À LA DÉCOUVERTE DES CAPACITÉS PRODIGIEUSES DE NOTRE CERVEAU Notre cerveau est un organe fantastique ! Adaptatif, en constante évolution, capable de s’autoréparer, il possède le talent unique de pouvoir créer de nouvelles connexions entre ses cellules
Synaptic transmission is the basis of neuronal communication and is thus the most important element in brain functions, ranging from sensory input to information processing. Changes in synaptic transmission can result in the formation or dissolution of memories, and can equally lead to neurological and psychiatric disorders. The proteins composing the synapse, and their respective functions, are getting increasingly known. One aspect that has become evident in the last years is that most synaptic functions are performed not by single proteins, but by highly organized multi-protein machineries, which interact dynamically to provide responses optimally suited to the needs of the neuronal network. To decipher synaptic and neuronal function, it is essential to understand the organisational, morphological and functional aspects of the molecular nanomachines that operate at the synapse. We discuss these aspects in 11 different chapters, focusing on the structure and function of the active zone, on the functional anatomy of the synaptic vesicle, and on some of the best known soluble protein complexes from the synapse, including those involved in endocytosis and vesicle recycling.
With a focus on functional relationships between drugs and their targets, this book covers basic and general pharmacology, from a cellular and molecular perspective, with particular attention to the mechanisms of drug action – the fundamental basis for proper clinical use- without neglecting clinical application, toxicology and pharmacokinetics. • Covers cell and molecular pharmacology, bringing together current research on regulation of drug targets, at a level appropriate for advanced undergrad and graduate students • Discusses the relevance of pharmacokinetics and drug development for the clinical application of drugs • Presents material from the perspective of drug targets and interaction, the theoretical basis of drug action analysis, and drug properties • Focuses on structure-function relationships of drug targets – informing about their biochemical and physiologic functions and experimental and clinical pathways for drug discovery and development • Has a companion website that offers a host of resources: short additional chapters about methodology, topics at the forefront of research, and all figures and tables from the book
Activity within neural circuits shapes the synaptic properties of component neurons in a manner that maintains stable excitatory drive, a process referred to as homeostatic plasticity. These potent and adaptive mechanisms have been demonstrated to modulate activity at the level of an individual neuron, synapse, circuit, or entire network, and dysregulation at some or all of these levels may contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. Greater mechanistic understanding of homeostatic plasticity will provide key insights into the etiology of these disorders, which may result from network instability and synaptic dysfunction. Over the past 15 years, the molecular mechanisms of this form of plasticity have been intensely studied in various model organisms, including invertebrates and vertebrates. Though once thought to have a predominantly postsynaptic basis, emerging evidence suggests that homeostatic mechanisms act on both sides of the synapse through mechanisms such as retrograde signaling, to orchestrate compensatory adaptations that maintain stable network function. These trans-synaptic signaling systems ultimately alter neurotransmitter...
Even though transmitter release and re-uptake are very complementary and physically in close proximity, researchers usually focus on only one of these two aspects. This volume, however, covers both processes and brings together two major presynaptic events in transcellular communication. It comprises 24 chapters and is divided into two parts: Part I, Neurotransmitter Release, and Part II, Neurotransmitter Uptake. The included topics range from ultrastructure and molecular control mechanisms to pathophysiology of some diseased states. Neuronal as well as non-neuronal mechanisms are treated. The concluding chapter emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and provides a link between the events in the presynaptic terminal and behavior.
This detailed volume features techniques to explore the complex interface that separates the systemic circulation from the central nervous system, known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Beginning with an introduction to its physiology, the book continues with sections on using pluripotent stem cells in models of the BBB, co-culture, permeability and transwell models, microfluidic and chip models, as well as models to study specific BBB pathologies. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, The Blood-Brain Barrier: Methods and Protocols collects a wide range of methodologies which will aid all researchers in the fascinating world of the blood-brain barrier.
Diverse specialised neuroglial cells guarantee the development, preservation, and health of the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, the enteric nervous system, and the special senses. In the central nervous system, it is the astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia that safeguard nerve cell function and integrity that controls all behaviours and encompasses the cerebral cortex of the brain which is the root of humanity. In the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells play the leading role, together with satellite glial cells of the sensory and autonomic ganglia, ensuring correct communication between the organs and tissues with the brain and the spinal cord. In the enteric nervous system, specialised enteric glial cells maintain all aspects of gastrointestinal function. Then there are distinctive glial cells of the special senses that ensure how the body perceives and reacts to its environment. In pathology, neuroglia strive to protect the diverse cellular components of the nervous system and are responsible for a proactive programme of posttraumatic restructuring that is aimed at recovery of life-sustaining function. Neuroglia: Function and Pathology...
This volume deals with the relationships between toxins and one of the most fundamental processes in any living cell - the secretory cycle. The reader will find up-to-date information on secretion, generated by experts in this fast evolving field. In the last decade extensive molecular and cellular studies have exposed the molecular similarity among most known secretory systems. In this book secretion is discussed from its basic mode found in yeast up to its most sophisticated version in neurotransmitter release in nerve terminals. A comprehensive view on the mode of action of toxins which block secretion but also those which cause hyper-activation of exocytosis is provided. This book addresses the issue of toxin action by deciphering the molecular and cellular basis of exocytosis in various organisms and cellular contents.
Stem cell and regenerative medicine research is a hot area of research which promises to change the face of medicine as it will be practiced in the years to come. Challenges in the 21st century to combat diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer and related diseases may well be addressed employing stem cell therapies and tissue regeneration. Frontiers in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research is essential reading for researchers seeking updates in stem cell therapeutics and regenerative medicine. This volume includes reviews on the following topics: -the role of microvesicles and exosomes in mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) in treating diseases while overcoming side effects -alternative models for understanding cancer stem cell biology -stem cells treatments for orthopaedic injury and endocrine disorders -wound healing biomaterials -theoretical models of hematopoietic cell dynamics (with implications for bone marrow transplants)
Immune responses within the brain are still scarcely explored. Nerve tissue damage is accompanied by the activation of glial cells, primarily microglia and astroglia, and such activation is responsible for the release of cytokines and chemokines that maintain the local inflammatory response and actively recruit lymphocytes and monocytes to the damaged areas. Theoretically, these responses are designed to repair the brain damage. However, alterations, or a chronic perpetuation of these responses may underlie a number of neuro-pathologies. It is thought that each inflammatory scenario within the brain have a specific biochemical footprint characterized by the release of determined cytokines, chemokines and growing factors able to define particular immunological responses. Alongside, glial cells transform their cell body, become larger and develop higher number of branches adopting an active morphological phenotype. These changes are related with the search of interactions with other cells, such as bystander resident cells of the brain parenchyma, but also cells homing from the blood stream. In this process, microglia and astrocytes communicates with other cells by the formation of...
Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a priority in biomedical research and a pre-requisite to improve early disease diagnosis and ultimately to developing disease-modifying strategies. In the past decade and a half, geneticists have identified several genes that are involved in the molecular pathogenesis of PD. They not only identified gene variants segregating with familial forms of PD but also genetic risk factors of sporadic PD via genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Understanding how PD genes and their gene products function holds the promise of unraveling key PD pathogenic processes. Therefore the precise cellular role of PD proteins is currently the subject of intense investigation. Interestingly, a number of PD proteins have enzymatic functions, including kinase, GTPase or ATPase functions. In the context of understanding disease pathogenesis or developing disease-modifying therapies, enzymes possess several useful features. Firstly, enzymes are often key elements of cellular signaling networks, acting as on-off switches to determine signaling intensity. For instance, kinases mediate phosphorylation events, which activate or...
The acetylcholine nicotinic receptor is an ionic channel whose aperture is directly controlled by acetylcholine. It is a key molecule in the chemical communication between nerve cells and between nerve cell and muscle. The structure and function of muscular nicotinic receptors have been unraveled in recent years and its beauty and mysteries were reviewed in the Santorini NATO ARW organized by Dr. Maelicke in 1986. The neat, linear structure of this molecule and its conservation throughout evolution, from bacteria to humans, have led to the suggestion that it has reached the optimal structure for performing its function. But when scientists began to look at the nicotinic receptor in the nervous system, they found several surprises. From the beginning, pharmacological and physiological experiments, have made it clear that the functional characteristics of neuronal nicotinic receptors are substantially different from those of muscle receptors. Furthermore, recent sophisticated techniques such as patch clamp and gene cloning have revealed that the nicotinic receptor in the nervous system is not a single molecule but (although there are some important exceptions) a large family of...
According to the World Health Organization, more than 40 million people in the world are affected with dementia. To date, 60-70% of the cases of dementia are attributed to the Alzheimer's disease (AD). This neurodegenerative disorder gradually takes place over a period of at least 20 years before the onset of symptoms, which are impaired memory, apathy and depression. The characteristics of AD consist in neurofibrillary tangles (intraneuronal aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins) and senile plaques (dense extraneuronal deposits composed of amyloid ß (Aß)). The other features linked to these two core pathological hallmarks of AD are inflammation, oxidative stress, progressive synaptic and neuronal loss. In past years, some of the emerging therapeutic strategies against AD were employed to deal with the pathological hallmarks of the disease. Science teams all over the world try to restore the tau phosphorylation equilibrium. Their purpose is to interfere with the aggregation of tau and decrease its amount of proteins per se as well. Furthermore, they are trying either to stimulate the elimination processes of the aggregated tau proteins or to stop the formation of Aß...
Neuronal function relies on the establishment of proper connections between neurons and their target cells during development. This basic statement involves several cellular processes, such as neuronal differentiation, the polarized outgrowth of axons and dendrites from differentiated neurons, and the pathfinding of axons towards target cells. The subsequent recognition of complementary synaptic partners finally triggers the formation, maturation, and maintenance of functional synapses. Morphogens are secreted signaling molecules that regulate tissue patterning and cell identity during early embryonic development. Remarkably, growing evidence over the last years arising from different invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms has shown that, after cell fate has been established, morphogens also control the precise wiring of the nervous system.
Several types of brain injuries are causes of acquired temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The seizure-free "latent period" that often follows the brain injury is of unknown mechanistic significance but is commonly considered as the "epileptogenic" period characterized by gradual pathogenic processes leading to the onset of clinically detectable epilepsy. Acute convulsive status epilepticus (SE) is often associated with an adverse developmental outcome characterized by learning disabilities related to the cumulative effects of seizures and development of TLE. The symptomatic manifestations of TLE appear only after a widespread irreversible damage of entorhinal cortex, and hippocampus, the brain area most affected by this disease. These pathological features of TLE reduce the possibility of successful therapeutic approaches, often rendering the disease refractory. The difficult clinical management of chronic TLE and the limited success rate of surgical approaches, increase the incapacitating nature of this specific epileptic disorder. Prevention of TLE with an appropriate intervention after a known inciting event (in the case of acquired epilepsy) might represent the most ambitious goal...
Fast inhibitory transmission exerts a powerful control on neuronal excitability and network oscillations thought to be associated with high cognitive functions. An alteration of inhibitory signaling is associated with major neurological and psychiatric disorders including epilepsy. Once released from presynaptic nerve terminals, GABA and glycine cross the synaptic cleft and bind to postsynaptic receptors localized in precise apposition to presynaptic release sites. The functional organization of inhibitory synapses consists in a dynamic process which relies on a number of highly specialized proteins that ensure the correct targeting, clustering, stabilization and subsequent fate of synaptic receptors. Among the proteins involved in this task, the tubulin-binding protein gephyrin plays a crucial role. Through its self-oligomerization properties, this protein forms hexagonal lattices that trap GABAA and glycine receptors and link them to the cytoskeleton. By directly interacting with cell-adhesion molecules of the neuroligin-neurexin families that connect presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons at synapses, gephyrin ensures a backward control of presynaptic signaling. In addition,...
La quinta edizione di Farmacologia generale e molecolare mantiene l’impostazione originale che ne ha fatto un volume unico nel panorama editoriale, ponendo al centro dell’attenzione il bersa-glio molecolare del farmaco anziché il composto chimico. Al tempo stesso si presenta ai lettori profondamente rinnovata: oltre ai necessari aggiornamenti di una materia in rapido sviluppo, che hanno portato a un’ampia revisione di tutti i capitoli, nell’ultimo decennio è mutato il conte-sto biomedico, spostando l’interesse sul malato che è, e deve sempre più essere, protagonista attivo della scelta terapeutica. Questa lenta ma progressiva rivoluzione culturale ha portato cambiamenti anche nel modo di concepire e sviluppare i farmaci, nella legislazione che governa la loro immissione in commercio e nell’assetto della filiera produttiva del farmaco. Inserendo nuovi capitoli e nuovi Autori, il libro affronta questi temi e le nuove tecnologie che offrono una conoscenza sempre più approfondita dei determinanti molecolari delle patologie e della loro modulazione farmacologica, una maggiore efficacia e specificità nell’azione comples-siva dei farmaci e una minore tossicità. Tra...
No. 2, pt. 2 of November issue each year from v. 19 (1963)-47 (1970) and v. 55 (1972)- contain the Abstracts of papers presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, 3d (1963)-10th (1970) and 12th (1972)-
Exocytosis, a universal process of eukaryotic cells, consisting of the fusion between the vesicle and the plasma membrane is an important topic in cell biology, physiology, biophysics, biochemistry and many other disciplines. The understanding of this rather complex process is essential for the understanding of normal function of unicellular and multicellular organisms from animal to plant kingdoms and in pathological conditions as well.
Questo scritto costituisce, per l’autore, il naturale sviluppo e l’approfondimento del suo precedente saggio “Le briciole di Pollicino”. Il testo si articola in due parti: - la prima parte “PER CONOSCERE E COMPRENDERE MEGLIO LE DIFFICOLTÀ DEL PRESENTE”, che ho concluso il 12 settembre 2023, in cui cerco di esaminare criticamente i fattori economici, sociali, culturali che hanno determinato la realtà presente; - la seconda parte, “LA SFIDA DEL FUTURO, COSA VUOL DIRE SPERARE?”, che ho concluso il 24 giugno 2024, in cui cerco di chiarire come sia possibile riannodare quei legami relazionali che l’uomo contemporaneo, nella società post-moderna, ha perduto, lasciandoci nel più assoluto smarrimento e, quindi, nella difficoltà di trovare una risposta convincente per realizzare una società a misura d’uomo.
Che cosa hanno scoperto le neuroscienze riguardo le narrazioni? È possibile manipolare le persone con nuovi e più pericolosi strumenti di propaganda? Il binomio neuroscienze-intelligenza artificiale cambierà lo storytelling, e se sì, in che modo? Quali saranno gli effetti sul lavoro di scrittori, content creator, giornalisti, educatori, artisti, manager e, in generale, di coloro che ogni giorno hanno a che fare con le storie? Esiste il rischio di un nuovo conformismo tecnologico che possa appiattire l’informazione, la letteratura e le arti? Scritto con l’intento di rispondere a questi e altri interrogativi, "Neuroscienze della narrazione" inquadra in maniera chiara, dettagliata e precisa l’impatto delle ultime tecnologie e scoperte scientifiche su narrazioni e storytelling, analizzandone sia i rischi sia le possibilità. Chi scrive storie – ma anche chi vuole leggerle con un occhio critico – troverà in questo libro un indispensabile supporto per capirne i meccanismi, la potenza e i condizionamenti.
Alla fine del 2017, dagli Usa, l’attrice Alyssa Milano invita le donne a non tacere più gli abusi e le violenze subite, lanciando su Twitter l’hashtag #MeToo, che diventa subito virale in tutto il mondo nordoccidentale. Centinaia di migliaia di donne, famose e non, denunciano - in ogni ambiente - uomini famosi e non. Uomini potenti e ricchissimi - veri, presunti inattaccabili - vengono travolti. Si snoda e sviluppa un acceso dibattito sulla Giustizia e sulla Libertà sessuale. Il libro si propone di analizzare questo fenomeno inedito alla luce del ruolo svolto dai centri antiviolenza in un contesto patriarcale, orientando un potente riflettore sull’importanza del concetto di differenza di genere. Vi si descrive il contributo che la formazione scolastica, l’educazione di bambini e bambine e le neuroscienze possono offrire al miglioramento delle relazioni umane. Infine ci si addentra nella zona più all’avanguardia, quella della Intelligenza Artificiale, occasione per un nuovo patto tra uomini e donne.
El cerebro es un órgano capaz de envejecer menos que los demás. Menos que el hígado, la piel o el corazón. Cuidarlo es nuestra única oportunidad de prolongar la juventud, disfrutar de la vida durante mucho tiempo y salvaguardar a la vez la salud del cuerpo. Como explica en este libro Michela Matteoli, una de las neurocientíficas italianas más reconocidas internacionalmente, el cerebro tiene un punto fuerte: la plasticidad, es decir, la propiedad de modificarse y repararse. Por eso puede evolucionar a lo largo de toda su existencia, expandirse, literalmente, y construir nuevas conexiones entre las neuronas. Un talento único. En 10 sencillas lecciones de neurociencia, la autora guía a sus lectores para que descubran el gran potencial de la mente, pero también al del principal enemigo del sistema nervioso: la inflamación crónica, que provoca el envejecimiento prematuro y desencadena patologías como el alzhéimer, el párkinson y la depresión. Los científicos se centran en investigar métodos que combatan la neuroinflamación y, para prevenir y frenar sus daños. Es posible adoptar protocolos de prevención, como el del Instituto de Neurociencia del CNR, dirigido por...
L’opera Farmacologia generale e molecolare di Clementi e Fumagalli, giunta alla IV edizione aggiornata, presenta e approfondisce le conoscenze che saranno alla base degli sviluppi futuri della farmacologia. Gli autori hanno voluto mantenere l’impostazione che differenzia il volume da tutti gli altri libri di farmacologia, cioè il fatto che venga posta l’enfasi sull’aspetto molecolare e sui target piuttosto che sull’azione farmacologica. Lo studio del farmaco viene quindi sia affrontato come strumento terapeutico ma anche quale mezzo necessario per analizzare i fenomeni cellulari e molecolari che regolano la vita e la patologia degli organismi. Novità di questa edizione: ✔Argomenti particolarmente aggiornati: ✔Meccanismo d’azione dei farmaci antitumorali ✔ Il controllo farmacologico della sintesi dei lipidi ✔ Il controllo farmacologico del metabolismo glucidico ✔Sito web con approfondimenti
Presentazione della rivista Sveva Avveduto, Silvia Mattoni RIFLESSIONI E COMMENTI Ricordo di Piero Angela Lorenzo Pinna Complessità e news Giorgio Pacifici ARTICOLI SCIENTIFICI L'educazione e la comunicazione ambientale ai tempi post-normali Elisa Cannone, Pierina Ielpo, Mauro Boccolari, Cristina Mangia Dal dibattito tra Einstein e Bohr al premio Nobel per la Fisica 2022. Idee e fatti che hanno portato alla "Seconda Rivoluzione Quantistica" Carmine Granata Tre diagrammi semiotici volti al progetto. La valorizzazione dei tracciati agrimensori Antonella Pettorruso CASE HISTORIES SlowScience: scienza a km0, un'iniziativa per condividere il sapere in modalità lenta Gabriela Carrara, Debora Mazza, Stefania Marzocchi, Silvana Mangiaracina How I met Science! Scoprire la scienza: dalle aule universitarie al territorio Eleonora Polo Storytelling e metodologia hands on: avvicinare i bambini e le bambine alla ricerca ambientale e climatica Sabrina Presto, Cristina Mangia L'acqua in un oceano di apprendimenti, sensazioni ed emozioni "tra scienza, arte, comunicazione": un viaggio per conoscere il mare. Esperienze e contaminazioni scientifiche in una scuola primaria Mariangela Ravaioli, Adele ...
Il CIRS – Centro Internazionale per la Ricerca Sociale nella scienza della salute presenta un nuovo volume sulle fondazioni italiane che si occupano di sanità: un’opera particolarmente innovativa, non trovandosi nulla di simile nel paesaggio scientifico italiano. Il libro contiene una prefazione del Magnifico Rettore dell’Università UniCamillus di Roma, Gianni Profita, una postfazione del Presidente dell’Ordine dei Medici di Roma, Antonio Magi, e risulta arricchita da un saggio critico del professor Ugo Giorgio Pacifici Noja. Per ogni fondazione sono indicati elementi quali l’anno di fondazione, i fondatori, la mission, gli organi istituzionali e il partenariato. Sono presenti l’indice analitico, dei nomi, delle fondazioni, dei luoghi e un siglario diretto a decriptare acronimi spesso misteriosi.
A spiegare e interpretare il mondo sono quasi sempre gli uomini. Eppure le donne esperte ci sono. E possono svecchiare un linguaggio mediatico che, ignorandole, trascura i segni del tempo. Per questo abbiamo costruito una piattaforma online (www.100esperte.it) che ha iniziato a raccogliere 100 nomi e CV di esperte nell’ambito STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), settore strategico eppure storicamente sottorappresentato dalle donne, per promuovere voci femminili prestigiose e autorevoli che possano contribuire al dibattito pubblico dentro e fuori dai media. Ma non basta. Ora con questo libro approfondiamo il contesto (secondo il Global Media Monitoring Project 2015 in Italia la presenza femminile nell’informazione è ferma al 21% contro una media europea del 25%) e diamo la parola a queste scienziate, matematiche e informatiche, astrofisiche e chimiche, neuropsichiatre e biologhe che raccontano in prima persona la loro vita, le loro emozioni, la loro determinazione nell’arrivare a traguardi di grande prestigio. Quindici di loro, sorteggiate a caso, si descrivono diffusamente, mentre le altre si presentano con brevissimi tweet che danno un’immagine...
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