Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors in Neuroscience Research

Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) are increasingly useful preclinical tools in neuroscience research studies for interrogating cellular and neurocircuit functions and mapping brain connectivity. Clinically, AAVs are showing increasing promise as viable candidates for treating multiple neurological diseases. Here, we briefly review the utility of AAVs in mapping neurocircuits, manipulating neuronal function and gene expression, and activity labeling in preclinical research studies as well as AAV-based gene therapies for diseases of the nervous system. This review highlights the vast potential that AAVs have for transformative research and therapeutics in the neurosciences

Effect of a single session of transcranial direct-current stimulation on balance and spatiotemporal gait variables in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized sham-controlled study

Background: Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) has been widely studied with the aim of enhancing local synaptic efficacy and modulating the electrical activity of the cortex in patients with neurological disorders. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of a single session of tDCS regarding immediate changes in spatiotemporal gait and oscillations of the center of pressure (30 seconds) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: A randomized controlled trial with a blinded evaluator was conducted involving 20 children with CP between six and ten years of age. Gait and balance were evaluated three times: Evaluation 1 (before the stimulation), Evaluation 2 (immediately after stimulation), and Evaluation 3 (20 minutes after the stimulation). The protocol consisted of a 20-minute session of tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex at an intensity of 1 mA. The participants were randomly allocated to two groups: experimental group - anodal stimulation of the primary motor cortex; and control group - placebo transcranial stimulation. Results: Significant reductions were found in the experimental group regarding oscillations during standing in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions with eyes open and eyes closed in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). In the intra-group analysis, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in gait velocity, cadence, and oscillation in the center of pressure during standing (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the control group among the different evaluations. Conclusion: A single session of tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex promotes positive changes in static balance and gait velocity in children with cerebral palsy

Habitat use and abundance of goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara in Brazil: a participative survey

Developing survey strategies for threatened species is often limited by access to sufficient individuals to acquire information needed to design appropriate conservation measures. The goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is a large reef fish, globally classified as critically endangered. In Brazil, fishing has been prohibited since 2002. Herein we investigated habitat use and abundance of E. itajara in Brazil drawn from a participative survey, which engaged volunteer divers in data-collection. A total of 188 reports were recorded between 2005 to 2011 throughout 13 Brazilian states. Our results revealed that habitat type influenced the relationship between total length and depth of occurrence of E. itajara. We observed a significant difference between habitats, artificial presented a nonlinear and natural an asymptotic relationship. This study underscores the importance of developing conservation measures addressing specific habitats and locations to enhance population recovery. Artificial structures (shipwrecks and manmade reefs) are critical habitats that must be considered as highly sensitive areas to E. itajara strategic conservation policies. We suggest the creation and implementation of marine protected areas, as key strategies for E. itajara conservation, especially for artificial habitats and aggregation sites124803810O desenvolvimento de estratégias de pesquisa para espécies ameaçadas é frequentemente limitado pelo acesso a indivíduos suficientes para adquirir informações necessárias para elaborar medidas de conservação adequadas. Dentre essas espécies, o mero (Epinephelus itajara) é um peixe recifal de grande tamanho, classificado globalmente como criticamente ameaçado. No Brasil, a pesca é proibida desde 2002. Investigou-se o uso de hábitat e abundância de E. itajara no Brasil através de uma pesquisa participativa, que engajou mergulhadores voluntários na coleta dos dados. Um total de 188 relatos foram registrados entre 2005 a 2011 em 13 estados brasileiros. Os resultados revelaram que o tipo de hábitat influenciou a relação entre o comprimento total e profundidade de ocorrência de E. itajara. Observou-se uma diferença significativa entre hábitats: hábitat artificial apresentou uma relação não linear e hábitat natural uma relação assintótica. Este estudo ressalta a importância do desenvolvimento de medidas de conservação abordando hábitats e locais específicos visando a recuperação populacional. Estruturas artificiais (naufrágios e recifes feitos pelo homem) são hábitats críticos que devem ser considerados como áreas relevantes para as estratégias políticas conservação de E. itajara. Sugere-se a criação e implementação de áreas marinhas protegidas como uma estratégia fundamental para a conservação de E. itajara, especialmente em hábitats artificiais e locais de agregaçãosem informaçã