Effect of prior beliefs and cognitive deficits on learning in first-episode schizophrenia patients.

Introduction: It is known that cognitive deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia and that in the general population, prior beliefs significantly influence learning and reasoning processes. However, the interaction of prior beliefs with cognitive deficits and their impact on performance in schizophrenia patients is still poorly understood. This study investigates the role of beliefs and cognitive variables (CVs) like working memory, associative learning, and processing speed on learning processes in individuals with schizophrenia. We hypothesize that beliefs will influence the ability to learn correct predictions and that first-episode schizophrenia patients (FEP) will show impaired learning due to cognitive deficits. Methods: We used a predictive-learning task to examine how FEP (n = 23) and matched controls (n = 23) adjusted their decisional criteria concerning physical properties during the learning process when predicting the sinking behavior of two transparent containers filled with aluminum discs when placed in water. Results: On accuracy, initial differences by group, trial type, and interaction effects of these variables disappeared when CVs were controlled. The differences by conditions, associated with differential beliefs about why the objects sink slower or faster, were seen in patients and controls, despite controlling the CVs' effect. Conclusions: Differences between groups were mainly explained by CVs, proving that they play an important role than what is assumed in this type of task. However, beliefs about physical events were not affected by CVs, and beliefs affect in the same way the decisional criteria of the control or FEP patients' groups.

A2B Adenosine Receptor Enhances Chemoresistance of Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells under Hypoxia: New Insights into MRP3 Transporter Function.

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, characterized by its high chemoresistance and the presence of a cell subpopulation that persists under hypoxic niches, called glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). The chemoresistance of GSCs is mediated in part by adenosine signaling and ABC transporters, which extrude drugs outside the cell, such as the multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) subfamily. Adenosine promotes MRP1-dependent chemoresistance under normoxia. However, adenosine/MRPs-dependent chemoresistance under hypoxia has not been studied until now. Transcript and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. MRP extrusion capacity was determined by intracellular 5 (6)-Carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) accumulation. Cell viability was measured by MTS assays. Cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. Here, we show for the first time that MRP3 expression is induced under hypoxia through the A2B adenosine receptor. Hypoxia enhances MRP-dependent extrusion capacity and the chemoresistance of GSCs. Meanwhile, MRP3 knockdown decreases GSC viability under hypoxia. Downregulation of the A2B receptor decreases MRP3 expression and chemosensibilizes GSCs treated with teniposide under hypoxia. These data suggest that hypoxia-dependent activation of A2B adenosine receptor promotes survival of GSCs through MRP3 induction.