Progress in brain research最新文献

As neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's continue to rise globally, the need for cross-border collaboration in research and treatment has never been more critical. This chapter explores prominent global case studies and collaborative frameworks that exemplify how united efforts are transforming the landscape of NDD research. By pooling expertise, data, and resources, international initiatives are accelerating discoveries in early diagnosis, biomarker identification, and personalized therapies. Highlighting landmark consortia such as the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (n.d.), Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), and emerging multi-omics collaborations, the chapter illustrates how these partnerships overcome the complexity and heterogeneity of NDDs. It delves into technological innovations like artificial intelligence, blockchain data sharing, and real-time patient monitoring, which empower researchers and clinicians to connect genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in a holistic manner. Ethical considerations and data privacy frameworks are underscored as pivotal to fostering trust among participants and bridging disparities between regions with varying access to precision medicine. The chapter also sheds light on successful public-private partnerships and patient-focused global networks that place individuals at the center of discovery and care. Challenges such as standardizing protocols across countries, navigating legal frameworks, and securing sustainable funding are discussed alongside future directions for expanding collaborative reach. Ultimately, this comprehensive overview conveys the unprecedented promise held by global cooperation in combating neurodegenerative diseases-offering hope for improved diagnostics, innovative treatments, and enhanced quality of life for millions worldwide.

This chapter investigates the ways in which male and female brains are differently affected by stress during early development, which in turn affects how susceptible each group is to stress-related illnesses. When examining the structure and function of the brain, gender differences and stress must be taken into account. Male and female brain development differs in response to the prenatal testis's secretion of androgen. It appears that when it comes to responding to stress, encoding memories, feeling emotions, solving specific issues, and making decisions, men and women use distinct areas of the brain. Findings revealed that stress led to specific changes in brain structure and function, with gender-specific differences observed. The prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala are among the brain regions connected to the stress response. The stress response has been linked to the presentation of numerous mental and psychosomatic conditions. The way men and women respond to stress varies on a biological and psychological level. To gain more insight into the gender differences seen throughout brain development, these disparities must also be investigated. This chapter implies that gender-specific vulnerabilities should be addressed and healthy brain development should be promoted by stress-related interventions.

Hormesis-the adaptive response of cells and organisms to moderate, intermittent stress-has emerged as a promising framework for treating neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. This biphasic dose-response phenomenon can benefit biological systems by inducing neural plasticity, improving cognitive function, and enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. Hormetic interventions including intermittent fasting, physical exercise, and environmental enrichment, among others, work through common molecular pathways. These approaches collectively modulate essential transcription factors such as NF-κB, CREB, and Nrf2, and consequent increases in the expression of neuroprotective genes, such as BDNF and heat shock proteins. The relationship between stress and biological outcomes follows an inverted U-shaped curve, where moderate stress triggers beneficial adaptations while chronic or excessive stress leads to allostatic load and pathology. This mechanistic understanding bridges traditional concepts of homeostasis with modern views on neuroplasticity and resilience. By elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of hormetic responses, researchers can develop precisely calibrated, personalized interventions that may lead to therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative conditions, neuropsychiatric disorders, and age-related cognitive decline.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary intervention based on time-restricted energy intake. Over the years, IF has been widely investigated as a non-pharmacological approach to increasing life expectancy and promoting brain health. The underlying mechanisms by which IF promotes its beneficial effects are attributed to hormesis, an evolutionary adaptive strategy that regulates cellular responses to stress. These effects include elevated levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), enhanced neurogenesis and autophagy, increased synaptic plasticity, and improved cognitive functions such as memory and learning. The metabolic switch induced by IF promotes the production of ketone bodies (β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone), which serve as alternative energy substrate for the central nervous system (CNS) and modulator of vital processes, including cellular homeostasis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The two most common neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation and energy deficits. IF has shown a promising therapeutic approach through its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, which need to be further assessed. Through similar mechanisms, IF appears to exert an antidepressant effect by regulating monoamines in limbic regions, and inhibiting neuroinflammation.

Recent data underscores a critical public health issue: more than 40 % of the global population suffers from neurological conditions, for which no cures currently exist. To combat this pressing challenge, researchers are turning to phytochemicals-bioactive compounds derived from plants that hold promising health benefits, particularly for cognitive function. This chapter intends to shed light on groundbreaking discoveries regarding curcumin, isoflavonoids, and cardiotonic steroids, natural compounds that act on the brain. These substances have shown significant potential for enhancing brain health as we age, especially in addressing neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. We will also examine the intricate molecular mechanisms these compounds activate to offer neuroprotection, supported by both in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, we will analyze clinical trials that inspire optimism for the development of innovative therapeutic drugs in the near future. Supporting research in this area could be vital to transforming the landscape of neurological health.

Comparative studies of phytocannabinoids offer valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of cannabis. While Cannabis sativa can produce over 100 distinct phytocannabinoids, most are present only in trace amounts. This review examines the structural, biochemical, and pharmacological characteristics of five representative phytocannabinoids: cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), and cannabinol (CBN). We describe their biosynthetic pathways, abiotic transformations, and precursor roles in generating molecular diversity. Chemovar profiles are discussed based on seed bank data and chromatographic analyses of Brazilian-grown cultivars. Our findings suggest that high-CBD chemovars have recently emerged, possibly due to genetic drift from intensive hybridization. To evaluate the clinical relevance of these compounds, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of binding affinities (Ki) for CB1, CB2, and other neuronal receptors. Δ⁹-THC and CBN showed high affinities for CB1 and CB2, while CBG, CBC, and CBD exhibited 10-100 times lower affinities. Statistical analysis confirmed significantly stronger CB1 and CB2 binding for Δ⁹-THC compared to CBD. These results support the hypothesis that non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids primarily act through non-canonical targets such as GPR55 (G Protein-Coupled Receptor 55), TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1), and TRPM8 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8), though affinity data for these receptors remain limited. Finally, we discuss preclinical pharmacological evidence highlighting how subtle structural differences yield distinct physiological effects. Our findings emphasize the need for expanded research into underexplored phytocannabinoids with unique therapeutic potential.

Neuropsychiatric diseases are a serious disorders affecting an individual's life, which can constitute a great problem to health care systems and a reduced level of activity in elderly. These disorders mainly include schizophrenia (SCZ), anxiety, and depression. Art therapy (AT) as one of the non-pharmacological therapies seems to improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms in neuropsychiatric disorders in older adults but the exact neural mechanisms are not fully known. All these preventive methods contribute in decreasing psychological distress and promoting mental health in aging. Many different art media can be utilized by therapists for psychiatric and psychological conditions. AT, including music, painting, and architecture media as the most therapeutic processes can be served as a useful therapeutic option to alleviate disease related symptoms. Here, in this chapter we investigate the effectiveness of art therapies in age-related neuropsychiatric disorders adults. It's recommended for further research to stronger focus on processes and biological mechanisms underlying art related changes. We believe that this method has promoting potential in clinic on neuropsychiatric diseases to be further evaluated.

The elderly population is rising in number, and along with it, the distribution of neuropsychiatric disorders is also increasing. These disorders pose a challenge in treating them effectively in a timely manner. As most geriatric patients have comorbidities, the side effects of multiple medications, including drugs for neuropsychiatric disorders, cumulatively impair their well-being. To decrease the drug doses and hence the side effects, Non-Pharmacological Interventions (NPIs) pave a prominent pathway for the handling of patients. Cognitive stimulation therapy, mindfulness and meditation, music and art therapy, physical activity, social engagement, occupational therapy, reminiscence therapy, and technology-assisted interventions are the treatment modalities of neuropsychiatric disorders. In conjunction with the outcomes of these interventions on neuropsychiatric disorders, their limitations, challenges, and future directions are also explored. Though these evidence-based therapies are beneficial, optimal guidelines, a shortage of skilled therapy providers, long-term outcomes, and knowledge about the mechanism of action are inadequate. Finally, engaging in social interaction, daily exercise, and having a creative hobby, such as drawing and listening to music, delays the worsening of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the aging population. In this chapter, we aim to review the science behind NPIs for neuropsychiatric disorders extensively.

Stress can be characterized as any perceived or actual threat that necessitates compensatory actions to maintain homeostasis. It can alter an organism's behavior over time by permanently altering the composition and functionality of brain circuitry. The amygdala and prefrontal cortex are two interrelated brain regions that have been the focus of initial research on stress and brain structural and functional plasticity, with the hippocampus serving as the entry point for most of this knowledge. Prolonged stress causes significant morphological alterations in important brain regions such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. Memory, learning, and emotional regulation are among the cognitive functions that are adversely affected by these changes, including neuronal shrinkage, dendritic retraction, and synaptic malfunction. Stress perturbs the equilibrium of neurotransmitters, neuronal plasticity, and mitochondrial function at the molecular level. On the other hand, chronic stress negatively impacts physiology and can result in neuropsychiatric diseases. Recent molecular research has linked various epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs, to the dysregulation of genes in the impacted brain circuits responsible for the pathophysiology of chronic stress. Numerous disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) including Alzheimer's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich's ataxia, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, have been linked to oxidative stress as a possible cause.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition resulting from exposure to traumatic events, marked by persistent psychological distress and impairment in daily functioning. Risk factors for PTSD include genetic predispositions, neurobiological factors, as well as psychosocial and environmental influences. Specific demographic groups, such as veterans, first responders, and individuals in high-risk environments, are more susceptible to developing the disorder. Despite growing research, there remain gaps in understanding the full pathophysiology of PTSD, and existing diagnostic methods and treatments are not universally effective, contributing to a significant public health burden. This chapter explores the pathophysiology of PTSD, focusing on its underlying mechanisms, associated risk factors, and high-risk populations. Biological biomarkers such as neuroimaging findings, hormonal imbalances, genetic predispositions, and physiological indicators are discussed in the context of their role in PTSD diagnosis and understanding. Both pharmacological treatments and non-pharmacological interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness-based techniques, are reviewed for their effectiveness in symptom management. Further research is essential to advance individualized diagnostic techniques and optimize treatment strategies, ensuring more personalized care for PTSD patients.