Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive human neurodegenerative disorder affecting elderly population worldwide. Hence, prevention of AD has been a priority of AD research worldwide. Based on understanding of disease mechanism, different therapeutic strategies involving synthetic and herbal approaches are being used against AD. Among the herbal extract, Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is one of the most investigated herbal remedy for cognitive disorders and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba is a popular dietary supplement taken by the elderly population to improve memory and agerelated loss of cognitive function. Nevertheless, its efficacy in the prevention and treatment of dementia remains controversial. Specifically, the added effects of GBE in subjects already receiving "conventional" anti-dementia treatments have been to date very scarcely investigated. This review summarizes recent advancements in our understanding of the potential use of Ginkgo biloba extract in the prevention of AD including its antioxidant property. A better understanding of the mechanisms of action of GBE against AD will be important for designing therapeutic strategies, for basic understanding of the underlying neurodegenerative processes, and for a better understanding of the effectiveness and complexity of this herbal medicine.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex age-related neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we carefully detail amyloid-β metabolism and its role in AD. We also consider the various genetic animal models used to evaluate therapeutics. Finally, we consider the role of synthetic and plant-based compounds in therapeutics.

The universal quantization of thermal conductance provides information on a state's topological order. Recent measurements revealed that the observed value of thermal conductance of the 52 state is inconsistent with either Pfaffian or anti-Pfaffian model, motivating several theoretical articles. Analysis has been made complicated by the presence of counter-propagating edge channels arising from edge reconstruction, an inevitable consequence of separating the dopant layer from the GaAs quantum well and the resulting soft confining potential. Here, we measured thermal conductance in graphene with atomically sharp confining potential by using sensitive noise thermometry on hexagonal boron-nitride encapsulated graphene devices, gated by either SiO2/Si or graphite back gate. We find the quantization of thermal conductance within 5% accuracy for ν = 1;43;2 and 6 plateaus, emphasizing the universality of flow of information. These graphene quantum Hall thermal transport measurements will allow new insight into exotic systems like even-denominator quantum Hall fractions in graphene.

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Prenatal maternal depression has its direct effects on early brain development deficits with permanent changes in neuroendocrine functions and impaired behavior in offsprings. Prenatal stress (PS) transmits its affect on developing fetus and on pregnancy outcomes in adult offsprings. This results in impaired neurodevelopment, delayed cognitive and motor development with impaired behavior towards stressful conditions. There are sufficient evidences in animal models suggesting depression responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its hormonal response via cortisol, responsible for its critical effects in both the mother and offspring. We review the evidences how maternal psychological distress has widespread effect on fetal/birth outcomes via major physiological alteration in HPA axis, autonomic nervous system, neurotransmitters and signaling pathways. Knowledge void in the area of epigenetic processes like DNA methylation, histone acetylation and regulation of microRNA during prenatally stressed fetal neurodevelopment has to be filled up with properly defined controls. This aims the need to reexamine available literatures and to explore more directional approaches for prevention of PS as well as future treatment for the well being of the mother and fetus during critical physiological changes.