Neural Correlates and Molecular Mechanisms of Memory and Learning

Battaglia, Simone; Avenanti, Alessio; Vécsei, László; Tanaka, Masaru

doi:10.3390/ijms25052724

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 119 publications

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“…The papers also emphasize the importance of non-invasive and personalized approaches for monitoring and improving neuroprotection, such as blood iron concentration, artificial intelligence, and mercury levels. The application of these new techniques, advanced real-time analysis algorithms, machine learning, and physiological biomarkers may streamline the mental healthcare process, alleviating the social burden and economic pressures commonly associated with psychiatric disorders [ 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ]. These papers make significant contributions to the field of neuroprotection by advancing knowledge and practice, and suggest new avenues for future research and intervention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurodegeneration in Cognitive Impairment and Mood Disorders for Experimental, Clinical and Translational Neuropsychiatry

Battaglia,

Avenanti,

Vécsei

et al. 2024

Biomedicines

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurodegeneration in Cognitive Impairment and Mood Disorders for Experimental, Clinical and Translational Neuropsychiatry

Battaglia,

Avenanti,

Vécsei

et al. 2024

Biomedicines

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“…KYNA has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and KYNA levels in the brain and body are influenced by factors such as inflammation, stress, aging, and genetic variation [ 62 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Furthermore, recent research has shed light on the mechanism of emotional learning, including its potential role in modulating affective motor function and emotional responses [ 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. The neural substrates involved in emotional learning, particularly KYNA, suggest a plausible impact on the limbic system, including structures such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which are known to be involved in emotional regulation and associative learning [ 74 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of C-3 Side Chain Modifications on Kynurenic Acid: A Behavioral Analysis of Its Analogs in the Motor Domain

Martos,

Lőrinczi,

Szatmári

et al. 2024

IJMS

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The central nervous system (CNS) is the final frontier in drug delivery because of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which poses significant barriers to the access of most drugs to their targets. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a tryptophan (Trp) metabolite, plays an important role in behavioral functions, and abnormal KYNA levels have been observed in neuropsychiatric conditions. The current challenge lies in delivering KYNA to the CNS owing to its polar side chain. Recently, C-3 side chain-modified KYNA analogs have been shown to cross the BBB; however, it is unclear whether they retain the biological functions of the parent molecule. This study examined the impact of KYNA analogs, specifically, SZR-72, SZR-104, and the newly developed SZRG-21, on behavior. The analogs were administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), and their effects on the motor domain were compared with those of KYNA. Specifically, open-field (OF) and rotarod (RR) tests were employed to assess motor activity and skills. SZR-104 increased horizontal exploratory activity in the OF test at a dose of 0.04 μmol/4 μL, while SZR-72 decreased vertical activity at doses of 0.04 and 0.1 μmol/4 μL. In the RR test, however, neither KYNA nor its analogs showed any significant differences in motor skills at either dose. Side chain modification affects affective motor performance and exploratory behavior, as the results show for the first time. In this study, we showed that KYNA analogs alter emotional components such as motor-associated curiosity and emotions. Consequently, drug design necessitates the development of precise strategies to traverse the BBB while paying close attention to modifications in their effects on behavior.

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“…This understanding is particularly relevant in the context of cognitive decline, where disruptions in memory and learning processes are often early indicators. By exploring the neural underpinnings and molecular pathways involved in memory and learning, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how these cognitive functions are orchestrated at the neural level and how their impairment can lead to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brodmann Areas, V1 Atlas and Cognitive Impairment: Assessing Cortical Thickness for Cognitive Impairment Diagnostics

Trišins,

Zdanovskis,

Platkājis

et al. 2024

Medicina

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Background and Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging is vital for diagnosing cognitive decline. Brodmann areas (BA), distinct regions of the cerebral cortex categorized by cytoarchitectural variances, provide insights into cognitive function. This study aims to compare cortical thickness measurements across brain areas identified by BA mapping. We assessed these measurements among patients with and without cognitive impairment, and across groups categorized by cognitive performance levels using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 64 patients who were divided in two ways: in two groups with (CI) or without (NCI) impaired cognitive function and in three groups with normal (NC), moderate (MPG) and low (LPG) cognitive performance according to MoCA scores. Scans with a 3T MRI scanner were carried out, and cortical thickness data was acquired using Freesurfer 7.2.0 software. Results: By analyzing differences between the NCI and CI groups cortical thickness of BA3a in left hemisphere (U = 241.000, p = 0.016), BA4a in right hemisphere (U = 269.000, p = 0.048) and BA28 in left hemisphere (U = 584.000, p = 0.005) showed significant differences. In the LPG, MPG and NC cortical thickness in BA3a in left hemisphere (H (2) = 6.268, p = 0.044), in V2 in right hemisphere (H (2) = 6.339, p = 0.042), in BA28 in left hemisphere (H (2) = 23.195, p < 0.001) and in BA28 in right hemisphere (H (2) = 10.015, p = 0.007) showed significant differences. Conclusions: Our study found that cortical thickness in specific Brodmann Areas—BA3a and BA28 in the left hemisphere, and BA4a in the right—differ significantly between NCI and CI groups. Significant differences were also observed in BA3a (left), V2 (right), and BA28 (both hemispheres) across LPG, MPG, NC groups. Despite a small sample size, these findings suggest cortical thickness measurements can serve as effective biomarkers for cognitive impairment diagnosis, warranting further validation with a larger cohort.

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Neural Correlates and Molecular Mechanisms of Memory and Learning

Abstract: Memory and learning are essential cognitive processes that enable us to obtain, retain, and recall information [...]

Cited by 20 publications

References 119 publications

Neurodegeneration in Cognitive Impairment and Mood Disorders for Experimental, Clinical and Translational Neuropsychiatry

Neurodegeneration in Cognitive Impairment and Mood Disorders for Experimental, Clinical and Translational Neuropsychiatry

The Impact of C-3 Side Chain Modifications on Kynurenic Acid: A Behavioral Analysis of Its Analogs in the Motor Domain

Brodmann Areas, V1 Atlas and Cognitive Impairment: Assessing Cortical Thickness for Cognitive Impairment Diagnostics

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