Genç ve yaşlı farelerde beyindeki yağ asidi seviyeleri ile mekansal öğrenme arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the possible relationship between the levels of various brain fatty acids and learning indices in aged and young mice classified as “good” or “poor” learners basing on their performance in a spatial learning task, the Morris Water Maze. The levels of several fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured using gas chromatography separately in samples from four different brain areas: hippocampus, cortex, striatum and hypothalamus. The level of oleic acid in the cerebral cortex was significantly higher in young-good learners as compared to young-poor learners and higher in young-poor learners than in old-poor learners, with no significant difference in the concentration of this acid between old-good and old-poor learners. The most consistent correlation between animals’ learning capacity and brain fatty acid’ level was found for the arachidonic acid in the hippocampal region: AA level was significantly lower in young-good learners as compared to both young-poor learners” and old-good learners” with young-good learners showing significantly better performance than the two other groups. Interestingly, except hypothalamus, no significant between-group differences were recorded for the remaining fatty acids including DHA, in none of the four brain regions examined.M.S. - Master of Scienc

Differential effect of age on the brain fatty acid levels and their correlation with animal cognitive status in mice

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relationship between the levels of various fatty acids (FA) in the brain and learning indices in aged (22-23 months old) and young (2-3 months old) female Swiss Webster (SW) mice. The mice were classified as "good" or "poor" learners based on their performance in a spatial learning task: the Morris Water Maze. The levels of several FA including palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic (AA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were measured by gas chromatography in tissue samples from four different brain areas: hippocampus, frontal cortex, striatum and hypothalamus. The results of behavioral tests confirmed a decline in learning skills with age. However, a great individual variation was revealed in learning scores between aged subjects, indicating that biological aging does not always parallel chronological aging. The relative levels of particular fatty acids across the four examined brain structures were very similar. Interestingly, only in the hypothalamus was the DHA omega-3 acid level significantly higher in young mice compared to the old mice. For the remaining brain structures, no significant correlations were found between the DHA level and the animal's age and/or cognitive status. A significant correlation between learning performance and fatty acid levels in the brain was found only for AA in the young mice hippocampus, a structure known to be critical for spatial learning and memory. The AA level was significantly lower in young "good" learners compared to both young "poor" and old "good" learners with young "good" learners showing significantly better performance than the two other groups. These findings contribute to the current debate on the value of DHA supplementation as an effective protective treatment against senile dementia and the potential role of AA in memory deficits

Elevated IL-4 and IFN-γ Levels in Muscle Tissue of Patients with Dermatomyositis.

Background/Aim: To investigate the contribution of muscle tissue-derived cytokines in dermatomyositis DM). Materials and Methods: Muscle homogenates were prepared from deltoid muscle biopsy specimens of 10 patients with DM and eight controls with no pathological signs of myopathy. Interleukin IL)-4, interferon IFN)-gamma and IL-17 levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA) and immunoblotting analysis. Muscle strength grades were recorded. Results: Patients with DM showed significantly elevated muscle tissue IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels, whereas IL-17 levels were comparable between patients with DM and controls. Immunoblotting studies confirmed ELISA results. In DM muscle specimens, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels were positively correlated, while no correlation was observed between IL-17 and the other two cytokines. Moreover, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels were significantly negative correlated with muscle strength grades for the deltoid muscle. Conclusion: Our results confirm the involvement of T helper Th) 1-type and Th2-type immunity in DM pathogenesis. Muscle tissue appears to contribute to muscle weakness in DM by producing inflammatory cytokines

Reduced muscle mitochondrial enzyme activity in MuSK-immunized mice.

Aim: Muscle specific kinase (MuSK) antibody-positive myasthenia gravis (MG) patients might present with clinical and electrophysiological signs of muscle atrophy. In this study, we investigated the potential contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction to muscle atrophy induced by MuSK immunity. Methods: Mitochondrial enzyme expression was investigated in muscle samples of MuSK-immunized, acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-immunized, and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-immunized C57BL/6 (B6) mice using histochemical methods. Mitochondrial enzyme activity was also investigated in MuSK- and CFA-immunized mice. Results: Histochemical analysis showed normal muscle fiber activity on succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cytochrome oxidase (COX) stains in all immunization groups. However, MuSK-immunized mice had more ragged-red fibers on modified Gomori-trichrome (MGT) stain and more pronounced type 1 muscle fiber atrophy. MuSK-immunized mice also showed reduced citrate synthase, SDH, and NADH-cytochrome c-reductase activity. Discussion: Our results suggest that MuSK-immunity might induce muscle atrophy through mitochondrial dysfunction

Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-antibody in idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Aim: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a disease of obscure origin, is characterized by headache and visual disturbances due to increased intracranial pressure. Recent line of evidence has suggested involvement of inflammation in IIH pathogenesis thus bringing forward anti-glial autoimmunity as a potential contributor of IIH. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a major astrocytic autoantigen associated with a specific form of meningoencephalitis. Materials and methods: In this study, we investigated the presence of GFAP-antibody in 65 sera (49 obtained during active disease and 16 during remission) and in 15 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of 58 consecutively recruited IIH patients using cell based assay and indirect immunohistochemistry. Results: GFAP-antibody was found in active period sera of 2 IIH patients with classical symptoms and good treatment response. Two remission period sera obtained at different time points from one of these cases showed lower titers of GFAP-antibody positivity. IgG from positive samples yielded an astrocytic immunoreactivity pattern. None of the CSF samples showed GFAP-antibodies. Conclusions: These results suggest that anti-astrocyte autoimmunity might be present in a fraction of IIH patients. Exact pathogenic significance of this association needs to be further studied

Multicenter Validation Of Csf Neurofilaments As Diagnostic Biomarkers For ALS

OBJECTIVE: Neurofilaments are leading neurochemical biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we investigated the effect of preanalytical factors on neurofilament concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a reverse round-robin with 15 centers across Europe/U.S. METHODS: Samples from ALS and control patients (5/5 each center, n = 150) were analyzed for phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) at two laboratories. RESULTS: CSF pNfH was increased (p \u3c 0.05) in ALS in 10 out of 15 centers and NfL in 5 out of 12 centers. The coefficient of variation (CV%) of pNfH measurements between laboratories was 18.7 ± 19.1%. We calculated a diagnostic cut-off of \u3e568.5 pg/mL for pNfH (sensitivity 78.7%, specificity 93.3%) and \u3e1,431pg/mL for NfL (sensitivity 79.0%, specificity 86.4%). CONCLUSION: Values in ALS patients are already comparable between most centers, supporting eventual implementation into clinical routine. However, continuous quality control programs will be necessary for inclusion in the diagnostic work-up

Multicenter validation of CSF neurofilaments as diagnostic biomarkers for ALS

OBJECTIVE: Neurofilaments are leading neurochemical biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we investigated the effect of preanalytical factors on neurofilament concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a reverse round-robin with 15 centers across Europe/U.S. METHODS: Samples from ALS and control patients (5/5 each center, n=150) were analyzed for phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) at two laboratories. RESULTS: CSF pNfH was increased (p568.5pg/mL for pNfH (sensitivity 78.7%, specificity 93.3%) and >1,431pg/mL for NfL (sensitivity 79.0%, specificity 86.4%). CONCLUSION: Values in ALS patients are already comparable between most centers, supporting eventual implementation into clinical routine. However, continuous quality control programs will be necessary for inclusion in the diagnostic work-up