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Keywords = GABA-A receptor

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18 pages, 5064 KB  
Article
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Progesterone on Human Microglia via TLR4/NLRP3 Pathway Modulation: Relevance to Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
by Ramona Meanti, Maria Laura Criscione, Emma Sartori, Laura Rizzi, Elena Bresciani, Mario Mauri, Robert J. Omeljaniuk, Giuseppe Biagini and Antonio Torsello
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060920 (registering DOI) - 11 Jun 2026
Viewed by 183
Abstract
Background: Progesterone (P4) is used as an antiseizure medication (ASM) to treat catamenial epilepsy, refractory to first-line drugs. P4 and other neurosteroids (NSs) are important regulators of multiple nervous system functions, including neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. In addition to their antiseizure [...] Read more.
Background: Progesterone (P4) is used as an antiseizure medication (ASM) to treat catamenial epilepsy, refractory to first-line drugs. P4 and other neurosteroids (NSs) are important regulators of multiple nervous system functions, including neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. In addition to their antiseizure properties, P4 and other NSs are also anti-inflammatory agents. Neuroinflammation is an important pathophysiological mechanism of epilepsy refractory to ASMs. Accordingly, we evaluated the ability of P4 to modulate neuroinflammation, using human microglia activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Human microglia (HMC3) were stimulated for 3 h with LPS in the absence or presence of various concentrations of P4. Thereafter, levels of (i) toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), (ii) the NLRP3 inflammasome, and (iii) pro-inflammatory cytokines were quantitated by real-time PCR and Western blot analyses. Phagocytic activity was also assessed using a phagocytosis assay employing fluorescent beads. Results: P4 treatment significantly reduced the microglial inflammatory state induced by LPS, which was mediated by upregulation of the TLR4- and NLRP3-axes. The protective effects of P4 were mediated by inhibition of Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) phosphorylation and reduced activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK). The effects of P4 included a significant reduction in mRNA levels of the main pro-inflammatory cytokines and a reduction in phagocytic activity of HMC3. Conclusions: P4 is endowed with significant anti-inflammatory properties, which may be involved in the beneficial effects reported for drug-resistant catamenial epilepsy. Further research is required to clarify P4 post-receptor mechanisms of action and to explore the roles of other P4-derived NSs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropharmacology and Brain Injury Therapeutics)
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12 pages, 1516 KB  
Article
Molecular Docking and ADMET Prediction of Small Molecules Targeting Proteins Involved in Alzheimer’s Disease
by Emilio Mateev, Stefan Kostov, Valentin Karatchobanov, Magdalena Kondeva-Burdina and Maya Georgieva
AppliedChem 2026, 6(2), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/appliedchem6020039 - 4 Jun 2026
Viewed by 244
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of the toxic protein amyloid-β, formation of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies capable of modulating multiple pathological pathways simultaneously. In this study, [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of the toxic protein amyloid-β, formation of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies capable of modulating multiple pathological pathways simultaneously. In this study, a structure-based in silico approach was applied to evaluate the multi-target potential of two previously reported pyrrole-based compounds (pyrrole 1 and pyrrole 2) with known monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitory activity and low neurotoxicity. Molecular docking studies were performed against a panel of key AD-related targets, including GSK-3β, APP, MAO-B, BACE1, AChE, BChE, COX-2, GABA-B receptor, NMDA receptor, and E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP, using Glide XP docking. The results revealed that compound pyrrole 1 may have favorable predicted binding affinities across several targets, with relatively strong docking scores for GSK-3β and COX-2. The binding mode analysis indicated that pyrrole 1 adopts poses consistent with interaction patterns commonly observed for ATP-competitive GSK-3β inhibitors and COX-2 ligands. In silico ADMET profiling using the software SwissADME and ProTox 3.0 indicated distinct pharmacokinetic and safety profiles for the two compounds, with pyrrole 2 showing superior drug-likeness and predicted blood–brain barrier penetration, while pyrrole 1 displayed a more favorable overall toxicity profile. Collectively, these findings identify pyrrole 1 as a theoretically promising multi-target candidate for AD requiring experimental validation, while providing a strong structural basis for further optimizations and subsequent experimental confirmation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Medicinal Chemistry for Drug Discovery and Development)
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23 pages, 26362 KB  
Article
The Hypnotic Effect of Spinosin Is Mediated by Adenosine A2A Receptors in Male Mice
by Jianping Zhang, Haimin Zhang, Wenrui Zhao, Lin Li and Lisheng Chu
Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1785; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111785 - 1 Jun 2026
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Insomnia is a prevalent clinical sleep disorder, with existing hypnotic therapies limited by safety concerns. There is an urgent clinical need for new safe, effective sleep-promoting candidates derived from natural products. Spinosin is one of the main active components of Semen Ziziphi [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Insomnia is a prevalent clinical sleep disorder, with existing hypnotic therapies limited by safety concerns. There is an urgent clinical need for new safe, effective sleep-promoting candidates derived from natural products. Spinosin is one of the main active components of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae that exerts sedative and hypnotic effects. The adenosine receptor (AR) has been reported as a potential therapeutic target for insomnia; however, the hypnotic effect of spinosin through the A2AR remains to be elucidated. Methods: In the study, the involvement of A2ARs in spinosin’s hypnotic effect was investigated using caffeine and further elucidated in A2AR-knockout (KO) mice. Diazepam was used as a positive control drug to validate the experimental model and evaluate the hypnotic effect of spinosin. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations were performed to validate the interaction of spinosin with the A2AR. Results: The hypnotic effects of spinosin were effectively antagonized by caffeine. Compared with A2AR-wild-type (WT) mice, spinosin-induced non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and locomotor activity diminution were significantly reduced in A2AR-KO mice. Spinosin significantly increased the activity of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and significantly decreased the activity of orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), as revealed by c-Fos immunostaining. These effects were significantly reversed by caffeine pretreatment or in A2AR-KO mice. Finally, the results of molecular docking showed that spinosin had a good binding potential with the A2AR. MD simulations further demonstrated that spinosin had strong binding stability with the A2AR. Conclusions: Our findings strongly suggest that spinosin exerts the hypnotic effects through the A2AR, and thus may have therapeutic potential for insomnia. Our identification of spinosin’s direct molecular target supports its translational potential as a novel natural-origin candidate for clinical insomnia drug development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Phytochemicals and Human Health)
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29 pages, 14960 KB  
Article
Dopamine D2 and GABA(A) Receptors Differentially Regulate Ethanol-Induced Aversion and Reward Through Corticolimbic Circuits
by Cheng En Wu, Yu Cheng Lin, Zhi-Yue Gao, Anna Kozłowska, Cai-N Cheng, Chi-Wen Wu and Andrew Chih Wei Huang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4987; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114987 - 30 May 2026
Viewed by 287
Abstract
Ethanol produces both aversive and rewarding effects during the intoxication phase; however, the receptor-specific pharmacological mechanisms and neural circuits underlying this paradox remain poorly defined. The present study investigated how dopamine D2 and GABA(A) receptor systems differentially regulate ethanol-induced aversion and reward at [...] Read more.
Ethanol produces both aversive and rewarding effects during the intoxication phase; however, the receptor-specific pharmacological mechanisms and neural circuits underlying this paradox remain poorly defined. The present study investigated how dopamine D2 and GABA(A) receptor systems differentially regulate ethanol-induced aversion and reward at behavioral and neural circuit levels. Rats received systemic administration of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist apomorphine, the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol, or the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline prior to ethanol conditioning. Ethanol-induced aversion and reward were assessed using conditioned taste aversion (CTA) and conditioned place preference (CPP), respectively, and neural activation was examined using c-Fos immunohistochemistry in the medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. Apomorphine potentiated ethanol-induced CTA while suppressing ethanol-induced CPP. In contrast, bicuculline attenuated ethanol-induced CTA and abolished ethanol-induced CPP, whereas muscimol enhanced aversive CTA and converted ethanol-induced CPP into conditioned place aversion. During CTA, apomorphine predominantly changed c-Fos expression in amygdalar and hippocampal subregions, whereas GABA(A) receptor manipulation altered activity within the medial prefrontal–amygdala–hippocampal network. During CPP, dopamine D2 receptor activation enhanced neural activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus while suppressing central amygdala activity, whereas GABA(A) receptor modulation reduced prefrontal activation and enhanced amygdalar and hippocampal engagement. Altogether, these findings reveal receptor-specific and context-dependent corticolimbic mechanisms through which dopamine D2 and GABA(A) receptors differentially regulate ethanol-induced aversive and rewarding states during acute intoxication. Full article
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16 pages, 5320 KB  
Article
Magnesium Supplementation Improves Cortical Stratification and Neuronal Differentiation in Blood–Brain Barrier-Integrated Human Brain Organoids
by Sara Castiglioni, Antonella Tosoni, Manuela Nebuloni and Jeanette A. Maier
Biomedicines 2026, 14(6), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14061242 - 29 May 2026
Viewed by 230
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Magnesium (Mg) is essential for neuronal maturation, yet its role in human cortical development remains poorly defined. Here, we investigated the effects of physiological (1 mM) and elevated (5 mM) concentrations of MgSO4 and magnesium pidolate (MgPid) on human brain organoids [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Magnesium (Mg) is essential for neuronal maturation, yet its role in human cortical development remains poorly defined. Here, we investigated the effects of physiological (1 mM) and elevated (5 mM) concentrations of MgSO4 and magnesium pidolate (MgPid) on human brain organoids co-cultured with an in vitro blood–brain barrier (BBB) model. Methods: Human brain organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells were co-cultured with an in vitro BBB system and treated for 4 days with either MgSO4 or MgPid at physiological and elevated concentrations. Cortical organization was assessed by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analysis. Western blotting for neurotransmitter receptors and Mg transporters, quantification of intraorganoid Mg2+ levels, ELISA-based measurement of GABA and dopamine, and analysis of glutamate were performed. Results: High Mg exposure enhanced cortical stratification and neuronal organization, as shown by the localization of CTIP2 in the outermost layer and TBR2 in the inner layer, together with ultrastructural features consistent with advanced differentiation. Elevated Mg increased intraorganoid Mg2+ levels without altering Mg transporter abundance and selectively modulated neurotransmitter receptor expression: NMDA-R levels were reduced by MgPid, whereas GABAA-R and GABAB-R were upregulated, particularly in response to MgPid. Levels of glutamate, GABA, and dopamine remained unchanged. Conclusions: These findings identify Mg, especially in the form of MgPid, as a modulator of cortical architecture and inhibitory–excitatory receptor balance in human organoids, supporting its potential relevance for neurodevelopmental regulation and Mg-based therapeutic strategies. These results also support organoids as human-relevant, animal-free tools for neuroscience and neuropharmacological research. Full article
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31 pages, 2358 KB  
Article
Alterations in the Components of the GABA–Glutamate System During ZIKV Infection: A Neuroscience Approach
by Aura Caterine Rengifo, Julián Naizaque, Gerardo Santamaría, Diego Alejandro Alvarez-Díaz, Andrea Viviana Rodriguez, Gina Guío-Vega, Jorge Rivera, Carlos Eduardo Castro, Zulma Dueñas and Orlando Torres-Fernández
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4833; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114833 - 27 May 2026
Viewed by 505
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with severe neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the expression of components of the GABA–glutamate system in neonatal BALB/c [...] Read more.
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with severe neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the expression of components of the GABA–glutamate system in neonatal BALB/c mice inoculated with ZIKV at 10 days post-infection (dpi). Analysis of GABA-A and NMDA receptors revealed widespread downregulation of GABA-A and NMDA receptor subunits in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, except for the alpha-5 and epsilon GABA-A subunits, which were upregulated in the cerebellum. Infected mice also showed increased GABA immunoreactivity and glutamate loss. The enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis or transport confirmed these findings when assessed by qRT-PCR or Western blot, revealing increased expression of GAD-65/67, accompanied by a loss of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUD) in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, along with decreased expression of the glutamate transporter (VGLUT) in the cerebral cortex. These findings suggest that GABA synthesis increases during ZIKV infection, creating a neurochemical environment that favors viral replication and contributes to the migration and synaptic defects observed in congenital Zika syndrome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Neurotransmitters)
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31 pages, 11267 KB  
Article
Synthesis, Antidepressant-like and Anxiolytic-like Effects of Novel Thiadiazole Derivatives: Behavioral Assessment and Mechanistic Investigation
by Ümmühan Kandemir, Gizem Türkoğlu Sağlık, Derya Osmaniye, Zafer Asım Kaplancıklı, Özgür Devrim Can and Ümide Demir Özkay
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(5), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19050797 - 19 May 2026
Viewed by 440
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Based on the central nervous system-related activity potential of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives, novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds were synthesized, and their possible antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects were investigated. Methods: The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated using several spectroscopic techniques. Antidepressant-like effects [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Based on the central nervous system-related activity potential of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives, novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds were synthesized, and their possible antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects were investigated. Methods: The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated using several spectroscopic techniques. Antidepressant-like effects of compounds were evaluated using the tail suspension and the modified forced swimming tests, while anxiolytic-like effects were assessed using the hole board, elevated plus maze, and open field tests in male Balb/c mice. Motor activities of the animals were examined using the activity-meter device. Mechanistic and computational in silico studies were also performed. Results: The results demonstrated that compounds 4e4i exhibited antidepressant-like effects, whereas only compound 4e showed an anxiolytic-like effect. None of the compounds produced significant alterations in motor activities of animals, indicating that the observed behavioral effects were specific. The antidepressant-like effects of compounds 4e4i were abolished by p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA) and α-methyl-para-tyrosine methyl ester (AMPT) pre-administration indicating that the antidepressant-like effects of these test compounds are related to both serotonergic and catecholaminergic mechanisms. Furthermore, the anxiolytic-like effect of compound 4e was reversed by flumazenil and NAN-190 pre-administrations, indicating the participation of the GABA-A benzodiazepine receptor complex and 5-HT1A receptors in its pharmacological activity. Computational in silico studies revealed that compounds have good ADME profiles; compounds 4e4i interact with the serotonin transporter; compound 4e shows affinity for GABA-A and 5-HT1A receptors; and all interactions remain stable under dynamic conditions. Conclusions: These findings supported the previous papers reporting the antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
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21 pages, 1017 KB  
Review
Monoterpenes as Natural Anesthetics to Mitigate Stress in Fish: Advances Using the Zebrafish Larvae Model
by Raquel S. F. Vieira, Cláudia A. Rocha, Carlos A. S. Venâncio and Luís M. Félix
Fishes 2026, 11(5), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11050289 - 13 May 2026
Viewed by 658
Abstract
During production, fish are exposed to multiple environmental, physiological, and physical stressors, which compromise development, productivity, and welfare and urge the implementation of effective and safe stress-mitigating strategies, particularly during early developmental stages. Larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) constitute a powerful model [...] Read more.
During production, fish are exposed to multiple environmental, physiological, and physical stressors, which compromise development, productivity, and welfare and urge the implementation of effective and safe stress-mitigating strategies, particularly during early developmental stages. Larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) constitute a powerful model for studying acute stress responses due to the numerous advantages they offer, such as developmental transparency, a conserved hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal (HPI) axis, and suitability for high-throughput screening. This review examines the potential of natural monoterpenes as stress-reducing compounds and compares their performance with conventional synthetic anesthetics. Evidence from vortex-flow stress paradigms, behavioral profiling and biochemical assays shows that acute stress in zebrafish larvae triggers metabolic disruption, behavioral hyperactivity and enzyme imbalance, with cortisol responses depending on stimulus intensity. Monoterpenes such as thymol and menthol consistently reduce stress-induced hyperactivity, support redox homeostasis and display favorable safety profiles at low doses and short exposures. Nevertheless, as research into these substances is still recent, evidence of any potential adverse effects is still limited. Although individual monoterpenes may act on different subsets of molecular targets, their multimodal mechanisms, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic enhancement, voltage-gated ion channel and transient receptor potential (TRP) modulation, suggest broader and potentially safer actions compared to single-target anesthetics as tricaine methane sulfonate (MS-222). Collectively, these findings suggest that monoterpenes offer promising natural alternatives for stress mitigation in aquaculture and the refinement of research procedures involving early life stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings)
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17 pages, 5482 KB  
Article
Molecular Composition and Ligand Binding Characteristics of Native Ionotropic GABA Receptors in Rice Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis
by Enling Zhan, Jie Luo, Yuqing Zhang, Junyan Wang, Shuang Ni and Chunqing Zhao
Insects 2026, 17(5), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17050477 - 6 May 2026
Viewed by 612
Abstract
The ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (iGABAR) is an important insecticidal molecular target. However, the native iGABARs composition remains unknown in insect. Here, CsRdl1, truncated transcripts of CsRdl2 and CsLcch3 were obtained in the rice stem borer (RSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker. [...] Read more.
The ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (iGABAR) is an important insecticidal molecular target. However, the native iGABARs composition remains unknown in insect. Here, CsRdl1, truncated transcripts of CsRdl2 and CsLcch3 were obtained in the rice stem borer (RSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker. The N-terminal-truncated CsRDL2 (∆N-CsRDL2) and N-terminal-truncated CsLCCH3 (∆N-CsLCCH3) were deduced and studied in vivo, and desmethyl-broflanilide (DMBF) binding characteristics were simulated in silico. Genome and transcriptome analyses revealed truncated transcripts of CsRdl2 and CsLcch3 encoded 48 kDa of ∆N-CsRDL2 and 37 kDa of ∆N-CsLCCH3, respectively. The CsRDL1, CsRDL2 and CsLCCH3 were detected respectively from native iGABARs at molecular weights (Mws) ≥ 440 kDa in BN-PAGE. In BN/SDS-PAGE, three CsRDL1 bands (~54, ~55 and ~70 kDa), one CsRDL2 band (~48 kDa) and one CsLCCH3 band (~37 kDa) were identified in native iGABARs at Mws ≥ 669 kDa, and corresponded to CsRDL1ad, CsRDL1bd, post-translationally modified CsRDL1, ∆N-CsRDL2 and ∆N-CsLCCH3, respectively. Immunofluorescence confirmed these three subunits distributed in the same region of adult heads. Finally, DMBF displayed higher binding affinities for heteromeric iGABARs than for homomeric CsRDL1 iGABAR in silico. These findings confirm that ∆N-CsRDL2 and ∆N-CsLCCH3 in native iGABARs might support the rational design of novel insecticides. Full article
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27 pages, 3073 KB  
Review
Neuroglial-Breast Cancer Crosstalk Shapes the Brain Metastatic Niche
by Sabine Hombach-Klonisch, Eric Hall, Reem Amin, Emily Fedora, Jerry Vriend, Marshall Pitz and Thomas Klonisch
Cells 2026, 15(8), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15080735 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 966
Abstract
Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) affects up to 30% of patients with metastatic disease and carries a median survival of only 4–18 months. Emerging evidence reveals that BCBM cells are not passive survivors, but active participants that hijack core neurotransmitter networks, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric [...] Read more.
Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) affects up to 30% of patients with metastatic disease and carries a median survival of only 4–18 months. Emerging evidence reveals that BCBM cells are not passive survivors, but active participants that hijack core neurotransmitter networks, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate, to fuel their growth. BCBM, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), frequently switch to a GABAergic mode utilizing brain-derived GABA as an oncometabolite. In parallel, BCBM cells can also form direct synapses with neurons, tapping into excitatory input through glutamatergic receptors to drive tumor cell proliferation and survival. Concurrently, reprogrammed astrocytes establish gap junctions, secrete growth factors, and provide metabolic support. Together, tumor cells, neurons, and astrocytes form a pathological partnership locked in feedback loops sustaining metastatic progression. This review focuses on the unique mechanisms employed by distinct breast cancer subtypes and maps the metastatic progression from pre-metastatic to mature brain metastatic niche formation of BCBM. We highlight opportunities to repurpose neurological drugs to disrupt these communication axes. Full article
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18 pages, 671 KB  
Review
Gut Microbiome Dysregulation Across Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Bacteria-, Fungi- and Virome-Level Alterations with Molecular and Immunological Implications
by Răzvan-Ioan Papacocea, Floris Petru Iliuță and Ioana Raluca Papacocea
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(8), 3372; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27083372 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1118
Abstract
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are severe psychiatric conditions characterized by disturbances in cognition, emotion, and behavior, with increasing evidence suggesting an involvement of the gut microbiome in their pathophysiology. This PRISMA-informed structured review synthesizes 114 studies using a taxa-centered framework that maps microbial [...] Read more.
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are severe psychiatric conditions characterized by disturbances in cognition, emotion, and behavior, with increasing evidence suggesting an involvement of the gut microbiome in their pathophysiology. This PRISMA-informed structured review synthesizes 114 studies using a taxa-centered framework that maps microbial changes across SSD stages and phenotypes and serves as a structural basis for identifying cross-study patterns. Across heterogeneous cohorts, convergent alterations include depletion of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing taxa (including Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, and Coprococcus) and enrichment of potentially pro-inflammatory and fermentative taxa (such as Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus, Collinsella, and Desulfovibrio). These taxonomic patterns suggest potential functional alterations, including reduced SCFA availability. Reduced abundance of butyrate-producing taxa has been associated with impaired intestinal barrier function and increased microbial translocation (e.g., lipopolysaccharide), which may contribute to the activation of immune pathways, including Toll-like receptor 4 signaling and elevated inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Additional alterations reported across studies include changes in lactate metabolism, bile acid profiles, aromatic amino acid metabolism, and the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway. These pathways may interact with neurobiological processes relevant to SSD, including glutamate-GABA balance, NMDA receptor function, microglial activation, and synaptic regulation, although much of the current evidence remains associative. Multi-kingdom studies and fecal microbiota transplantation models provide further support for the functional relevance of these observations, though causal relationships remain to be fully established. Overall, SSD-associated dysbiosis appears to reflect ecosystem-level metabolic alterations rather than isolated taxonomic abnormalities, supporting a Microbiota–Gut–Immune–Glia conceptual framework and highlighting the gut ecosystem as a potential therapeutic target. Full article
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17 pages, 3400 KB  
Article
Lilii bulbus Exerts Anti-Seizure Effects by Modulating GABAergic Synapse Organization in the Pentylenetetrazol Kindling Model
by Hee Ra Park
Nutrients 2026, 18(7), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18071159 - 4 Apr 2026
Viewed by 819
Abstract
Background: We investigated whether a water extract of Lilii bulbus (Lilium lancifolium Thunberg; WELB) could modulate inhibitory synaptic organization in a mouse model of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling. Methods: Starting 14 days prior to the initial PTZ challenge, WELB (500 mg/kg) was delivered [...] Read more.
Background: We investigated whether a water extract of Lilii bulbus (Lilium lancifolium Thunberg; WELB) could modulate inhibitory synaptic organization in a mouse model of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling. Methods: Starting 14 days prior to the initial PTZ challenge, WELB (500 mg/kg) was delivered via oral gavage once daily. This treatment regimen was maintained for a total of 40 days, spanning the entire period until the animals reached the fully kindled state. Results: Behavioral assessments revealed that WELB treatment significantly reduced seizure severity and Racine scores, prolonged the latency to clonic seizures, and shortened seizure duration, demonstrating potent anticonvulsant activity. Two-photon calcium imaging further showed that WELB markedly suppressed PTZ-induced neuronal hyperexcitability in the posterior parietal cortex, accompanied by decreased expression of neuronal activation markers, including c-fos, phosphorylated-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (p-CaMKIIα), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NR1). In the hippocampus, WELB modulated the expression of GABAergic interneuron markers [glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SOM)] and upregulated GABAergic gene transcripts [GABA-A receptor α1 subunit (Gabra1), GABA-A receptor α2 subunit (Gabra2), GABA transporter 1 (Gat1), GABA transporter 3 (Gat3), PV, SOM, cholecystokinin (CCK)] that were downregulated by PTZ kindling. Moreover, WELB enhanced the expression of GABAergic synaptic organization-related proteins (gephyrin, collybistin, neurexin-1β, neuroligin-2, and neuropilin-2), indicating its regulatory effect on inhibitory synaptic integrity. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggest that WELB may exert its anticonvulsant effects by functionally remodeling GABAergic synaptic organization-related factors, thereby restoring inhibitory circuit integrity and providing a mechanism-based therapeutic strategy for epilepsy and seizure-related neurological disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Brain and Neuroscience)
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16 pages, 885 KB  
Review
Therapeutic Potential Target of Adenosine for Epilepsy: Focusing on Its Interaction with the Molecular Epileptogenic Network
by Xiaoning Zhao, Jiahui Deng, Zhonghua Xiong and Tianfu Li
Biomolecules 2026, 16(3), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16030453 - 17 Mar 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 725
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by a long-lasting predisposition to recurrently generate unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy affects over 70 million people worldwide, with approximately one-third suffering from pharmacoresistant seizures. Currently, the clinical antiseizure drugs lack efficacy in preventing epileptogenesis. Adenosine, as an endogenous [...] Read more.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by a long-lasting predisposition to recurrently generate unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy affects over 70 million people worldwide, with approximately one-third suffering from pharmacoresistant seizures. Currently, the clinical antiseizure drugs lack efficacy in preventing epileptogenesis. Adenosine, as an endogenous anticonvulsant, inhibits the development of epilepsy via interaction with the molecular epileptogenic network on several levels: (i) Activation of A1 receptor inhibits glutamate release via presynaptic inhibition, and hyperpolarizes the synaptic potentials in postsynaptic neurons. (ii) The A2A receptor on astrocytes interacts with astroglial glutamate transporter GLT-1, controlling glial glutamate homeostasis. (iii) Activation of the A3 receptor inhibits GABA transporter type 1-mediated GABA uptake. (iv) Adenosine kinase (ADK) is highlighted as a pathological hallmark of epilepsy, with its distinct isoforms driving different mechanisms. The cytoplasmic short isoform (ADK-S) in astrocytes controls extracellular adenosine and receptor-mediated pathways, whereas the nuclear long isoform (ADK-L) in astrocytes and specific neurons regulates epigenetic mechanisms without relying on adenosine receptors. Collectively, this review clarifies the adenosine system’s critical regulatory role in the epileptogenic network, highlights adenosine receptors and ADK isoforms as promising therapeutic targets for epilepsy, and provides a theoretical basis for developing novel disease-modifying therapies for pharmacoresistant epilepsy while laying a foundation for subsequent preclinical and clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biomarkers of Epileptogenesis)
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30 pages, 3258 KB  
Review
The Role of GABA and Its Receptors in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
by Günther Sperk and Susanne Pirker
Biomolecules 2026, 16(3), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16030422 - 12 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1169
Abstract
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common and severe form of focal epilepsy. This review examines the diverse mechanisms by which the GABAergic system contributes both to seizure generation and to protective processes that limit epileptogenesis and seizure progression in TLE. [...] Read more.
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common and severe form of focal epilepsy. This review examines the diverse mechanisms by which the GABAergic system contributes both to seizure generation and to protective processes that limit epileptogenesis and seizure progression in TLE. We focus on findings from established animal models of TLE as well as studies of surgically resected tissue from patients who had undergone therapeutic intervention. Experimental models include sustained electrical stimulation of the perforant path, as well as the kainic acid (KA) and Li-pilocarpine models. Although these paradigms induce status epilepticus (SE) through distinct mechanisms, they ultimately converge on prolonged excitation of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons and interconnected regions of the hippocampus and broader limbic network. In response to epileptic seizures, GABA synthesis is enhanced, as evidenced by the marked upregulation of the GABA-synthesizing enzymes GAD65 and GAD67, along with their ectopic expression in glutamatergic mossy fibers of the hippocampus. Shortly after acute seizures, a transient expression of the embryonic GAD67 splice variant, GAD25, is observed, although its functional significance remains unclear. At the receptor level, animal models of TLE show upregulation of GABAA receptor subunits α2, α4, β3, and γ2, accompanied by downregulation of α5 and δ subunits, suggesting reduced tonic inhibition. In contrast, hippocampal tissue from patients with TLE exhibits pronounced upregulation of α5 and δ subunits, indicative of enhanced extrasynaptic tonic inhibition. Similarly, whereas GABAA receptor subunits are mildly downregulated in animal models, they are consistently upregulated across hippocampal subfields in human TLE, pointing toward strengthened GABAergic inhibition. Conversely, genetic variants of GABAA receptor subunits and autoantibodies targeting these receptors can contribute to the etiology of epilepsy, often with onset in childhood. Moreover, degeneration or functional silencing of specific GABAergic interneuron populations—such as parvalbumin-positive neurons in the subiculum—can induce epilepsy in rodent models and is likewise associated with TLE in humans. Full article
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Article
PPARα Antagonism Rescues Chlorpyrifos-Induced Neuro-Visual Toxicity in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Larvae
by Yuyao Jiang, Zijie Ding, Ruolin Hu, Jason T. Magnuson, Shiyan Li, Dingnan Wang, Shengli Zhou, Yirong Guo, Yang Wang, Yuanyuan Liu, Shuying Li and Wenjun Gui
Toxics 2026, 14(3), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030234 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1124
Abstract
With the global population predicted to reach 10 billion by 2050, pesticides are essential for agricultural production. However, they can introduce chemical stressors into aquatic ecosystems. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide that can enter aquatic environments and poses potential risks [...] Read more.
With the global population predicted to reach 10 billion by 2050, pesticides are essential for agricultural production. However, they can introduce chemical stressors into aquatic ecosystems. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide that can enter aquatic environments and poses potential risks to early-life-stage fish. Because the retina is an extension of the central nervous system and vision-guided behaviors are highly sensitive to neural dysfunction, we hypothesized that CPF exposure disrupts neurobehavioral and visual function via oxidative stress and PPARα-related signaling. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to CPF (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/L) with a vehicle control (VC). During the photomotor response assay, exposure to 100 μg/L CPF reduced overall swimming activity by 48.90% and dark-period activity by 57.71%, whereas 1 μg/L CPF modestly increased total distance by 6.96% (p = 0.003) and dark-period distance by 5.40% (p = 0.011). Transcriptomic profiling highlighted nervous- and vision-related functional categories, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment implicated pathways including gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling. Targeted neurotransmitter metabolomics showed significant increases in dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and acetylcholine across treatment groups, indicating broad neurotransmitter dysregulation. Consistent with these findings, neuronal fluorescence in Tg (elavl3: EGFP) larvae decreased by 12.1% and 32.5% in the 1 and 100 μg/L groups, respectively (p < 0.001), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence increased in the eye/brain/olfactory bulb at 1 μg/L (p = 0.037) and 100 μg/L (p = 0.002). Histology further showed retinal injury, with a 14.3% reduction in photoreceptor layer thickness at 100 μg/L (p = 0.034). Mechanistically, coexposure to a PPARα antagonist (GW6471) alleviated CPF-induced behavioral deficits (1.80-fold increase in dark locomotion) and reduced elevated GABA and dopamine levels by 36.8% and 47.3%, respectively. Together, these results indicate that CPF can impair neuro-visual development and that oxidative stress and PPARα-related signaling are closely associated with these effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Emerging Contaminants)
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