Depression and adult neurogenesis: Positive effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine and of physical exercise

Potential role of hippocampal neurogenesis in spinal cord injury induced post-trauma depression

It has been reported both in clinic and rodent models that beyond spinal cord injury directly induced symptoms, such as paralysis, neuropathic pain, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and loss of sexual function, there are a variety of secondary complications, including memory loss, cognitive decline, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. The large-scale longitudinal population-based studies indicate that post-trauma depression is highly prevalent in spinal cord injury patients. Yet, few basic studies have been conducted to address the potential molecular mechanisms. One of possible factors underlying the depression is the reduction of adult hippocampal neurogenesis which may come from less physical activity, social isolation, chronic pain, and elevated neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury. However, there is no clear consensus yet. In this review, we will first summarize the alteration of hippocampal neurogenesis post-spinal cord injury. Then, we will discuss possible mechanisms underlie this important spinal cord injury consequence. Finally, we will outline the potential therapeutic options aimed at enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis to ameliorate depression.

Cognitive improvement in late-life depression treated with vortioxetine and duloxetine in an eight-week randomized controlled trial: The role of age at first onset and change in depressive symptoms

BACKGROUND

Age at first onset of depression as a clinical factor affecting cognitive improvement in late life depression was investigated.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of an eight-week randomized controlled trial involving 452 elderly patients treated by vortioxetine, duloxetine or placebo (1:1:1). Patients were subcategorized into early-onset (LLD-EO) and late-onset (LLD-LO) groups divided by onset age of 50. Cognitive performance was assessed by composite score of Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) tasks, while depressive symptoms were assessed by Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

RESULTS

Vortioxetine and duloxetine exhibited advantages versus placebo in improving cognitive performance in the LLD-LO group, yet not in the LLD-EO group after eight weeks. Patients in the LLD-EO group showed overall advantage to placebo in depressive symptoms before endpoint (week 8) of treatment, while patients in the LLO-LO group showed no advantage until endpoint. Path analysis suggested a direct effect of vortioxetine (B = 0.656, p = .036) and duloxetine (B = 0.726, p = .028) on improving cognition in the LLD-LO group, yet in all-patients treated set both medications improved cognition indirectly through changes of depressive symptoms.

LIMITATION

Reliability of clinical history could raise caution as it was collected by subjective recall of patients.

CONCLUSION

Age at first onset might affect cognitive improvement as well as change in depressive symptoms and its mediation towards cognitive improvement in late life depression treated with vortioxetine and duloxetine.

Esketamine Prevents Postoperative Emotional and Cognitive Dysfunction by Suppressing Microglial M1 Polarization and Regulating the BDNF-TrkB Pathway in Ageing Rats with Preoperative Sleep Disturbance

Postoperative depression (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) have placed heavy burden on patients' physical and mental health in recent years. Sleep disturbance before surgery is a common phenomenon that has been increasingly believed to affect patients' recovery, especially in aged patients, while little attention has been paid to sleep disruption before surgery and the potential mechanism remains ambiguous. Ketamine has been reported to attenuate POCD after cardiac surgery and elicit rapid-acting and sustained antidepressant actions. The present study aimed to clarify the effect of esketamine's (the S-enantiomer of ketamine) protective effects and possible mechanisms of action in POCD and POD. Our results showed that sleep disturbance before surgery exacerbated microglial M1 polarization and microglial BDNF-TrkB signalling dysfunction induced by surgery, resulting in postoperative emotional changes and cognitive impairments. Notably, treatment with esketamine reversed the behavioural abnormalities through inhibiting the M1 polarization of microglia and the inflammatory response thus improving BDNF-TrkB signalling in vivo and vitro. In addition, esketamine administration also reversed the impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity which has been perturbed by sleep disturbance and surgery. These findings warrant further investigations into the interplay of esketamine and may provide novel ideas for the implication of preoperative preparations and the prevention of postoperative brain-related complications.

Clinical effect of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride on mild-to-moderate depression

BACKGROUND

Depression is a common, chronic, and recurrent mood disorder that has become a worldwide health hazard. Fluoxetine hydrochloride, a common treatment method, can inhibit 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) recycling in the presynaptic membrane; however, the efficacy of a single drug is inadequate. At present, mild-to-moderate depression can be treated with acupuncture of ghost caves, but the clinical curative effect of combined therapy with fluoxetine hydrochloride has not been sufficiently reported.

AIM

To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 160 patients with mild-to-moderate depression who were admitted to Shanghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, between January 2022 and June 2023. Patients were separated into a single-agent group (fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment, n = 80) and a coalition group (fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment combined with acupuncture at ghost points, n = 80). Pre-treatment symptoms were recorded, and the clinical curative effect and adverse reactions [Asberg Antidepressant Side Effects Scale (SERS)] were assessed. Depression before and after treatment [Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD)-24], neurotransmitter levels [5-HT, norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA)], oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA)], and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were compared.

RESULTS

The total efficacy rate was 97.50% in the coalition group and 86.25% in the single-agent group (P < 0.05). After 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk of treatment, the HAMD, self-rating depression scale, and SERS scores of the coalition and single-agent groups decreased compared with pre-treatment, and the decrease was more significant in the coalition group (P < 0.05). After 8 wk of treatment, the levels of NE, DA, 5-HT, and SOD in the coalition and single-agent groups increased, while the levels of MDA decreased; the increases and decrease in the coalition group were more significant (P < 0.05). The PSQI scores of the coalition and single-agent groups decreased, and the decrease was more significant in the coalition group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture at ghost points combined with paroxetine tablets can safely improve depressive symptoms and sleep disorders, regulate neurotransmitter levels, and reduce stress responses in patients with mild-to-moderate depression.

Effect analysis of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with fluoxetine in the treatment of first-episode adolescent depression

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with fluoxetine in enhancing the early antidepressant response in first-episode adolescent depression cases, providing insights for patient diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

One hundred and thirty-five adolescents experiencing their first depressive episode were randomly assigned to either a sham group treated with fluoxetine or to low or high repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) groups receiving both rTMS and fluoxetine. Therapeutic effects were assessed by comparing changes in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) scores, cognitive function scores from the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Clinical Global Impression-improvement (CGI-I) scores, along with recording adverse reactions.

Results

The total effectiveness rate in the rTMS groups (Low, 95.56%; High, 97.78%) was significantly higher than in the Sham rTMS group (80%) (F = 11.15, P<0.0001). Post-treatment, not only the Low but also the High rTMS group exhibited more significant reductions in HAMD-17 (Low, 21.05; High, 21.45) and CGI-I scores (Low, 3.44; High, 3.60) compared to the Sham rTMS group (HAMD-17, 16.05; CGI-I, 2.57) (two weeks: F = 7.889, P = 0.0006; four weeks: F = 15.900, P<0.0001). Additionally, the two rTMS groups exhibited fewer erroneous responses and persistent errors in the WCST and completed more WCST categorizations than the Sham rTMS group. There was no significant difference in adverse reaction rates between the groups (F=4.421, P=0.0794).

Conclusions

The combination of fluoxetine with rTMS demonstrates enhanced therapeutic effectiveness in treating adolescent depression, effectively controlling disease progression, reducing depressive symptoms, and improving cognitive function, making it a valuable clinical approach.

Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Fluoxetine on Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease: Systematic Review

Fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed medication for depression, has been studied in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients for its effectiveness on cognitive symptoms. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the therapeutic potential of fluoxetine in cognitive decline in AD, focusing on its anti-degenerative mechanisms of action and clinical implications. According to PRISMA, we searched MEDLINE, up to 1 April 2024, for animal and human studies examining the efficacy of fluoxetine with regard to the recovery of cognitive function in AD. Methodological quality was evaluated using the ARRIVE tool for animal AD studies and the Cochrane tool for clinical trials. In total, 22 studies were analyzed (19 animal AD studies and 3 clinical studies). Fluoxetine promoted neurogenesis and enhanced synaptic plasticity in preclinical models of AD, through a decrease in Aβ pathology and increase in BDNF, by activating diverse pathways (such as the DAF-16-mediated, TGF-beta1, ILK-AKT-GSK3beta, and CREB/p-CREB/BDNF). In addition, fluoxetine has anti-inflammatory properties/antioxidant effects via targeting antioxidant Nrf2/HO-1 and hindering TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome. Only three clinical studies showed that fluoxetine ameliorated the cognitive performance of people with AD; however, several methodological issues limited the generalizability of these results. Overall, the high-quality preclinical evidence suggests that fluoxetine may have neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in AD animal models. While more high-quality clinical research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, fluoxetine is a promising potential treatment for AD patients. If future clinical trials confirm its anti-degenerative and neuroprotective effects, fluoxetine could offer a new therapeutic approach for slowing down the progression of AD.

The effectiveness of mind-body therapy and physical training in alleviating depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mind-body therapy (MBT) and/or physical training in alleviating depressive symptoms among adult cancer patients through a meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from up to October 21, 2023. Effect sizes, 95% confidence intervals, and other pertinent values were computed utilizing a random-effects model with Review Manager 5.3 and StataMP 14. The reporting of findings adhered to the guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The PROSPERO registration code for this review is 4,203,477,316.

RESULTS

10 randomized controlled trials (11 datasets) involving a total of 620 participants were selected for analysis. The results demonstrated that complementary therapies, encompassing MBT and physical training, were effective in alleviating depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients (SMD= -0.47; 95%CI: -0.87, -0.08; P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis indicate that physical training may effectively alleviate depressive symptoms (SMD= -0.72; 95%CI: -1.31, -0.13; P = 0.02), demonstrating moderate effect sizes. Conversely, MBT does not seem to significantly influence depressive symptoms (P = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Complementary therapy lasting four weeks or more, incorporating physical training and MBT, has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients. And physical training has a significant effect on depressive symptoms, while MBT has no effect. Nevertheless, given the constraints of the included studies, further research is required in the future to provide more robust evidence.

Simple and Complex Wheel Running Effect on Depression, Memory, Neuroinflammation, and Neurogenesis in Alzheimer's Rat Model

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate 12 wk of simple and complex voluntary wheel running on Alzheimer's disease (AD), associated biomarkers, and behaviors.

METHODS

Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: healthy control (Con-Sed), AD only (AD-Sed), simple wheel control (SWC), complex wheel control (CWC), simple wheel AD (SWAD), and complex wheel AD (CWAD). Novelty-suppressed feeding test and the Morris water maze test were used to evaluate depression and memory, respectively. Ki67 was measured in the hippocampus, whereas interleukin (IL)-1β and neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2) were measured in both the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test was performed.

RESULTS

AD-Sed group had significantly lower spacial memory ( P < 0.001) compared with Con-Sed. Simple and complex wheel running attenuated these deficits in the SWAD and CWAD groups, respectively ( P < 0.001). Only the CWAD group had significantly improved novelty-suppressed feeding test time compared with AD-Sed ( P < 0.001), equivalent to the healthy wheel running groups. AD-Sed has significantly higher hippocampal concentrations of Ki67 ( P = 0.01) compared with the Con-Sed. Both SWAD and CWAD had significantly reduced Ki67 with similar concentrations compared with the SWC and CWC groups ( P > 0.05). AD-Sed animals also presented with significantly higher hippocampal and prefrontal cortex concentrations of IL-1β compared with Con-Sed ( P < 0.001). SWAD and CWAD had no effect in changing these concentrations. Complex wheel running significantly increased NG2 in the healthy control and AD models, whereas simple wheel running significantly increased NG2 in the AD model.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study suggest that complex wheel running might be more advantageous in promoting memory and neuroplasticity while reducing depression that is associated with AD.

Preening cups in duck housing are associated with an increase in central dopamine activity that suggests a negative affective state

Preening cups are a form of environmental enrichment that provides Pekin ducks a semi-open water source to express their natural behaviors. We recently observed that preening cups may increase feather pecking behaviors in ducks. Thus, we set out to determine if this form of enrichment can impact the affective state of Pekin ducks. To accomplish this goal, we evaluated the effect of preening cups on serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) turnover via mass spectrometry and their respective synthetic enzyme gene expression via qRT-PCR. Our study investigated the link between aggressive pecking with levels and activity of brain 5-HT and DA. Brain 5-HT and DA levels and activity have been established for decades to be associated with affective states. Grow-out Pekin ducks (n = 260) were housed at Purdue and raised per industry standards. On day 18, brains were collected from ducks in pens before preening cups were placed (PRE, n = 6) and, again on day 43, in pens with (PC, n = 6) and without (CON, n = 6) preening cups. Brains were dissected into right and left halves, then further microdissected into 4 brain areas: caudal mesencephalon (CM), rostral mesencephalon (RM), diencephalon (DI), and forebrain (FB). The right hemisphere was used for mass spectrometry to determine the neurotransmitter concentration (ng/mg of tissue) and those concentrations were applied to neurotransmitter turnover equations. There were no differences across treatments for 5-HT turnover in any brain area. There were differences in DA turnover across age (P = 0.0067) in the CM and across treatments (P = 0.003) in the RM. The left hemisphere of the brain was used to perform qRT-PCR on the genes of 5-HT and DA production enzymes. Within the CM, day 43 duck brains had increased (P = 0.022) tryptophan hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase relative mRNA levels. All other brain areas showed no differences. Our data suggest that ducks housed with preening cups and that showed increased feather pecking are associated with increased brain DA activity. The increased DA in the brain may lead to a predisposition for increased aggression in the form of feather pecking.

Fluoxetine reverses early-life stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and region-specific alterations of monoamine transporters in female mice

The sex difference that females are more vulnerable to depression than males has been recently replicated in an animal model of early-life stress (ES) called the limited bedding and nesting material (LBN) paradigm. Adopting this animal model, we have previously examined the effects of ES on monoamine transporter (MATs) expression in stress-related regions in adult female mice, and the reversal effects of a novel multimodal antidepressant, vortioxetine. In this study, replacing vortioxetine with a classical antidepressant, fluoxetine, we aimed to replicate the ES effects in adult female mice and to elucidate the commonality and differences between fluoxetine and vortioxetine. We found that systemic 30-day treatment with fluoxetine successfully reversed ES-induced depression-like behaviors (especially sucrose preference) in adult female mice. At the molecular level, we largely replicated the ES effects, such as reduced serotonin transporter (SERT) expression in the amygdala and increased norepinephrine transporter (NET) expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. Similar reversal effects of fluoxetine and vortioxetine were observed, including SERT in the amygdala and NET in the mPFC, whereas different reversal effects were observed for NET in the hippocampus and vesicular monoamine transporters expression in the nucleus accumbens. Overall, these results demonstrate the validity of the LBN paradigm to induce depression-like behaviors in female mice, highlight the involvement of region-specific MATs in ES-induced depression-like behaviors, and provide insights for further investigation of neurobiological mechanisms, treatment, and prevention associated with depression in women.

The role of resveratrol in neurogenesis: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Resveratrol (RV) is a natural compound found in grapes, wine, berries, and peanuts and has potential health benefits-namely, neurogenesis improvement. Neurogenesis, which is the process through which new neurons or nerve cells are generated in the brain, occurs in the subventricular zone and hippocampus and is influenced by various factors. RV has been shown to increase neural stem cell proliferation and survival, improving cognitive function in hippocampus-dependent tasks. Thus, to provide a convergent and unbiased conclusion of the available evidence on the correlation between the RV and neurogenesis, a systematic review needs to be undertaken meticulously and with appropriate attention.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically review any potential connection between the RV and neurogenesis in animal models.

DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACTION

Based on the particular selection criteria, 8 original animal studies that investigated the relationship between RV and neurogenesis were included. Studies written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals with no restrictions on the starting date of publication on August 17, 2023, were searched in the Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Furthermore, data were extracted and analyzed independently by 2 researchers and then reviewed by a third researcher, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. This project followed PRISMA reporting standards.

DATA ANALYSIS

In the studies analyzed in this review, there is a definite correlation between RV and neurogenesis, meaning that RV intake, irrespective of the mechanisms thereof, can boost neurogenesis in both the subventricular zone and hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

This finding, albeit with some limitations, provides a plausible indication of RV's beneficial function in neurogenesis. Indeed, RV intake may result in neurogenesis benefits-namely, cognitive function, mood regulation, stress resilience, and neuroprotection, potentially preventing cognitive decline.

The impact of adult neurogenesis on affective functions: of mice and men

In most mammals, new neurons are not only produced during embryogenesis but also after birth. Soon after adult neurogenesis was discovered, the influence of recruiting new neurons on cognitive functions, especially on memory, was documented. Likewise, the late process of neuronal production also contributes to affective functions, but this outcome was recognized with more difficulty. This review covers hypes and hopes of discovering the influence of newly-generated neurons on brain circuits devoted to affective functions. If the possibility of integrating new neurons into the adult brain is a commonly accepted faculty in the realm of mammals, the reluctance is strong when it comes to translating this concept to humans. Compiling data suggest now that new neurons are derived not only from stem cells, but also from a population of neuroblasts displaying a protracted maturation and ready to be engaged in adult brain circuits, under specific signals. Here, we discuss the significance of recruiting new neurons in the adult brain circuits, specifically in the context of affective outcomes. We also discuss the fact that adult neurogenesis could be the ultimate cellular process that integrates elements from both the internal and external environment to adjust brain functions. While we must be critical and beware of the unreal promises that Science could generate sometimes, it is important to continue exploring the potential of neural recruitment in adult primates. Reporting adult neurogenesis in humankind contributes to a new vision of humans as mammals whose brain continues to develop throughout life. This peculiar faculty could one day become the target of treatment for mental health, cognitive disorders, and elderly-associated diseases. The vision of an adult brain which never stops integrating new neurons is a real game changer for designing new therapeutic interventions to treat mental disorders associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and social costs.

Physical Activity Is Associated with the Incidence of Depression in United States Adults from the NHANES 2013-18: A Cross-Sectional Study

The number of depression sufferers is rising globally. In the United States, 8% of adults over 20 years of age suffer from it, making it the most prevalent mental disorder in the country. Some lifestyle habits have been shown to favor or prevent the onset of depression; for instance, physical inactivity is associated with an increased likelihood of suffering depression, whilst multiple benefits have been attributed to performing physical activity (PA). This study aims to test whether there is a dependence between the prevalence of depression and PA, age, gender and educational level. The secondary objective was to identify the differentiating variables for depression and non-depression. This cross-sectional study is based on data from the NHANES 2013-2014, 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 editions. Some of the items in this survey were taken from preexisting questionnaires: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression screening and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) for the PA groups. The final sample was formed of 15,574 United States residents over 18 years old. After testing the data normality (p < 0.001), a descriptive analysis and the non-parametric chi-square test was conducted, as well as discriminant analysis. The results showed that there was an association between depression prevalence and PA (p < 0.001) in the general population and for both genders. Inactive participants had the highest prevalence of major depression and other depressive disorders. The discriminant analysis identified PA group (0.527), education level (0.761) and gender (-0.505) as significant variables that differentiate between participants with and without depression. The results of this research confirmed that a dependency relationship between PA group according to the GPAQ and depression prevalence according to the PHQ-9 existed in the United States adult population, and that PA group is a relevant variable to differentiate between depression sufferers and non-sufferers.

Establishment and Validation of a Transdermal Drug Delivery System for the Anti-Depressant Drug Citalopram Hydrobromide

To enhance the bioavailability and antihypertensive effect of the anti-depressant drug citalopram hydrobromide (CTH) we developed a sustained-release transdermal delivery system containing CTH. A transdermal diffusion meter was first used to determine the optimal formulation of the CTH transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS). Then, based on the determined formulation, a sustained-release patch was prepared; its physical characteristics, including quality, stickiness, and appearance, were evaluated, and its pharmacokinetics and irritation to the skin were evaluated by applying it to rabbits and rats. The optimal formulation of the CTH TDDS was 49.2% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K100M, 32.8% polyvinylpyrrolidone K30, 16% oleic acid-azone, and 2% polyacrylic acid resin II. The system continuously released an effective dose of CTH for 24 h and significantly enhanced its bioavailability, with a higher area under the curve, good stability, and no skin irritation. The developed CTH TDDS possessed a sustained-release effect and good characteristics and pharmacokinetics; therefore, it has the potential for clinical application as an antidepressant.

BDNF/CREB signaling pathway contribution in depression pathogenesis: A survey on the non-pharmacological therapeutic opportunities for gut microbiota dysbiosis

Emerging evidence supports the gut microbiota and the brain communication in general health. This axis may affect behavior through modulating neurotransmission, and thereby involve in the pathogenesis and/or progression of different neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cAMP response element-binding protein known as CREB/BDNF pathway plays have critical functions in the pathogenesis of depression as the same of mechanisms related to antidepressants. However, the putative causal significance of the CREB/BDNF signaling cascade in the gut-brain axis in depression remains unknown. Also interventions such as probiotics supplementation and exercise can influence microbiome also improve bidirectional communication of gut and brain. In this review we aim to explain the BDNF/CREB signaling pathway and gut microbiota dysfunction and then evaluate the potential role of probiotics, prebiotics, and exercise as a therapeutic target in the gut microbiota dysfunction induced depression. The current narrative review will specifically focus on the impact of exercise and diet on the intestinal microbiota component, as well as the effect that these therapies may have on the microbiota to alleviate depressive symptoms. Finally, we look at how BDNF/CREB signaling pathway may exert distinct effects on depression and gut microbiota dysfunction.

A novel NMDA receptor modulator: the antidepressant effect and mechanism of GW043

AIMS

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) has been proven to be strongly correlated with rapid antidepressant effects. Here, GW043, as a new compound targeting NMDAR, we explored its antidepressant effects and its mechanism of action.

METHODS

Our study utilized electrophysiological techniques to confirm the effect of GW043 on NMDAR currents. Additionally, we assessed the selectivity of GW043 through high-throughput receptor-ligand binding experiments. The antidepressant properties of GW043 were examined using rodent behavioral models including the Forced Swim Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST), and Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS). Mechanistic insight into GW043's onset was gained through western blot analysis, BrdU staining, Golgi staining, and electrophysiological techniques.

RESULTS

Electrophysiological studies indicated that GW043 acts as a partial agonist of NMDAR. Behavioral experiments confirmed the antidepressant effect of GW043 in rodents. Mechanistic investigations revealed that GW043 modulates synaptic plasticity through the LTP and BDNF-mTOR pathways, consequently leading to an increase in the number of newborn neurons and subsequent antidepressant effects.

CONCLUSION

Our findings disclose that GW043, as a partial agonist of NMDAR, can reverse depression-like behaviors in rats by modulating synaptic plasticity, indicating its potential as an antidepressant agent.

Fluoxetine removal by anodic oxidation using different anode materials and graphite cathode

Fluoxetine (FLX) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication commonly used to treat mental health disorders, but it can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of due to incomplete metabolism. In this study, electrochemical anodic oxidation with mixed metal oxide anodes was studied as a method to remove FLX from water and wastewater. Iridium dioxide-coated titanium (Ti/IrO2) and ruthenium dioxide-coated Ti (Ti/RuO2) electrodes were found to be more effective than platinum-coated Ti (Ti/Pt) electrodes, with removal efficiencies of 91.5% and 93.9%, respectively. Optimal conditions for FLX removal were determined to be an applied current of 150 mA, initial pH of 5, and oxidation time of 120 min. The rate of FLX degradation (kFLX) for the Ti/Pt, Ti/IrO2, and Ti/RuO2 electrodes were determined to be 0.0081 min-1 (R2:0,8161), 0.0163 min-1 (R2:0,9823), and 0.0168 (R2:0,9901) min-1 for 25 mg/L initial FLX concentration, respectively. The kFLX values varied based on the initial FLX concentration and decreased as the initial FLX concentration increased. The specific energy consumption (SEC) after 120 min of operation was 51.0 kWh/m3 for the Ti/Pt electrode, 39.6 kWh/m3 for the Ti/IrO2 electrode, and 48.6 kWh/m3 for the Ti/RuO2 electrode under optimised conditions. Overall, electrochemical anodic oxidation is an effective method for removing FLX from water and wastewater, with Ti/IrO2 and Ti/RuO2 electrodes providing superior performance compared to Ti/Pt electrodes.

miR-204-5p Plays a Critical Role in the Pathogenesis of Depression and Anti-depression Action of Venlafaxine in the Hippocampus of Mice

BACKGROUND

Venlafaxine has been demonstrated to treat diseases such as social anxiety disorder and depression. Most of antidepressants including venlafaxine have a certain effect, but significant side effects. Therefore, it is necessary for us to research the development of novel antidepressants for effective treatment in practice. MicroRNA-204 (miR-204) is highly expressed in brain tissue, and plays a critical role in the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons in rats. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of miR-204 remains unclear to date, this study aims to offer unique insights into depression and provide a theoretical basis for clinical physicians.

METHODS

A chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) was initially adopted for establishing a mice model of depression in this research and depression-like behaviors were evaluated by a series of behavioral experiments including the sucrose preference test (SPT), the tail suspension test (TST), the forced swim test (FST) and the social interaction test (SIT). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was also conducted to test the expression levels of miR-204 and BDNF in the hippocampus of mice. Finally, gene interference of miR-204-5p was further adopted to test whether miR-204-5p played an effective role in the antidepressant effects of venlafaxine in mice.

RESULTS

Our data implicated that CSDS significantly increased the miR-204-5p but not miR-204-3p levels in the hippocampus of mice. The treatment of venlafaxine obviously relieved depression- like behaviors of CSDS-induced mice. The usage of venlafaxine abolished the increasing effects on the expression of miR-204-5p but up-regulated the BDNF expression level in CSDS-exposured mice. More importantly, we found that genetic overexpression of miR-204-5p decreased the reverse effects of venlafaxine on depressive-like behaviors and genetic knockdown of hippocampal miR-204-5p relieved the depressive-like behaviors and neurogenesis in CSDS-induced mice.

CONCLUSION

miR-204-5p played an effective role in the antidepressant effects of venlafaxine in CSDS-induced mice.

GRP94 in cerebrospinal fluid may contribute to a potential biomarker of depression: Based on proteomics

The present study was designed to investigate potential biomarkers of depression and targets of antidepressants from the perspective of hippocampal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics. Firstly, a six-week depression model was established and treated with fluoxetine (FLX). We found antidepressant-FLX could ameliorate depression-like behaviors and cognition in depressed rats caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). FLX significantly increased neuronal numbers in dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3 regions of hippocampus. CSF proteome data revealed thirty-seven differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) co-regulated by CUMS and FLX, including GRP94 and EIF2α. Results of Gene Oncology (GO) annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment for DEPs mainly included PERK-mediated unfolded protein response, endoplasmic reticulum, and translational initiation. The expression levels of GRP94, p-PERK, p-EIF2α, CHOP and Caspase-12 were increased in hippocampus of CUMS rats, and FLX worked the opposite way. FLX had strong affinity and binding activity with GRP94 protein, and four key proteins on the PERK pathway (PERK, EIF2α, p-EIF2α, CHOP). We proposed that FLX may exert antidepressant effects and neuroprotective action by alleviating excessive activation of the hippocampal PERK pathway and reducing neuronal deficits in depressed rats. PERK, EIF2α, p-EIF2α, and CHOP may be potential targets for antidepressant-FLX. GRP94 in CSF may be a potential biomarker of depression and the therapeutic effects of antidepressants.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis: pharmacological mechanisms of antidepressant active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine

Depression is characterized by prominent indicators and manifestations, such as anhedonia, which refers to the inability to experience pleasure, and persistent feelings of hopelessness. In clinical practice, the primary treatment approach involves the utilization of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that these agents are associated with significant adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) adopts a multifaceted approach, targeting diverse components, multiple targets, and various channels of action. TCM has potential antidepressant effects. Anomalies in adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) constitute a pivotal factor in the pathology of depression, with the regulation of AHN emerging as a potential key measure to intervene in the pathogenesis and progression of this condition. This comprehensive review presented an overview of the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of active ingredients found in TCM. Through examination of recent studies, we explored how these ingredients modulated AHN. Furthermore, we critically assessed the current limitations of research in this domain and proposed novel strategies for preclinical investigation and clinical applications in the treatment of depression in future.

Metformin Improves Comorbid Depressive Symptoms in Mice with Allergic Rhinitis by Reducing Olfactory Bulb Damage

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a widespread disease that is frequently comorbid with depression. However, the mechanisms and treatments for depression in AR remain underexplored. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, has shown antidepressant effects. The aim of this study was to explore the effects and potential mechanisms of metformin on depression-like behaviors in an AR mouse model. In the present study, mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to induce AR. Results showed that mice with AR exhibited significant depression-like behavior which was attenuated by metformin. In addition, the levels of expression of synaptic plasticity markers (anti-microtubule-associated protein 2, synaptophysin, postsynaptic density protein 95), neurogenesis markers (doublecortin and Ki-67), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were decreased in the olfactory bulb (OB) of mice with AR, while metformin ameliorated all these alterations and reduced apoptosis in the OB of these mice. Furthermore, it enhanced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and the levels of ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in the OB. In conclusion, our findings suggest that metformin might be a viable strategy for treating AR-related depression, possibly by modulating neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, apoptosis, and BDNF signaling in the OB via the AMPK/TET2 pathway.

Role of senkyunolide I in the promotion of neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation via the Akt/β-catenin pathway

Following brain injury, neural stem cells (NSCs) can generate mature neurons and replace damaged cells. However, the capacity of endogenous NSCs to self-repair from injured brain is limited as most NSCs die before becoming mature neurons. Therefore, a boosting endogenous NSCs by pharmacological support offers the potential to repair the damaged brain. Recently, small molecules have hold considerable promise for neuron regeneration and repair as they can penetrate the blood-brain barrier easily. Senkyunolide I (SEI) is a bioactive constituent derived from traditional Chinese medicines Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, and was found to able to prevent ischemic stroke. This study examined the effects of SEI on the proliferation and neuronal lineage differentiation of prepared neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs). The NS/PC proliferation was determined by 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt, and neurosphere formation assays. The NS/PC differentiation was also investigated by immunocytochemistry, and western blotting was employed to measure phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) and GSK-3β (pGSK-3β), and active-β-catenin protein levels. We showed that the NS/PC proliferation was enhanced after SEI exposure. Elevated cell numbers were also observed in neurospheres, which were incubated with SEI for 3 days, whereas the NS/PC differentiation was decreased after SEI exposure for 5 days. Furthermore, SEI upregulated pAkt/Akt and active-β-catenin levels and increased NS/PC proliferation after SEI treatment was reversed by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. downregulated differentiated processes. Thus, SEI promoted the NS/PC proliferation and suppressed NS/PC differentiation into neurons and/or astrocytes, therefore SEI could be an interesting and promising candidate for stimulating NSCs.

Exploring the Role of Neuroplasticity in Development, Aging, and Neurodegeneration

Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to reorganize and modify its neural connections in response to environmental stimuli, experience, learning, injury, and disease processes. It encompasses a range of mechanisms, including changes in synaptic strength and connectivity, the formation of new synapses, alterations in the structure and function of neurons, and the generation of new neurons. Neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining brain function, including learning and memory, as well as in recovery from brain injury and adaptation to environmental changes. In this review, we explore the vast potential of neuroplasticity in various aspects of brain function across the lifespan and in the context of disease. Changes in the aging brain and the significance of neuroplasticity in maintaining cognitive function later in life will also be reviewed. Finally, we will discuss common mechanisms associated with age-related neurodegenerative processes (including protein aggregation and accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation) and how these processes can be mitigated, at least partially, by non-invasive and non-pharmacologic lifestyle interventions aimed at promoting and harnessing neuroplasticity.

Cucurbitacin B Exerts Significant Antidepressant-Like Effects in a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model of Depression: Involvement of the Hippocampal BDNF-TrkB System

BACKGROUND

Although depression has been a serious neuropsychiatric disorder worldwide, current antidepressants used in clinical practice have various weaknesses, including delayed onset and low rates of efficacy. Recently, the development of new antidepressants from natural herbal medicine has become one of the important research hotspots. Cucurbitacin B is a natural compound widely distributed in the Cucurbitaceae and Cruciferae families and has many pharmacological activities. The present study aimed to investigate whether cucurbitacin B possess antidepressant-like effects in mice.

METHODS

The antidepressant-like effects of cucurbitacin B on mice behaviors were explored using the forced swim test, tail suspension test, open field test, sucrose preference test, and a chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression together. Then, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to examine the effects of cucurbitacin B on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) signaling cascade and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, BDNF-short hairpin RNA, K252a, and p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester were adopted together to determine the antidepressant mechanism of cucurbitacin B.

RESULTS

It was found that administration of cucurbitacin B indeed produced notable antidepressant-like effects in mice, which were accompanied with significant promotion in both the hippocampal BDNF-TrkB pathway and neurogenesis. The antidepressant mechanism of cucurbitacin B involves the hippocampal BDNF-TrkB system but not the serotonin system.

CONCLUSIONS

Cucurbitacin B has the potential to be a novel antidepressant candidate.

N-palmitoylethanolamine modulates hippocampal neuroplasticity in rats with stress-induced depressive behavior phenotype

Bioactive lipid mediator N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like molecule. Based on our previous data, this study aimed to further investigate the antidepressant property of PEA via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) pathway, focusing on the intervention of PEA on hippocampal neuroplasticity. Behavioral tests were performed in rats induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) in the last week of the experiment, and then the brain tissue samples were retained for subsequent immunohistochemical detection and Western blot analysis. In vitro, the apoptosis of HT22 cells induced by CORT and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Hoechst staining and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that PEA ameliorated the depression-like phenotype in rats induced by uCMS, prevented the uCMS-induced reduction in the number of BrdU-positive cells, and increased BrdU/NeuN co-localization in the hippocampus, and upregulated the levels of synapse associated protein NCAM, MAP2, SYN and PSD95 in the hippocampus. Hoechst staining results showed that PEA significantly increased the CORT-induced reduction in the number of hippocampal neurons. Western blot analysis showed that PEA decreased the expression of caspase-3 and c-caspase-3, and increased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in CORT-induced HT22 cells. MK886, a PPARα antagonist, partially or completely reversed these effects. In conclusion, the therapeutic potential of PEA for depressive mood disorders may be through targeting the hippocampal neuroplasticity, including increasing adult neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, as well as down-regulated neuronal apoptosis, to remodel hippocampal circuitries upon functional integration and PPARα pathway may be involved in this process.

Targeting mitophagy for depression amelioration: a novel therapeutic strategy

Major depressive disorder is a global psychiatric condition characterized by persistent low mood and anhedonia, which seriously jeopardizes the physical and mental well-being of affected individuals. While various hypotheses have been proposed to explicate the etiology of depression, the precise pathogenesis and effective treatment of this disorder remain elusive. Mitochondria, as the primary organelles responsible for cellular energy production, possess the ability to meet the essential energy demands of the brain. Research indicated that the accumulation of damaged mitochondria is associated with the onset of depression. Mitophagy, a type of cellular autophagy, specifically targets and removes excess or damaged mitochondria. Emerging evidence demonstrated that mitophagy dysfunction was involved in the progression of depression, and several pharmacological interventions that stimulating mitophagy exerted excellent antidepressant actions. We provided an overview of updated advancements on the regulatory mechanism of mitophagy and the mitophagy abnormality in depressed patients and animals, as well as in cell models of depression. Meanwhile, various therapeutic strategies to restore mitophagy for depression alleviation were also discussed in this review.

Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on athletes, sports events, and mass gathering events: Review and recommendations

Since the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), which caused several respiratory diseases, was formally declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, it affected the lifestyle and health of athletes, both directly through cardiorespiratory and other health related effects, and indirectly as the pandemic has forced the suspension, postponement, or cancellation of most professional sporting events around the world. In this review, we explore the journey of athletes throughout the pandemic and during their return to their competitive routine. We also highlight potential pitfalls during the process and summarize the recommendations for the optimal return to sport participation. We further discuss the impact of the pandemic on the psychology of athletes, the variance between the team and individual athletes, and their ability to cope with the changes. Moreover, we specifically reviewed the pandemic impact on younger professional athletes in terms of mental and fitness health. Finally, we shaded light on the various impacts of mass gathering events and recommendations for managing upcoming events.

Role of omentin-1 in susceptibility to anxiety and depression like behaviors

Neuro-inflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction are associated with depression. Evidence shows that adipokines enter the brain from the circulation, which regulates depressive behaviors. Omentin-1 is a newly identified adipocytokine that has anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known about its role in neuro-inflammation and mood-relevant behavior. Our results showed omentin-1 knockout mice (Omentin-1-/-) increased susceptibility to anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, which are associated with abnormalities of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and impaired BBB permeability. Moreover, omentin-1 depletion significantly increased hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6), caused microglial activation, inhibited hippocampus neurogenesis, and resulted in autophagy impairment by dysregulating ATG genes. Omentin-1 deficiency also sensitized mice to the behavioral changes induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting that omentin-1 could rescue neuro-inflammation by acting as an anti-depressant. Our in vitro microglia cell culture data confirmed that recombinant omentin-1 suppresses microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression induced by LPS. Our study suggests that omentin-1 can be used as a promising therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of depression by providing a barrier-promoting effect and an endogenous anti-inflammatory balance to downregulate the proinflammatory cytokines.

A new perspective on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and post-stroke depression

Post-stroke depression, a common complication after stroke, severely affects the recovery and quality of life of patients with stroke. Owing to its complex mechanisms, post-stroke depression treatment remains highly challenging. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity is one of the key factors leading to post-stroke depression; however, the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Numerous studies have found that neurotrophic factors, protein kinases and neurotransmitters influence depressive behaviour by modulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity. This review further elaborates on the role of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in post-stroke depression by summarizing recent research and analysing possible molecular mechanisms. Evidence for the correlation between hippocampal mechanisms and post-stroke depression helps to better understand the pathological process of post-stroke depression and improve its treatment.

Aromatherapy for the brain: Lavender's healing effect on epilepsy, depression, anxiety, migraine, and Alzheimer's disease: A review article

Neurological diseases affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junctions, and muscles. Herbal medicine has long been used to cure these diseases. One of these plants is lavender, which is composed of various compounds, including terpenes, such as linalool, limonene, triterpenes, linalyl acetate, alcohols, ketones, polyphenols, coumarins, cineole, and flavonoids. In this review, the literature was searched using scientific search engines and databases (Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed) for papers published between 1982 and 2020 via keywords, including review, lavender, and neurological disorders. This plant exerts its healing effect on many diseases, such as anxiety and depression through an inhibitory effect on GABA. The anti-inflammatory effects of this plant have also been documented. It improves depression by regulating glutamate receptors and inhibiting calcium channels and serotonergic factors, such as SERT. Its antiepileptic mechanism is due to an increase in the inhibitory effect of GABA and potassium current and a decrease in sodium current. Therefore, many vegetable oils are also used in herbal medicine. In this review, the healing effect of lavender on several neurological disorders, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety, migraine, and Alzheimer's disease was investigated. All findings strongly support the traditional uses of lavender. More clinical studies are needed to investigate the effect of the plants' pharmacological active constituents on the treatment of life-threatening diseases in humans. The limitations of this study are the low quality and the limited number of clinical studies. Different administration methods of lavender are one of the limitations of this review.

Gut microbiota changes require vagus nerve integrity to promote depressive-like behaviors in mice

Chronic stress constitutes a major risk factor for depression that can disrupt various aspects of homeostasis, including the gut microbiome (GM). We have recently shown that GM imbalance affects adult hippocampal (HPC) neurogenesis and induces depression-like behaviors, with the exact mechanisms being under active investigation. Here we hypothesized that the vagus nerve (VN), a key bidirectional route of communication between the gut and the brain, could relay the effects of stress-induced GM changes on HPC plasticity and behavior. We used fecal samples derived from mice that sustained unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) to inoculate healthy mice and assess standard behavioral readouts for anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, conduct histological and molecular analyses for adult HPC neurogenesis and evaluate neurotransmission pathways and neuroinflammation. To study the potential role of the VN in mediating the effects of GM changes on brain functions and behavior, we used mice that sustained subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (Vx) prior the GM transfer. We found that inoculation of healthy mice with GM from UCMS mice activates the VN and induces early and sustained changes in both serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission pathways in the brainstem and HPC. These changes are associated with prompt and persistent deficits in adult HPC neurogenesis and induce early and sustained neuroinflammatory responses in the HPC. Remarkably, Vx abrogates adult HPC neurogenesis deficits, neuroinflammation and depressive-like behavior, suggesting that vagal afferent pathways are necessary to drive GM-mediated effects on the brain.

Antidepressant-like Effect of 1-(2-(4-(4-Ethylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)phenyl)ethan-1-one in Mice: Evidence of the Contribution of the Serotonergic System

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder that affects a large portion of the population, with dysregulation of the serotonergic system, which is deeply involved in both the pathophysiology of MDD and mechanism of action of many antidepressants. Current pharmacological therapies do not meet the neurobiological needs of all depressed individuals, making the development of new antidepressants necessary. In recent decades, compounds containing triazoles have become promising due to their range of biological activities, including antidepressant activity. In this study, we evaluated the antidepressant-like effect of a hybrid containing triazole and acetophenone, 1-(2-(4-(4-ethylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)phenyl)ethan-1-one (ETAP) (0.5-5 mg/kg), in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice, as well as the involvement of the serotonergic system in this effect. Our findings demonstrated that ETAP exhibited an antidepressant-like effect from the dose of 1 mg/kg and that this effect is modulated by 5-HT_2A/2C and 5-HT₄ receptors. We also demonstrated that this effect may be related to inhibition of monoamine oxidase A activity in the hippocampus. Additionally, we evaluated the in silico pharmacokinetic profile of ETAP, which predicted its penetration into the central nervous system. ETAP exhibited a low potential for toxicity at a high dose, making this molecule interesting for the development of a new therapeutic strategy for MDD.

Diazepam and exercise training combination synergistically reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of mice

Anxiety-related disorders are among the most important risks for global health, especially in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Benzodiazepines like diazepam are generally used to treat anxiety disorders, but the overall outcome is not always satisfactory. This is why psychiatrists encourage patients with anxiety to change their lifestyle habits to decrease the risk of anxiety recurrence. However, the effect of diazepam and exercise in combination is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of diazepam alone or in combination with swimming exercise on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice. Mice were exposed to diazepam and swimming exercise alone or in combination with each other and then received LPS. We assessed anxiety-like behavior using open field and light-dark box and measured oxidative markers including glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The findings showed that LPS increased anxiety-related symptoms and oxidative stress by decreasing GSH and increasing MDA and GSSG levels in the prefrontal cortex but not in the hippocampus. Although diazepam alone did not reduce anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress, it in combination with exercise significantly decreased anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of LPS-treated mice. This drug and exercise combination also displayed a more effective effect in comparison with exercise alone. Overall, this study suggests that diazepam in combination with swimming exercise has higher efficacy on anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress than when they are used alone.

Repeated Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (RA-tDCS) over the Left Frontal Lobe Increases Bilateral Hippocampal Cell Proliferation in Young Adult but Not Middle-Aged Female Mice

Repeated anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (RA-tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique consisting of stimulating the cerebral cortex with a weak electric anodal current in a non-invasive manner. RA-tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has antidepressant-like properties and improves memory both in humans and laboratory animals. However, the mechanisms of action of RA-tDCS remain poorly understood. Since adult hippocampal neurogenesis is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression and memory functioning, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the impact of RA-tDCS on hippocampal neurogenesis levels in mice. RA-tDCS was applied for 20 min per day for five consecutive days over the left frontal cortex of young adult (2-month-old, high basal level of neurogenesis) and middle-aged (10-month-old, low basal level of neurogenesis) female mice. Mice received three intraperitoneal injections of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) on the final day of RA-tDCS. The brains were collected either 1 day or 3 weeks after the BrdU injections to quantify cell proliferation and cell survival, respectively. RA-tDCS increased hippocampal cell proliferation in young adult female mice, preferentially (but not exclusively) in the dorsal part of the dentate gyrus. However, the number of cells that survived after 3 weeks was the same in both the Sham and the tDCS groups. This was due to a lower survival rate in the tDCS group, which suppressed the beneficial effects of tDCS on cell proliferation. No modulation of cell proliferation or survival was observed in middle-aged animals. Our RA-tDCS protocol may, therefore, influence the behavior of naïve female mice, as we previously described, but its effect on the hippocampus is only transient in young adult animals. Future studies using animal models for depression in male and female mice should provide further insights into RA-tDCS detailed age- and sex-dependent effects on hippocampal neurogenesis.

Role of Hydroxytyrosol and Oleuropein in the Prevention of Aging and Related Disorders: Focus on Neurodegeneration, Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction and Gut Microbiota

Aging is a multi-faceted process caused by the accumulation of cellular damage over time, associated with a gradual reduction of physiological activities in cells and organs. This degeneration results in a reduced ability to adapt to homeostasis perturbations and an increased incidence of illnesses such as cognitive decline, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and skeletal muscle pathologies. Key features of aging include a chronic low-grade inflammation state and a decrease of the autophagic process. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with longevity and ability to counteract the onset of age-related disorders. Extra virgin olive oil, a fundamental component of this diet, contains bioactive polyphenolic compounds as hydroxytyrosol (HTyr) and oleuropein (OLE), known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This review is focused on brain, skeletal muscle, and gut microbiota, as these systems are known to interact at several levels. After the description of the chemistry and pharmacokinetics of HTyr and OLE, we summarize studies reporting their effects in in vivo and in vitro models of neurodegenerative diseases of the central/peripheral nervous system, adult neurogenesis and depression, senescence and lifespan, and age-related skeletal muscle disorders, as well as their impact on the composition of the gut microbiota.

Activation of RhoA pathway participated in the changes of emotion, cognitive function and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in juvenile chronic stress rats

Neuropsychiatric diseases are related to early life stress (ELS), patients often have abnormal learning, memory and emotion. But the regulatory mechanism is unclear. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity (HSP) changes are important mechanism. RhoA pathway is known to regulate HSP by modulating of dendritic spines (DS), whether it's involved in HSP changes in ELS hasn't been reported. So we investigated whether and how RhoA participates in HSP regulation in ELS. The ELS model was established by separation-rearing in juvenile. Results of IntelliCage detection etc. showed simple learning and memory wasn't affected, but spatial, punitive learning and memories reduced, the desire to explore novel things reduced, the anxiety-like emotion increased. We further found hippocampus was activated, the hippocampal neurons dendritic complexities reduced, the proportion of mature DS decreased. The full-length transcriptome sequencing techniques was used to screen for differentially expressed genes involved in regulating HSP changes, we found RhoA gene was up-regulated. We detected RhoA protein, RhoA phosphorylation and downstream molecules expression changes, results shown RhoA and p-RhoA, p-ROCK2 expression increased, p-LIMK, p-cofilin expression and F-actin/G-actin ratio decreased. Our study revealed HSP changes in ELS maybe regulate by activation RhoA through ROCK2/LIMK/cofilin pathway regulated F-actin/G-actin balance and DS plasticity, affecting emotion and cognition.

Mediating Effects of Trait Anxiety and State Anxiety on the Effects of Physical Activity on Depressive Symptoms

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported that physical activity can prevent the onset of depression and reduces anxiety. In the present study, the hypothesis that total physical activity time influences depressive symptoms via state and trait anxiety was tested by a path analysis.

METHODS

Self-administered questionnaires were used to survey 526 general adult volunteers from April 2017 to April 2018. Demographic information, physical activity, and state and trait anxiety were investigated.

RESULTS

The association between physical activity time and depressive symptoms was expressed as a U-shape curve. The results of the covariance structure analysis showed that differences from the optimal physical activity time (DOT) had direct positive effects on state and trait anxiety. DOT affected depressive symptoms only via trait anxiety, and this was a complete mediation model.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that an optimal physical activity time exists for depressive symptoms. The path model demonstrated an association between the three factors of optimal physical activity time, trait anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and the effect was fully mediated by trait anxiety.

The 50 most-cited review papers on physical activity and depression: A bibliometric analysis

A growing body of literature has demonstrated the preventive role of physical activity in depression, and relevant research is rapidly on the rise. The aim of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the 50 most-cited review papers on physical activity and depression, thus identifying important research topics and future research directions.

METHODS

The 50 most-cited review articles were identified and extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database (on 31^st October 2022), and a bibliometric citation analysis was performed using the Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer software (Version 1.6.18). Information on the country, authors of publications, publishing journals, citations (i.e., total or annual), keywords, and other meaningful data was analysed comprehensively.

RESULTS

The 50 most-cited review articles received, on average, 247.5 citations per article. Most review articles were from England, with contributions from some highly cited researchers and research teams. Western countries/regions, such as England, Australia, and the USA were the most influential in publishing review articles on physical activity and depression. The Journal of Affective Disorders and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were the journals that published the most highly cited review articles on physical activity and depression. Important research topics on the literature on physical activity and depression focused on (1) different types of physical activity and depression; (2) intervention studies related to physical activity and depression; (3) fitness and physical activity levels in people with depression; (4) methodological analyses in physical activity and depression studies; and (5) the impact of physical activity on depression in different populations.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that review studies on physical activity and depression have great potential to develop further knowledge. This study also highlights some future research directions, which can serve to effectively advance the knowledge base.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Extract ameliorates branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism in acute reserpine-induced stress zebrafish model via 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics approach

Depression is a common mental disorder that can adversely affect psychosocial function and quality of life. However, the exact aetiology and pathogenesis of depression are still unclear. Stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of depression. The use of currently prescribed antidepressants has many side effects. Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) has shown promising antidepressant activity in rodent models. Here, we developed a reserpine-induced zebrafish stress-like model and performed behavioural analysis, cortisol measurement and ¹H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy-based metabolomics analysis to test the anti-stress activity of ethanolic extract of C. asiatica (RECA). A significant increase in total distance travelled (F_(8,8) = 8.905, p = 0.0054) and a reduction in freezing duration (F_{(9, 9)} = 10.38, p = 0.0018) were found in the open field test (OFT). Asiaticoside, one of tested C.asiatica's triterpenoid gives a significant increase in contact duration (F_(5,5) = 142.3, (p = 0.0330) at 2.5 mg/kg). Eight biomarkers were found, i.e. ß-hydroxyisovaleric acid, leucine, threonine, scylloinositol, lactate, betaine, valine, choline and l-fucose, to be responsible for the class separation between stress and RECA-treated groups. Metabolic pathway alteration in zebrafish brain upon treatment with RECA was identified as valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, while alanine, aspartate, glutamate and glycerophospholipid metabolism was involved after fluoxetine treatment.

Physical Activity, Seasonal Sensitivity and Psychological Well-Being of People of Different Age Groups Living in Extreme Environments

Physical activity can prevent many organic and mental pathologies. For people living in extreme southern high-latitude environments, weather conditions can affect these activities, altering their psychological well-being and favoring the prevalence of seasonal sensitivity (SS). This study aims to determine the relationships between the practice of physical activity, seasonal sensitivity and well-being in people living in high southern latitudes. A cross-sectional study was conducted, using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), applying a psychological well-being scale, and determining sports practice according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the 370 male (n = 209; 55%) and female (n = 173; 45%) participants. The main results indicated that 194 people (52 ± 7.7 years) reported physical activity. High-intensity physical activity practitioners recorded a significantly lower proportion of SS. In terms of psychological well-being, an adverse effect was found between the Seasonal Score Index (SSI) and five subcategories of the Ryff well-being scale. In conclusion, those who perform high-intensity physical activity have a lower SS, and those who have a higher SS have a lower psychological well-being.

Dorsal Dentate Gyrus, a Key Regulator for Mood and Psychiatric Disorders

The dentate gyrus, a "gate" that controls the flow of information into the hippocampus, is critical for learning, memory, spatial navigation, and mood regulation. Several lines of evidence have demonstrated that deficits in dentate granule cells (DGCs) (e.g., loss of DGCs or genetic mutations in DGCs) contribute to the development of various psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders. Whereas ventral DGCs are believed to be critical for mood regulation, the functions of dorsal DGCs in this regard remain elusive. Here, we review the role of DGCs, in particular the dorsal DGCs, in the regulation of mood, their functional relationships with DGC development, and the contributions of dysfunctional DGCs to mental disorders.

Three-dimensional anatomical structure formed by granule cell layer and pyramidal cell layer in human hippocampus

In the human hippocampus, the pyramidal layer consists of the inferior aspect of the hippocampus which is organized segmentally. Each segment, together with granule layer of the dentate gyrus, exhibits structural unity. In humans, ellipsoidal protrusions called pyramidal hillocks (PHs), which consist of a thick pyramidal cell layer (PL), are present in the inferior aspect of the hippocampus, and are segmentally organized along a longitudinal axis. It is also known that the granule cell layer (GL) of the dentate gyrus (DG) is not a smooth but undulated structure. However, the cytoarchitectural relationships between the protrusions and undulation have yet to be studied well. Here, we aimed to clarify the three-dimensional cytoarchitecture of the PL and GL of human hippocampus. For that purpose, the GL and PL were three-dimensionally reconstructed from serial sections of human hippocampus stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The GL was shaped as tubing with an opening in the dorsal part, and undulated especially in the medial part, forming digit-like processes. In the base of a digit-like process, protrusions of the GL extended laterally, with longer ones reaching the lateral edge, whereas shorter ones disappeared around the medial 1/3 of the GL. Consequently, the lateral part of the GL was undulated loosely. In the ventral view of the PL, the ellipsoidal PHs were sagittally aligned, whereas in the top view, each PH formed an ellipsoidal trough. Each structural unit was formed by a trough of the PH along the bottom, and had a longer GL protrusion in the upper-center, and shorter GL protrusions located between the longer protrusions and the lateral edge of the GL. A digit-like process extended into a dens. It is concluded that a unit of the PH and the GL comprises the longitudinal segmental formation of the hippocampus.

Overview on brain function enhancement of Internet addicts through exercise intervention: Based on reward-execution-decision cycle

Internet addiction (IA) has become an impulse control disorder included in the category of psychiatric disorders. The IA trend significantly increased after the outbreak of the new crown epidemic. IA damages some brain functions in humans. Emerging evidence suggests that exercise exerts beneficial effects on the brain function and cognitive level damaged by IA. This work reviews the neurobiological mechanisms of IA and describes the brain function impairment by IA from three systems: reward, execution, and decision-making. Furthermore, we sort out the research related to exercise intervention on IA and its effect on improving brain function. The internal and external factors that produce IA must be considered when summarizing movement interventions from a behavioral perspective. We can design exercise prescriptions based on exercise interests and achieve the goal of quitting IA. This work explores the possible mechanisms of exercise to improve IA through systematic analysis. Furthermore, this work provides research directions for the future targeted design of exercise prescriptions.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis and social behavioural deficits in the R451C Neuroligin3 mouse model of autism are reverted by the antidepressant fluoxetine

Neuron generation persists throughout life in the hippocampus but is altered in animal models of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, suggesting that disease-associated decline in cognitive and emotional hippocampal-dependent behaviours might be functionally linked with dysregulation of postnatal neurogenesis. Depletion of the adult neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPCs) pool and neurogenic decline have been recently described in mice expressing synaptic susceptibility genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASDs). To gain further insight into mechanisms regulating neurogenesis in mice carrying mutations in synaptic genes related to monogenic ASDs, we used the R451C Neuroligin3 knock-in (Nlgn3 KI) mouse, which is characterized by structural brain abnormalities, deficits in synaptic functions and reduced sociability. We show that the number of adult-born neurons, but not the size of the NSPC pool, was reduced in the ventral dentate gyrus in knock-in mice. Notably, this neurogenic decline was rescued by daily injecting mice with 10 mg/Kg of the antidepressant fluoxetine for 20 consecutive days. Sustained treatment also improved KI mice's sociability and increased the number of c-Fos active adult-born neurons, compared with vehicle-injected KI mice. Our study uncovers neurogenesis-mediated alterations in the brain of R451C KI mouse, showing that the R451C Nlgn3 mutation leads to lasting, albeit pharmacologically reversible, changes in the brain, affecting neuron formation in the adult hippocampus. Our results suggest that fluoxetine can ameliorate social behaviour in KI mice, at least in part, by rescuing adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which may be relevant for the pharmacological treatment of ASDs.

Swimming exercise ameliorates depressive-like behavior by anti-inflammation activity, rebalancing gut Escherichia coli and Lactobacilli

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disease with high morbidity, recurrence and mortality and is a serious global health problem.Aerobic exercise produces beneficial effects on depression and associated comorbidities.Swimming exercise with high motor complexity may be particularly beneficial for patients with depression.We hypothesized that swimming exercise improves various types of depression-like behaviors and these effects are related to improved immune and inflammatory response by regulating microbiota-gut-brain axis.We established the Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) mice model of depression. The forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were used as predictive animal models of antidepressant-like activity.Swimming exercise significantly decreased the duration of immobility in FST and TST.We found that swimming exercise could significantly decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS). Shifts in the composition of the gut microbiota were significant in depression model induced by LPS/CUS, notably as decreases in lactobacilli and increases in escherichia coli (E. coli), which were reversed byswimming exercise. Current study indicated that swimming exercise has huge potential for antidepressant therapy, and gut microbiotaplays an important role inregulating inflammation. We are pleased that current can study reveal a potentially promising method with less adverse reaction for combating depression and open up an important new area for future research.

Ketamine May Exert Rapid Antidepressant Effects Through Modulation of Neuroplasticity, Autophagy, and Ferroptosis in the Habenular Nucleus

Major depressive disorder is a burdensome condition with few treatment options, and traditional antidepressants are characterized by slow onset. Sub-anesthetic ketamine has rapid-onset effects for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), the mechanisms of which remain elusive. In this study, we explored whether neuroplasticity, autophagy, and ferroptosis in the habenular nucleus are involved in the rapid antidepressant process of ketamine. The results showed that Chronic Restraint Stress (CRS) treated rats exhibited decreased neuroplasticity, inhibition of autophagy, and enhanced ferroptosis. Depression-like symptoms were significantly improved after ketamine treatment in CRS rats, with changes in physiological parameters. Ketamine-treated CRS rats showed a significant improvement in habenular nuclear neuroplasticity. Electron microscopy observed that ketamine triggered autophagy, with increased levels of autophagy-related proteins. Ferroptosis was inhibited by ketamine by electron microscopy, with increased FTH1 and GPX4 levels and decreased Tfr1 levels. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that ketamine may exert rapid antidepressant effects by improving neuroplasticity, activating autophagy, and inhibiting ferroptosis in the nuclear complex.

Effects of Physical Exercise on Executive Function in Adults with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Executive function is among the most affected cognitive dimensions in depression. Physical exercise may improve executive function (e.g., working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility), although this is without consensus on adults with depression. Through this systematic review, we aim to elucidate the effects of physical exercise programs on executive functions in adults with depression. The literature search was performed in four relevant electronic databases, combining keywords and medical subject headings, from inception until September 2022. Controlled interventions, involving adults with depression, and reporting working memory, inhibition, and/or cognitive flexibility pre-post-intervention data, were considered includable. Results from meta-analyses included effect size (ES, i.e., Hedges' g) values reported with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), with p set at ≤0.05. Seven studies were included, including 202 men and 457 women (age: 21.0-51.2 years; mild-moderate depression). For working memory, a small favoring effect was observed in the experimental groups compared with controls (ES = 0.33, 95%CI = 0.04-0.61; p = 0.026; I² = 64.9%). For inhibition, physical exercise had a small favoring non-significant effect compared with controls (ES = 0.28, 95%CI = -0.17-0.74; p = 0.222; I² = 72.4%). Compared with the control group, physical exercise had a trivial effect on cognitive flexibility (ES = 0.09, 95%CI = -0.21-0.39; p = 0.554; I² = 68.4%). In conclusion, physical exercise interventions may improve working memory behavioral measures in adults with mild-to-moderate depression when compared with active and passive control conditions. However, the reduced number of available high-quality studies precludes more lucid conclusions.

Lifestyle of Families with Children Aged 4-8 Years before and during Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

The aim of the study was to evaluate the lifestyle changes of families with children aged 4-8 years during lockdown compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted among 1098 parents during the first lockdown in Poland. An originally developed questionnaire was used as the research tool. The Wilcoxon test was used to determine the frequency of differences in the lifestyle of parents and children before the pandemic and during lockdown. Differences were found in the frequency of healthy habits in the periods under investigation, both in the lifestyle of parents and children. A moderately healthy lifestyle was predominant among families with children aged 4-8 years during lockdown. The families' lifestyle significantly changed in relation to the time before the pandemic. There is a need for lifestyle education for families with children to prevent the development of bad habits during and after the pandemic and isolation time.