Neuroarchitecture: How the Perception of Our Surroundings Impacts the Brain.

The study of neuroarchitecture is concerned with the significant effects of architecture on human behavior, emotions and thought processes. This review explores the intricate relationship between the brain and perceived environments, focusing on the roles of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and parahippocampal place area (PPA) in processing architectural stimuli. It highlights the importance of mirror neurons in generating empathetic responses to our surroundings and discusses how architectural elements like lighting, color, and space layout significantly impact emotional and cognitive experiences. The review also presents insights into the concept of cognitive maps and spatial navigation, emphasizing the role of architecture in facilitating wayfinding and orientation. Additionally, it addresses how neuroarchitecture can be applied to enhance learning and healing environments, drawing upon principles from the Reggio Emilia approach and considerations for designing spaces for the elderly and those with cognitive impairments. Overall, this review offers a neuroscientific basis for understanding how human cognition, emotions, spatial navigation, and well-being are influenced by architectural design.

Protective Role and Functional Engineering of Neuropeptides in Depression and Anxiety: An Overview.

Behavioral disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are prevalent globally and touch children and adults on a regular basis. Therefore, it is critical to comprehend how these disorders are affected. It has been demonstrated that neuropeptides can influence behavior, emotional reactions, and behavioral disorders. This review highlights the majority of the findings demonstrating neuropeptides' behavioral role and functional engineering in depression and anxiety. Gut-brain peptides, hypothalamic releasing hormone peptides, opioid peptides, and pituitary hormone peptides are the four major groups of neuropeptides discussed. Some neuropeptides appear to promote depression and anxiety-like symptoms, whereas others seem to reduce it, all depending on the receptors they are acting on and on the brain region they are localized in. The data supplied here are an excellent starting point for future therapy interventions aimed at treating anxiety and depression.

Unlocking the Benefits of Fasting: A Review of Its Impact on Various Biological Systems and Human Health.

Fasting has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential health benefits in various body systems. This review aims to comprehensively examine the effects of fasting on human health, specifically focusing on its impact on different body's physiological systems. The cardiovascular system plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, and fasting has shown promising effects in improving cardiovascular health markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Additionally, fasting has been suggested to enhance insulin sensitivity, promote weight loss, and improve metabolic health, thus offering potential benefits to individuals with diabetes and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, fasting can boost immune function, reduce inflammation, enhance autophagy, and support the body's defense against infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Fasting has also demonstrated a positive effect on the brain and nervous system. It has been associated with neuroprotective properties, improving cognitive function, and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, besides the ability of increasing the lifespan. Hence, understanding the potential advantages of fasting can provide valuable insights for individuals and healthcare professionals alike in promoting health and wellbeing. The data presented here may have significant implications for the development of therapeutic approaches and interventions using fasting as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy.

Parkinson disease: Protective role and function of neuropeptides.

Neuropeptides are bioactive molecules, made up of small chains of amino acids, with many neuromodulatory properties. Several lines of evidence suggest that neuropeptides, mainly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), play an important role in the onset of Parkinson's Disease (PD) pathology. The wide spread disruption of neuropeptides has been excessively demonstrated to be related to the pathophysiological symptoms in PD where impairment in motor function per example was correlated with neuropeptides dysregulation in the substantia niagra (SN). Moreover, the levels of different neuropeptides have been found modified in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of PD patients, indicating their potential role in the manifestation of PD symptoms and dysfunctions. In this review, we outlined the neuroprotective effects of neuropeptides on dopaminergic neuronal loss, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in several models and tissues of PD. Our main focus was to elaborate the role of orexin, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), opioids, angiotensin, carnosine and many others in the protection and/or involvement in the neurodegeneration of striatal dopaminergic cells. Further studies are required to better assess the mode of action and cellular mechanisms of neuropeptides in order to shift the focus from the in vitro and in vivo testing to applicable clinical testing. This review, allows a support for future use of neuropeptides as therapeutic solution for PA pathophysiology.