Molecular Events Underlying the Furtherance of Neurodegenerative Disorders by Environmental Factors

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This topic has been chosen in view of the increasing prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases since life expectancy of the world population is growing. Most of these neurological disorders are of non-genetic, idiopathic origin. Therefore, a significant environmental contribution to their onset and progression is expected. Epidemiological findings support the likelihood that exogenous influences can promote the incidence of such disorders. Each of the articles within this topic series will discuss molecular changes underlying a specific disorder and how environmental factors may impinge on this.

Prof. Dr. Stephen C. Bondy
Prof. Dr. Paola Palestini
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Cells cells	5.2	10.5	2012	16 Days	CHF 2700
Current Issues in Molecular Biology cimb	3.0	3.7	1999	17.8 Days	CHF 2200
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	8.5	2004	27.8 Days	CHF 2500
Journal of Molecular Pathology jmp	1.1	2.3	2020	28.2 Days	CHF 1000
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	9.0	2000	20.5 Days	CHF 2900

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Cells CIMB IJERPH JMP IJMS

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19 pages, 1657 KiB  

Open AccessReview

The Roles of Calcium Ions in Parkinson’s Disease: Calcium Channel Inhibitors as a Novel Agents?

by Md Reyaz Alam, Khadga Raj and Shamsher Singh

J. Mol. Pathol. 2022, 3(4), 243-261; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmp3040021 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7240

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, which results in motor impairment. The rationale and objective of the review article is to determine whether CCBs use contributes to a lower risk of developing a first-time [...] Read more.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, which results in motor impairment. The rationale and objective of the review article is to determine whether CCBs use contributes to a lower risk of developing a first-time diagnosis of PD. Ca²⁺ homeostasis disruption and mitochondrial dysfunction play a vital role in PD aetiology. In addition, the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel is expressed at high levels amongst nigral neurons, and could play a role in the pathogenesis of PD. In the dopaminergic neurons, Ca²⁺ entry through plasma membrane Cav1 channels drives a sustained feed-forward stimulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of R- and T-type Ca²⁺ channel inhibition in light of new preclinical and clinical data and the feasibility of available Ca²⁺ channel blockers to cure PD progression. The R-type calcium channel is a type of voltage-dependent calcium channel. Available findings suggest that calcium homeostasis in dopaminergic neurons might be a valuable target for developing new drugs for PD patients. The limitations of our study include reports of observational studies with different follow-up periods. The specific roles of individual drugs and doses were also not mentioned because of nonreporting in the studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Molecular Events Underlying the Furtherance of Neurodegenerative Disorders by Environmental Factors)

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14 pages, 2760 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Multifunctionality of Clausena harmandiana Extract and Its Active Constituents against Alzheimer’s Disease

by Chantana Boonyarat, Chavi Yenjai, Orawan Monthakantirat, Rawiwun Kaewamatawong, Pattaporn Poonsawas, Jinda Wangboonskul, Suchada Chaiwiwatrakul and Pornthip Waiwut

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2022, 44(8), 3681-3694; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44080252 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2747

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effects of the root-bark extract of Clausena harmandiana (CH) and its active constituents (nordentatin and 7-methoxyheptaphylline) on pharmacological activities regarding selected targets associated with AD, namely, its antioxidant activity, inhibition of Aβ aggregation, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, [...] Read more.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of the root-bark extract of Clausena harmandiana (CH) and its active constituents (nordentatin and 7-methoxyheptaphylline) on pharmacological activities regarding selected targets associated with AD, namely, its antioxidant activity, inhibition of Aβ aggregation, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and neuroprotective effects. The effect of the CH extract on the cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine was also evaluated in mice. The effects of the CH extract and its active constituents on radical scavenging, Aβ aggregation, and AChE activity were investigated with a 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay, a thioflavin-T assay, and Ellman’s method. The neuroprotective effects of the extract against hydrogen-peroxide and Aβ toxicity were evaluated with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, the effects on cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine in mice were evaluated using Morris-water-maze and modified-Y-maze test models. The results of the present study demonstrate that the root-bark extract of CH shows multimodal actions relevant to the AD pathological cascade, including antioxidant effects, the inhibition of Aβ aggregation, the inhibition of AChE function, and neuroprotection against oxidative stress and Aβ toxicity. The extracts could improve both the short- and long-term memory deficits induced by scopolamine in mice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Molecular Events Underlying the Furtherance of Neurodegenerative Disorders by Environmental Factors)

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14 pages, 1187 KiB  

Open AccessProject Report

TUBE Project: Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects

by Maria-Viola Martikainen, Päivi Aakko-Saksa, Lenie van den Broek, Flemming R. Cassee, Roxana O. Carare, Sweelin Chew, Andras Dinnyes, Rosalba Giugno, Katja M. Kanninen, Tarja Malm, Ala Muala, Maiken Nedergaard, Anna Oudin, Pedro Oyola, Tobias V. Pfeiffer, Topi Rönkkö, Sanna Saarikoski, Thomas Sandström, Roel P. F. Schins, Jan Topinka, Mo Yang, Xiaowen Zeng, Remco H. S. Westerink and Pasi I. Jalavaadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010311 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4630

Abstract

The adverse effects of air pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unquestionable. However, in recent years, indications of effects beyond these organ systems have become more evident. Traffic-related air pollution has been linked with neurological diseases, exacerbated cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer’s [...] Read more.

The adverse effects of air pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unquestionable. However, in recent years, indications of effects beyond these organ systems have become more evident. Traffic-related air pollution has been linked with neurological diseases, exacerbated cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the exact air pollutant compositions and exposure scenarios leading to these adverse health effects are not known. Although several components of air pollution may be at play, recent experimental studies point to a key role of ultrafine particles (UFPs). While the importance of UFPs has been recognized, almost nothing is known about the smallest fraction of UFPs, and only >23 nm emissions are regulated in the EU. Moreover, the role of the semivolatile fraction of the emissions has been neglected. The Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects (TUBE) project will increase knowledge on harmful ultrafine air pollutants, as well as semivolatile compounds related to adverse health effects. By including all the major current combustion and emission control technologies, the TUBE project aims to provide new information on the adverse health effects of current traffic, as well as information for decision makers to develop more effective emission legislation. Most importantly, the TUBE project will include adverse health effects beyond the respiratory system; TUBE will assess how air pollution affects the brain and how air pollution particles might be removed from the brain. The purpose of this report is to describe the TUBE project, its background, and its goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Molecular Events Underlying the Furtherance of Neurodegenerative Disorders by Environmental Factors)

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