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Akter M, Fu Z, Zheng X, Iqbal Z, Zhang N, Karim A, Li Y. Astrocytic GPCR signaling in the anterior cingulate cortex modulates decision making in rats. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 3:kvae010. [PMID: 38915791 PMCID: PMC11194462 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Decision making is a process of selecting a course of action by assessing the worth or value of the potential consequences. Rat Gambling Task (RGT) is a well-established behavioral paradigm that allows for assessment of the decision-making performance of rats. Astrocytes are emerging as key players in modulating cognitive functions. Using repeated RGTs with short intersession time intervals (48 h), the current study demonstrates that Gi pathway activation of astrocytes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) leads to impaired decision-making in consistently good decision-making rats. On the other hand, ACC astrocytic Gq pathway activation improves decision-making in a subset of rats who are not consistently good decision-makers. Furthermore, we show that astrocytic Gq activation is associated with an increase in the L-lactate level in the extracellular fluid of the ACC. Together, these results expand our knowledge of the role of astrocytic GPCR signaling in modulating cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mastura Akter
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Zhongqi Fu
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Xianlin Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 17W, Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Anwarul Karim
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 17W, Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Centre for Biosystems, Neuroscience, and Nanotechnology, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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Zou J, Hao S. Exercise-induced neuroplasticity: a new perspective on rehabilitation for chronic low back pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1407445. [PMID: 38912176 PMCID: PMC11191426 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1407445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic low back pain patients often experience recurrent episodes due to various peripheral and central factors, leading to physical and mental impairments, affecting their daily life and work, and increasing the healthcare burden. With the continuous advancement of neuropathological research, changes in brain structure and function in chronic low back pain patients have been revealed. Neuroplasticity is an important mechanism of self-regulation in the brain and plays a key role in neural injury repair. Targeting neuroplasticity and regulating the central nervous system to improve functional impairments has become a research focus in rehabilitation medicine. Recent studies have shown that exercise can have beneficial effects on the body, such as improving cognition, combating depression, and enhancing athletic performance. Exercise-induced neuroplasticity may be a potential mechanism through which exercise affects the brain. This article systematically introduces the theory of exercise-induced neuroplasticity, explores the central effects mechanism of exercise on patients with chronic low back pain, and further looks forward to new directions in targeted neuroplasticity-based rehabilitation treatment for chronic low back pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianpeng Zou
- Department of Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shijie Hao
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Schiera G, Di Liegro CM, Schirò G, Sorbello G, Di Liegro I. Involvement of Astrocytes in the Formation, Maintenance, and Function of the Blood-Brain Barrier. Cells 2024; 13:150. [PMID: 38247841 PMCID: PMC10813980 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020150] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a fundamental structure that protects the composition of the brain by determining which ions, metabolites, and nutrients are allowed to enter the brain from the blood or to leave it towards the circulation. The BBB is structurally composed of a layer of brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) bound to each other through tight junctions (TJs). However, its development as well as maintenance and properties are controlled by the other brain cells that contact the BCECs: pericytes, glial cells, and even neurons themselves. Astrocytes seem, in particular, to have a very important role in determining and controlling most properties of the BBB. Here, we will focus on these latter cells, since the comprehension of their roles in brain physiology has been continuously expanding, even including the ability to participate in neurotransmission and in complex functions such as learning and memory. Accordingly, pathological conditions that alter astrocytic functions can alter the BBB's integrity, thus compromising many brain activities. In this review, we will also refer to different kinds of in vitro BBB models used to study the BBB's properties, evidencing its modifications under pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Schiera
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (Dipartimento di Scienzee Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche) (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (C.M.D.L.)
| | - Carlo Maria Di Liegro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (Dipartimento di Scienzee Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche) (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (C.M.D.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Schirò
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (G.S.)
- Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Unità Operativa Complessa (UOC), Foundation Institute “G. Giglio”, 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sorbello
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Italia Di Liegro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (G.S.)
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