Search results for "Neurotransmitters"
showing 7 items of 27 documents
Selective and sensitive colorimetric detection of the neurotransmitter serotonin based on the aggregation of bifunctionalised gold nanoparticles
2018
[EN] We report a simple, sensitive and selective method for the colorimetric detection of serotonin (5-HT) in aqueous media using bifunctionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The probe (1) consisted of AuNPs functionalised with dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (DSP) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NALC). DSP was chosen to react with the amino group of 5-HT, whereas NALC was chosen to bind the hydroxyl group in 5-HT through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. A double interaction between nanoparticles and the hydroxyl and the amino group of serotonin led to interparticle-crosslinking aggregation. This, resulted in a colour change from red to blue that can be observed by the naked eye.…
Modelling the spatial and temporal constrains of the GABAergic influence on neuronal excitability
2021
GABA (γ-amino butyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain that can mediate depolarizing responses during development or after neuropathological insults. Under which conditions GABAergic membrane depolarizations are sufficient to impose excitatory effects is hard to predict, as shunting inhibition and GABAergic effects on spatiotemporal filtering of excitatory inputs must be considered. To evaluate at which reversal potential a net excitatory effect was imposed by GABA (EGABAThr), we performed a detailed in-silico study using simple neuronal topologies and distinct spatiotemporal relations between GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs. These simulations revealed for GABAe…
Imbalance between sympathetic and sensory innervation in peritoneal endometriosis
2011
To investigate possible mechanisms of pain pathophysiology in patients with peritoneal endometriosis, a clinical study on sensory and sympathetic nerve fibre sprouting in endometriosis was performed. Peritoneal lesions (n= 40) and healthy peritoneum (n= 12) were immunostained and analysed with anti-protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), anti-substance P (SP) and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), specific markers for intact nerve fibres, sensory nerve fibres and sympathetic nerve fibres, respectively, to identify the ratio of sympathetic and sensory nerve fibres. In addition, immune cell infiltrates in peritoneal endometriotic lesions were analysed and the nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleuki…
Feeding the brain: the importance of nutrients for brain functions and health
2017
‘We are what we eat’, said the philosopher Feuerbach. In fact, the quality of the food we eat affects our mind as well: the brain, which represents 2% of our body weight, consumes about 20% of the calories we eat each day. Follow a few rules could therefore help to feed properly our brain, so it works to the best of its ability. It is important to know properties of foods especially regarding their aminoacidic composition because aminoacids are components of neurotransmitters, molecules needed for brain transmission and function. It is also possible to choose specific food to prevent or support different diseases that affects nervous system.
Psicobiologia dell'attaccamento
2008
In this work, the emotional and cerebral development of the individual is treated as a complex process, within which genetic and experiential factors interact; equal focus is given to these factors as is through the interactions of both that the human brain achieves full maturity. The recent literature on neuroscientific findings has allowed to understand further which are the mechanisms that play the most important role in the human brain. In particular, this recent work has pointed out the importance of precocious experiences of emotional syntonization between the baby and its development partners; the quality of the experiences that such partners will be able to provide will configure no…
GLP-2 receptor expression in excitatory and inhibitory enteric neurons and its role in mouse duodenum contractility.
2011
Background. Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2), a nutrient-responsive hormone, exerts various actions in the gastrointestinal tract that are mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor called GLP-2R. A little information is available on GLP-2R expression in enteric neurons and nothing on the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Methods. We investigated presence and distribution of the GLP-2R in the mouse duodenum by immunohistochemistry and the potential motor effects of GLP-2 on the spontaneous and neurally evoked mechanical activity. Key Results. The GLP-2R was expressed by the myenteric and submucosal neurons. Labelling was also present in nerve varicosities within the circular muscular layer an…
CHF2819: Pharmacological profile of a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
2002
CHF2819 is a novel orally active acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). CHF2819 is a selective inhibitor of AChE, it is 115 times more potent against this enzyme than against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Moreover, CHF2819 is more selective for inhibition of central (brain) AChE than peripheral (heart) AChE. In vivo CHF2819, 0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 mg/kg p.o., significantly and in dose-dependent manner increased acetylcholine (ACh) levels in hippocampus of young adult rats. Moreover, aging animals, with lower basal ACh levels than young adult rats, also exhibit a marked increase in hippocampal levels of this neurotransmitter after administ…