Abnormal Levels Of Neurotransmitters Research Articles

Dissolving microarray patches for transdermal delivery of risperidone for schizophrenia management

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that results from abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Risperidone (RIS) is a common drug prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia. RIS is a hydrophobic drug that is typically administered orally or intramuscularly. Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) could potentially improve the delivery of RIS. This study focused on the development of RIS nanocrystals (NCs), for the first time, which were incorporated into dissolving microneedle array patches (DMAPs) to facilitate the drug delivery of RIS. RIS NCs were formulated via wet-media milling technique using poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA) as a stabiliser. NCs with particle size of 300 nm were produced and showed an enhanced release profile up to 80 % over 28 days. Ex vivo results showed that 1.16 ± 0.04 mg of RIS was delivered to both the receiver compartment and full-thickness skin from NCs loaded DMAPs compared to 0.75 ± 0.07 mg from bulk RIS DMAPs. In an in vivo study conducted using female Sprague Dawley rats, both RIS and its active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RIS) were detected in plasma samples for 5 days. In comparison with the oral group, DMAPs improved the overall pharmacokinetic profile in plasma with a ∼ 15 folds higher area under the curve (AUC) value. This work has represented the novel delivery of the antipsychotic drug, RIS, through microneedles. It also offers substantial evidence to support the broader application of MAPs for the transdermal delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Adverse effects of anxiety disorder and attention deficit on metacognitive monitoring of autonomous learning in college students

BackgroundMetacognitive monitoring is an advanced management skill that is a necessary condition for successfully planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning activities. It plays the most central role in improving learning outcomes. There is a certain connection between attention deficit and anxiety disorder. This phenomenon may be related to functional abnormalities in brain areas and abnormal levels of neurotransmitters. Mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder and attention deficit can have an impact on the autonomous learning ability of college students.Subjects and MethodsThe study investigated 50 college students and diagnosed their condition based on the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis Scale (ADHD). They were divided into anxiety group, attention deficit group, anxiety and attention deficit group, and control group according to the results. Subsequently, the autonomous learning ability of the four groups was evaluated using the College Student Learning Autonomy Scale.ResultsThe control group had the best score on the Learning Autonomy Scale for college students, while the anxiety group had no significant difference from the control group (P>0.05); There was a significant difference between the attention deficit group and the control group (P˂0.05); The score of the anxiety and attention deficit group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionsThe impact of anxiety disorder on the metacognitive monitoring of autonomous learning among college students is not significant, while attention deficit has a more significant impact on metacognitive monitoring of autonomous learning among college students.AcknowledgementYunnan Provincial Education Department 2018 Undergraduate Education and Teaching Reform Research Project (No. JG2018291); The construction project of First-class course of Culture and Tourism College (No. YLKC202010).

Neuroendocrine, neurotransmitter, and gut microbiota imbalance contributing to potential psychiatric disorder prevalence in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women, affecting up to 15% of reproductive-aged women. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder, both in the sense that many different factors may play a role in its manifestation and that multiple systems throughout the body can be affected. Polycystic ovarian syndrome has been linked to an increased prevalence of various psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. Despite the socioeconomic effect that these disorders may have on patients with PCOS and society as a whole, this association is largely lacking in research. There are currently several theories regarding the link between PCOS and mental health. Some suggest that the overactive hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes in PCOS patients may alter the hormonal profile and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders. Other studies speculate that abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and neuronal signaling may play a role. Recently, more research has begun to focus on the gut-brain axis, addressing the nutritional needs of PCOS patients. Studies show that dietary factors such as probiotics and micronutrient supplementation may significantly improve psychiatric symptoms in PCOS patients while helping regulate neurotransmitter levels in the body. In this review, we examine different theories regarding the association between PCOS and psychiatric disorders and point out different areas of research that are needed to broaden our understanding of this association.

Minocycline improves autism-related behaviors by modulating microglia polarization in a mouse model of autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with few pharmacological treatments. Minocycline, a tetracycline derivative that inhibits microglial activation, has been well-identified with anti-inflammatory properties and neuroprotective effects. A growing body of research suggests that ASD is associated with neuroinflammation, abnormal neurotransmitter levels, and neurogenesis. Thus, we hypothesized that minocycline could improve autism-related behaviors by inhibiting microglia activation and altering neuroinflammation. To verify our hypothesis, we used a mouse model of autism, BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR). As expected, minocycline administration rescued the sociability and repetitive, stereotyped behaviors of BTBR mice while having no effect in C57BL/6J mice. We also found that minocycline improved neurogenesis and inhibited microglia activation in the hippocampus of BTBR mice. In addition, minocycline treatment inhibited Erk1/2 phosphorylation in the hippocampus of BTBR mice. Our findings show that minocycline administration alleviates ASD-like behaviors in BTBR mice and improves neurogenesis, suggesting that minocycline supplementation might be a potential strategy for improving ASD symptoms.

Advances in MXene-Based Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors for Neurotransmitter Detection.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that play an important role in the nervous system's control of the body's physiological state and behaviour. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters are closely associated with some mental disorders. Therefore, accurate analysis of neurotransmitters is of great clinical importance. Electrochemical sensors have shown bright application prospects in the detection of neurotransmitters. In recent years, MXene has been increasingly used to prepare electrode materials for fabricating electrochemical neurotransmitter sensors due to its excellent physicochemical properties. This paper systematically introduces the advances in MXene-based electrochemical (bio)sensors for the detection of neurotransmitters (including dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, tyrosine, NO, and H2S), with a focus on their strategies for improving the electrochemical properties of MXene-based electrode materials, and provides the current challenges and future prospects for MXene-based electrochemical neurotransmitter sensors.

Recent Advances in the Development and Characterization of Electrochemical and Electrical Biosensors for Small Molecule Neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters act as chemical messengers, determining human physiological and psychological function, and abnormal levels of neurotransmitters are related to conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Biologically and clinically relevant concentrations of neurotransmitters are usually very low (nM), so electrochemical and electronic sensors for neurotransmitter detection play an important role in achieving sensitive and selective detection. Additionally, these sensors have the distinct advantage to potentially be wireless, miniaturized, and multichannel, providing remarkable opportunities for implantable, long-term sensing capabilities unachievable by spectroscopic or chromatographic detection methods. In this article, we will focus on advances in the development and characterization of electrochemical and electronic sensors for neurotransmitters during the last five years, identifying how the field is progressing as well as critical knowledge gaps for sensor researchers.

Release of CGRP in vivo from rat dura mater: Influence of capsaicin and topiramate

Introduction Migraine is a disease that stands out for its high prevalence with changes in the nervous system, abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and neuropeptides. The main mechanisms of action of capsaicin are chemical induction through the activation of TRPV1 channels, allowing calcium influx into neurons in the trigeminal ganglion of the dura mater, activating mast cell degranulation, releasing pro-inflammatory (e.g., histamine, oxide nitric) and vasoactive (e.g., CGRP and substance P) substances. For treatment, classes of drugs are used to act on blood vessels and to prevent vasodilation, as well as depolarization of sensory fibers of the dura mater. Objectives To better understand sterile inflammation after exposing the dura mater bilaterally, we created an experimental model to study mechanisms of action of topiramate and capsaicin in mast cell degranulation and release of CGRP in a rat skull preparation in vivo using anesthetized animals. Methods Thirty-five Wistar rats were used, divided into two groups of chronic topiramate (GTC) treated with 20mg/kg/day, gavage/10 days, and acute topiramate (GTA) in situ in the dura mater (10-3M). The animals were anesthetized and cranial windows between the coronal and lambda sutures in the hemicraniums were performed with a drill to expose the dura mater bilaterally. 10-3M capsaicin was placed on the right side and synthetic interstitial fluid on the left side and exposed to contact for 10 minutes to a small cotton ball soaked with the respective solutions so that there is no leakage of the treatment, and posteriorly kept in the freezer (-20°C) for later quantification of CGRP. The percentage of degranulated mast cells was quantified after removal of the dura mater by staining it with toluidine blue. A commercial enzyme immunoassay quantified the release of CGRP from the cranial dura mater... (Too see the complet abstract, please, check out the PDF.)

"Nano": An Emerging Avenue in Electrochemical Detection of Neurotransmitters.

The growing importance of nanomaterials toward the detection of neurotransmitter molecules has been chronicled in this review. Neurotransmitters (NTs) are chemicals that serve as messengers in synaptic transmission and are key players in brain functions. Abnormal levels of NTs are associated with numerous psychotic and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, their sensitive and robust detection is of great significance in clinical diagnostics. For more than three decades, electrochemical sensors have made a mark toward clinical detection of NTs. The superiority of these electrochemical sensors lies in their ability to enable sensitive, simple, rapid, and selective determination of analyte molecules while remaining relatively inexpensive. Additionally, these sensors are capable of being integrated in robust, portable, and miniaturized devices to establish point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Nanomaterials have emerged as promising materials with significant implications for electrochemical sensing due to their inherent capability to achieve high surface coverage, superior sensitivity, and rapid response in addition to simple device architecture and miniaturization. Considering the enormous significance of the levels of NTs in biological systems and the advances in sensing ushered in with the integration of nanotechnology in electrochemistry, the analysis of NTs by employing nanomaterials as interface materials in various matrices has emerged as an active area of research. This review explores the advancements made in the field of electrochemical sensors for the sensitive and selective determination of NTs which have been described in the past two decades with a distinctive focus on extremely innovative attributes introduced by nanotechnology.

Electrochemical Detection of Neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are important chemical messengers in the nervous system that play a crucial role in physiological and physical health. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters have been correlated with physical, psychotic, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, addiction, depression, and schizophrenia. Although multiple neurotechnological approaches have been reported in the literature, the detection and monitoring of neurotransmitters in the brain remains a challenge and continues to garner significant attention. Neurotechnology that provides high-throughput, as well as fast and specific quantification of target analytes in the brain, without negatively impacting the implanted region is highly desired for the monitoring of the complex intercommunication of neurotransmitters. Therefore, it is crucial to develop clinical assessment techniques that are sensitive and reliable to monitor and modulate these chemical messengers and screen diseases. This review focuses on summarizing the current electrochemical measurement techniques that are capable of sensing neurotransmitters with high temporal resolution in real time. Advanced neurotransmitter sensing platforms that integrate nanomaterials and biorecognition elements are explored.

Duration-dependent effect of exposure to static electric field on learning and memory ability in mice.

With the rapid development of ultra-high-voltage direct-current (UHVDC) transmission, the strength of environmental static electric field (SEF) around UHVDC transmission lines increased substantially, which has aroused widely public attention on the potential health effects of SEF. In this study, the effect of SEF exposure on learning and memory ability was investigated. Institute of Cancer Research mice were exposed to 56.3kV/m SEF for a short term (7days) or long term (49days). Behaviors in the Morris water maze (MWM) test, hippocampal neurotransmitter contents, and oxidative stress indicators were examined. Results showed that short-term SEF exposure significantly prolonged escape latency and decreased the number of platform-site crossovers, as well as decreased the time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM test. Meanwhile, serotonin level and the ratio of glutamate level to γ-aminobutyric acid level changed significantly. Besides, malondialdehyde content and glutathione peroxidase activity increased significantly, while superoxide dismutase activity decreased significantly. After long-term SEF exposure, all indices above showed no significant differences between the SEF and sham exposure groups. These data indicated that short-term exposure to 56.3kV/m SEF could cause abnormal neurotransmitter levels and oxidative stress in the hippocampus, which led to the decline in learning and memory ability. Under the condition of long-term exposure, the SEF-induced disturbances in neurotransmitter contents and redox balance were offset by the compensatory responses of mice, and thus, the learning and memory ability returned to normal level. The temporary and reversible decline in learning and memory ability was only a common biological effect of SEF rather than a health hazard.

Adolescent drug use: altered dopamine feedback control

Neurotransmitter(NT)-receptor binding is regulated by a homeostatic process that involves feedback control loops. Normally, if NT concentration is altered relative to baseline, the free NT concentration and, hence, the amount receptor-bound recovers to basal levels. That is, the organism's intrinsic control system, via autoreceptor or other feedback, operates to maintain equilibrium at homeostasis (basal state). Exogenous substances such as abused drugs not only perturb NT basal level, but, as we have previously shown, also alter the homeostatic ‘set-point’. Alteration of the set-point results in abnormal NT levels and maladaptive adjustments to perturbations. We postulate such maladaptations help explain aberrant risk-taking behavior in young drug abusers, and vulnerability to transitioning into adult drug abuse. We determined the dopamine (DA) control function (cF) in adult rats and demonstrated that morphine induces alterations in cF sensitivity. The goal of this work is the extension to adolescent rats and other abused drugs. We use standard microdialysis/HPLC techniques to measure DA from the nucleus accumbens – a region still undergoing development during adolescence – of non-anesthetized naïve rats, then induce a perturbation away from the equilibrium set-point and follow the time-course of return to the altered equilibrium state. The derived data set provides the parameter values for the feedback control equations and how abused drugs alter them. The analysis does not require the molecular mechanisms of the feedback. Because many adolescents are poly-drug users, we also evaluate drug combinations using mathematically rigorous joint-action analysis. The intent is insight into adolescent drug use and neurobiological mechanisms underlying transition from use, to abuse, to dependence in adulthood and possible novel targets for prevention or treatment.

Tourette Syndrome Teaching Module: Introducing Elementary School Students to Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is characterized by varying degrees of vocal and motor tics resulting from abnormal levels of neurotransmitters. Because this disorder is commonly encountered by elementary school aged children, but not readily understood, it provided an opportunity to introduce aspects of biochemistry and cell biology to elementary school students from a tangible perspective. A teaching module using TS as a model to study the biological basis for cells, genes, inherited traits and the nervous system, was designed and implemented in a fourth grade classroom. This lesson covered the function of cells, control of inherited traits by genes, voluntary vs. involuntary movements, and the structure of a neuron and the role of neurotransmitters. One year later, a follow-up lesson was presented to the now fifth graders to include an abbreviated version of the original lecture and as an added segment, the basics of mitosis were presented and discussed. To assess the retention of the concepts previously learned and reinforce the material learned, an questionnaire was completed prior to the lesson and the students were divided into teams that competed in puzzle games. The assessment showed that the majority of students successfully retained major concepts related to the variability of genetic trait inheritance, recognizing characteristics of TS and practicing sensitivity towards individuals living with disorders. This integrative series of teaching lessons was effective for reinforcing and advancing biochemical and cellular concepts in an elementary school classroom.

Neurochemical Pathogenesis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

SUMMARYObjective: To present what is known, and to project what is likely to be found regarding pain amplification by abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS].Methods: The main sources of information have been the published medical literature, but some unpublished data from the laboratories of the world will aslo be highlighted. The mechanisms to be proposed have been based on current knowledge about nociception and on the roles which neurotransmitters are believed to play in abonormal pain states, such as allodynia. Considered will be excesses of nociceptive agonists and complementary deficiencies of antinociceptive mediators.Results: Widespread body pain in FMS had prompted the hypothesis that central systemic processes might be responsible. The most dramatic and consistent finding to date has been elevated levels of substance P [SP] in FMS cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]. Statistical correlations of pain measures with CSF SP or time delta CSF SP in FMS both support the hypothesis t...