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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
19 articles
Newest firstSerotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in shaping brain network dynamics by regulating excitatory synaptic function and neuronal excitability. However, much less is known about how 5-HT tunes synaptic inhibition. Here, we demonstrate that transient 5-HT signaling persistently suppresses GABAergic synapses onto layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Moreover, we found that 5-HT1A and…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system (eCBS) and the loss of CB1 receptors (CB1R) in the basal ganglia are well-established hallmarks of Huntington's disease (HD). As a result, significant research efforts have focused on targeting the eCBS to alleviate motor disturbances associated with the disease. Beyond its role in motor control, the eCBS is a complex signaling network critically involved in r…
Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) regulates synaptic transmission through presynaptic receptors in nerve terminals, and its physiological roles are of clinical relevance. The cellular sources and synaptic targets of CB1-expressing terminals in the human cerebral cortex are undefined. We demonstrate a variable laminar pattern of CB1-immunoreactive axons and electron microscopically show that CB1-positive GABAergic termi…
Tinnitus has been identified as a potential contributor to anxiety. Thalamo-cortical pathway plays a crucial role in the transmission of auditory and emotional information, but its casual link to tinnitus-associated anxiety remains unclear. In this study, we explore the neural activities in the thalamus and cortex of the sodium salicylate (NaSal)-treated mice, which exhibit both hyperacusis and anxiety-like behavi…
Open article record in new tab ↗The rostral agranular insular cortex (RAIC) has been associated with pain modulation. Although the endogenous cannabinoid system (eCB) has been shown to regulate chronic pain, the roles of eCBs in the RAIC remain elusive under the neuropathic pain state. Neuropathic pain was induced in C57BL/6 mice by common peroneal nerve (CPN) ligation. The roles of the eCB were tested in the RAIC of ligated CPN C57BL/6J mice, g…
The molecular repertoire of the "Ca2+-signaling toolkit" supports the specific kinetic requirements of Ca2+-dependent processes in different neuronal types. A well-known example is the unique expression pattern of calcium-binding proteins, such as parvalbumin, calbindin, and calretinin. These cytosolic Ca2+-buffers control presynaptic and somatodendritic processes in a cell-type-specific manner and have been used…
The depolarization is also important for the short-term synaptic plasticity, known as depolarization-induced suppression of excitation (DSE). The two major types of neurons and their synapses in the lateral nucleus of amygdala (LA) are prone to plasticity. However, DSE in interneurons has not been reported in amygdala in general and in LA in particular. Therefore, we conducted the patch-clamp experiments with LA i…
Open article record in new tab ↗The endocannabinoid neurotransmission acting via local CB1 receptor in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in behavioral and physiological responses to emotional stress. However, the neural network related to this control is poorly understood. In this sense, the lateral hypothalamus (LH) is involved in stress responses, and BNST GABAergic neurons densely innervate this hypothalamic n…
The insular cortex plays pivotal roles in taste learning. As cellular mechanisms of taste learning, long-term potentiation (LTP) at glutamatergic synapses is well studied. However, little is known about long-term changes of synaptic efficacy at GABAergic synapses in the insular cortex. Here, we examined the synaptic mechanisms of long-term plasticity at GABAergic synapses in layer V pyramidal neurons of the mouse…
Open article record in new tab ↗Astrocytes, key regulators of brain homeostasis, interact with neighboring glial cells, neurons and the vasculature through complex processes involving different signaling pathways. It is not entirely clear how these interactions change in the ageing brain and which factors influence astrocyte ageing. Here, we investigate the role of endocannabinoid signaling, because it is an important modulator of neuron and ast…
Open article record in new tab ↗Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, play important roles in defending the brain against pathogens and supporting neuronal circuit plasticity. Chronic or excessive pro-inflammatory responses of microglia damage neurons, therefore their activity is tightly regulated. Pharmacological and genetic studies revealed that cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor activity influences microglial activity, although mi…
Resveratrol is a natural phytoalexin synthesized by plants, including grapes. It displays a wide range of neuroprotective benefits associated with anti-aging. Recent studies have shown that resveratrol regulates dopaminergic transmission and behavioral effects of drugs of abuse. The goal of the present study is to investigate whether and how resveratrol alters basal inhibitory synaptic transmission and cocaine-ind…
Open article record in new tab ↗Genetic inactivation of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor gene in different cell types in the brain has previously revealed necessary functions for distinct synaptic plasticity processes and behaviors. Here, we sought to identify CB1 receptor expression sites that are minimally required to reconstruct normal phenotypes. In a CB1-null background, we re-expressed endogenous CB1 receptors in forebrain GABAergic neurons, t…
The probability of suffering the mood disorder depression is up to 30% in women and 15% in men during their life span. Pharmacological options for depression are limited: conventional antidepressants have low efficacy and a delayed onset of action (several weeks). Here we investigate the antidepressant actions of inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the major degradative enzyme of the endocannabinoid 2-ar…
Open article record in new tab ↗Rac GTPases regulate the development of cortical/hippocampal GABAergic interneurons by affecting the early development and migration of GABAergic precursors. We have addressed the function of Rac1 and Rac3 proteins during the late maturation of hippocampal interneurons. We observed specific phenotypic differences between conditional Rac1 and full Rac3 knockout mice. Rac1 deletion caused greater generalized hyperac…
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is involved in adaptive reward and motivation processing and is composed of dopamine (DA) and GABA neurons. Defining the elements regulating activity and synaptic plasticity of these cells is critical to understanding mechanisms of reward and addiction. While endocannabinoids (eCBs) that potentially contribute to addiction are known to be involved in synaptic plasticity mechanisms…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Cerebral overexcitation needs inhibitory neurons be functionally upregulated to rebalance excitation vs. inhibition. For example, the intensive activities of GABAergic neurons induce spontaneous spikes, i.e., activity-induced spontaneous spikes (AISS). The mechanisms underlying AISS onset remain unclear. We investigated the roles of sodium channels in AISS induction and expression at hippocampal GABAerg…
Open article record in new tab ↗The orexigenic peptide, ghrelin is known to influence function of GnRH neurons, however, the direct effects of the hormone upon these neurons have not been explored, yet. The present study was undertaken to reveal expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) in GnRH neurons and elucidate the mechanisms of ghrelin actions upon them. Ca(2+)-imaging revealed a ghrelin-triggered increase of the Ca(2+)-co…
Open article record in new tab ↗Adequate pain sensitivity requires a delicate balance between excitation and inhibition in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This balance is severely impaired in neuropathy leading to enhanced pain sensations (hyperalgesia). The underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we explored the hypothesis that the excitatory drive to spinal GABAergic neurons might be impaired in neuropathic animals. Transgenic adult mic…