Advances in Neuroimmunology

It is now widely accepted that an innate immune system exists within the brain and plays an important role in both physiological and pathological processes [1,2].[...

Impact of Increased Astrocyte Expression of IL-6, CCL2 or CXCL10 in Transgenic Mice on Hippocampal Synaptic Function

An important aspect of CNS disease and injury is the elevated expression of neuroimmune factors. These factors are thought to contribute to processes ranging from recovery and repair to pathology. The complexity of the CNS and the multitude of neuroimmune factors that are expressed in the CNS during disease and injury is a challenge to an understanding of the consequences of the elevated expression relative to CNS function. One approach to address this issue is the use of transgenic mice that express elevated levels of a specific neuroimmune factor in the CNS by a cell type that normally produces it. This approach can provide basic information about the actions of specific neuroimmune factors and can contribute to an understanding of more complex conditions when multiple neuroimmune factors are expressed. This review summarizes studies using transgenic mice that express elevated levels of IL-6, CCL2 or CXCL10 through increased astrocyte expression. The studies focus on the effects of these neuroimmune factors on synaptic function at the Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal neuron synapse of the hippocampus, a brain region that plays a key role in cognitive function

Ca(2+) Signaling in Cerebellar Purkinje Neurons-Editorial.

Tight regulation of calcium (Ca(2+)) dynamics is critical for all neurons. Ca(2+) is a major mediator of cellular excitability, synaptic plasticity, and regulation of transcription, amongst others. Recent years have seen major developments in terms of understanding the roles of Ca(2+) signals in the cerebellar circuitry, especially for Purkinje neurons and granule cells. The unique morphology of Purkinje neurons serves as a platform to unravel the secrets of Ca(2+) homeostasis in cerebellar microcircuits. This special issue covers recent advances in Ca(2+) signaling and imaging, and highlights the importance of spatiotemporal compartmentalization underlying Ca(2+) dynamics. Sorting out the pieces of the puzzle of homeostatic regulation of Ca(2+) remains an instrumental step to start rational therapies of Ca(2+) deregulation.JOURNAL ARTICLESCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Handbook of the cerebellum and cerebellar disorders

Our knowledge of cerebellar functions and cerebellar disorders, called Ataxias, is increasing considerably. Studies of the cerebellum are now a central focus in neuroscience. During the last four decades, many laboratories worldwide have dedicated their research activities to understanding the roles of the cerebellum in motor control, cognitive processes and biology of mental processes, behavioral symptoms, and emotion. It is now accepted that the cerebellum acts as a cognitive operator in learning, perception, and attention. Moreover, major improvements in our assessment of in vivo cerebellar architecture using imaging techniques have occurred. A typical example is the accurate description of cerebellar anatomy during fetal development with MRI, a progress which has direct impacts on patient care. These advances have been associated with discoveries of new clinical disorders, in particular in the field of genetic Ataxias. More than 20 new genes have been identified these last 10 years. Only for dominant Ataxias, more than 30 diseases have now been unravelled. The number of ataxic disorders will increase with aging, the cerebellum being the structure of the brain with the most important loss of neurons with age. More than 300 different cerebellar disorders are encountered during daily practice, but we are missing a single source of information explaining their pathogenesis. Despite the immense amount of knowledge acquired about the cerebellar circuitry these last years, a large book covering the neuroscience of the cerebellum is missing. The goal of this endeavour is to bring up to date information relevant for basic science and also for clinical activities. To reach this goal, the most renowned authors are gathered in a unique and in-depth book with a format of a handbook. We emphasize the connections between molecular findings, imaging features, behavioural/neuropsychological aspects, and clinical implications.SCOPUS: bk.binfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Handbook of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders - Springer

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CCL2-ethanol interactions and hippocampal synaptic protein expression in a transgenic mouse model

Chronic exposure to ethanol produces a number of detrimental effects on behavior. Neuroadaptive changes in brain structure or function underlie these behavioral changes and may be transient or persistent in nature. Central to the functional changes are alterations in the biology of neuronal and glial cells of the brain. Recent data show that ethanol induces glial cells of the brain to produce elevated levels of neuroimmune factors including CCL2, a key innate immune chemokine. Depending on the conditions of ethanol exposure, the upregulated levels of CCL2 can be transient or persistent and outlast the period of ethanol exposure. Importantly, results indicate that the upregulated levels of CCL2 may lead to CCL2-ethanol interactions that mediate or regulate the effects of ethanol on the brain. Glial cells are in close association with neurons and regulate many neuronal functions. Therefore, effects of ethanol on glial cells may underlie some of the effects of ethanol on neurons. To investigate this possibility, we are studying the effects of chronic ethanol on hippocampal synaptic function in a transgenic mouse model that expresses elevated levels of CCL2 in the brain through enhanced glial expression, a situation know to occur in alcoholics. Both CCL2 and ethanol have been reported to alter synaptic function in the hippocampus. In the current study, we determined if interactions are evident between CCL2 and ethanol at level of hippocampal synaptic proteins. Two ethanol exposure paradigms were used; the first involved ethanol exposure by drinking and the second involved ethanol exposure in a paradigm that combines drinking plus ethanol vapor. The first paradigm does not produce dependence on ethanol, whereas the second paradigm is commonly used to produce ethanol dependence. Results show modest effects of both ethanol exposure paradigms on the level of synaptic proteins in the hippocampus of CCL2 transgenic mice compared with their non-transgenic l

Essentials of cerebellum and cerebellar disorders: A primer for graduate students

Essentials of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders is the first book of its kind written specifically for graduate students and clinicians. It is based on the 4-volume treatise, Handbook of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders (Springer, 2013), the definitive reference for scientists and neurologists in the field of cerebellar neurobiology. There have been fundamental advances in the basic science and clinical neurology of the cerebellum and its role in sensorimotor function and cognition. This monograph makes this large and expanding body of knowledge readily accessible to trainees and clinicians alike. The editors are world leaders in the field, and the chapters are authored by an international panel of experts drawn from ataxia clinics and cerebellar laboratories throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Essentials provides a solid grounding in the field of cerebellar research and ataxiology from cerebellar circuity to clinical practice, and it serves as a springboard to a deeper appreciation of both the principles and the complexities of cerebellar neurobiology. Clinicians are expected to have a deep appreciation of cerebellar disorders, not only in specialized ataxia clinics but also in adult and pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and neuropsychology practices, and in outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation settings. This book is an indispensable resource for students and practitioners navigating the evolving field of cerebellar motor and cognitive neurology. It also links to the more expansive Handbook for those who need to explore the topics in this monograph in greater depth.SCOPUS: bk.binfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Introduction

The depth and breadth of knowledge regarding cerebellar functions in health and disease continue to grow exponentially. Most of the currently available books dealing with the cerebellum and its disorders are highly specialized, usually written for neurologists with a particular interest in the cerebellar disorders. The four-volume Handbook of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders (Springer 2013) is the most comprehensive monograph on the cerebellum published to date covering both fundamental and clinical aspects. As valuable a resource as this has proven to be, however, the treatise is too extensive for students, and not practical as a brief, authoritative overview of the subject. The editors therefore concluded that there is a compelling need to distill the vast amount of basic science and clinical information in the four-volume text into a clear and concise précis of the work accessible to clinicians and students. Hence, this work, Essentials of the Handbook of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders.SCOPUS: ch.binfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe