Aberrant miR-339-5p/neuronatin signaling causes prodromal neuronal calcium dyshomeostasis in mutant presenilin mice.

Mushroom spine loss and calcium dyshomeostasis are early hallmark events of age-related neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), that are connected with neuronal hyperactivity in early pathology of cognitive brain areas. However, it remains elusive how these key events are triggered at the molecular level for the neuronal abnormality that occurs at the initial stage of disease. Here, we identify downregulated miR-339-5p and its upregulated target protein, neuronatin (Nnat), in cortex neurons from the presenilin-1 M146V knockin (PSEN1-M146V KI) mouse model of familial AD (FAD).

Mechanisms of motor symptom improvement by long-term Tai Chi training in Parkinson's disease patients.

Background: Tai Chi has been shown to improve motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), but its long-term effects and the related mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term Tai Chi training on motor symptoms in PD and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Ninety-five early-stage PD patients were enrolled and randomly divided into Tai Chi (n = 32), brisk walking (n = 31) and no-exercise (n = 32) groups.

Altered structural and functional connectivity in CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy.

CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy is a rare white-matter encephalopathy characterized by motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms due to colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) gene mutation. Few studies have investigated the intrinsic brain alternations of patients with CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy. We aim to evaluate the structural and functional changes in those patients.

N1 and P1 Components Associate With Visuospatial-Executive and Language Functions in Normosmic Parkinson's Disease: An Event-Related Potential Study.

Hyposmia is one of the most important clinical markers of Parkinson's disease (PD) with a prevalence ranging from 50 to 96% of PD patients. A significant association was found between hyposmia and cognitive impairment of PD. However, there were no reports of event-related potentials (ERP) performance in PD patients with and without hyposmia for cognitive functions assessment.

Computerized cognitive training for Chinese mild cognitive impairment patients: A neuropsychological and fMRI study.

Background: Computerized multi-model training has been widely studied for its effect on delaying cognitive decline. In this study, we designed the first Chinese-version computer-based multi-model cognitive training for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Neuropsychological effects and neural activity changes assessed by functional MRI were both evaluated.

The role of cognitive activity in cognition protection: from Bedside to Bench.

Background: Cognitive decline poses a great concern to elderly people and their families. In addition to pharmacological therapies, several varieties of nonpharmacological intervention have been developed. Most training trials proved that a well-organized task is clinically effective in cognition improvement.

Retrieval Deficiency in Brain Activity of Working Memory in Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients: A Brain Event-Related Potentials Study.

In the early stage of Alzheimer disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), working memory (WM) deficiency is prominent and could be attributed to failure in encoding, maintenance or retrieval of information. However, evidence for a retention or retrieval deficit remains equivocal. It is also unclear what cognitive mechanism in WM is impaired in MCI or early AD.

Exercise-Related Changes of Networks in Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment Brain.

Aging and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are accompanied by decline of cognitive functions. Meanwhile, the most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious to make difficulties for patients in their daily life. MCI is a transition period between normal aging and dementia, which has been used for early detection of emerging dementia.

Mental Training for Cognitive Improvement in Elderly People: What have We Learned from Clinical and Neurophysiologic Studies?

Cognitive impairment is a major concern in elderly people, and a variety of nonpharmacological therapies (NPTs) have been developed to help with cognitive decline. One of the most popular therapies is cognitive training, which includes pencil-and-paper puzzles, computerized games, or the combination of the two. Training is designed to have participants perform diverse exercises in one or more cognitive domains.

Potential Similarities in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Alzheimer’s Disease: From Clinic to Pathology.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is clinically characterized by insidious onset of memory and cognitive impairments, which are also presented in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Many studies have shown that seizures occur in some patients with AD, and AD is a risk factor for epilepsy, mainly complex partial and secondary generalized seizure. Here, we focus on the relationship between TLE and AD in clinical and pathological aspects, as they are having similar comorbidities and mechanisms.

[Distribution and regulation of Panx1 protein].

Pannexin1 (Panx1) is a subtype of the newly discovered gap junction proteins named Pannexin(s). Panx1 is widely expressed in the nervous system, cardiovascular system, etc and can form non-selective and large conductance hemichannel. It has been demonstrated that various conditions can regulate Panx1 open and affect the body's physiological function via macromolecular substance (for instance, ATP) releasing.