Structural equation modeling of dispositional mindfulness, internal environmental factors, external environmental factors, and self-care behaviors in people with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: To achieve suitable diabetes care, understanding the factors that affect self-care behaviors is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To construct a model of dispositional mindfulness, internal environmental factors, external environmental factors, and self-care behaviors in people with diabetes. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed a convenience sample of 311 people with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan. Data were collected through questionnaires, including the Diabetes Symptoms Checklist, Emotional Distress Scale, Empowerment Process Scale, Interpersonal Communication Scale and Self-Care Behavior scale. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling indicated that a model of dispositional mindfulness, internal environmental factors, external environmental factors, and self-care behaviors in the patients with diabetes best fit the data. Dispositional mindfulness (ß = 0.39), internal environmental factors (ß = 0.52), and external environmental factors (ß = 0.71) directly influenced self-care behaviors in the patients with diabetes. Dispositional mindfulness significantly indirectly affected self-care behaviors via internal and external environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS: To improve self-care behaviors, interventions should consider mindfulness training, and also include internal environmental factors and external environmental factors in the mindfulness training.

The effect of a bone-preserving board game program on the knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors of osteoporosis in older adults.

Osteoporosis predisposes to fractures, which affect the quality of life and can be life-threatening. However, the knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors of osteoporosis in older adults are insufficient. The aim of this paper was to develop and test the effect of a bone-preserving board game program among older adults. A convenience sample of 85 older adults recruited from two community activity centers in southern Taiwan were assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group played a bone-preserving board game for 4 weeks, and the control group participated in routine community center activities. The generalized estimating equation showed significantly larger improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors in the experimental group than in the control group. Board games designed for older adults can support public health education and help prevent osteoporosis. Our results provide a reference for educators, clinical practitioners and researchers.

[Game Products: Innovative Pathways for Nursing Education and Clinical Training].

To excel in their work, nurses must have specialized tools to support their tasks and professional development. Games, as a crucial pathway to achieving nursing education and clinical training goals, demonstrate significant potential and application value, making them an innovative product. Nursing education games come in various forms, including virtual reality, augmented reality, tabletop, and digital, and may be designed as needed for individual, two-player, or team play (Avsar et al., 2023; Bermejo et al., 2023; Tsai et al., 2024). These games, beyond their entertainment value, have clear educational objectives embedded in their design. Through levels, challenging tasks, and reward mechanisms, they stimulate learning enjoyment and promote nursing development. In this column, experts and scholars in the field of nursing engaged in game development share their experiences and achievements. Integrating games into nursing delivers a wealth of tools and resources for nursing education and clinical practice, offering immersive learning experiences, instant feedback, and individualized learning paths. For nursing students, gamified products offer safe and risk-free learning environments in which they can practice critical tasks and make decisions in simulated medical scenarios, increasing their clinical experience and confidence and enhancing their clinical judgment and decision-making skills (Wu et al., 2023). For patients, many therapeutic games have already been designed that use gameplay to improve health by facilitating user engagement in rehabilitation exercises, promoting healthy eating, and fostering social interactivity (Tsai et al., 2024). For nurses, various games are being used to promote continuous professional growth in an interactive and enjoyable learning environment, improving overall quality of care and job satisfaction (Hsieh et al., 2023). In summary, the application of game products in nursing education and clinical training has introduced new learning and training models that provide multifaceted benefits for nurses, nursing students, and patients. We hope that readers will gain a deeper understanding of related game products after reading this column and use games effectively to enhance nursing quality.

[The Efficacy of Joyful Learning on Exercise in Older Adults: The GAME Strategy].

Exercise can effectively slow aging and prevent the onset and reduce the complications of chronic diseases in the elderly. However, roughly one-third of older adults are inactive. Joyful learning is an effective method for promoting physical activity, while using games is a feasible strategy for achieving joyful learning that enables individuals to fully immerse themselves in and enjoy an activity. Therefore, exploring gaming strategies to enhance physical activity among the elderly is worthwhile. In this paper, a set of gaming strategies based on the literature and practical experience is proposed. The name of this strategy, GAME, is an acronym of the following: goal setting and educational content development (G), activity design and game content creation (A), mechanics and dynamics implementation (M), and evaluation of qualitative and quantitative health outcomes (E). This systematic descriptive approach helps clearly demonstrate how gamification strategies can promote physical activity and health in older adults. The aim of this paper is to provide a reference and guide for education, research, and clinical practice in health promotion programs targeting older adults.

The efficacy of a mindfulness-based exercise program in older residents of a long-term care facility in Taiwan.

Older people living in long-term care facilities remain largely inactive, and therefore promoting exercise in this population is necessary. This study evaluated the efficacy of a mindfulness-based exercise program in older residents of a long-term care facility in Taiwan. A convenience sample of 72 older residents of a long-term care facility were recruited and assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group (n = 36) participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based exercise program, and the control group (n = 36) received routine care. The generalized estimating equation showed significantly larger improvements in a fear of falling, exercise self-efficacy, dynamic balance, and muscle strength in the experimental group than in the control group from baseline to the end of the intervention and 3 months after the end of the intervention. This study provides a reference for how to improve exercise practice in older people living in long-term care facilities.

Design, Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Novel Steroidal Derivatives with D-Ring Fused or Substituted N-Heterocyclic Systems.

A series of novel D-ring fused or substituted steroidal N-heterocycles were synthesized, and their chemical structures were characterized by spectroscopic analysis. The anticancer activity of these compounds against four human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, H1299, HeLa and HepG2) were evaluated and the structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also investigated. Compound 3c displayed significant inhibitory activity on the four cancer cells with IC50 values ranging from 3.88 to 10.05 µM. Overall, these studies indicated that construction of N-heterocyclic system with D-ring substituted containing a double bond at C-16 and C-17 or D-ring fused with [17,16-d]azolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine could be a promising strategy to improve antitumor activity for steroids deserved further investigation.

Robust Generation of Ready-to-Use Cryopreserved Motor Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease Modeling.

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) act as models for motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal muscular atrophy. However, the MN differentiation efficiency and viability following cryopreservation require further development for application in large-scale studies and drug screening. Here, we developed a robust protocol to convert hPSCs into MN cryopreservation stocks (hPSCs were converted into >92% motor neural progenitors and >91% MNs). Near-mature MNs were cryopreserved at a high thawing survival rate and 89% MN marker expression on day 32. Moreover, these MNs exhibited classical electrophysiological properties and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation ability within only 4−6 days after thawing. To apply this platform as an MND model, MN stocks were generated from SOD1G85R, SOD1G85G isogenic control, and sporadic ALS hPSC lines. The thawed ALS MNs expressed ALS-specific cytopathies, including SOD1 protein aggregation and TDP-43 redistribution. Thus, a stable and robust protocol was developed to generate ready-to-use cryopreserved MNs without further neuronal maturation processes for application in MND mechanistic studies, NMJ model establishment, and large-scale drug screening.

Enterovirus board game for elementary school children: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an enterovirus board game on improving knowledge of enterovirus for elementary school children in Taiwan. DESIGN: A pilot study with a one-group pretest-posttest design. SAMPLE: Using convenience sampling, 27 children were recruited from a single elementary school in Taiwan in June 2020. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data were collected and the children completed an enterovirus knowledge questionnaire. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, McNemar test, and Wilcoxon test. INTERVENTION: Each experimental group of four to five children participated in a 40-min enterovirus board game. RESULTS: After using the board game, the children had significantly higher mean scores for enterovirus knowledge. Specifically, the children had a higher proportion of correct answers for seven questions related to enterovirus after playing the game compared to before. CONCLUSIONS: Board games designed for elementary school-aged children can support public health education and help prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases such as enterovirus.

Effect of horticultural activities on quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory of community-dwelling older adults.

This study sampled 86 community-dwelling older adults to investigate the effect of horticultural activities on their quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory. The results demonstrated that after 8 weeks of horticultural activities, the effect sizes (Cohen's d) of their quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory were 0.92, -1.32, and 0.62, respectively. Among the four domains of quality of life, the social relationships domain improved the most. For perceived stress, the score of the experimental group decreased from 1.70 (0.48) to 1.29 (0.58). For working memory, the score increased from 3.43 (1.13) to 4.14 (1.27), whereas the score of the control group did not change substantially. Statistical analysis conducted using a generalized estimating equation revealed a significant interaction effect between group and time (P < 0.001). This study provides a reference for improving the quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory in older people.

COMT-Catalyzed Palmitic Acid Methyl Ester Biosynthesis in Perivascular Adipose Tissue and its Potential Role Against Hypertension.

Decreased release of palmitic acid methyl ester (PAME), a vasodilator, from perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) might contribute to hypertension pathogenesis. However, the PAME biosynthetic pathway remains unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that PAME is biosynthesized from palmitic acid (PA) via human catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalysis and that decreased PAME biosynthesis plays a role in hypertension pathogenesis. We compared PAME biosynthesis between age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and hypertensive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and investigated the effects of losartan treatment on PAME biosynthesis. Computational molecular modeling indicated that PA binds well at the active site of COMT. Furthermore, in in vitro enzymatic assays in the presence of COMT and S-5'-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet), the stable isotope [13C16]-PA was methylated to form [13C16]-PAME in incubation medium or the Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 3T3-L1 adipocytes or rat PVAT. The adipocytes and PVATs expressed membrane-bound (MB)-COMT and soluble (S)-COMT proteins. [13C16]-PA methylation to form [13C16]-PAME in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and rat PVAT was blocked by various COMT inhibitors, such as S-(5'-adenosyl)-L-homocysteine, adenosine-2',3'-dialdehyde, and tolcapone. MB- and S-COMT levels in PVATs of established SHRs were significantly lower than those in PVATs of age-matched normotensive WKY rats, with decreased [13C16]-PA methylation to form [13C16]-PAME. This decrease was reversed by losartan, an angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor antagonist. Therefore, PAME biosynthesis in rat PVAT is dependent on AdoMet, catalyzed by COMT, and decreased in SHRs, further supporting the role of PVAT/PAME in hypertension pathogenesis. Moreover, the antihypertensive effect of losartan might be due partly to its increased PAME biosynthesis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: PAME is a key PVAT-derived relaxing factor. We for the first time demonstrate that PAME is synthesized through PA methylation via the S-5'-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent COMT catalyzation pathway. Moreover, we confirmed PVAT dysfunction in the hypertensive state. COMT-dependent PAME biosynthesis is involved in Ang II receptor type 1-mediated blood pressure regulation, as evidenced by the reversal of decreased PAME biosynthesis in PVAT by losartan in hypertensive rats. This finding might help in developing novel therapeutic or preventive strategies against hypertension.

OroxylinA reverses lipopolysaccharide-induced adhesion molecule expression and endothelial barrier disruption in the rat aorta.

Vascular dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. We elucidated the mechanisms underlying the amelioration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular inflammation by oroxylin A (OroA) post-treatment in rats. The animals were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (10 mg/kg) to induce systemic inflammation and intravenously (iv) administered OroA (15 mg/kg) 6 h after the LPS treatment. The assessments included biochemical changes in peripheral blood, vascular reactivity which was evaluated by blood-vessel myography, morphological/histological assessment of inflammation, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4-mediated interleukin-1-receptor-associated-kinase (IRAK)-4 activation, changes in adhesion molecule expression, and endothelial junctional stability in the aorta. LPS significantly enhanced the proinflammatory cytokine release, increased vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression, disrupted endothelial tight junction, reduced vascular endothelial barrier stability, and increased macrophage infiltration and accumulation in the aorta. All observed pathological changes and vascular inflammation were significantly reversed by the OroA post-treatment. Importantly, OroA suppressed the increased adhesion molecule expression and the endothelial barrier disruption by inhibiting LPS-activated IRAK-4-targeted inhibitory nuclear factor kappa B kinase (IKK) α/ß complex phosphorylation, without directly affecting the interaction between LPS and TLR-4. Moreover, the iNOS activity induced by the LPS challenge was inhibited by the OroA pretreatment of the isolated aortic rings. These results suggest that OroA regulates the vascular tone by inhibiting vascular hyporeactivity caused by NO overproduction and reverses the endothelial barrier dysfunction and inflammation by inhibiting the IRAK-4-mediated IKKα/ß phosphorylation. Overall, these findings suggest OroA administration as a potentially useful therapeutic approach for clinical interventions in septic shock.

The Protective Effect of the Polysaccharide Precursor, D-Isofloridoside, from Laurencia undulata on Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in HepG2 Cells.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) threatens human health, so it is imperative that we find ways to prevent or treat it. In recent years, the study of polysaccharides has shown that they have different kinds of bioactivities. Among them are many biological effects that have been attributed to polysaccharide precursors. D-Isofloridoside (DIF) is one of the polysaccharide precursors from the marine red alga Laurencia undulata. This study evaluated the effect of DIF on alcohol-induced oxidative stress in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). As a result, DIF attenuated alcohol-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and effectively reduced alcohol-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. In addition, a western blot showed that, after DIF treatment, the expression levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) increased, while the expression levels of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), BCL2-associated X (bax), cleaved caspase-3, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase ) signal transduction proteins reduced. This showed that DIF may protect cells by reducing the amount of intracellular ROS and inhibiting intracellular oxidative stress and apoptotic processes. Finally, molecular docking demonstrated that DIF can bind to SOD, GGT, B-cell lymphoma-2, and bax proteins. These results indicated that DIF can protect HepG2 cells from alcohol-induced oxidative stress damage, making it an effective potential ingredient in functional foods.

In Vitro Vascular-Protective Effects of a Tilapia By-Product Oligopeptide on Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertensive Endothelial Injury in HUVEC by Nrf2/NF-κB Pathways.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is closely involved in endothelial injury during the development of hypertension. In this study, the protective effects of the tilapia by-product oligopeptide Leu-Ser-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Pro (LSGYGP) on oxidative stress and endothelial injury in Angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were evaluated. LSGYGP dose-dependently suppressed the fluorescence intensities of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibited the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression, as shown by western blot. In addition, it attenuated the expression of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), as well as increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) expression through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Other experiments revealed that LSGYGP increased the apoptotic inhibition ratio between cleaved-caspase-3/procaspase-3, reduced expressions of pro-apoptotic ratio between Bcl-2/Bax, inhibited phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and increased phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase (Akt) pathway. Furthermore, LSGYGP significantly decreased Ang II-induced DNA damage in a comet assay, and molecular docking results showed that the steady interaction between LSGYGP with NF-κB may be attributed to hydrogen bonds. These results suggest that this oligopeptide is effective in protecting against Ang II-induced HUVEC injury through the reduction of oxidative stress and alleviating endothelial damage. Thus, it has the potential for the therapeutic treatment of hypertension-associated diseases.

A Novel Peptide from Abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) to Suppress Metastasis and Vasculogenic Mimicry of Tumor Cells and Enhance Anti-Tumor Effect In Vitro.

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formed by tumor cells plays a vital role in the progress of tumor, because it provides nutrition for tumor cells and takes away the metabolites. Therefore, the inhibition of VM is crucial to the clinical treatment of tumors. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of a novel peptide, KVEPQDPSEW (AATP), isolated from abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) on HT1080 cells by migration, invasion analysis and the mode of action. The results showed that AATP effectively inhibited MMPs by blocking MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, leading to the downregulation of metastasis of tumor cells. Moreover, AATP significantly inhibited VM and pro-angiogenic factors, including VEGF and MMPs by suppression of AKT/mTOR signaling. In addition, molecular docking was used to study the interaction of AATP and HIF-1α, and the results showed that AATP was combined with an active site of HIF-1α by a hydrogen bond. The effect of AATP on anti-metastatic and anti-vascular in HT1080 cells revealed that AATP may be a potential lead compound for treatment of tumors in the future.

Midterm cerebral outcomes of Stanford type A aortic dissection in patients who underwent novel triple-branched stent graft implantation combined with intraoperative monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cerebral outcomes of patients underwent novel triple-branched stent graft implantation combined with the intraoperative monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven consecutive patients who underwent the surgery of triple-branched stent graft implantation in our department were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study. The patients in group A received brain protection based on the intraoperative monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation and the patients in group B received conventional brain protection. The general clinical data, the types of corrective surgeries, the intraoperative situations, the postoperative complications, and the midterm outcomes of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative cerebral dysfunction in the patients of group A was significantly lower than that in the patients in group B (3.2% vs 14.9%, P = .020). We found significant differences in the incubation times (30.3 ± 22.1 vs 42.3 ± 27.9 hours, P = .014), the lengths of intensive care unit stay (58.0 ± 54.3 vs 79.7 ± 55.5 hours, P = .004), and the hospital stays (19.3 ± 6.7 vs 24.9 ± 17.3 days, P = .045). A descending trend in the mortality rates was observed between the patients in the two groups based on the 20 months of observation; however, this trend was not statistically significant (1.6% vs 6.8%, P = .218). CONCLUSIONS: The novel triple-branched stent graft implantation procedure combined with intraoperative monitoring of the regional cerebral oxygen saturation was an effective treatment for Stanford type A aortic dissection, with a relatively low incidence of postoperative cerebral dysfunction.

The Prophylactic Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors Combined with Enteral Nutrition for Preventing Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage after Cardiovascular Surgery in High-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GH) is one of the most serious complications after cardiovascular surgery. The aim of the study was to provide an optimal therapeutic strategy for preventing postoperative GH in high-risk patients. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study included 188 adult patients at high risk of postoperative GH. These patients were divided into two groups based on a strategy for preventing postoperative GH: Group A (n = 97) received continuous intravenous infusion of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) combined with early enteral nutrition, and Group B (n = 91) received a bolus intravenous infusion of PPI combined with late enteral nutrition. The clinical features of the groups were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative GH in the patients of group A was significantly lower than the patients in group B. The duration from the end of surgery to eating for the first time in the patients of group A was significantly shorter than in the patients of group B. A descending trend in 30-day mortality was observed in the patients of group A compared with group B, but no significant difference was found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Continuous intravenous infusion of PPI combined with early enteral nutrition could effectively prevent GH and reduce 30-day mortality after cardiovascular surgery in high-risk patients.

Efficacy of a horticultural activity program for reducing depression and loneliness in older residents of nursing homes in Taiwan.

Promoting psychological health in older populations is important. This study evaluated a horticultural activity program for reducing depression and loneliness in older residents of nursing homes in Taiwan. A convenience sample of 150 older residents of three nursing homes were recruited and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group (n = 75) participated in an 8-week horticultural activity program. The control group (n = 75) received routine care. Generalized estimating equations analyses revealed significant time by treatment interaction effects for depression (p < .001) and loneliness (p < .001). This study provides a reference for improving psychological health in older people.

[Application of Mindfulness-Based Health-Promotion Behavior in People With Chronic Diseases: SMILE Strategy].

Chronic diseases often impact the quality of life of the patient, causing complications and increased mortality and medical costs. The World Health Organization proposed applying mindfulness as an important strategy to help transform the situation faced by chronic disease cases and to promote their mental flexibility and adaptability. The author reviewed the related literature on mindfulness and introduces the "SMILE" strategy in this article. This strategy includes several stages, including 1) Starting where I am, 2) Motivating patients to become self-aware of the experience of self and internal and external environment interactions, 3) Developing individual health beliefs, 4) Learning mindfulness-based health-promotion behaviors, 5) Evaluating the efficacy of mindfulness-based health-promotion behaviors and self-regulation. SMILE is a powerful strategy with the potential to promote patient wellbeing, acceptance of the need to coexist with chronic disease, and freedom. Mindfulness is an abstract concept. This article provides a reference on mindfulness intervention for healthcare providers.

Effects of perceived autonomy support and basic need satisfaction on quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: Despite a growing understanding of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its determinants in hemodialysis (HD) patients, little is known about the effects and interrelationships concerning the perception of autonomy support and basic need satisfaction of HD patients on their HRQOL. Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study examines whether HD patients' perceived autonomy support from health care practitioners (physicians and nurses) relates to the satisfaction of HD patients' basic needs and in turn influences their HRQOL. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 250 Taiwanese HD patients recruited from multiclinical centers and regional hospitals in northern Taiwan. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was conducted to examine the causal relationships between patient perceptions of autonomy support and HRQOL through basic need satisfaction. RESULTS: The empirical results of SEM indicated that the HD patients' perceived autonomy support increased the satisfaction of their basic needs (autonomy, competency, and relatedness), as expected. The higher degree of basic need satisfaction led to higher HRQOL, as measured by physical and mental component scores. CONCLUSION: Autonomy support from physicians and nurses contributes to improving HD patients' HRQOL through basic need satisfaction. This indicates that staff caring for patients with severe chronic diseases should offer considerable support for patient autonomy.

Excavatolide-B Enhances Contextual Memory Retrieval via Repressing the Delayed Rectifier Potassium Current in the Hippocampus.

Memory retrieval dysfunction is a symptom of schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and absence epilepsy (AE), as well as an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. To date, few drugs have been reported to enhance memory retrieval. Here, we found that a coral-derived natural product, excavatolide-B (Exc-B), enhances contextual memory retrieval in both wild-type and Cav3.2-/- mice via repressing the delayed rectifier potassium current, thus lowering the threshold for action potential initiation and enhancing induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). The human CACNA1H gene encodes a T-type calcium channel (Cav3.2), and its mutation is associated with schizophrenia, ASD, and AE, which are all characterized by abnormal memory function. Our previous publication demonstrated that Cav3.2-/- mice exhibit impaired contextual-associated memory retrieval, whilst their retrieval of spatial memory and auditory cued memory remain intact. The effect of Exc-B on enhancing the retrieval of context-associated memory provides a hope for novel drug development.