Hippocampal dysfunction in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia: a selective review and hypothesis for early detection and intervention

Scientists have long sought to characterize the pathophysiologic basis of schizophrenia and develop biomarkers that could identify the illness. Extensive postmortem and in vivo neuroimaging research has described the early involvement of the hippocampus in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this context, we have developed a hypothesis that describes the evolution of schizophrenia-from the premorbid through the prodromal stages to syndromal psychosis-and posits dysregulation of glutamate neurotransmission beginning in the CA1 region of the hippocampus as inducing attenuated psychotic symptoms and initiating the transition to syndromal psychosis. As the illness progresses, this pathological process expands to other regions of the hippocampal circuit and projection fields in other anatomic areas including the frontal cortex, and induces an atrophic process in which hippocampal neuropil is reduced and interneurons are lost. This paper will describe the studies of our group and other investigators supporting this pathophysiological hypothesis, as well as its implications for early detection and therapeutic intervention.

Bioactive compounds from extra virgin olive oils: Correlation between phenolic content and oxidative stress cell protection

When compared with other edible vegetable oils, the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) exhibits excellent nutritional properties due to the presence of biophenolic compounds. Although they constitute only a very small amount of the unsaponifiable fraction of EVOO, biophenols strongly contribute to the sensorial properties of this precious food conferring it, for example, the bitter or pungent taste. Furthermore, it has been found that biophenols possess beneficial effects against many human pathologies such as oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and aging-related illness. In the present work, the biophenolic content of 51 Italian and Spanish EVOOs was qualitatively and quantitatively identified and their antioxidant ability analyzed by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Results indicated that the maximum relationship can be found if the ORAC value is correlated with the concentration of the large family composed by ligstroside and oleuropein derivatives together with their degradation products, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol. Then, selected biophenolic extracts were tested in NIH-3T3 cell line to verify their ability in the recovery of the oxidative stress revealed by DCFH-DA assay. Results were linearly correlated with the concentration of ligstroside aglycone (aldehyde and hydroxyl form).

Neuroanatomical phenotypes in a mouse model of the 22q11.2 microdeletion

Recurrent deletions at the 22q11.2 locus have been established as a strong genetic risk factor for the development of schizophrenia and cognitive dysfunction. Individuals with 22q11.2 deletions have a range of well-defined volumetric abnormalities in a number of critical brain structures. A mouse model of the 22q11.2 deletion (Df(16)A(+/-)) has previously been utilized to characterize disease-associated abnormalities on synaptic, cellular, neurocircuitry, and behavioral levels. We performed a high-resolution MRI analysis of mutant mice compared with wild-type littermates. Our analysis revealed a striking similarity in the specific volumetric changes of Df(16)A(+/-) mice compared with human 22q11.2 deletion carriers, including in cortico-cerebellar, cortico-striatal and cortico-limbic circuits. In addition, higher resolution magnetic resonance imaging compared with neuroimaging in human subjects allowed the detection of previously unknown subtle local differences. The cerebellar findings in Df(16)A(+/-) mice are particularly instructive as they are localized to specific areas within both the deep cerebellar nuclei and the cerebellar cortex. Our study indicates that the Df(16)A(+/-)mouse model recapitulates most of the hallmark neuroanatomical changes observed in 22q11.2 deletion carriers. Our findings will help guide the design and interpretation of additional complementary studies and thereby advance our understanding of the abnormal brain development underlying the emergence of 22q11.2 deletion-associated psychiatric and cognitive symptoms.

The effect of acupuncture on oral microcirculation in healthy volunteers: an exploratory study

BACKGROUND

acupuncture is a therapeutic technique currently used in the treatment of many pathologies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential effect of acupuncture on "in vivo" variations in oral microcirculation in healthy subjects.

METHODS

an exploratory study was conducted on 40 healthy subjects: 20 cases (mean 55.90, SD 16.04) and 20 controls (mean 51, SD 11.91). Videocapillaroscopy was used to detect variations in oral microcirculation. This method permits an accurate and non-invasive in vivo study of the capillaries of the oral mucous. The site selected for this pilot study is the lower lip since it is the simplest to investigate and is more readily accessible. Assessments were carried out in three phases: t(0) before the application of the needles; t(1) one minute after the application; t(2) five minutes after the application; similar time points were used for the control group. Data were compared using the Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

the study showed characteristic changes in oral microcirculation induced by acupuncture. The tortuousness of capillary loops and in the diameter of the afferent loop changed significantly (p<0.05) over time in the acupuncture group but not in the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

the findings lend support to our expectation that acupuncture may generate significant variations in oral microcirculation in healthy adults. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the therapeutic role of acupuncture in oral pathologies.

Optical Tomographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumor Growth and Regression in Mice treated with VEGF Blockade

Small animal imaging systems now allow researchers to non-invasively monitor the progression of diseases in living small animals and study the efficacy of drugs and treatment protocols. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an established imaging modality capable of obtaining high resolution anatomical images which are sensitive to blood volume, blood flow, and metabolic rate of oxygen. Optical tomography, on the other hand, is an emerging imaging modality, which, while much lower in spatial resolution and insensitive to blood flow, can separate the effects of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, and blood volume with high temporal resolution. We illustrate how these imaging modalities can supplement each other and cross validation can be performed by applying both modalities to imaging of tumors growth & regression in mice that are treated with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist.