A new horizon for neuroscience:terahertz biotechnology in brain research

Terahertz biotechnology has been increasingly applied in various biomedical fields and has especially shown great potential for application in brain sciences.In this article,we review the development of terahertz biotechnology and its applications in the field of neuropsychiatry.Available evidence indicates promising prospects for the use of terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging techniques in the diagnosis of amyloid disease,cerebrovascular disease,glioma,psychiatric disease,traumatic brain injury,and myelin deficit.In vitro and animal experiments have also demonstrated the potential therapeutic value of terahertz technology in some neuropsychiatric diseases.Although the precise underlying mechanism of the interactions between terahertz electromagnetic waves and the biosystem is not yet fully understood,the research progress in this field shows great potential for biomedical noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic applications.However,the biosafety of terahertz radiation requires further exploration regarding its two-sided efficacy in practical applications.This review demonstrates that terahertz biotechnology has the potential to be a promising method in the field of neuropsychiatry based on its unique advantages.

Catatonia:A deep dive into its unfathomable depths

This editorial addresses catatonia,a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by a spectrum of psychomotor disturbances.The editorial seeks to clarify the ambiguous aspects of catatonia,integrating recent research findings,including global studies and diagnostic advancements.It discusses catatonia’s clinical manifestations,prevalence,and associated psychiatric and medical conditions,with particular emphasis on its frequent co-occurrence with schizophrenia and mood disorders.The prevalence of catatonia,which varies across psychiatric populations,is illustrated by a significant study conducted in Nelson Mandela Bay,South Africa.This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of the Bush-Francis Screening Instrument compared to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 criteria in diagnosing catatonia.The editorial evaluates treatment approaches,primarily focusing on benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy,and discusses emerging therapeutic strategies.It underscores the importance of robust diagnostic frameworks and early intervention in managing catatonia,as recommended by the latest evidence-based consensus guideline.Furthermore,it suggests future research directions,particularly in exploring the neurobiological and genetic factors of catatonia,to enhance our understanding and improve treatment outcomes.This editorial succinctly aims to demystify catatonia and provide valuable insights for clinicians and researchers in mental health care.

Neurological and neuropsychological consequences of electrical and lightning shock： review and theories of causation

Injuries from lightning and electrical injuries involve multiple systems of the body, however neurological symptoms are very widely reported. A disabling neuropsychological syndrome is also noted. This paper presents a comprehensive review of neurological and neuropsychological symptoms. Partial theories of causation for these injuries have been advanced, however, there is no convincing explanation for both delay in onset of symptoms and also the genesis of the neuropsychological syndrome. A theory of causation is proposed which satisfies both these constraints. This theory suggests circulating hormones such as cortisol, together with nitric oxide and oxidant free radicals from glutamatergic hyper-stimulation, act on tissues remote from the injury path including the hippocampus. This theory opens a research path to explore treatment options.

Inhibiting the kynurenine pathway in spinal cord injury: multiple therapeutic potentials?

Chronic induction of the kynurenine pathway（KP） contributes to neuroinflammation by producing the excitotoxin quinolinic acid（QUIN）. This has led to significant interest in the development of inhibitors of this pathway, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative disease. However, acute spinal cord injury（SCI） also results in deleterious increases in QUIN, as secondary inflammatory processes mediated largely by infiltrating macrophages, become predominant. QUIN mediates significant neurotoxicity primarily by excitotoxic stimulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, but other mechanisms of QUIN toxicity are known. More recent focus has assessed the contribution that neuroinflammation and modulations in the KP make in mood and psychiatric disorders with recent studies linking inflammation and modulations in the KP, to impaired cognitive performance and depressed mood in SCI patients. We hypothesize that these findings suggest that in SCI, inhibition of QUIN production and other metabolites, may have multiple therapeutic modalities and further studies investigating this are warranted. However, for central nervous system-based conditions, achieving good blood-brain-barrier permeability continues to be a limitation of current KP inhibitors.

Post electrical or lightning injury syndrome: a proposal for an American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual formulation with implications for treatment

In the past, victims of electrical and lightning injuries have been assessed in a manner lacking a system- atic formulation, and against ad hoc criteria, particularly in the area of neuropsychological disability. In this manner patients have, for example, only been partially treated, been poorly or incorrectly diagnosed, and have been denied the full benefit of compensation for their injuries. This paper contains a proposal for diagnostic criteria particularly for the neuropsychological aspects of the post injury syndrome. It pays attention to widely published consistent descriptions of the syndrome, and a new cluster analysis of post electrical injury patients. It formulates a proposal which could be incorporated into future editions of the American Psychiatric Association＇s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual （DSM）. The major neuropsycholog- ical consequences include neurocognitive dysfunction, and memory subgroup dysfunction, with ongoing consequences, and sometimes including progressive or delayed psychiatric, cognitive, and/or neurological symptoms. The proposed diagnostic criteria insist on a demonstrated context for the injury, both specifying the shock circumstance, and also physical consequences. It allows for a certain delay in onset of symptoms. It recognizes exclusory conditions. The outcome is a proposal for a DSM classification for the post electrical or lightning injury syndrome. This proposal is considered important for grounding patient treatment, and for further treatment trials. Options for treatment in electrical or lightning injury are summarised, and future trials are foreshadowed.

Book Review: I-Cubed and <i>The Autoimmune Brain</i>, A Five-Step Plan

The Autoimmune Brain1 explains I-Cubed, a shorthand for post-infectious autoimmunity that results from the multiplier effect of infection, immunity and inflammation, when protective immunity becomes the source of autoimmunity, conditioned by applicable environmental and genetic predisposing factors. In keeping with the post-infectious autoimmune nature of I-Cubed, neurologic and psychiatric symptoms evolve beyond a standard of care course of antibiotic therapy. Extensive serologic, electrophysiological and neuroradiographic diagnostic testing provides clues to areas of central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system, and systemic involvement that guide therapy. A multimodality therapeutic approach employing immune modulatory (Ig) therapy that addresses the underlying mechanisms and not just the symptoms of Cubed disorders is most effective. Representative cases of post-infectious autoimmunity associated with Lyme disease and PANDAS are presented.

The role of glutamine in supporting gut health and neuropsychiatric factors

Recent research has shown that the amino acid glutamine can positively affect gut health by supporting the gut microbiome,gut mucosal wall integrity,and by modulating infiammatory responses.As modulated by the vagus nerve,via the enteric nervous system,the gut-brain connection can impact the brain’s neurochemical environment.Poor gut health can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters,which can result in neuropsychiatric based conditions such as depression.Glutamine supplementation may provide significant adjunctive nutritional support in cases of depression by promoting proper gut health and function.

A novel mind-set in primate experimentation:Implications for primate welfare

We emphasize the importance of studying the primate brain in cognitive neuroscience and suggest a new mind-set in primate experimentation within the boundaries of animal welfare regulations.Specifically,we list the advantages of investigating both genes and neural mechanisms and processes in the emergence of behavioral and cognitive functions,and propose the establishment of an open field of primate research.The latter may be conducted by implementing and harmonizing experimental practices with ethical guidelines that regulate(1)management of natural parks with free-moving populations of target nonhuman primates,(2)establishment of indoor-outdoor labs for both system genetics and neuroscience investigations,and(3)hotel space and technologies which remotely collect and dislocate information regarding primates geographically located elsewhere.

Role of presynaptic phosphoprotein synapsin Ⅱ in schizophrenia

Synapsin Ⅱ is a member of the neuronal phosphoprotein family. These phosphoproteins are evolutionarily conserved across many organisms and are important in a variety of synaptic functions, including synaptogenesis and the regulation of neurotransmitter release. A number of genome-wide scans, meta-analyses, and genetic susceptibility studies have implicated the synapsin II gene(3p25) in the etiology of schizophrenia(SZ) and other psychiatric disorders. Further studies have found a reduction of synapsin II m RNA and protein in the prefrontal cortex in post-mortem samples from schizophrenic patients. Disruptions in the expression of this gene may cause synaptic dysfunction, which can result in neurotransmitter imbalances, likely contributing to the pathogenesis of SZ. SZ is a costly, debilitating psychiatric illness affecting approximately 1.1% of the world's population, amounting to 51 million people today. The disorder is characterized by positive(hallucinations, paranoia), negative(social withdrawal, lack of motivation), and cognitive(memory impairments, attention deficits) symptoms. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the structure, function, and involvement of the synapsin family, specifically synapsin II, in the pathophysiology of SZ and possible target for therapeutic intervention/implications.

Clinical and Experimental Study of the Toxic Neuropsychiatric Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure: Has Garlic a Protective Role?

Background: The central nervous system is one of the most important systems affected by formaldehyde (FA). Aim of Work: This study was designed to assess its toxic neuropsychiatric effects both clinically and experimentally and the protective effects of garlic. Methods: Clinically: 20 workers in the gross anatomy laboratory and 20 libertarians underwent a standardized clinical assessment including medical, neurological and psychiatric examination. Experimental: 40 male rats were divided randomly into four groups. Group I is control group. Group II received 10 mg/kg of FA intraperitoneally once daily for 14 days. Group III was treated with fresh garlic juice (1 ml/100g body weight) once daily by oral gavage for 14 days. Groups VI received fresh garlic juice plus formaldehyde daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the rats’ brains were obtained for histological examination and biochemical analysis. Results: Clinical and psychiatric profile of FA exposed persons’ revealed cognitive impaired, anxious and depressed persons. There were hostile persons with more hostility toward outside. Experimentally, hippocampal and frontal superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione showed highly significant decrease while malondialdehyde and nitric oxide level showed highly significant increase in formaldehyde treated group when compared with control group. Also histopathological changes in the hippocampal and frontal cortices by light microscope revealed many distorted cells with deeply stained shrunked nuclei and cytoplasm was surrounded by vacuolated pale areas in FA exposed group. Minimization of biochemical and histopathological changes were observed in combined formaldehyde and garlic treated group. Conclusion: The profiles of personality arouse dangerous affairs about the toxic impact of FA on persons, family, and society. Formaldehyde-induced neuronal damage, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in brain were minimized by addition of garlic.

Steroid receptor coactivator-1:The central intermediator linking multiple signals and functions in the brain and spinal cord

The effects of steroid hormones are believed to be mediated by their nuclear receptors(NRs).The p160 coactivator family,including steroid receptor coactivator-1(SRC-1),2 and 3,has been shown to physically interact with NRs to enhance their transactivational activities.Among which SRC-1 has been predominantly localized in the central nervous system including brain and spinal cord.It is not only localized in neurons but also detectable in neuroglial cells(mainly localized in the nuclei but also detectable in the extra-nuclear components).Although the expression of SRC-1 is regulated by many steroids,it is also regulated by some non-steroidal factors such as injury,sound and light.Functionally,SRC-1 has been implied in normal function such as development and ageing,learning and memory,central regulation on reproductive behaviors,motor and food intake.Pathologically,SRC-1 may play a role in the regulation of neuropsychiatric disorders(including stress,depression,anxiety,and autism spectrum disorder),metabolite homeostasis and obesity as well as tumorigenesis.Under most conditions,the related mechanisms are far from elucidation;although it may regulate spatial memory through Rictor/mTORC2-actin polymerization related synaptic plasticity.Several inhibitors and stimulator of SRC-1 have shown anti-cancer potentials,but whether these small molecules could be used to modulate ageing and central disorder related neuropathology remain unclear.Therefore,to elucidate when and how SRC-1 is turned on and off under different stimuli is very interesting and great challenge for neuroscientists.

Genetics and epigenetics of circadian rhythms and their potential roles in neuropsychiatric disorders

Circadian rhythm alterations have been implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders,particularly those of sleep,addiction,anxiety,and mood. Circadian rhythms are known to be maintained by a set of classic clock genes that form complex mutual and self-regulatory loops. While many other genes showing rhythmic expression have been identified by genome-wide studies,their roles in circadian regulation remain largely unknown. In attempts to directly connect circadian rhythms with neuropsychiatric disorders,genetic studies have identifi ed gene mutations associated with several rare sleep disorders or sleep-related traits. Other than that,genetic studies of circadian genes in psychiatric disorders have had limited success. As an important mediator of environmental factors and regulators of circadian rhythms,the epigenetic system may hold the key to the etiology or pathology of psychiatric disorders,their subtypes or endophenotypes. Epigenomic regulation of the circadian system and the related changes have not been thoroughly explored in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders. We argue for systematic investigation of the circadian system,particularly epigenetic regulation,and its involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders to improve our understanding of human behavior and disease etiology.