Identificación y caracterización funcional y anatómica de las áreas del palio del telencéfalo de los peces teleósteos implicadas en procesos emocionales

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar las áreas del palio del telencéfalo de la carpa dorada que participan en procesos emocionales, miedo condicionado y procesamiento nociceptivo, haciendo especial énfasis en delimitación anatómica y funcional de las subregiones implicadas. El trabajo de investigación consta de cuatro experimentos. En el experimento 1 se emplearon fluorocromos sensibles al voltaje para identificar las áreas de palio telencefálico de la carpa dorada involucradas en el procesamiento de la información nociceptiva. En el Experimento 2 se utilizó la microestimulación eléctrica intracerebral para cartografiar sistemáticamente la superficie del palio telencefálico e identificar las áreas implicadas en la generación de componentes motores y viscerales de las respuestas emocionales y de escape. En el Experimento 3, se utilizó un procedimiento conductual de preferencia condicionada al lugar (PCL) para analizar si la activación de las áreas paliales identificadas en los Experimentos 1 y 2 mediante electrodos crónicamente implantados tiene efectos aversivos. Por último, en el Experimento 4, se analizaron los déficits que produce la lesión de esas mismas subregiones del palio en el procedimiento de PCL. Los resultados muestran que el área Dm-III procesa los atributos meramente sensoriales de la estimulación nociceptiva, mientras que el área Dm-II está implicada en el procesamiento de los atributos afectivos, emocionales y aversivos de dicha estimulación

Targeting DNA Methylation in the Adult Brain through Diet

Metabolism and nutrition have a significant role in epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, which can influence gene expression. Recently, it has been suggested that bioactive nutrients and gut microbiota can alter DNA methylation in the central nervous system (CNS) through the gut–brain axis, playing a crucial role in modulating CNS functions and, finally, behavior. Here, we will focus on the effect of metabolic signals in shaping brain DNA methylation during adulthood. We will provide an overview of potential interactions among diet, gastrointestinal microbiome and epigenetic alterations on brain methylation and behavior. In addition, the impact of different diet challenges on cytosine methylation dynamics in the adult brain will be discussed. Finally, we will explore new ways to modulate DNA hydroxymethylation, which is particularly abundant in neural tissue, through diet

<i>Lactiplantibacillus (Lactobacillus) plantarum</i> as a Complementary Treatment to Improve Symptomatology in Neurodegenerative Disease: A Systematic Review of Open Access Literature

This systematic review addresses the use of Lactiplantibacillus (Lactobacillus) plantarum in the symptomatological intervention of neurodegenerative disease. The existence of gut microbiota dysbiosis has been associated with systemic inflammatory processes present in neurodegenerative disease, creating the opportunity for new treatment strategies. This involves modifying the strains that constitute the gut microbiota to enhance synaptic function through the gut–brain axis. Recent studies have evaluated the beneficial effects of the use of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on motor and cognitive symptomatology, alone or in combination. This systematic review includes 20 research articles (n = 3 in human and n = 17 in animal models). The main result of this research was that the use of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum alone or in combination produced improvements in symptomatology related to neurodegenerative disease. However, one of the studies included reported negative effects after the administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. This systematic review provides current and relevant information about the use of this probiotic in pathologies that present neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis

Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Mental Health in Youth and Vulnerable Populations: An Extensive Narrative Review

The objective of this narrative review is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of particularly vulnerable groups. This information will allow a better understanding of the determining factors that influence the appearance and/or maintenance of mood disorders. To achieve the main objective of this study, a critical review was carried out in which primary sources such as scientific articles, secondary sources such as databases, and other appropriate reference indexes were considered. The results indicated that there was an increase in the diagnosis of mood disorders and the use of medication associated with these disorders, mainly during the period of reclusion that was declared worldwide in March 2020. In addition, risk factors such as loneliness, a lack of resilience, and a lack of adequate coping strategies negatively impacted these groups. The future consequences of this may be reflected over many years thereafter, and it is important that all data obtained from this point forward be considered by mental health professionals and the general population. This review can be a starting point for looking directly at the most vulnerable populations and considering both the resources available to them and the possible aftermath of a traumatic period in everyone&rsquo;s lives

Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Mental Health in Youth and Vulnerable Populations: An Extensive Narrative Review

The objective of this narrative review is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of particularly vulnerable groups. This information will allow a better understanding of the determining factors that influence the appearance and/or maintenance of mood disorders. To achieve the main objective of this study, a critical review was carried out in which primary sources such as scientific articles, secondary sources such as databases, and other appropriate reference indexes were considered. The results indicated that there was an increase in the diagnosis of mood disorders and the use of medication associated with these disorders, mainly during the period of reclusion that was declared worldwide in March 2020. In addition, risk factors such as loneliness, a lack of resilience, and a lack of adequate coping strategies negatively impacted these groups. The future consequences of this may be reflected over many years thereafter, and it is important that all data obtained from this point forward be considered by mental health professionals and the general population. This review can be a starting point for looking directly at the most vulnerable populations and considering both the resources available to them and the possible aftermath of a traumatic period in everyone’s lives