The serine protease inhibitor neuroserpin is required for normal synaptic plasticity and regulates learning and social behavior.

The serine protease inhibitor neuroserpin regulates the activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in the nervous system. Neuroserpin expression is particularly prominent at late stages of neuronal development in most regions of the central nervous system (CNS), whereas it is restricted to regions related to learning and memory in the adult brain. The physiological expression pattern of neuroserpin, its high degree of colocalization with tPA within the CNS, together with its dysregulation in neuropsychiatric disorders, suggest a role in formation and refinement of synapses. In fact, studies in cell culture and mice point to a role for neuroserpin in dendritic branching, spine morphology, and modulation of behavior. In this study, we investigated the physiological role of neuroserpin in the regulation of synaptic density, synaptic plasticity, and behavior in neuroserpin-deficient mice. In the absence of neuroserpin, mice show a significant decrease in spine-synapse density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, while expression of the key postsynaptic scaffold protein PSD-95 is increased in this region. Neuroserpin-deficient mice show decreased synaptic potentiation, as indicated by reduced long-term potentiation (LTP), whereas presynaptic paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) is unaffected. Consistent with altered synaptic plasticity, neuroserpin-deficient mice exhibit cognitive and sociability deficits in behavioral assays. However, although synaptic dysfunction is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, we do not detect alterations in expression of neuroserpin in fusiform gyrus of autism patients or in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia patients. Our results identify neuroserpin as a modulator of synaptic plasticity, and point to a role for neuroserpin in learning and memory.

Eps8 controls dendritic spine density and synaptic plasticity through its actin-capping activity.

Actin-based remodelling underlies spine structural changes occurring during synaptic plasticity, the process that constantly reshapes the circuitry of the adult brain in response to external stimuli, leading to learning and memory formation. A positive correlation exists between spine shape and synaptic strength and, consistently, abnormalities in spine number and morphology have been described in a number of neurological disorders. In the present study, we demonstrate that the actin-regulating protein, Eps8, is recruited to the spine head during chemically induced long-term potentiation in culture and that inhibition of its actin-capping activity impairs spine enlargement and plasticity. Accordingly, mice lacking Eps8 display immature spines, which are unable to undergo potentiation, and are impaired in cognitive functions. Additionally, we found that reduction in the levels of Eps8 occurs in brains of patients affected by autism compared to controls. Our data reveal the key role of Eps8 actin-capping activity in spine morphogenesis and plasticity and indicate that reductions in actin-capping proteins may characterize forms of intellectual disabilities associated with spine defects.

Physical and Psychosocial Benefits of Sports Participation Among Children and Adolescents with Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to identify sports interventions for children and adolescents (CaA) with chronic diseases and evaluate their impact on physical, psychological, and social well-being. The findings of this study will contribute to our understanding of the potential benefits of sports interventions for CaA with chronic diseases and inform future interventions to promote their overall health and well-being. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in eight databases. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and utilized a comprehensive search strategy to identify studies on sport-based interventions for CaA with chronic diseases. The review included randomized controlled trials and observational studies that focused on physical and psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: We screened 10,123 titles and abstracts, reviewed the full text of 622 records, and included 52 primary studies. A total of 2352 participants were assessed with an average of 45 ± 37 participants per study. Among the included studies involving CaA with chronic diseases with an age range from 3 to 18 years, 30% (n = 15) autism spectrum disorders, 21% (n = 11) cerebral palsy, 19% (n = 10) were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and 17% (n = 9) obesity. Other diseases included were cancer (n = 5), asthma (n = 1) and cystic fibrosis (n = 1). Interventions involved various sports and physical activities tailored to each chronic disease. The duration and frequency of interventions varied across studies. Most studies assessed physical outcomes, including motor performance and physical fitness measures. Psychosocial outcomes were also evaluated, focusing on behavioural problems, social competencies, and health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Overall, sport-based interventions effectively improved physical and psychosocial outcomes in CaA with chronic diseases. Interventions are generally safe, and participants adhere to the prescribed protocols favorably. Despite that, there is little evidence that interventions are being implemented. Future studies should include interventions tailored to meet the common issues experienced by CaA with chronic conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the impact of sports interventions on those affected. REGISTRATION: The methodology for this review was pre-determined and registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42023397172).

Current Methodological Pitfalls and Caveats in the Assessment of Exercise-Induced Changes in Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: How Result Reproducibility Can Be Improved.

Neural mechanisms, such as enhanced neuroplasticity within the motor system, underpin exercise-induced motor improvements. Being a key mediator of motor plasticity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is likely to play an important role in mediating exercise positive effects on motor function. Difficulties in assessing brain BDNF levels in humans have drawn attention to quantification of blood BDNF and raise the question of whether peripheral BDNF contributes to exercise-related motor improvements. Methodological and non-methodological factors influence measurements of blood BDNF introducing a substantial variability that complicates result interpretation and leads to inconsistencies among studies. Here, we discuss methodology-related issues and approaches emerging from current findings to reduce variability and increase result reproducibility.

The indirect effect of a focus group for psoriatic patients on their caregivers.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease involving not only epidermic damages but also psychological distress for patients and their family caregivers. Little is known about the effects of a psychological support for psoriatic patients on their caregivers' well-being. The goal of the present study was to investigate the indirect effects of the participation in a dynamic focus group reserved for psoriatic patients on their caregivers in terms of quality of life. The study involved 52 psoriatic patients and 41 family caregivers. Patients' wellbeing was assessed using the dermatology quality of life index, hospital anxiety and depression scale. The impact of the disease on caregivers was assessed using the family dermatology life quality index (FDLQI). Data were analyzed with linear mixed models. The caregivers of psoriatic patients involved in the psychodynamic focus group reported levels of FDLQI that decreased over time, therefore showing an improvement in their quality of life in relation to the pathology of their relatives; the caregivers of patients who did not participate in the psychodynamic focus group, instead, had levels of FDLQI that were stable over time. The results provide preliminary evidence that the group setting of the Psychodynamic Focus Group may alleviate the negative impact of psychosomatic disease on the caregivers.

Understanding the Neurophysiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Neuroplasticity in Cortical and Descending Motor Pathways: Where Do We Stand?

Exercise is a promising, cost-effective intervention to augment successful aging and neurorehabilitation. Decline of gray and white matter accompanies physiological aging and contributes to motor deficits in older adults. Exercise is believed to reduce atrophy within the motor system and induce neuroplasticity which, in turn, helps preserve motor function during aging and promote re-learning of motor skills, for example after stroke. To fully exploit the benefits of exercise, it is crucial to gain a greater understanding of the neurophysiological and molecular mechanisms underlying exercise-induced brain changes that prime neuroplasticity and thus contribute to postponing, slowing, and ameliorating age- and disease-related impairments in motor function. This knowledge will allow us to develop more effective, personalized exercise protocols that meet individual needs, thereby increasing the utility of exercise strategies in clinical and non-clinical settings. Here, we review findings from studies that investigated neurophysiological and molecular changes associated with acute or long-term exercise in healthy, young adults and in healthy, postmenopausal women.

Fitness Level Influences White Matter Microstructure in Postmenopausal Women.

Aerobic exercise has both neuroprotective and neurorehabilitative benefits. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and need to be investigated, especially in postmenopausal women, who are at increased risk of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke. To advance our understanding of the potential neurological benefits of aerobic exercise in aging women, we examined anatomical and functional responses that may differentiate women of varying cardiorespiratory fitness using neuroimaging and neurophysiology. A total of 35 healthy postmenopausal women were recruited (59 ± 3 years) and cardiorespiratory fitness estimated (22-70 mL/kg/min). Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess -aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) receptor function in the primary motor cortex (M1), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to quantify GABA and Glu concentrations in M1. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess mean cortical thickness (MCT) of sensorimotor and frontal regions, while the microstructure of sensorimotor and other white matter tracts was evaluated through diffusion tensor imaging. Regression analysis revealed that higher fitness levels were associated with improved microstructure in pre-motor and sensory tracts, and the hippocampal cingulum. Fitness level was not associated with MCT, MRS, or neurophysiology measures. These data indicate that, in postmenopausal women, higher cardiorespiratory fitness is linked with preserved selective white matter microstructure, particularly in areas that influence sensorimotor control and memory.

A Single Bout of High-intensity Interval Exercise Increases Corticospinal Excitability, Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, and Uncarboxylated Osteolcalcin in Sedentary, Healthy Males.

Exercise induces neuroplasticity in descending motor pathways facilitating motor learning, and as such it could be utilized as an intervention in neurorehabilitation, for example when re-learning motor skills after stroke. To date, however, the neurophysiological and molecular mechanisms underlying exercise-induced neuroplasticity remain largely unknown impeding the potential utilization of exercise protocols as 'motor learning boosters' in clinical and non-clinical settings. Here, we assessed corticospinal excitability, intracortical facilitation (ICF) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and serum biochemical markers including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), total and precursor cathepsin B (tCTSB, proCTSB), uncarboxylated and carboxylated osteocalcin (unOCN, cOCN) and irisin using ELISA. Measurements were carried out in sedentary, healthy males before and after a single session of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) or in individuals who rested and did not perform exercise (No Exercise). We found that HIIE increased corticospinal excitability, BDNF and unOCN, and decreased cOCN. We also determined that greater increases in BDNF were associated with increases in unOCN and irisin and decreases in cOCN only in participants who underwent HIIE, suggesting that unOCN and irisin may contribute to exercise-induced BDNF increases. Conversely, no changes other than a decrease in serum unOCN/tOCN were found in No Exercise participants. The present findings show that a single session of HIIE is sufficient to modulate corticospinal excitability and to increase BDNF and unOCN in sedentary, healthy males.

Human motor cortical organization is influenced by handedness.

Although there is some evidence that handedness is associated with structural and functional differences in the motor cortex, findings remain inconclusive. Here, we evaluated whether handedness influences the location, size and overlap of the cortical representations of upper limb muscles across hemispheres in right- versus left-handed individuals. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, the cortical representations of abductor pollicis brevis, flexor carpi radialis and biceps brachii muscles were mapped bilaterally with a 6 by 5 grid space. Results indicate that right-handers had more lateral and posterior representations in the non-dominant hemisphere as well as greater overall cortical territory compared to left-handers. Right- and left-handers did not differ in the extent of overlap between muscle representations. Our findings suggest that human motor cortical organization of upper limb muscles is indeed influenced by handedness, specifically with regard to the location of non-dominant cortical muscle representations and the size of cortical territory dedicated to upper limb muscle representations.

No changes in corticospinal excitability, biochemical markers, and working memory after six weeks of high-intensity interval training in sedentary males.

A single bout of aerobic exercise modulates corticospinal excitability, intracortical circuits, and serum biochemical markers such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). These effects have important implications for the use of exercise in neurorehabilitation. Here, we aimed to determine whether increases in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) induced by 18 sessions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) over 6 weeks were accompanied by changes in corticospinal excitability, intracortical excitatory and inhibitory circuits, serum biochemical markers and working memory (WM) capacity in sedentary, healthy, young males. We assessed motor evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curves for the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) both at rest and during tonic contraction, intracortical facilitation (ICF), and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We also examined serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, total and precursor (pro) cathepsin B (CTSB), as well as WM capacity. Compared to pretraining, CRF was increased and ICF reduced after the HIIT intervention, but there were no changes in corticospinal excitability, SICI, BDNF, IGF-1, total and pro-CTSB, and WM capacity. Further, greater CRF gains were associated with larger decreases in total and pro-CTSB and, only in Val/Val carriers, with larger increases in SICI. Our findings confirm that HIIT is efficacious in promoting CRF and show that corticospinal excitability, biochemical markers, and WM are unchanged after 18 HIIT bouts in sedentary males. Understanding how aerobic exercise modulates M1 excitability is important in order to be able to use exercise protocols as an intervention, especially in rehabilitation following brain injuries.

The Effects of Biological Sex and Ovarian Hormones on Exercise-Induced Neuroplasticity.

Acute aerobic exercise induces short-term neuroplasticity, although it remains unknown whether biological sex and ovarian hormones influence this response. The present study investigated the effects of biological sex and ovarian hormones on short-term neuroplasticity induced by acute aerobic exercise. Young active adults (n = 17 males and n = 17 females; 21 ±â€¯2 years) participated in two sessions in which transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures were acquired immediately before and after a 20-min bout of moderate-intensity cycling at 65-70% of maximal heart rate. Females were tested in the follicular (~day 7) and luteal (~day 21) phases of the menstrual cycle. Males were tested on two sessions separated by ~14 days. Measures of motor-evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curves and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) were obtained using TMS. Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were measured in venous blood samples obtained prior to exercise. MEP recruitment curves increased and SICI decreased after exercise in both sexes, regardless of menstrual cycle phase. BDNF and IGF-1 were not different between sexes or across the menstrual cycle. Females had a greater estradiol to progesterone ratio (E:P) in the follicular phase compared to the luteal phase, while males had similar testosterone levels on both occasions. We conclude that biological sex and ovarian hormones do not impact short-term neuroplasticity induced by acute exercise. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Acute exercise induces short-term changes indicative of neuroplasticity within the primary motor cortex and corticospinal pathway. This research reveals that increases in corticospinal excitability and decreases in intracortical inhibition occur similarly in males and females, and that female hormones do not influence these changes. These findings may be used to assist with developing exercise interventions aimed at promoting neuroplasticity in both sexes.

The Impact of Glucose on Corticospinal and Intracortical Excitability.

Neurotransmission is highly dependent on the availability of glucose-derived energy, although it is unclear how glucose availability modulates corticospinal and intracortical excitability as assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). In this double-blinded placebo-controlled study, we tested the effect of acute glucose intake on motor-evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curves, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) and long-latency afferent inhibition (LAI). Eighteen healthy males participated in four sessions. Session 1 involved acquisition of an individualized blood glucose response curve. This allowed measurements to be time-locked to an individualized glucose peak after consuming one of three drinks during the subsequent three sessions. Participants were administered a 300 mL concealed solution containing 75 g of glucose, sucralose, or water in separate sessions. Dependent measures were assessed at baseline and twice after drinking the solution. Secondary measures included blood glucose and mean arterial pressure. Corticospinal excitability and blood pressure increased following the drink across all treatments. No changes were observed in SICI, SAI or LAI. There was no rise in corticospinal excitability that was specific to the glucose drink, suggesting that acute changes in glucose levels do not necessarily alter TMS measures of corticospinal or intracortical excitability.

The valproic acid-induced rodent model of autism.

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and interaction and by repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. While autism has a strong genetic component, environmental factors including toxins, pesticides, infection and drugs are known to confer autism susceptibility, likely by inducing epigenetic changes. In particular, exposure to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy has been demonstrated to increase the risk of autism in children. Furthermore, rodents prenatally exposed to this drug display behavioral phenotypes characteristics of the human condition. Indeed, in utero exposure of rodents to VPA represents a robust model of autism exhibiting face, construct and predictive validity. This model might better represent the many cases of idiopathic autism which are of environmental/epigenetic origins than do transgenic models carrying mutations in single autism-associated genes. The VPA model provides a valuable tool to investigate the neurobiology underlying autistic behavior and to screen for novel therapeutics. Here we review the VPA-induced rodent model of autism, highlighting its importance and reliability as an environmentally-induced animal model of autism.

Clustering the autisms using glutamate synapse protein interaction networks from cortical and hippocampal tissue of seven mouse models.

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of behaviorally defined disorders and are associated with hundreds of rare genetic mutations and several environmental risk factors. Mouse models of specific risk factors have been successful in identifying molecular mechanisms associated with a given factor. However, comparisons among different models to elucidate underlying common pathways or to define clusters of biologically relevant disease subtypes have been complicated by different methodological approaches or different brain regions examined by the labs that developed each model. Here, we use a novel proteomic technique, quantitative multiplex co-immunoprecipitation or QMI, to make a series of identical measurements of a synaptic protein interaction network in seven different animal models. We aim to identify molecular disruptions that are common to multiple models. Methods: QMI was performed on 92 hippocampal and cortical samples taken from seven mouse models of ASD: Shank3B, Shank3Δex4-9, Ube3a2xTG, TSC2, FMR1, and CNTNAP2 mutants, as well as E12.5 VPA (maternal valproic acid injection on day 12.5 post-conception). The QMI panel targeted a network of 16 interacting, ASD-linked, synaptic proteins, probing 240 potential co-associations. A custom non-parametric statistical test was used to call significant differences between ASD models and littermate controls, and Hierarchical Clustering by Principal Components was used to cluster the models using mean log2 fold change values. Results: Each model displayed a unique set of disrupted interactions, but some interactions were disrupted in multiple models. These tended to be interactions that are known to change with synaptic activity. Clustering revealed potential relationships among models and suggested deficits in AKT signaling in Ube3a2xTG mice, which were confirmed by phospho-western blots. Conclusions: These data highlight the great heterogeneity among models, but suggest that high-dimensional measures of a synaptic protein network may allow differentiation of subtypes of ASD with shared molecular pathology.

Incorporation of alpha-chymotrypsin into the 3D channels of bicontinuous cubic lipid mesophases.

The effects of protein entrapment on the structure and phase behavior of periodically curved lipid mesostructures have been examined by synchrotron small-angle X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. The study was directed towards a better understanding of the effect of confinement in a lipid environment on the stability and unfolding behavior of alpha-chymotrypsin, and, vice versa, the effect of the entrapped protein on the lipid's mesophase structure and temperature- and pressure-dependent phase behavior. We compare the interaction of protein molecules of two different sizes (cytochrome c, 12.4 kDa, and alpha-chymotrypsin, 25.8 kDa) with the cubic Ia3d phase of monoolein (MO), which forms spontaneously in water. The cubic structure changes significantly when cyt c is incorporated: above a protein concentration of 0.2 wt.%, the interaction between the positively charged protein and the lipid headgroups leads to an increase in interfacial curvature which promotes the formation of a new micellar cubic phase, presumably of crystallographic space group P4(3)32, which the lipid system does not form on its own. The larger alpha-chymotrypsin leads to a different scenario. On the basis of an examination of the calculated geometric parameters and water volume fractions, it is concluded that the alpha-chymotrypsin molecules cannot be located exclusively in the water channels of the cubic Ia3d or P4(3)32 phases, but rather form new, less ordered (presumably cubic Pn3m) structures. The new structure disappears above the unfolding temperature of chymotrypsin and exhibits a pressure stability, which-- in contrast to cyt c in MO-- decreases with increasing chymotrypsin concentration in the system. While the secondary structure of cyt c remains unaffected in the confining lipid environment, the structure of alpha-chymotrypsin gets destabilized slightly, and the protein tends to aggregate even at relatively low concentrations.

Temperature and pressure effects on structural and conformational properties of POPC/SM/cholesterol model raft mixtures--a FT-IR, SAXS, DSC, PPC and Laurdan fluorescence spectroscopy study.

We report on the effects of temperature and pressure on the structure, conformation and phase behavior of aqueous dispersions of the model lipid "raft" mixture palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC)/bovine brain sphingomyelin (SM)/cholesterol (Chol) (1:1:1). We investigated interchain interactions, hydrogen bonding, conformational and structural properties as well as phase transformations of this system using Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) coupled with pressure perturbation calorimetry (PPC), and Laurdan fluorescence spectroscopy. The IR spectral parameters in combination with the scattering patterns from the SAXS measurements were used to detect structural and conformational transformations upon changes of pressure up to 7-9 kbar and temperature in the range from 1 to about 80 degrees C. The generalized polarization function (GP) values, obtained from the Laurdan fluorescence spectroscopy studies also reveal temperature and pressure dependent phase changes. DSC and PPC were used to detect thermodynamic properties accompanying the temperature-dependent phase changes. In combination with literature fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy data, a tentative p,T stability diagram of the mixture has been established. The data reveal a broad liquid-order/solid-ordered (lo+so) two-phase coexistence region below 8+/-2 degrees C at ambient pressure. With increasing temperature, a lo+ld+so three-phase region is formed, which extends up to approximately 27 degrees C, where a liquid-ordered/liquid-disordered (lo+ld) immiscibility region is formed. Finally, above 48+/-2 degrees C, the POPC/SM/Chol (1:1:1) mixture becomes completely fluid-like (liquid-disordered, ld). With increasing pressure, all phase transition lines shift to higher temperatures. Notably, the lo+ld (+so) phase coexistence region, mimicking raft-like lateral phase separation in natural membranes, extends over a rather wide temperature range of about 40 degrees C, and a pressure range, which extends up to about 2 kbar for T=37 degrees C. Interestingly, in this pressure range, ceasing of membrane protein function in natural membrane environments has been observed for a variety of systems.

Decreased mTOR signaling pathway in human idiopathic autism and in rats exposed to valproic acid.

BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms underlying autistic behaviors remain to be elucidated. Mutations in genes linked to autism adversely affect molecules regulating dendritic spine formation, function and plasticity, and some increase the mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR, a regulator of protein synthesis at spines. Here, we investigated whether the Akt/mTOR pathway is disrupted in idiopathic autism and in rats exposed to valproic acid, an animal model exhibiting autistic-like behavior. METHODS: Components of the mTOR pathway were assayed by Western blotting in postmortem fusiform gyrus samples from 11 subjects with idiopathic autism and 13 controls and in valproic acid versus saline-exposed rat neocortex. Additionally, protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor (TrkB) isoforms and the postsynaptic organizing molecule PSD-95 were measured in autistic versus control subjects. RESULTS: Full-length TrkB, PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated and total mTOR, p70S6 kinase, eIF4B and PSD-95 were reduced in autistic versus control fusiform gyrus. Similarly, phosphorylated and total Akt, mTOR and 4E-BP1 and phosphorylated S6 protein were decreased in valproic acid- versus saline-exposed rats. However, no changes in 4E-BP1 or eIF4E were found in autistic brains. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to some monogenic disorders with high rates of autism, our data demonstrate down-regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway, specifically via p70S6K/eIF4B, in idiopathic autism. These findings suggest that disruption of this pathway in either direction is widespread in autism and can have adverse consequences for synaptic function. The use of valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in rats successfully modeled these changes, implicating an epigenetic mechanism in these pathway disruptions.

Altered balance of proteolytic isoforms of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor in autism.

Defects in synaptic development and plasticity may lead to autism. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. BDNF is synthesized as a precursor, pro-BDNF, which can be processed into either a truncated form or into mature BDNF. Previous studies reported increased BDNF-immunoreactive protein in autism, but the mechanism of this increase has not been investigated. We examined BDNF mRNA by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and BDNF protein by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in postmortem fusiform gyrus tissue from 11 patients with autism and 14 controls. BDNF mRNA levels were not different in the autism versus control samples, but total BDNF-like immunoreactive protein, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was greater in autism than in controls. Western blotting revealed greater pro-BDNF and less truncated BDNF in autism compared with controls. These data demonstrate that increased levels of BDNF-immunoreactive protein in autism are not transcriptionally driven. Increased pro-BDNF and reduced truncated BDNF are consistent with defective processing of pro-BDNF to its truncated form. Distortion of the balance among the 3 BDNF isoforms, each of which may exhibit different biological activities, could lead to changes in connectivity and synaptic plasticity and, hence, behavior. Thus, imbalance in proteolytic isoforms is a possible new mechanism for altered synaptic plasticity leading to autism.

How autobiographical memories can support episodic recall: transfer and maintenance effect of memory training with old-old low-autonomy adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A large body of research has demonstrated that, although specific memory activities can enhance the memory performance of healthy older adults, the extent of the increment is negatively associated with age. Conversely, few studies have examined the case of healthy elderly people not living alone. This study has two mains goals: to understand whether older adults with limited autonomy can benefit from activities devoted to increasing their episodic memory performance, and to test the efficacy of a memory training program based on autobiographical memories, in terms of transfer and maintenance effect. We postulated that being able to rely on stable autobiographical memories (intrinsically associated with emotions) would be a valuable memory aid. METHODS: Memory training was given to healthy older adults (aged 75-85) living in a retirement home. Two programs were compared: in the first, participants were primed to recall autobiographical memories around certain themes, and then to complete a set of episodic memory tasks (experimental group); in the second, participants were only given the episodic tasks (control group). RESULTS: Both groups improved their performance from pre- to post-test. However, the experimental group reported a greater feeling of well-being after the training, and maintained the training gains relating to episodic performance after three months. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that specific memory activities are beneficial to elderly people living in a retirement home context. In addition, training based on reactivation of autobiographical memories is shown to produce a long-lasting effect on memory performance.

Pressure tuning of the morphology of heterogeneous lipid vesicles: a two-photon-excitation fluorescence microscopy study.

We used a technique that allows us to visualize local and morphological changes of the membrane of more component giant unilamellar vesicles due to high pressure perturbation. Under these conditions, thermally induced processes are largely suppressed, and the bending rigidity and line tension are influenced by pressure-induced changes in lipid molecular packing and shape only. We studied the effect of pressure on the lateral organization and morphology of the model raft system DOPC (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine)/sphingomyelin/cholesterol as well as of the fluid mixture POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine)/DLPC (1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) by two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy. The pressure-dependent experiments were carried out using a sample cell made from a thin fused silica capillary. The use of Laurdan as fluorescence label allowed us to also follow the lipid phase state by calculating the generalized polarization (GP) values of the vesicles and extracting their average value. During the compression cycle, a reduction in the volume of the vesicles is observed, accompanied by an increase of the average GP value, indicating an increasingly tighter packing of the lipids. Interestingly, the two systems studied show phenomena of budding and fission, and these at surprisingly low pressures of 200-300 bar. Moreover, these budding processes are not directly related to phase transitions to an overall ordered conformational state of the lipid membrane, which occur at much higher pressures. The topological changes of the lipid vesicles are irreversible and exhibit a different behavior depending on whether the pressure is increased or decreased. The results are discussed in light of the various contributions to the free energy functional of lipid vesicles. Finally, the biological relevance of these studies is highlighted.