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Casarrubea M, Radic M, Morais TP, Mifsud E, Cuboni E, Aiello S, Crescimanno G, Crunelli V, Di Giovanni G. A quantitative and T-pattern analysis of anxiety-like behavior in male GAERS, NEC, and Wistar rats bred under the same conditions, against a commercially available Wistar control group in the hole board and elevated plus maze tests. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14443. [PMID: 37658671 PMCID: PMC10916429 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM The Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are an inbred polygenic model of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), which, as their non-epileptic control (NEC) rats, are derived from Wistar rats. While the validity of GAERS in reproducing absence seizures is well established, its use as a model for CAE psychiatric comorbidities has been subject to conflicting findings. Differences in colonies, experimental procedures, and the use of diverse controls from different breeders may account for these disparities. Therefore, in this study, we compared GAERS, NEC, and Wistar bred in the same animal facility with commercially available Wistar (Cm Wistar) as a third control. METHODS We performed hole board (HB) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests that were analyzed with standard quantitative and T-pattern analysis in male, age-matched Cm Wistar and GAERS, NEC, and Wistar, bred under the same conditions, to rule out the influence of different housing factors and provide extra information on the structure of anxiety-like behavior of GAERS rats. RESULTS Quantitative analysis showed that GAERS and NEC had similar low anxiety-like behavior when compared to Cm Wistar but not to Wistar rats, although a higher hole-focused exploration was revealed in NEC. T-pattern analysis showed that GAERS, NEC, and Wistar had a similar anxiety status, whereas GAERS and NEC exhibited major differences with Cm Wistar but not Wistar rats. EPM results indicated that GAERS and NEC also have similar low anxiety compared to Cm Wistar and/or Wistar rats. Nevertheless, the analysis of the T-pattern containing open-arm entry showed GAERS and Wistar to be less anxious than NEC and Cm Wistar rats. CONCLUSION To summarize, comorbid anxiety may not be present in male GAERS rats. This study also highlighted the importance of including a control Wistar group bred under the same conditions when evaluating their behavior, as using Wistar rats from commercial breeders can lead to misleading results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Casarrubea
- Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Human Physiology Section “Giuseppe Pagano”, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Manuela Radic
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of MaltaMsidaMalta
- Present address:
Department of PaediatricsChildren's Hospital ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Tatiana P Morais
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of MaltaMsidaMalta
| | - Erika Mifsud
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of MaltaMsidaMalta
| | - Eleonora Cuboni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of MaltaMsidaMalta
- Present address:
Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburgGermany
| | - Stefania Aiello
- Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Human Physiology Section “Giuseppe Pagano”, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Giuseppe Crescimanno
- Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Human Physiology Section “Giuseppe Pagano”, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Vincenzo Crunelli
- School of Biosciences, Neuroscience DivisionCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of MaltaMsidaMalta
- School of Biosciences, Neuroscience DivisionCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
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Perveen N, Alqahtani F, Ashraf W, Fawad Rasool M, Muhammad Muneeb Anjum S, Kaukab I, Ahmad T, Alqarni SA, Imran I. Perampanel increases seizure threshold in pentylenetetrazole-kindled mice and improves behavioral dysfunctions by modifying mRNA expression levels of BDNF/TrkB and inflammatory markers. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:101930. [PMID: 38226351 PMCID: PMC10788632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Perampanel (PER), a novel 3rd-generation antiseizure drug that modulates altered post-synaptic glutamatergic storming by selectively inhibiting AMPA receptors, is recently approved to treat intractable forms of seizures. However, to date, presumably consequences of long-term PER therapy on the comorbid deleterious psychiatric disturbances and its correlation with neuroinflammatory parameters are not fully investigated in chronic models of epilepsy. Therefore, we investigated the real-time effect of PER on brain electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, behavioral alterations, redox balance, and relative mRNA expression in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced kindling. Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with PER (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/kg) for 3 weeks and challenged with 11 injections of PTZ at the sub-threshold dose of 40 mg/kg every other day. vEEG from implanted cortical electrodes was monitored to elucidate seizure propagation and behavioral manifestations. Recorded EEG signals exhibited that PER 0.5 mg/kg pretreatment exceptionally impeded the onset of sharp epileptic spike-wave discharges and associated motor symptoms. Additionally, qEEG analysis showed that PER prevented alterations in absolute mean spectral power and reduced RMS amplitude of epileptogenic spikes vs PTZ control. Furthermore, our outcomes illustrated that PER dose-dependently attenuated PTZ-evoked anxiety-like behavior, memory deficits, and depressive-like behavior that was validated by a series of behavioral experiments. Moreover PER, significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, AChE, and increased levels of SOD and total thiol in the mice brain via AMPAR antagonism. Post-PTZ kindling provoked overstimulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling and increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that were reversed by PER with suppression of iNOS in brain immune cells. In conclusion, our findings highlight that PER might play an auspicious preventive role in the proepileptic transformation of brain circuits via suppression of BDNF/TrkB signaling and reduced transcriptional levels of neuroinflammatory markers leading to improvised epilepsy-induced neurobehavioral and neurochemical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Perveen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Faleh Alqahtani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waseem Ashraf
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Fawad Rasool
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Syed Muhammad Muneeb Anjum
- The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore 75270, Pakistan
| | - Iram Kaukab
- District Quality Control Board, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Ahmad
- Institut pour l’Avancée des Biosciences, Centre de Recherche UGA/INSERM U1209/CNRS 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, France
| | - Saleh A. Alqarni
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Imran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
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Casarrubea M, Di Giovanni G, Aiello S, Crescimanno G. The hole-board apparatus in the study of anxiety. Physiol Behav 2023; 271:114346. [PMID: 37690695 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders pose a significant challenge in contemporary society, and their impact in terms of social and economic burden is overwhelming. Behavioral research conducted on animal subjects is crucial for comprehending these disorders and, from a translational standpoint, for introducing innovative therapeutic approaches. In this context, the Hole-Board apparatus has emerged as a widely utilized test for studying anxiety-related behaviors in rodents. Although a substantial body of literature underscores the utility and reliability of the Hole-Board in anxiety research, recent decades have witnessed a range of studies that have led to uncertainties and misinterpretations regarding the validity of this behavioral assay. The objective of this review is twofold: firstly, to underscore the utility and reliability of the Hole-Board assay, and concurrently, to examine the underlying factors contributing to potential misconceptions surrounding its utilization in the study of anxiety and anxiety-related behaviors. We will present results from both conventional quantitative analyses and multivariate approaches, while referencing a comprehensive collection of studies conducted using the Hole-Board.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Casarrubea
- Laboratory of Behavioural Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", University of Palermo, Corso Tukory n.129, Palermo 90134, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stefania Aiello
- Laboratory of Behavioural Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", University of Palermo, Corso Tukory n.129, Palermo 90134, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Crescimanno
- Laboratory of Behavioural Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", University of Palermo, Corso Tukory n.129, Palermo 90134, Italy
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Stojanović NM, Mladenović MZ, Randjelović PJ, Radulović NS. The potential of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil as an anti-anxiety agent - is the citronellal the activity carrier? JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 314:116661. [PMID: 37207879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Among the fewest drugs discovered are those belonging to the class of anxiolytics. Although some drug targets for anxiety disorders are established, it is hard to modify and selectively choose the active principle for those targets. Thus, the ethnomedical approach to treating anxiety disorders remains one of the most prevalent ways for (self)managing the symptoms. Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) has been extensively used as an ethnomedicinal remedy for the treatment of different psyche-related symptoms, especially dose related to restlessness. AIM OF THE STUDY This work aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic activity, in several in vivo models, of the essential oil extracted from Melissa officinalis (MO) and its main constituent citronellal, a widespread plant utilized for managing anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study several animal models were used to assess MO anxiolytic potential in mice. The effect of the MO essential oil applied in doses ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg/kg was estimated in light/dark, hole board, and marble burying tests. In parallel doses of citronellal corresponding to the ones in the MO essential oil were applied to animals to determine if this is the activity carrier. RESULTS The results indicate that the MO essential oil exerts anxiolytic potential in all three experimental settings by significantly altering the traced parameters. The effects of citronellal are somewhat inconclusive and should not be interpreted only as anxiolytic but rather as a combination of anti-anxiety and motor-inhibiting effects. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we could say that the results of the present study provide a base for future mechanistic studies that would evaluate the activity of M. officinalis essential oil on various neurotransmitter systems involved in the generation, propagation, and maintenance of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola M Stojanović
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
| | - Marko Z Mladenović
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
| | - Pavle J Randjelović
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
| | - Niko S Radulović
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
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Banaei-Boroujeni G, Rezayof A, Alijanpour S, Nazari-Serenjeh F. Targeting mediodorsal thalamic CB1 receptors to inhibit dextromethorphan-induced anxiety/exploratory-related behaviors in rats: The post-weaning effect of exercise and enriched environment on adulthood anxiety. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 157:212-222. [PMID: 36495603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an effective over-the-counter antitussive with an alarming increase as an abused drug for recreational purposes. Although reports of the association between DXM administration and anxiety, there are few investigations into the underlying DMX mechanisms of anxiogenic action. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the role of the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) in DXM-induced anxiety/exploratory-related behaviors in adult male Wistar rats. Animals were bilaterally cannulated in the MD regions. After one week, anxiety and exploratory behaviors were measured using an elevated plus-maze task (EPM) and a hole-board apparatus. Results showed that DXM (3-7 mg/kg, i. p.) dose-dependently increased anxiety-like behaviors. Intra-MD administration of ACPA (2.5-10 ng/rat), a selective CB1 receptor agonist, decreased anxiety-like effects of DXM. The blockade of MD CB1 receptors by AM-251 (40-120 ng/rat) did not affect the EPM task. However, it potentiated the anxiogenic response of an ineffective dose of DXM (3 mg/kg) in the animals. Moreover, the effect of post-weaning treadmill exercise (TEX) and enriched environment (EE) were examined in adulthood anxiety under the drug treatments. Juvenile rats were divided into TEX/EE and control groups. The TEX/EE-juvenile rats were placed on a treadmill and then exposed to EE for five weeks. Interestingly, compared to untreated animals, post-weaning TEX/EE inhibited the anxiety induced by DXM or AM-251/DXM. It can be concluded that the MD endocannabinoid system plays an essential role in the anxiogenic effect of dextromethorphan. Moreover, post-weaning exercise alongside an enriched environment may have an inhibitory effect on adulthood anxiety-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golnoush Banaei-Boroujeni
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran
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Sáiz-Manzanares MC, Alonso-Martínez L, Marticorena-Sánchez R. A Systematic Review of the Use of T-Pattern and T-String Analysis (TPA) With Theme: An Analysis Using Mixed Methods and Data Mining Techniques. Front Psychol 2022; 13:943907. [PMID: 35936238 PMCID: PMC9354046 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.943907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research interest in human and non-human behavioral analysis has increased significantly. One key element in the resulting studies is the use of software that facilitates comparative analysis of behavioral patterns, such as using T-Pattern and T-String analysis -TPA- with THEME. Furthermore, all these studies use mixed methods research. Results from these studies have indicated a certain amount of similarity between the biological, temporal, and spatial patterns of human social interactions and the interactions between the contents of their constituent cells. TPA has become an important, widely-used technique in applied behavioral science research. The objectives of the current review were: (1) To identify the results of research over the last 4 years related to the concepts of T-Pattern, TPA, and THEME, since it is in this period in which more publications on these topics have been detected (2) To examine the key concepts and areas in the selected articles with respect to those concepts, applying data and text mining techniques. The results indicate that, over the last 4 years, 20% of the studies were laboratory focused with non-humans, 18% were in sports environments, 9% were in psychological therapy environments and 9% were in natural human contexts. There were also indications that TPA is beginning to be used in workplace environments, which is a very promising setting for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares
- Area of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Department of Health Science, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
- *Correspondence: María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares
| | - Laura Alonso-Martínez
- Area of Didactics and School Organization, Department of Education Science, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Raúl Marticorena-Sánchez
- Area of Computer Languages and Systems, Department of Computer Engineering, Escuela Politecnica Superior, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
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De Deurwaerdère P, Casarrubea M, Cassar D, Radic M, Puginier E, Chagraoui A, Crescimanno G, Crunelli V, Di Giovanni G. Cannabinoid 1/2 Receptor Activation Induces Strain-Dependent Behavioral and Neurochemical Changes in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats From Strasbourg and Non-epileptic Control Rats. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:886033. [PMID: 35677756 PMCID: PMC9169225 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.886033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is characterized by absence seizures, which are episodes of lack of consciousness accompanied by electrographic spike-wave discharges. About 60% of children and adolescents with absence seizures are affected by major neuropsychological comorbidities, including anxiety. Endocannabinoids and monoamines are likely involved in the pathophysiology of these CAE psychiatric comorbidities. Here, we show that the synthetic cannabinoid receptor type 1/2 (CB1/2R) agonist WIN 55,212-2 (2 mg/kg) has a strain-dependent effect on anxiety-like and motor behavior when assess in the hole board test and cerebral monoaminergic levels in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) and their non-epileptic control (NEC) rat strain. Using quantitative and Temporal pattern (T-pattern) analyses, we found that WIN 55,212-2 did not affect the emotional status of GAERS, but it was anxiolytic in NEC. Conversely, WIN 55,212-2 had a sedative effect in GAERS but was ineffective in NEC. Moreover, vehicle-treated GAERS more motivated to explore by implementing more complex and articulated strategies. These behavioral changes correlate with the reduction of 5-HT in the hippocampus and substantia nigra (SN) and noradrenaline (NA) in the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) in vehicle-treated GAERS compared to NEC rats, which could contribute to their low anxiety status and hypermotility, respectively. On the other hand, the increased level of NA in the EPN and 5-HT in the SN is consistent with an activation of the basal ganglia output-mediated motor suppression observed in WIN 55,212-2-treated GAERS rats. These data support the view of a strain-dependent alteration of the endocannabinoid system in absence epilepsy by adding evidence of a lower emotional responsiveness and a basal ganglia hypersensitivity to cannabinoids in GAERS compared to NEC rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurizio Casarrubea
- Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section “Giuseppe Pagano”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Maurizio Casarrubea,
| | - Daniel Cassar
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Manuela Radic
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Emilie Puginier
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5287, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Abdeslam Chagraoui
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Normandie Université, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, CHU Rouen, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine of Normandy (IRIB), Rouen, France
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Giuseppe Crescimanno
- Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section “Giuseppe Pagano”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Crunelli
- Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Giuseppe Di Giovanni,
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