Prophylactic Activation of Shh Signaling Attenuates TBI-Induced Seizures in Zebrafish by Modulating Glutamate Excitotoxicity through Eaat2a

Blood-brain barrier disruption: a pervasive driver and mechanistic link between traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has emerged as a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a complex and devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. Both conditions share a common feature: blood‒brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, which is believed to play a pivotal role in linking TBI to the development of AD. This review delves into the intricate relationship between TBI and AD, with a focus on BBB dysfunction and its critical role in disease mechanisms and therapeutic development. We first present recent evidence from epidemiological studies highlighting the increased incidence of AD among individuals with a history of TBI, as well as pathological and animal model studies that demonstrate how TBI can accelerate AD-like pathology. Next, we explore the mechanisms by which BBB dysfunction may mediate TBI-induced AD pathology. Finally, we investigate the shared molecular pathways associated with BBB dysfunction in both TBI and AD conditions and discuss the latest findings on how targeting these pathways and employing regenerative approaches, such as stem cell therapy and pharmacological interventions, can enhance BBB function and mitigate neurodegeneration.

Neuropharmacological insight into preventive intervention in posttraumatic epilepsy based on regulating glutamate homeostasis

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is one of the most critical complications of traumatic brain injury (TBI), significantly increasing TBI patients' neuropsychiatric symptoms and mortality. The abnormal accumulation of glutamate caused by TBI and its secondary excitotoxicity are essential reasons for neural network reorganization and functional neural plasticity changes, contributing to the occurrence and development of PTE. Restoring glutamate balance in the early stage of TBI is expected to play a neuroprotective role and reduce the risk of PTE.

AIMS

To provide a neuropharmacological insight for drug development to prevent PTE based on regulating glutamate homeostasis.

METHODS

We discussed how TBI affects glutamate homeostasis and its relationship with PTE. Furthermore, we also summarized the research progress of molecular pathways for regulating glutamate homeostasis after TBI and pharmacological studies aim to prevent PTE by restoring glutamate balance.

RESULTS

TBI can lead to the accumulation of glutamate in the brain, which increases the risk of PTE. Targeting the molecular pathways affecting glutamate homeostasis helps restore normal glutamate levels and is neuroprotective.

DISCUSSION

Taking glutamate homeostasis regulation as a means for new drug development can avoid the side effects caused by direct inhibition of glutamate receptors, expecting to alleviate the diseases related to abnormal glutamate levels in the brain, such as PTE, Parkinson's disease, depression, and cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSION

It is a promising strategy to regulate glutamate homeostasis through pharmacological methods after TBI, thereby decreasing nerve injury and preventing PTE.

Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration: Molecular, Functional, and Translational Approach

Recently, we have achieved substantial progress in our understanding of brain injury and neurodegeneration [...].

Zebrafish as an Innovative Tool for Epilepsy Modeling: State of the Art and Potential Future Directions

This article discusses the potential of Zebrafish (ZF) (Danio Rerio), as a model for epilepsy research. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting both children and adults, and many aspects of this disease are still poorly understood. In vivo and in vitro models derived from rodents are the most widely used for studying both epilepsy pathophysiology and novel drug treatments. However, researchers have recently obtained several valuable insights into these two fields of investigation by studying ZF. Despite the relatively simple brain structure of these animals, researchers can collect large amounts of data in a much shorter period and at lower costs compared to classical rodent models. This is particularly useful when a large number of candidate antiseizure drugs need to be screened, and ethical issues are minimized. In ZF, seizures have been induced through a variety of chemoconvulsants, primarily pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), kainic acid (KA), and pilocarpine. Furthermore, ZF can be easily genetically modified to test specific aspects of monogenic forms of human epilepsy, as well as to discover potential convulsive phenotypes in monogenic mutants. The article reports on the state-of-the-art and potential new fields of application of ZF research, including its potential role in revealing epileptogenic mechanisms, rather than merely assessing iatrogenic acute seizure modulation.

Aquatic Freshwater Vertebrate Models of Epilepsy Pathology: Past Discoveries and Future Directions for Therapeutic Discovery

Epilepsy is an international public health concern that greatly affects patients’ health and lifestyle. About 30% of patients do not respond to available therapies, making new research models important for further drug discovery. Aquatic vertebrates present a promising avenue for improved seizure drug screening and discovery. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis and tropicalis) are increasing in popularity for seizure research due to their cost-effective housing and rearing, similar genome to humans, ease of genetic manipulation, and simplicity of drug dosing. These organisms have demonstrated utility in a variety of seizure-induction models including chemical and genetic methods. Past studies with these methods have produced promising data and generated questions for further applications of these models to promote discovery of drug-resistant seizure pathology and lead to effective treatments for these patients.