1, Nature: Li Hao et al. elucidate the mechanism by which neurotensin regulates the neural pathways and learning ability of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala

Source: Xiao Ke Life

The ability of the brain to identify positive or negative emotional valence from stimuli in the external environment is critical to our lives and behavior. Numerous studies have shown that the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) plays a key role in associative learning. However, scientists have so far not been clear about how the brain assigns emotional valence, and why neurons in the basolateral nucleus of the different amygdala are selectively activated in reward learning and punishment learning, respectively.

Recently, Dr. Kay Tye's research group at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the United States was in Naturepublished article, via Pavlov Constraint Simulating reward and punishment learning in mice. The study found that in a mouse model of learning, the brain regulates the release of a neuropeptide, neurotensin, in response to reward or punishment. In reward learning, neurotensin will be released into the basal nucleus of the amygdala, and the neurons of the basal nucleus of the amygdala will respond to reward stimuli, thereby enhancing reward learning. In punishment learning, the release of neurotensin is inhibited, thereby prompting the basal nucleus of the amygdala to respond to punishment stimuli and enhancing the efficiency of punishment learning.

2, Immunity: Unexpected new effect! Shi Peng/Shen Xiao/Gu Yan of Zhejiang University discover the important role of microglia in blood pressure control

Source: iNature

Although many studies have addressed the regulatory circuits that influence neuronal activity, the local, non-synaptic mechanisms that determine neuronal excitability remain unclear. Recently, Shi Peng, Shen Xiao and Gu Yan of Zhejiang University communicated together at Immunity Research published online finding that microglia block presympathetic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus at steady state overactive. Microglia constitutively release platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B, which signals through PDGFRα on neuronal cells and promotes its expression of Kv4.3, a key subunit that conducts potassium currents. Ablation of microglia, conditional deletion of microglia PDGFB, or inhibition of neuronal PDGFRα expression in the PVN increases presympathetic neuronal excitability and sympathetic outflow, leading to severe autonomic dysfunction. Our findings suggest a non-immune role for resident microglia in maintaining the balance of sympathetic outflow, which is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

3, Sci Adv: Brain sphingolipid metabolism reveals new insights into the etiology of Gaucher disease

Source: BioArtMED

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people around the world. Research on these diseases has mainly focused on disorders of protein metabolism. New research shows that disruption of lipid metabolic homeostasis—especially those that interfere with sphingolipid synthesis or breakdown—also has a significant impact on the progressive neuronal toxicity observed in neurodegeneration. Recently, researchers from a number of collaborating institutions in Science Advances publishes research that links neuronal activity to sphingolipid content for the first time. Sphingolipids are fats that are found in brain cells. Studies in animal models have found that disruption of sphingolipid metabolism leads to significant neuronal damage and neurodegenerative disease. Gaucher disease is a rare metabolic and lysosomal storage disorder. The study is the first to comprehensively demonstrate how neuronal activity and the interaction between neurons and glia regulate sphingolipid and ceramide metabolism, leading to Gaucher disease. This has implications for several other neurodegenerative diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders and Parkinson's disease.

4, Nature Reviews Neuroscience: How do the competing theories of consciousness relate to each other?

Source: Jizhi Club

How is the connection between consciousness and underlying neural activity? Recently published in Nature Reviews NeuroscienceA review article that reviews four important categories of "theories of consciousness": higher-order theory, global workspace theory, integrated information theory, and complex/predictive processing theory. The connections and differences between these theories are illustrated through classical experimental debates, thus providing a perspective for understanding the current state of research in consciousness science.

5, Nature Neurosci: Is there the same language network behind different languages? fMRI studies across 45 languages and 12 language families

Source: Luming Cogn

Language networks are very similar among native speakers of different languages

Most cognitive neuroscience research on language is based on English or Indo-European languages, which limits research in this field . There are more than 7,000 languages in the world. Is there a common neural network behind these languages? Recently, Fedorenko's group from MIT conducted a large-scale fMRI experiment to examine the cross-lingual robustness of language networks, in which subjects spanned 45 languages and 12 language families. The study found that native speakers of all 45 languages activated common areas of the language network, including those in the lateral frontal and temporal lobes. In addition, the language network of native speakers of different languages and the network of native English speakers also have many similar key characteristics. As an integrated system, the language network has strong internal functional connections. This study reveals that there is a common language network behind human language, which is of great value for understanding human language diversity and its neural basis.

6, the "happy hormone" dopamine plays an important role in recognizing emotions

Source: Thunderbolt and Students

Dopamine is a chemical messenger, often referred to as the "happy hormone," that carries signals that control mental and emotional responses in the brain. Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders are known for their link to low or disturbed dopamine levels, which can cause sufferers to experience problems with some social skills. Recently published in Journal of Neuroscience, a team from the University of Birmingham Centre for Human Brain Health has found that manipulating dopamine levels can affect emotion recognition. While people with low baseline levels of the chemical messenger had improved emotion recognition after receiving dopamine stimulation, people with higher baseline levels actually had worse emotion recognition. Individuals with low dopamine baselines also experienced slower walking speeds under the effect of haloperidol, so the study suggests that the drug's effects on movement and emotion recognition are related.

7, Analytical Chemistry: Hypochlorous acid-activated multifunctional fluorescent platform for depression treatment and antidepressant efficacy evaluation

Depression is a common mental illness. At present, the diagnosis of depression can only rely on subjective assessment forms, and the treatment methods are also slow to take effect. Side effects and other issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective new strategies and methods for the diagnosis and drug treatment of depression. Previous studies have found that increasing the levels of neurotransmitters such as DA and 5-HT in the brains of depressed patients can effectively improve depression. In addition, a large number of studies have found that the brain of patients with depression has a significant inflammatory response. Recently, Li Ping's research group has developed a new antidepressant diagnosis and treatment strategy that integrates the release of neurotransmitters, antidepressant drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antioxidants. Based on this strategy, a series of hypochlorous acid-regulated antidepressant therapeutic reagents (MB-Rs) were synthesized. The reagent reduces ROS by consuming HClO, releases MB and neurotransmitters or antidepressant drugs, and has anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects at the same time. The changes in the fluorescence properties of MB-Rs before and after the reaction are used to realize brain imaging of depression and depression. initial diagnosis.

8, The impact of pharmacogenomics on drug choice and symptom relief in patients with depression

Source: New Frontiers in Neurality

Selecting an effective antidepressant to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) is an approach that has yet to achieve precise treatment. The data showed that only 30% of patients with initial treatment had a remission rate. Recently published in JAMA compared the effectiveness of treatment guided by pharmacogenomics testing with usual care.

In MDD patients, offering pharmacogenomics testing to predict drug-gene interactions reduces the risk of A prescription for genetic interactions. Providing test results has a small non-persistent effect on symptom relief.