059 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2006] [Revised: 03/26/2007] [Accepted: 04/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), develop severe pontine nuclei, inferior olives, and Purkinje cell degeneration. This form of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia is accompanied by progressive ataxia and dysarthria. Although the motor dysfunction is well characterized in these patients, nothing is known about their motor learning capabilities. Here we tested 43 SCA2 patients and their matched controls in prism adaptation, a kind of visuomotor learning task. Our results show that their pattern of brain damage does not entirely disrupt motor learning. Rather, patients had impaired adaptation decrement, but surprisingly a normal aftereffect. Moreover, the mutation degree could discriminate the degree of adaptation. This pattern could reflect the net contribution of two adaptive mechanisms: strategic control and spatial realignment. Accordingly, SCA2 patients show an impaired strategic control that affects the adaptation rate, but a normal spatial realignment measured through the aftereffect. Our results suggest that the neural areas subserving spatial realignment are spared in this form of spinocerebellar ataxia.
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Murillo-Rodríguez E, Haro R, Palomero-Rivero M, Millán-Aldaco D, Drucker-Colín R. Modafinil enhances extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and increases wakefulness in rats. Behav Brain Res 2006; 176:353-7. [PMID: 17098298 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2006.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2006] [Revised: 10/03/2006] [Accepted: 10/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Modafinil (MOD) is a wakefulness-promoting drug that improves the alertness levels in narcolepsy; however, the molecular mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. We found that after a single icv injection of MOD (10 microg/5 microl) the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) and l-DOPA collected from the nucleus accumbens were increased and decreased, respectively. Separately, the icv administration of MOD (10 microg/5 microl) to rats enhanced wakefulness (W) whereas diminished sleep during 4h. Lastly, the alertness induced by MOD was partially antagonized by the sleep-inducing endocannabinoid anandamide (ANA). We conclude that MOD enhances the extracellular levels of DA, promotes W and its effects on sleep are partially blocked by ANA.
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Túnez I, Montilla P, del Carmen Muñoz M, Medina FJ, Drucker-Colín R. Effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation on oxidative stress induced by 3-nitropropionic acid in cortical synaptosomes. Neurosci Res 2006; 56:91-5. [PMID: 16837092 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2006.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2006] [Revised: 05/02/2006] [Accepted: 05/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluates the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS; 60 Hz and 0.7 mT) treatment on 3-nitropropionic acid (20 mg/kg i.p./day for 4 days)-induced oxidative stress in cortical synaptosomes of Wistar rats. The oxidative derangement was confirmed by a high level of lipid peroxidation products and protein carbonyls, together with a decreased in reduced glutathione (GSH) content, catalase and GSH-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. Additionally, it was observed a reduction in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. All changes were partially prevented or reversed by administration of TMS. These results show that TMS reduces oxidative stress in cortical synaptosomes, and suggest that TMS may protect neuronal and maintain synaptic integrity.
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Murillo-Rodríguez E, Millán-Aldaco D, Palomero-Rivero M, Mechoulam R, Drucker-Colín R. Cannabidiol, a constituent ofCannabis sativa, modulates sleep in rats. FEBS Lett 2006; 580:4337-45. [PMID: 16844117 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.04.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2006] [Revised: 04/10/2006] [Accepted: 04/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two major constituents of Cannabis sativa. Delta(9)-THC modulates sleep, but no clear evidence on the role of CBD is available. In order to determine the effects of CBD on sleep, it was administered intracerebroventricular (icv) in a dose of 10 microg/5 microl at the beginning of either the lights-on or the lights-off period. We found that CBD administered during the lights-on period increased wakefulness (W) and decreased rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). No changes on sleep were observed during the dark phase. Icv injections of CBD (10 microg/5microl) induced an enhancement of c-Fos expression in waking-related brain areas such as hypothalamus and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRD). Microdialysis in unanesthetized rats was carried out to characterize the effects of icv administration of CBD (10 microg/5 microl) on extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) within the nucleus accumbens. CBD induced an increase in DA release. Finally, in order to test if the waking properties of CBD could be blocked by the sleep-inducing endocannabinoid anandamide (ANA), animals received ANA (10 microg/2.5 microl, icv) followed 15 min later by CBD (10 microg/2.5 microl). Results showed that the waking properties of CBD were not blocked by ANA. In conclusion, we found that CBD modulates waking via activation of neurons in the hypothalamus and DRD. Both regions are apparently involved in the generation of alertness. Also, CBD increases DA levels as measured by microdialysis and HPLC procedures. Since CBD induces alertness, it might be of therapeutic value in sleep disorders such as excessive somnolence.
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Arias-Carrión O, Drucker-Colín R, Murillo-Rodríguez E. Survival rates through time of hypocretin grafted neurons within their projection site. Neurosci Lett 2006; 404:93-7. [PMID: 16762505 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2006] [Revised: 04/07/2006] [Accepted: 05/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, inadvertent transitions from wakefulness to rapid eye movement sleep (so called "sleep-onset REMS period") and cataplexy (sudden bilateral skeletal muscle weakness during waking without impairment of consciousness). This disorder has been recently linked to a loss of hypocretin (HCRT) neurons making narcolepsy a neurodegenerative disease. Neuronal replacement could be used to reverse the symptoms of narcolepsy. Towards this end, we have recently reported that HCRT neurons from rat pups can survive when grafted into the pons of adult rats. Here, we investigate the time-course of survival of grafted HCRT neurons into the pons of adult rats. The HCRT neurons are present only in the lateral hypothalamus, and therefore suspension of cells from this region was derived from 8- to 10-day-old rat pups (donor), and grafted into the pons of adult (60 days old) host rats. Control rats received a transplant that consisted of cells from the cerebellum where no HCRT neurons are present. All adult host rats were sacrificed 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, or 36 days after grafting. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify and count the presence of the HCRT grafted neurons in the target area. The tally of HCRT neurons present in the graft zone 1 day post-grafting was considered to be the baseline. From day 3 to 36 post-transplant there was a steady decline in the number of HCRT neurons. We also noted that on day 36, the HCRT neurons that survived in the pons had morphological features that were similar to mature HCRT neurons in the adult lateral hypothalamus, suggesting that these neurons might be functionally active. Control rats that received grafts of cerebellar tissue did not show HCRT neurons in the target area. These results demonstrate that there is a progressive decline in the number of transplanted neurons, but a significant percentage of HCRT neurons do survive until day 36. This study highlights the potential use of transplants as a therapeutical tool in order to treat narcolepsy.
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Túnez I, Drucker-Colín R, Jimena I, Medina FJ, Muñoz MDC, Peña J, Montilla P. Transcranial magnetic stimulation attenuates cell loss and oxidative damage in the striatum induced in the 3-nitropropionic model of Huntington's disease. J Neurochem 2006; 97:619-30. [PMID: 16524377 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03724.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An investigation was conducted on the effect of transcranial magnetic field stimulation (TMS) on the free radical production and neuronal cell loss produced by 3-nitropropionic acid in rats. The effects of 3-nitropropionic acid were evaluated by examining the following changes in: the quantity of hydroperoxides and total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP), lipid peroxidation products, protein carbonyl groups, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities; total nitrite and cell death [morphological changes, quantification of neuronal loss and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels]. Our results reveal that 3-nitropropionic acid induces oxidative and nitrosative stress in the striatum, prompts cell loss and also shows that TMS prevents the harmful effects induced by the acid. In conclusion, the results show the ability of TMS to modify neuronal response to 3-nitropropionic acid.
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