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View article: Genetic mutations in HSV-1 replication-defective vectors: Implications for their safety in gene therapy applications
Genetic mutations in HSV-1 replication-defective vectors: Implications for their safety in gene therapy applications Open
Beyond its well-known role in orofacial recurrent infections, HSV-1 has garnered significant attention in neuroscience for contrasting reasons. On one hand, it has been found to be involved in neurodegenerative processes; on the other, it …
View article: Exploring the diversity of biological processes regulated by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a pleiotropic molecule with therapeutic potential
Exploring the diversity of biological processes regulated by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a pleiotropic molecule with therapeutic potential Open
Glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent trophic factor essential for neuronal survival and function. Encoded by the GDNF gene, its mature protein arises from specific post-translational modifications and is secreted …
View article: Circulating <scp>microRNAs</scp> and <scp>isomiRs</scp> as biomarkers for the initial insult and epileptogenesis in four experimental epilepsy models: The <scp>EPITARGET</scp> study
Circulating <span>microRNAs</span> and <span>isomiRs</span> as biomarkers for the initial insult and epileptogenesis in four experimental epilepsy models: The <span>EPITARGET</span> study Open
Objective Structural epilepsies can manifest months or years after the occurrence of an initial epileptogenic insult, making them amenable for secondary prevention. However, development of preventive treatments has been challenged by a lac…
View article: Gene therapy for epilepsy targeting neuropeptide Y and its Y2 receptor to dentate gyrus granule cells
Gene therapy for epilepsy targeting neuropeptide Y and its Y2 receptor to dentate gyrus granule cells Open
Gene therapy is emerging as an alternative option for individuals with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Here, we explore the potential of a novel gene therapy based on Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a well-known endogenous anticonvulsant. We develop …
View article: A case report of a probable drug-induced liver injury after therapy remodulation with lamotrigine, quetiapine and sertraline in an adult female with recurrent major depression using the updated RUCAM score
A case report of a probable drug-induced liver injury after therapy remodulation with lamotrigine, quetiapine and sertraline in an adult female with recurrent major depression using the updated RUCAM score Open
Background: Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI) is a common cause of acute liver injury and can be induced by several drugs. Lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, and quetiapine are used also as mood stabilizer medications and both have been re…
View article: Cognitive comorbidities in the rat pilocarpine model of epilepsy
Cognitive comorbidities in the rat pilocarpine model of epilepsy Open
Patients with epilepsy are prone to cognitive decline, depression, anxiety and other behavioral disorders. Cognitive comorbidities are particularly common and well-characterized in people with temporal lobe epilepsy, while inconsistently a…
View article: Lack of Direct Effects of Neurotrophic Factors in an In Vitro Model of Neuroinflammation
Lack of Direct Effects of Neurotrophic Factors in an In Vitro Model of Neuroinflammation Open
Neuroinflammation is associated with several neurological disorders including temporal lobe epilepsy. Seizures themselves can induce neuroinflammation. In an in vivo model of epilepsy, the supplementation of brain-derived neurotropic facto…
View article: Sampling Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood from Lateral Tail Vein in Rats during EEG Recordings
Sampling Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood from Lateral Tail Vein in Rats during EEG Recordings Open
Because the composition of body fluids reflects many physiological and pathological dynamics, biological liquid samples are commonly obtained in many experimental contexts to measure molecules of interest, such as hormones, growth factors,…
View article: Low-dose 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Administration After Status Epilepticus Prevents Epilepsy Development
Low-dose 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Administration After Status Epilepticus Prevents Epilepsy Development Open
Temporal lobe epilepsy often manifests months or even years after an initial epileptogenic insult (e.g., stroke, trauma, status epilepticus) and, therefore, may be preventable. However, no such preventive treatment is currently available. …
View article: Antipsychotic drugs counteract autophagy and mitophagy in multiple sclerosis
Antipsychotic drugs counteract autophagy and mitophagy in multiple sclerosis Open
Significance Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease in young adults. Advances in the understanding of the cellular mechanisms that contribute to MS may help to develop new therapies. Here, we elucidated the role o…
View article: <i>SREBP2</i> gene therapy targeting striatal astrocytes ameliorates Huntington’s disease phenotypes
<i>SREBP2</i> gene therapy targeting striatal astrocytes ameliorates Huntington’s disease phenotypes Open
Brain cholesterol is produced mainly by astrocytes and is important for neuronal function. Its biosynthesis is severely reduced in mouse models of Huntington’s disease. One possible mechanism is a diminished nuclear translocation of the tr…
View article: NPY and Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: How, When,... and Y
NPY and Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: How, When,... and Y Open
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a neuropeptide abundantly expressed in the mammalian central and peripheral nervous system. NPY is a pleiotropic molecule, which influences cell proliferation, cardiovascular and metabolic function, pain and neurona…
View article: SREBP2 delivery to striatal astrocytes normalizes transcription of cholesterol biosynthesis genes and ameliorates pathological features in Huntington’s Disease
SREBP2 delivery to striatal astrocytes normalizes transcription of cholesterol biosynthesis genes and ameliorates pathological features in Huntington’s Disease Open
Brain cholesterol is produced mainly by astrocytes and is important for neuronal function. Its biosynthesis is severely reduced in mouse models of Huntington’s Disease (HD). One possible mechanism is a diminished nuclear translocation of t…
View article: Progress in gene therapy for neurological disorders
Progress in gene therapy for neurological disorders Open
Diseases of the nervous system have devastating effects and are widely distributed among the population, being especially prevalent in the elderly. These diseases are often caused by inherited genetic mutations that result in abnormal nerv…
View article: The Dichotomous Role of Inflammation in the CNS: A Mitochondrial Point of View
The Dichotomous Role of Inflammation in the CNS: A Mitochondrial Point of View Open
Innate immune response is one of our primary defenses against pathogens infection, although, if dysregulated, it represents the leading cause of chronic tissue inflammation. This dualism is even more present in the central nervous system, …
View article: Implication of sestrin3 in epilepsy and its comorbidities
Implication of sestrin3 in epilepsy and its comorbidities Open
Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder affecting about 1% of the population worldwide. Epilepsy may arise as a result of acquired brain injury, or as a consequence of genetic predisposition. To date, genome-wide association studies an…
View article: Does It Ping or Pong? Auditory and Tactile Classification of Materials by Bouncing Events
Does It Ping or Pong? Auditory and Tactile Classification of Materials by Bouncing Events Open
Two experiments studied the role of impact sounds and vibrations in classification of materials. The task consisted of feeling on an actuated surface and listening through headphones to the recorded feedback of a ping-pong ball hitting thr…
View article: Gene Therapy Tools for Brain Diseases
Gene Therapy Tools for Brain Diseases Open
Neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are still incompletely understood. Many of these disorders lack a cure and are seeking more specific and effective treatments. In fact, in spite of advancements in knowledge…
View article: Advancing research toward faster diagnosis, better treatment, and end of stigma in epilepsy
Advancing research toward faster diagnosis, better treatment, and end of stigma in epilepsy Open
Seven large European Union ( EU )–funded epilepsy‐related research projects joined forces in May 2018 in Brussels, Belgium, in a unique community building event—the epiXchange conference. During this conference, 170 investigators from the …
View article: Auditory and tactile recognition of resonant material vibrations in a passive task of bouncing perception
Auditory and tactile recognition of resonant material vibrations in a passive task of bouncing perception Open
Besides vision and audition, everyday materials can be passively explored also using touch if they provide tactile feedback to users, for instance in consequence of an external force exciting their natural resonances. If such resonances ar…
View article: Long-Term, Targeted Delivery of GDNF from Encapsulated Cells Is Neuroprotective and Reduces Seizures in the Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy
Long-Term, Targeted Delivery of GDNF from Encapsulated Cells Is Neuroprotective and Reduces Seizures in the Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy Open
Neurotrophic factors are candidates for treating epilepsy, but their development has been hampered by difficulties in achieving stable and targeted delivery of efficacious concentrations within the desired brain region. We have developed a…
View article: A Matter of Genes: The Hurdles of Gene Therapy for Epilepsy
A Matter of Genes: The Hurdles of Gene Therapy for Epilepsy Open
Gene therapy has recently advanced to the level of standard of care for several diseases. However, its application to neurological disorders is still in the experimental phase. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in the field th…
View article: Discovery and validation of blood micro<scp>RNA</scp>s as molecular biomarkers of epilepsy: Ways to close current knowledge gaps
Discovery and validation of blood micro<span>RNA</span>s as molecular biomarkers of epilepsy: Ways to close current knowledge gaps Open
Summary There is a major unmet need for biomarkers of epilepsy. Biofluids such as blood offer a potential source of molecular biomarkers. Micro RNA s (miRNAs) fulfill several key requirements for a blood‐based molecular biomarker being enr…
View article: Neurotrophic factors and status epilepticus
Neurotrophic factors and status epilepticus Open
Summary Because of their strong effects on cell survival and on synaptic function, neurotrophic factors ( NTF s) have been hypothesized to be involved in some aspects of status epilepticus (SE) and in its possible consequences. This hypoth…