by Clarissa E.H. Fang  , Li Guo  , Daniel Hill  , Timothy E. Yap  and M. Francesca Cordeiro

Received: 16 April 2020;  Published: 15 June 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002062

Neuroprotection in glaucoma is any medical treatment by which decline in visual function can be slowed or prevented by supporting the health and survival of neural cells, independent of lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP). This is achieved by targeting mechanisms to inhibit or delay retinal ganglion cell death and promote cell survival pathways. Despite demonstrating promising results in preclinical trials, many neuroprotective strategies have failed to show success in subsequent clinical trials. Of the clinical [...]

by Tania Re  and Giuseppe Vitiello

Received: 30 April 2020;  Published: 11 June 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002061

The present report discusses brain visual experiences in conditions of low degree of openness of the brain toward the environment, for example, while dreaming, during meditation, or in non-ordinary brain activity states such as under the effects of psychoactive substances, in the state of coma, or in other states of reduced sensory perception, among others. In the present report, for brevity, such states are referred to as brain-mind visual experiences, implying that such a visual activity is not one connected to t [...]

by Ioannis Syros  , Panagiota Pervanidou  , Charis Liapi  , Filia Apostolakou  , George P Chrousos  and Gerasimos Kolaitis

Received: 01 March 2020;  Published: 11 June 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002060

Data available on possible associations of lipids, steroid levels, and depression are conflicting. This study investigated their possible associations in a sample of youth with depression. Ninety-eight youth with depression and individually matched healthy volunteers on the basis of age and sex were enrolled for the study. The two groups had nearly similar body mass index. After fasting overnight, they underwent blood sampling for triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprot [...]

by Yuan Liang  , Yu Zheng  , Brighty Renli  , David C. Zhu  , Fang Yu  and Tongtong Li

Received: 29 September 2019;  Published: 01 June 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002059

In this paper, motivated by the fading effect in wireless communications, where severe channel fading is related to information loss during the transmission, we evaluate and analyze the fading effect in time-varying functional connectivity of AD, MCI and NC subjects based on the resting-state fMRI data, and then apply that for AD, MCI, NC classification. We show that in some critical brain regions, compared with NC subjects, AD subjects suffer more severe and long lasting fading in the functional connectivity level [...]

by Vincenza Rita Lo Vasco

Received: 01 October 2019;  Published: 18 May 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002058

Mechanisms leading to neuronal cell death in human pathology are far from being fully delineated. Understanding the molecules involved in neuronal death and the timing of their recruitment might help to explain the natural history of degenerative processes, including the morphological abnormalities observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, it might help refine the diagnosis by defining new molecular markers as well as find effective therapies, especially for slow cognitive deficits, often associated wit [...]

by Helena M. Minyé

Received: 06 February 2020;  Published: 18 May 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002057

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the masticatory muscles, and branches of the trigeminal nerve. TMD is the most common chronic oral facial pain disorder. Pain associated with TMD can be clinically expressed as myogenous or arthrogenous in etiology. The myogenous variant of TMD is characterized by pain in the muscles of mastication. The arthrogenous form of TMD is caused by pain in the joint leading to synovi [...]

by Yuqi Tang  , Xuejun Qian  , Darrin J. Lee  , Qifa Zhou  and Junjie Yao

Received: 24 October 2019;  Published: 30 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002056

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes severe cognitive dysfunction and has long been studied for the underlining physiological and pathological mechanisms. Several biomedical imaging modalities have been applied, including MRI, PET, and high-resolution optical microscopy, for research purposes. However, there is still a strong need for imaging tools that can provide high spatiotemporal resolutions with relatively deep penetration to enhance our understanding of AD pathology and monitor treatment progress in fundamental r [...]

by Walter Milano  , Paola Ambrosio  , Francesca Carizzone  and Anna Capasso

Received: 19 November 2019;  Published: 13 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002055

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder, the etiopathogenesis of which is still not fully understood. Currently, the most accredited model is a multifactorial model, which involves interaction between predisposing factors of biological nature, partly genetically determined, and psychological/personological and environmental socio-cultural factors. The last 20 years have led to the advancement in our knowledge on the mechanisms of energy homeostasis maintenance. There has been a veritable explosion of studies aim [...]

by Ryan Sweeney  , Alvaro J La Rosa  , Nina Sheade  , Rachael C. Olson-Marszewski  , Ryan Bergren  and Edwin Meresh

Received: 12 January 2020;  Published: 01 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2002054

Case studies have associated catatonia with withdrawal from benzodiazepines and clozapine, both of which have been shown to increase GABA activity. Long-term use of GABAergic medications could result in GABAA downregulation and sudden discontinuation of the GABAergic drug could lead to a GABA hypoactive state which could predispose the patient to catatonia. The anticonvulsant topiramate, is known to increase brain GABA activity. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic imprinting disorder characterized by lack of e [...]

by Sasha Gorrell  , Anne G.E. Collins  , Daniel Le Grange  and Tony T. Yang

Received: 03 December 2019;  Published: 23 March 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2001053

Driven exercise (i.e., the tendency to exercise in excess to influence weight/shape or regulate emotion) is difficult to manage in the context of anorexia nervosa, and is associated with poorer treatment outcomes, and psychological and medical severity. Driven exercise is observed in a considerable number of those diagnosed with anorexia nervosa; however, to date, this hallmark symptom remains poorly understood. Dopamine signaling is implicated in motivating and maintaining appetitive behavior among patients with e [...]