Neurons are the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. Precisely regulated dendrite morphogenesis is the basis of neural circuit assembly. Numerous studies have been conducted to explore the regulatory mechanisms of dendritic morphogenesis. According to their action regions, we divide them into two categories: the intrinsic and extrinsic regulators of neuronal dendritic morphogenesis. Intrinsic factors are cell type-specific transcription factors, actin polymerization or depolymerization regulators and regulators of the secretion or endocytic pathways. These intrinsic factors are produced by neuron itself and play an important role in regulating the development of dendrites. The extrinsic regulators are either secreted proteins or transmembrane domain containing cell adhesion molecules. They often form receptor-ligand pairs to mediate attractive or repulsive dendritic guidance. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the intrinsic and external molecular mechanisms of dendrite morphogenesis from multiple model organisms, including , and mice. These studies will provide a better understanding on how defective dendrite development and maintenance are associated with neurological diseases.
Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; cytology ; Dendrites ; Mice ; Morphogenesis ; Nervous System Diseases ; physiopathology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; therapy ; Cardiovascular System ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; therapy ; Humans

Cardiovascular diseases are life-threatening illnesses with high morbidity and mortality. Suppressed vagal (parasympathetic) activity and increased sympathetic activity are involved in these diseases. Currently, pharmacological interventions primarily aim to inhibit over-excitation of sympathetic nerves, while vagal modulation has been largely neglected. Many studies have demonstrated that increased vagal activity reduces cardiovascular risk factors in both animal models and human patients. Therefore, the improvement of vagal activity may be an alternate approach for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, drugs used for vagus nerve activation in cardiovascular diseases are limited in the clinic. In this review, we provide an overview of the potential drug targets for modulating vagal nerve activation, including muscarinic, and β-adrenergic receptors. In addition, vagomimetic drugs (such as choline, acetylcholine, and pyridostigmine) and the mechanism underlying their cardiovascular protective effects are also discussed.
Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Cholinergic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; drug effects ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Vagus Nerve ; drug effects ; physiopathology

The neuropeptide orexin is widely distributed in the nervous system. Previous studies showed that orexin is involved in the feeding behavior regulation by binding to its receptor 1 (OX1R) and receptor 2 (OX2R) to activate the downstream signaling pathway. Recent studies have demonstrated that the system of orexin and its receptors are also involved in important physiological processes such as sleep-wake, learning and memory, and pathological processes of various neurological diseases. In this review, we summarized the research progress on the function of the orexin and its receptor system in physiological and pathological processes, and revealed the correlation between orexin and nervous system diseases, in order to provide the theoretical guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the related diseases in the future.
Humans ; Nervous System Diseases ; physiopathology ; Orexin Receptors ; physiology ; Orexins ; physiology ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUND: More than 140 million people drink arsenic-contaminated groundwater. It is unknown how much arsenic exposure is necessary to cause neurological impairment. Here, we evaluate the relationship between neurological impairments and the arsenic concentration in drinking water (ACDW). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed. We performed medical examinations of 1867 residents in seven villages in the Thabaung township in Myanmar. Medical examinations consisted of interviews regarding subjective neurological symptoms and objective neurological examinations of sensory disturbances. For subjective neurological symptoms, we ascertained the presence or absence of defects in smell, vision, taste, and hearing; the feeling of weakness; and chronic numbness or pain. For objective sensory disturbances, we examined defects in pain sensation, vibration sensation, and two-point discrimination. We analyzed the relationship between the subjective symptoms, objective sensory disturbances, and ACDW. RESULTS: Residents with ACDW ≥ 10 parts per billion (ppb) had experienced a "feeling of weakness" and "chronic numbness or pain" significantly more often than those with ACDW < 10 ppb. Residents with ACDW ≥ 50 ppb had three types of sensory disturbances significantly more often than those with ACDW < 50 ppb. In children, there was no significant association between symptoms or signs and ACDW. CONCLUSION Subjective symptoms, probably due to peripheral neuropathy, occurred at very low ACDW (around 10 ppb). Objective peripheral nerve disturbances of both small and large fibers occurred at low ACDW (> 50 ppb). These data suggest a threshold for the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy due to arsenic exposure, and indicate that the arsenic concentration in drinking water should be less than 10 ppb to ensure human health.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Arsenic ; analysis ; toxicity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dietary Exposure ; adverse effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drinking Water ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Female ; Groundwater ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myanmar ; epidemiology ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Sensation Disorders ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; analysis ; toxicity ; Young Adult

Synapsins serve as flagships among the presynaptic proteins due to their abundance on synaptic vesicles and contribution to synaptic communication. Several studies have emphasized the importance of this multi-gene family of neuron-specific phosphoproteins in maintaining brain physiology. In the recent times, increasing evidence has established the relevance of alterations in synapsins as a major determinant in many neurological disorders. Here, we give a comprehensive description of the diverse roles of the synapsin family and the underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to several neurological disorders. These physiologically important roles of synapsins associated with neurological disorders are just beginning to be understood. A detailed understanding of the diversified expression of synapsins may serve to strategize novel therapeutic approaches for these debilitating neurological disorders.
Animals ; Central Nervous System Diseases ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Synapsins ; physiology

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily. GDF-15 expression is dramatically upregulated during acute brain injury, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation, suggesting its potential value as a disease biomarker. It has been suggested that GDF-15 has neurotropic effects in the nervous system. Our studies showed that GDF-15 modulated the expression of neuronal Kand Caion channels and increased the release of excitatory transmitter in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice. GDF-15 is also involved in the complex modulation of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Here, we reviewed studies involving the modulation of GDF-15 expression and its mechanisms, the primary pathological and physiological functions of GDF-15 in neurological and cardiovascular systems, and its role in cancer progression. The biological effects and the values of GDF-15 in basic research and clinical applications were also addressed.
Animals ; Brain Injuries ; physiopathology ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Disease Progression ; Growth Differentiation Factor 15 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mice ; Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Nervous System ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Prefrontal Cortex ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Up-Regulation

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the difference between the successive changes in the heartbeat cycle, and it is produced in the autonomic nervous system modulation of the sinus node of the heart. The HRV is a valuable indicator in predicting the sudden cardiac death and arrhythmic events. Traditional analysis of HRV is based on a multielectrocardiogram (ECG), but the ECG signal acquisition is complex, so we have designed an HRV analysis system based on photoplethysmography (PPG). PPG signal is collected by a microcontroller from human's finger, and it is sent to the terminal via USB-Serial module. The terminal software not only collects the data and plot waveforms, but also stores the data for future HRV analysis. The system is small in size, low in power consumption, and easy for operation. It is suitable for daily care no matter whether it is used at home or in a hospital.
Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Photoplethysmography ; instrumentation ; Sinoatrial Node ; physiopathology ; Software

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy between acupuncture and intravenous administration of lipoic acid and alprostadil for distal symmetric multiple peripheral neuropathy of diabetes mellitus.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (31 cases) and a medication group (29 cases). Patients in the two groups received basic treatment to control blood sugar within a safe range. On this basis, patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Geshu (BL 17), Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36), Taixi (KI 3), ashi points, etc. Patients in the medication group were treated with intravenous administration of lipoic acid (0.6 g) and alprostadil (10 mg). The treatment was given once a day, 10 days for a course of treatment; there was an interval of 2 days between courses, and totally 3 courses were given. The score of peripheral neuropathy of diabetes mellitus, the change of nerve conduction: velocity and clinical efficacy before and after treatment in the two groups were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the score of peripheral neuropathy was significantly reduced in the two groups (both P < 0.05), which was more significant in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of median nerve and common peroneal nerve were significantly increased in the two groups (all P < 0.05). Compared between two groups, the SNCV and MNCV of common peroneal nerve in the acupuncture group were significantly superior to those in the medication group (both P < 0.05); the MNCV of median nerve in the acupuncture group was significantly superior to that in the medication group (P < 0.05); the SNCV of median nerve in the acupuncture group was not significantly different from that in the medication group (P > 0.05). The total effective rate was 83.9% (26/31) in the acupuncture group, which was significantly superior to 62.1% (18/29) in the medication group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and conventional medication both have satisfied effects for distal symmetric multiple peripheral neuropathy of diabetes mellitus, and acupuncture is superior to medication on improving clinical signs of sensory disorder, reflection disturbance and muscle weakness, nerve conduction and clinical curative effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiopathology ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy difference in dysantonomia between transcutaneous electrical stimulation at Renying(ST 9) combined with stellate ganglion block(SGB) and simple SGB.

METHODSSixty patients in accord with the diagnostic criteria of dysantonomia were randomly divided into two groups,30 cases in each group. In the observation group,transcutaneous electrical stimulation at Renying(ST 9) combined with SGB were adopted; in the control group,simple SGB was applied. In the two groups, treatment was used three times a week,and nine treatments were considered as one course. There was an interval of one week between courses,and two courses were treated. Total seven weeks were required. Scores were evaluated according to subjective symptoms before treatment,one month and three months after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe scores of subjective symptoms were not statistically different before treatment in the two groups(P>0. 05). The scores of subjective symptoms one month and three months after treatment were all lower than those before treatment(all P< 0. 01), and subjective symptoms scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(both P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONTranscutaneous electrical stimulation at Renying(ST 9) combined with SGB could obviously enhance the clinical effects for dysantonomia, and the control and improvement for clinical symptoms are apparently superior to simple SGB.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Anesthetics ; administration & dosage ; Autonomic Nerve Block ; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stellate Ganglion ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Young Adult