Parkinson's Foundation’s Post

The human brain is an organ that takes nearly from 20 to 25% of the energy the body needs. This high energy demand for neuronal functions depends on the transport and precise distribution of mitochondria — the energy-generating cell organelles — in each neuron. Now, a study published in the journal Science Signaling has identified, for the first time, a molecular complex that regulates the transport of mitochondria within neurons and neuronal death. The Alex3/Gαq complex regulates the precise distribution and transport of mitochondria in neurons, critical for energy supply and neuronal function. Disruption in this system leads to motor deficits, reduced dendritic and axonal arborizations, and neuronal death, highlighting its importance in neurodevelopment and health. The study suggests the possibility of controlling mitochondrial biology through external G protein-coupled receptors, offering a new strategy for treating mitochondrial and neuromuscular diseases, as well as certain cancers. https://lnkd.in/gxXUcZsS

I am happy to share that our paper has just been published in Science Advances, entitled "Human Brain Glycoform Co-regulation Network and Glycan Modification Alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease"

Macrophages produce heat from brown adipose tissue in response to cold https://lnkd.in/db7wdP7b Our bodies can maintain body temperature in cold environments. However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear. Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanism by which macrophages, a type of immune cells, control heat production in brown adipose tissue to increase the body temperature in response to cold.

📃Scientific paper: Circuit-Specific Control of Blood Pressure by PNMT-Expressing Nucleus Tractus Solitarii Neurons Abstract: The nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is one of the morphologically and functionally defined centers that engage in the autonomic regulation of cardiovascular activity. Phenotypically-characterized NTS neurons have been implicated in the differential regulation of blood pressure (BP). Here, we investigated whether phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-expressing NTS (NTS(PNMT)) neurons contribute to the control of BP. We demonstrate that photostimulation of NTS(PNMT) neurons has variable effects on BP. A depressor response was produced during optogenetic stimulation of NTS(PNMT) neurons projecting to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and caudal ventrolateral medulla. Conversely, photostimulation of NTS(PNMT) neurons projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla produced a robust pressor response and bradycardia. In addition, genetic ablation of both NTS(PNMT) neurons and those projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla impaired the arterial baroreflex. Overall, we revealed the neuronal phenotype- and circuit-specific mechanisms underlying the contribution of NTS(PNMT) neurons to the regulation of BP. Discover the rest of the scientific article on es/iode ➡️https://etcse.fr/0a3

New mechanistic insights into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, with this study from the CRM - Centre de Recherche en Myologie and the IMRB (U955 Inserm). Get all the details here: https://hubs.ly/Q02csXNz0

📃Scientific paper: Circuit-Specific Control of Blood Pressure by PNMT-Expressing Nucleus Tractus Solitarii Neurons Abstract: The nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is one of the morphologically and functionally defined centers that engage in the autonomic regulation of cardiovascular activity. Phenotypically-characterized NTS neurons have been implicated in the differential regulation of blood pressure (BP). Here, we investigated whether phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-expressing NTS (NTS(PNMT)) neurons contribute to the control of BP. We demonstrate that photostimulation of NTS(PNMT) neurons has variable effects on BP. A depressor response was produced during optogenetic stimulation of NTS(PNMT) neurons projecting to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and caudal ventrolateral medulla. Conversely, photostimulation of NTS(PNMT) neurons projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla produced a robust pressor response and bradycardia. In addition, genetic ablation of both NTS(PNMT) neurons and those projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla impaired the arterial baroreflex. Overall, we revealed the neuronal phenotype- and circuit-specific mechanisms underlying the contribution of NTS(PNMT) neurons to the regulation of BP. Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/0a3 ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

Meet the Researcher Working to Evolve Parkinson’s Therapies Through the Blood-Brain Barrier Aurélie de Rus Jacquet, PhD, is working to understand how inflammation can affect the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and identify potential therapies to address the problem. She will study how astrocytes communicate with the immune system and look to identify the molecules that sneak through the blood-brain barrier and trigger neurodegeneration. An interesting and informative read. https://lnkd.in/e5Nt-XTr

Thanks Stefania de Vito, PhD and ECTRIMS for featuring our recent Springer Nature Group article identifying a novel mitochondrial complex I-driven (not complex II 😆) mechanism of persistent microglia activation and revealing its impact in the context of #smolderinginflammation and #progressiveMS | with Luca Peruzzotti-Jametti and University of Cambridge

A new biomarker linked to both vascular aging & neurodegeneration A recent study by Northwestern Medicine, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, has identified decreased activity of the Notch3 signaling pathway in brain vessels as a novel biomarker for vascular aging and neurodegeneration.  To learn more about this fascinating topic, watch the related video here. https://lnkd.in/drJUmvj7

the RACP program is based mainly on support and prevention in order to avoid having to seek treatment (difficulty, pain, cost)