Category Archives: Uncategorized

Article excerpt:  “Nearly every scientist who has used mice or rats to study depression is familiar with the forced-swim test. The animal is dropped into a tank of water while researchers watch to see how long it tries to stay … Continue reading →

Davidsohn N, Pezone M, Vernet A, Graveline A, Oliver D, Slomovic S, Punthambaker S, Sun X, Liao R, Bonventre JV, and  Church GM: A single combination gene therapy treats multiple age-related diseases, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA  116 (47): 23505-23511 (2019). https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/116/47/23505.full.pdf

Abstract: “Dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons modulate and control processes ranging from reward signaling to regulation of motor outputs. Further, dysfunction of these neurons is involved in both degenerative and psychiatric disorders. Elucidating the roles of these neurons has been greatly … Continue reading →

Summary: “Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has generated intense excitement as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression. However, ketamine and its metabolites can act on a wide range of targets, including opioid receptors, which has raised concerns. Using behavioral and cellular … Continue reading →

Summary: “The influence of migration on disease risk has long been an important consideration in multiple sclerosis (MS) epidemiological research. Taking advantage of recent methodological advances, including access to population-based administrative health data, a new study highlights the importance of country of origin … Continue reading →

Early-Life Environmental Factors Impacting the Development of Psychopathology Published Online:1 Jan 2020https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.1911118 https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19111181

Abstract: “The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is implicated in processing of the affective state of others through non-verbal communication. This social cognitive function is thought to rely on an intact cortical neuronal excitatory and inhibitory balance. Here combining in vivo electrophysiology … Continue reading →

Summary: “Evidence suggests that chronic neuroinflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. However, in a new clinical trial, the tetracycline antibiotic minocycline, which has anti-inflammatory properties, failed to delay disease progression in individuals with mild Alzheimer … Continue reading →

“Human dendrites are special A special developmental program in the human brain drives the disproportionate thickening of cortical layer 2/3. This suggests that the expansion of layer 2/3, along with its numerous neurons and their large dendrites, may contribute to … Continue reading →

Abstract: “Major depression is a complex disease and-among others, inflammation appears to play an important role in its pathophysiology. In this study, we investigated a broad range of cytokines in depressed patients. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-12/ IL-23p40, IL-15, IL-16, … Continue reading →