The International Journal Of Neuroscience[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Causal relations between immune cells and cerebral hemorrhage: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.
Wu Z, Wang Q, Xiong Z
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39918327 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that an increased number of immune cells is closely associated with the onset and course changes of intracerebral hemorrhage, but the exact causal relationship has not been clarifi...
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that an increased number of immune cells is closely associated with the onset and course changes of intracerebral hemorrhage, but the exact causal relationship has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the causal relationship between immune cells and intracerebral hemorrhage by a two-way Mendelian randomization method. METHODS: Two sets of SNPs were used as instrumental variables and two-way Mendelian randomization analyses were performed and leave-one-out method were used to assess the validity and heterogeneity of the included genetic variation instruments. The level of multiplicity and heterogeneity of the included genetic variance instruments was assessed. RESULTS: The results showed a clear causal relationship between three immune cells and intracerebral hemorrhage, and no heterogeneity between SNPs related to intracerebral hemorrhage, while scatterplot and funnel plot confirmed that the causality was less likely to be biased; MR-Egger results suggested that no genetic pleiotropy was found. Leave-one-out analysis was applied to suggest that the MR analysis results for a single SNP were robust; meanwhile, Meta-analysis was applied to combine the two intracerebral hemorrhage datasets, and the analysis results suggested that in the fixed-effects model and random-effects model, the immunocyte CD66b on Granulocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and other three immune cells were significantly causally associated with intracerebral hemorrhage, while the heterogeneity test suggested that there was no significant difference between the different datasets. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found a significant causal relationship between specific immune cell phenotypes and intracerebral hemorrhage by Mendelian randomization analysis.
Cognitive and clinical dimensions of structural and functional insula alterations in patients with depression: a resting-state fMRI study.
Yan F, Zan S, Xu J … +3 more , Zhao S, Wang Z, Yang F
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39915081 · Publisher ↗
Depression is characterized by pervasive cognitive and emotional disturbances, yet the neural mechanisms underlying these deficits remain incompletely understood. This study utilized multimodal neuroimaging, including r...
Depression is characterized by pervasive cognitive and emotional disturbances, yet the neural mechanisms underlying these deficits remain incompletely understood. This study utilized multimodal neuroimaging, including resting-state functional MRI and structural T1-weighted imaging, alongside the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), to delineate the structural and functional alterations in the insula in first-episode, medication-naïve patients with depression. Compared to matched healthy controls, patients with depression exhibited significant reductions in gray matter density in the left insula, which were robustly associated with impairments in reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Mediation analyses revealed that insular gray matter density mediated the relationship between depressive symptom severity and cognitive deficits, emphasizing the insula's critical role in linking emotional and cognitive dysfunctions. Furthermore, functional connectivity analyses identified disrupted insula-medial prefrontal cortex circuits, highlighting their contribution to the pathophysiology of depression. These findings underscore the insula's dual role as a structural and functional hub in depression, advancing our understanding of the neural substrates of cognitive dysfunction and informing potential targets for intervention.
Machine learning analysis of glutamate receptor activity in developing locus coeruleus neurons.
Firouznia M, Kourosh-Arami M, Faez K … +2 more , Semnanian S, Alikhani Koupaei J
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39840926 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE/AIM: The developing brain undergoes a remarkable process of synaptic changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To investigate the developmental changes in glutamatergic synaptic connections using the whole-cell patch clamp...
PURPOSE/AIM: The developing brain undergoes a remarkable process of synaptic changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To investigate the developmental changes in glutamatergic synaptic connections using the whole-cell patch clamp method, evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) were recorded from locus coeruleus (LC) neurons, a brain region crucial for cognitive functions, in rats at ages 7, 14, and 21 days. We employed fractal analysis to compute fractal dimensions of AMPA and NMDA receptors, serving as markers for synaptic maturation. RESULTS: Our findings revealed a significant increase in fractal dimensions during the third postnatal week and hence a developmental chenge of synaptic connections. A strong positive correlation between amplitude and fractal dimensions, in Pearson correlation analysis suggested that the synaptic currents' amplitude is closely related to the fractal properties of the receptors. A linear relationship between fractal dimensions and age indicated that fractal analysis can be a robust tool for predicting developmental changes. Additionally, we employed machine learning techniques to predict developmental changes based on AMPA and NMDA receptors. Support Vector Machine (SVM) models outperformed random forest models in accurately predicting age-dependent developmental changes, as indicated by the area under the curve (AUC) values. SVM achieved an AUC of 0.89 for AMPA receptors and 0.86 for NMDA receptors, demonstrating the effectiveness of fractal-based features in characterizing synaptic maturation. CONCLUSION: This study offers valuable insights into synaptic development in the LC nucleus and demonstrates the potential of fractal analysis as a tool to understand brain plasticity and early development. Fractal dimensions play a crucial role in characterizing the maturation of glutamatergic synapses and neural circuitry development.
Independent component analysis of brain network in drug-resistant epilepsy patients with vagus nerve stimulators.
Zhu J, Gu R, Ji F
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39745504 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: To investigate the activity of default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN) and cerebellar network (CN) in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients undergoing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). METHODS: Fi...
PURPOSE: To investigate the activity of default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN) and cerebellar network (CN) in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients undergoing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). METHODS: Fifteen patients were recruited and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. Independent component analysis and paired sample t-tests were used to examine activity changes of DMN, FPN and CN before and after VNS. RESULTS: Compared with preoperative patients, DMN exhibited decreased activity in left cuneus/precuneus, left median cingulate gyrus, left superior/middle occipital gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right precentral/postcentral gyrus, right rolandic operculum and right insula, while increased activity was observed in right supramarginal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, right supplementary motor area, left amygdala, and right inferior frontal gyrus. FPN displayed decreased activity in left cuneus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, right precentral gyrus, left middle/inferior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, left superior/middle temporal gyrus, left superior/middle occipital gyrus, and right superior parietal gyrus, but increased activity in right inferior temporal gyrus. CN showed decreased activity in left superior/middle frontal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, left supplementary motor area, left precuneus, left postcentral gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, and left inferior cerebellum, while increased activity was detected in bilateral superior cerebellum and right fusiform gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: DMN, FPN and CN exhibited distinct changes in DRE patients following VNS. The suppression or activation of sensorimotor, language, memory and emotion-related regions may represent the underlying neurological mechanisms of VNS. However, the contrasting activity patterns between superior and inferior cerebellum require further investigation.
Grade 4 astrocytoma vs. grade 4 glioblastoma: is there any clue in H&E?
Ersöz CC, Berber H, Heper A
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39686561 · Publisher ↗
Gliomas are the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system. The fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the CNS identifies IDH mutant astrocytomas grade 4 and IDH wi...
Gliomas are the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system. The fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the CNS identifies IDH mutant astrocytomas grade 4 and IDH wild type glioblastomas grade 4 as distinct entities. This study aimed to identify morphological indicators that could predict IDH mutation status in grade 4 diffuse astrocytomas and grade 4 glioblastomas among fifty patients from two groups. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tumor slides were scanned using a digital scanner and further histopathological examinations were performed on digital images, with additional calculations and measurements. The study showed that, IDH-wildtype glioblastomas and IDH-mutant grade 4 astrocytomas exhibit unique morphological features, particularly in relation to levels of necrosis, microvessel density, and the presence of "C" or "Ring" shape giant cells. Despite advancements in genomic biomarker technology, histology remains an essential tool for predicting patient outcomes. Therefore, pathologists must continue to investigate and document the morphological implications of molecular changes in CNS tumors.
Exosomes derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate ischemic brain injury in mice by regulating AAK1 via miR-664a-5p.
Shen B, Liu N, Dai Y
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39655875 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To identify the molecular targets of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes in treating cerebral ischemia and elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms. METHODS: We utilized a mouse model of middle cerebral...
OBJECTIVE: To identify the molecular targets of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes in treating cerebral ischemia and elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms. METHODS: We utilized a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated mice with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes. Proteomic analysis identified AAK1(AP2 associated kinase 1) as a key target protein. Functional studies confirmed that AAK1 modulates the NF-κB signaling pathway in ischemic stroke. MicroRNA profiling, bioinformatic prediction and cell experiments identified miR-664a-5p as the specific microRNA regulating AAK1 expression. Finally, we validated the therapeutic effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes using engineered miR-664a-5p-deficient exosomes. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrate that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes exert neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke by modulating the AAK1/NF-κB axis miR-664a-5p. CONCLUSION: This study provides novel insights into the therapeutic mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in ischemic stroke, highlighting their potential for developing exosome-based therapies.
The best indices of anaesthesia depth monitored by electroencephalogram in different age groups.
Li F, Gong B, Sheng H … +3 more , Song Z, Yu Y, Yang Y
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39565010 · Publisher ↗
Current electroencephalogram (EEG) indices for monitoring the depth of anaesthesia have not been adjusted for age. This study aims to identify the most suitable EEG indices for monitoring anaesthesia depth across differe...
Current electroencephalogram (EEG) indices for monitoring the depth of anaesthesia have not been adjusted for age. This study aims to identify the most suitable EEG indices for monitoring anaesthesia depth across different age groups. In here, we conducted a prospective observational trial to observe whether different EEG features in different age groups can detect anaesthesia depth and compare their performance. In Group 1, absolute θ had the highest prediction probability (Pk) value (0.78 ± 0.07), while relative had the lowest relative coefficient of variation (CV) value in states 1 (0.160), 2 (0.153), 3 (0.214) and 4 (0.144). In Group 2, absolute had the highest Pk value (0.81 ± 0.09), and relative had the lowest CV value in states 1 (0.159), 2 (0.178), 3 (0.140) and 4 (0.095). In Group 3, absolute δ had the highest Pk value (0.79 ± 0.08), with absolute slow wave having the lowest CV value in States 1 (0.196), 2 (0.258), 3 (0.295) and 4 (0.181). In Group 4, absolute δ had the highest Pk value (0.75 ± 0.10), and absolute slow wave had the lowest CV value in States 1 (0.176), 2 (0.192), 3 (0.185) and 4 (0.144). In this study, we found that absolute and relative are the most suitable choices for young and middle-aged patients, while absolute and absolute slow wave are the most suitable choices for young elderly and elderly patients.
40 Hz binaural beats entrainment enhances the mood and cognition of medical students.
Shakya R, Suffczynski P, Shrestha S … +3 more , Dangol S, Poudyal P, Mansur DI
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39535938 · Publisher ↗
Many medical students experience psychological distress from high academic demands, potentially harming their performance and mental health. Binaural beats (BB) stimulation, particularly gamma band entrainment, has been...
Many medical students experience psychological distress from high academic demands, potentially harming their performance and mental health. Binaural beats (BB) stimulation, particularly gamma band entrainment, has been suggested to enhance neural communication, cognition, and reduce anxiety. This study aimed to determine whether 40 Hz BB could improve cognitive performance and mood in medical students. Forty participants, selected based on the inclusion criteria of good health, normal hearing, and no mental illness were recruited considering factors such as all sessions availability and consent. Participants listened to BB for 15 min, three times a week, over three consecutive weeks. Electroencephalogram recordings confirmed that 40 Hz BB induced gamma neural oscillations in the brain. Emotional states were assessed using the 32-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) with ratings on a 5-point Likert scale, whereas cognitive function was measured with the Stroop's test, based on reaction time in milliseconds. Pre- and post-BB comparisons and gender-related differences were analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric tests. Listening to BB significantly reduced negative emotions ( < 0.001), enhanced positive emotions ( < 0.001), and facilitated improvements in cognitive performance. However, the effects of BB were gender-specific, with female students showing greater improvements in 'happiness' and 'calmness', ( < 0.001), while males experienced more pronounced enhancements in cognitive performance ( < 0.001). Additionally, time-dependent effects of BB were also observed. 40 Hz BB appears to be an effective tool for helping students manage their challenges calmly and more efficiently.
Correction.
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39535067 · Publisher ↗
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Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39535066 · Publisher ↗
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Genetic determinants of telomere length and risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study.
Qi X, Gao L, Qi L
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39523870 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Our objective is to investigate the potential causal relationship between telomere length (TL) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and intracranial aneurysms (IAs) by conducting a bidirectional two-...
BACKGROUND: Our objective is to investigate the potential causal relationship between telomere length (TL) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and intracranial aneurysms (IAs) by conducting a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) study. METHODS: We utilized publicly available summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for comprehensive analysis. Telomere length-associated data were sourced from the Epidemiology Unit (IEU) GWAS database ( = 472,174), while data pertaining to intracranial aneurysms were derived from a GWAS meta-analysis conducted by Bakker et al. encompassing aneurysmal subtypes including aSAH ( = 77,074), IAs ( = 79,429), and unruptured intracranial aneurysms (uIA) ( = 74,004), all sampled from European populations. The primary method for MR analysis employed was the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method. Additionally, we conducted various sensitivity analyses to assess the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of study findings. Reverse MR analysis was employed to explore potential reverse causality. RESULTS: In the forward MR analysis, the IVW method indicated a negative association between TL and aSAH (OR = 0.636, 95% CI: 0.459-0.883, = 0.006) as well as IAs (OR = 0.670, 95% CI: 0.499-0.900, = 0.0079). There was no evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy in the forward MR analysis. Reverse MR analysis did not reveal any causal relationship between aSAH, IAs, uIA and TL. CONCLUSIONS: In European populations, there exists a causal relationship between longer TL and reduced risks of aSAH and IAs Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and the potential of TL as an intervention target for lowering the incidence of aSAH and IAs.
Inflammation index in failure of delay functional independence after successful recanalization.
Zhang M, Zhao W, Wu C … +5 more , Xu J, Guo W, Ren C, Li S, Ji X
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39470466 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Failure of delayed neurological improvement (fDNI) following successful recanalization is a prevalent clinical phenomenon in patients who have experienced acute ischemic stroke (AIS). An investigation into th...
BACKGROUND: Failure of delayed neurological improvement (fDNI) following successful recanalization is a prevalent clinical phenomenon in patients who have experienced acute ischemic stroke (AIS). An investigation into the potential link between markers of systemic inflammation such as platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index known as SII, and the occurrence of fDNI in patients received successful reperfusion was conducted. METHODS: The study included patients diagnosed with AIS who underwent thrombectomy and experienced fDNI, as observed in a prospective study conducted from January 2017 to April 2020. In order to identify predictors of fDNI, we performed multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients (23.86%) without early neurological improvement (ENI) experienced DNI, and 268 (76.14%) patients did not show DNI. After adjustment for potential confounders, NLR (adjust OR, 2.131; 95%CI, 1.066-4.259; = 0.032) and SII (adjust OR, 1.065; 95%CI, 1.001-1.132, = 0.045) exhibited independent reationship with fDNI independently in multivariate analysis. The areas under AUC of multivariable NLR and SII mode were 0.862 and 0.861, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The immune-inflammatory biomarkers, including NLR and SII, exhibited associations with DNI in patients without ENI. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Empagliflozin ameliorates olfactory bulbectomy-induced depression by mitigating oxidative stress and possible involvement of brain derived neurotrophic factor in diabetic rats.
Borikar SP, Chitode GV, Tapre DN … +2 more , Lokwani DK, Jain SP
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39392472 · Publisher ↗
Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, has recently reported to prevent the depression in chronic animal model. The present study aimed to explore the antidepressant potential of empagliflozi...
Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, has recently reported to prevent the depression in chronic animal model. The present study aimed to explore the antidepressant potential of empagliflozin using a neuroinflammation-mediated depression involving the olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) model in diabetic rats. A low dose of streptozotocin was injected to induce diabetes in all group of animals. Following the confirmation of hyperglycemia, OBX surgery was performed. Post-surgery, the drug treatments were administered orally for 14 consecutive days. The study evaluated the effects of daily oral administration of empagliflozin at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg, alongside metformin (200 mg/kg) and clomipramine (50 mg/kg), on OBX-induced behavioral depression in rats. Separate sham and vehicle control groups were also maintained. Behavioral parameters in open field, forced swim test, elevated plus maze and splash test were recorded on 28 day. Results showed that empagliflozin, at the higher dose, significantly enhanced behavioral outcomes, evidenced by increased distance travelled, greater open arm entries, and reduced immobility, alongside a notable reduction in grooming time. Moreover, empagliflozin significantly restored the antioxidants level specifically Glutathione (GSH) and Catalase (CAT) in OBX insulted rat brain and decreased Lipid peroxidase (LPO). Notably, molecular docking study demonstrated a good binding affinity of empagliflozin for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), suggesting that its antidepressant effects may be mediated through the modulation of the BDNF pathway. These findings support the potential therapeutic application of empagliflozin for depression, particularly in cases associated with neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.
Association between TNF-α & IL-6 level changes and remission from depression with duloxetine treatment.
Suzuki E, Sueki A, Takahashi H … +2 more , Ishigooka J, Nishimura K
Int J Neurosci · 2026 Jan · PMID 39392051 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY: The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) involves multiple factors, including inflammatory processes. This study investigated the relationship between changes in the levels of cyto...
PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY: The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) involves multiple factors, including inflammatory processes. This study investigated the relationship between changes in the levels of cytokines and remission in patients with MDD following duloxetine treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDD patients were administered duloxetine for 16 weeks. Clinical evaluation and immunological monitoring were performed every 4 weeks. RESULTS: Our results indicated that changes in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were associated with remission following duloxetine treatment in MDD patients. There was a slight increase in TNF-α levels in the first four weeks following duloxetine treatment, which correlated significantly with patients who were in remission. Furthermore, patients in remission exhibited an initial increase in IL-6 levels in the first four weeks, followed by a decrease at 16 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an important relationship between changes in cytokine levels and remission in patients with major depression after duloxetine treatment.
The value of the systemic immune-inflammation index in assessing disease severity in autoimmune encephalitis.
Mao C, Cui X, Zhang S
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39320971 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a group of autoimmune diseases targeting the central nervous system, characterized by severe clinical symptoms and substantial consumption of medical resources. Neuroinflammati...
BACKGROUND: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a group of autoimmune diseases targeting the central nervous system, characterized by severe clinical symptoms and substantial consumption of medical resources. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in disease progression, and detecting inflammatory responses can provide insights into disease status and disease severity. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), a novel marker of inflammatory status, has been rarely studied in AE. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data from AE patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2019 and September 2023 was conducted. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to assess the association between SII and patient severity. Nomograms for predicting AE severity were established, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis were employed to evaluate predictive accuracy. Additionally, the Clinical Assessment Scale in Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE) score was used to assess patient severity. RESULTS: This study enrolled 157 patients, of whom 57 were classified as severe according to the CASE score. SII, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell counts, disturbance of consciousness, and behavioural abnormalities independently associated with the occurrence of severe cases. The C-index of the nomograms was 0.87, indicating strong association with disease severity, as supported by the calibration. Additionally, SII levels were highest within seven days of onset and decreased after one month. In subgroup analyses of different antibodies, SII also associations with severe cases in NMDAR encephalitis. CONCLUSIONS: Higher SII levels are associated with an increased likelihood of developing severe AE, peaking within 7 days of disease onset and decreasing thereafter, potentially offering a prognostic marker to assess disease progression early in its course.
RGS4 inhibits glioma cells sensitivity to radiotherapy and temozolomide by regulating ferroptosis.
Zhu H, Qian C, Ge Y … +3 more , Huang W, Zhang H, Zong D
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39282903 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy is the major means in the treatment of gliomas followed by surgery. Ferroptosis has been shown to play an important role in carcinogenesis by many studies. However, its underlying effect on...
BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy is the major means in the treatment of gliomas followed by surgery. Ferroptosis has been shown to play an important role in carcinogenesis by many studies. However, its underlying effect on chemoradiotherapy sensitivity in gliomas remains unclear. METHODS: The genetic and clinical information and ferroptosis-related genes were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was used to perform hub gene expression and survival analysis. Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8), colony formation, 5-Ethynyl-2'-Deoxyuridine (EdU), Transwell and chemoradiotherapy sensitivity experiments were performed to confirm the biological function of RGS4 in glioma cells. The molecular mechanism of RGS4 on ferroptosis in gliomas was explored RESULTS: 385 ferroptosis-related genes were identified bioinformatics analysis. 16 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified as radiation-related genes. Among them, RGS4, HSPA5, and SLC40A1 had prognostic values in further analysis. The calculated risk score could significantly distinguish the high-risk population. Moreover, RGS4 expression was closely related with immune infiltration and regulators. RGS4 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation and migration of glioma cells. Down-regulation of RGS4 expression induced ferroptosis to promote cancer sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: A three-gene signature was developed in a risk-score model, which could be used to predict the prognosis of glioma patients. RGS4 is dysregulated in many types of cancers, and is a candidate prognostic biomarker for many types of cancers. Moreover, RGS4 may be a target for predicting and enhancing the chemoradiotherapy sensitivity of gliomas.
Temporal trends and regional variations in mortality related to Guillain-Barré syndrome in the United States: a retrospective study from 1999 to 2020.
Nadeem ZA, Ashraf H, Ashfaq H … +5 more , Fatima E, Larik MO, Ur Rehman O, Ashraf A, Nadeem A
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39235145 · Publisher ↗
AIM: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder, with an estimated 6.4% increase in cases worldwide from 1990 to 2019. We aim to identify the GBS-related mortality trends in the US stratified by...
AIM: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder, with an estimated 6.4% increase in cases worldwide from 1990 to 2019. We aim to identify the GBS-related mortality trends in the US stratified by age, sex, race, and region. METHODS: We used data from the CDC-WONDER database to calculate crude (CMR) and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1,000,000 people. We examined the temporal trends through annual percent change (APC) and the average annual percent change (AAPC) in rates using Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2020, a total of 10,097 GBS-related deaths occurred in the US. The AAMR decreased till 2014 (APC: -1.91) but increased back to initial levels by 2020 (APC: 3.77). AAMR was higher in males (1.7) than females (1.1), decreasing till 2015 for females and 2014 for males, but increasing thereafter only for females. Non-Hispanic (NH) American Indians or Alaska Natives displayed the highest AAMR (1.8) while NH Asians or Pacific Islanders displayed the lowest (0.6). AAMRs also varied by region (West: 1.5; South: 1.5; Midwest: 1.4; Northeast: 1.1). Rural regions exhibited a higher AAMR (1.7) than urban regions (1.3). Most deaths occurred in medical facilities (60.99%). The adults aged ≥85 years exhibited an alarmingly high CMR (14.0). CONCLUSIONS: While the mortality rates for GBS initially declined till 2014, they climbed back up afterwards. Highest mortality was exhibited by males and NH American Indians or Alaska Natives, residents of rural regions, and adults ≥85 years. Equitable efforts are needed to reduce the burden on high-risk populations.
Exploring the link among injury severity, white matter connectivity and psychosocial outcomes in pediatric TBI: a probabilistic tractography approach.
Thomas PA, Bolton SH, Ontiveros F … +7 more , Mattson WI, Vannatta K, Lo W, Wilde EA, Cunningham WA, Yeates KO, Hoskinson KR
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39235059 · Full text
AIM: We examined associations among injury severity, white matter structural connectivity within functionally defined brain networks and psychosocial/adaptive outcomes in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHO...
AIM: We examined associations among injury severity, white matter structural connectivity within functionally defined brain networks and psychosocial/adaptive outcomes in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHOD: Participants included 58 youths (39 male) with complicated-mild TBI (cmTBI; = 12, age = 12.6 ± 2.0), moderate/severe TBI (msTBI; = 16, age = 11.4 ± 2.9) and a comparison group with orthopedic injury (OI; = 24, age = 11.7 ± 2.1), at least 1 year post-injury. Participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging and parents rated children's behavioral and adaptive function on the CBCL and ABAS-3, respectively. Probabilistic tractography quantified streamline density. Group differences were analyzed for structural connectivity and behavioral outcomes. RESULTS: Groups differed in structural connectivity within regions of the default mode and central executive networks (s < .05, FDR corrected). The msTBI group displayed decreased connectivity relative to cmTBI and OI, whereas the cmTBI group displayed increased connectivity relative to msTBI and OI. Similar patterns emerged in several behavioral domains. Ordinary least squares path analyses showed that structural connectivity mediated the relationship between injury severity and multiple parent-reported outcomes for msTBI. INTERPRETATION: White matter structural connectivity may explain unique variance in long-term psychosocial and adaptive outcome in children with TBI, particularly in cases of moderate-to-severe injury.
Fluctuations in resting motor threshold during electroconvulsive and magnetic seizure therapy.
Liu C, Liu S, Hu X … +2 more , Guo Z, Xu Y
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39230589 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is more benign than electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in terms of cognitive impairment. However, whether these two 'artificial seizures' facilitate the central motor neural pathwa...
OBJECTIVES: Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is more benign than electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in terms of cognitive impairment. However, whether these two 'artificial seizures' facilitate the central motor neural pathway and the motor cortical effects have not been investigated. The study aimed to compare the effects of ECT and MST on motor-evoked potential (MEP) in patients with mental disorders. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with mental disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder type II and schizophrenia [SCZ]) received 6 treatment sessions of vertex MST 6 bifrontal ECT treatments in a nonrandomized comparative clinical design. Data on the duration of motor seizures were collected for each treatment. MEP latency and the resting motor threshold (rMT) were measured at baseline and after every two treatments. Comparisons were performed between or within the groups. RESULTS: Seizure durations were significantly longer in the ECT group compared to the MST group across multiple sessions. Both MST and ECT demonstrated a significant reduction in rMT in the left and right hemispheres after the fourth (T3) and sixth treatments (T4) compared to baseline (T1). However, there were no significant changes in MEP latency within or between the groups throughout the treatment sessions. The only difference was that the rMT in the left cerebral hemisphere was significantly lower after T4 than after the second treatment (T2). There was no difference in rMT between the ECT and MST groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both ECT and MST facilitate the central motor pathway, with a shared mechanism of increased motor cortex excitability.
Dual stimulation with iTBS-cTBS treatment in postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report.
Zhang Y, Suo X, Pan L … +4 more , Wang X, Xu W, Xu J, Gao J
Int J Neurosci · 2025 Dec · PMID 39216010 · Publisher ↗
AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to present a case of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) and continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) dual stimulation for the treatment of postpartum obsessive-compulsive diso...
AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to present a case of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) and continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) dual stimulation for the treatment of postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The objective was to provide a referenceable therapy in cases where medication and psychotherapy treatment are not preferred or contraindicated. This case further emphasized the importance of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques in improving the condition of postpartum OCD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 32-year-old female was diagnosed with OCD 2 months after delivery. The patient refused to take medication and psychotherapy due to concerns that it would interfere with the infant's breastfeeding. Subsequently, a 2-week combined iTBS and cTBS treatment was carried out. The patient's obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety, and depression improved. There were no significant adverse effects during the treatment, and the treatment effect remained 2 weeks after the end of the treatment. CONCLUSION: This clinical case provides evidence that the combined iTBS and cTBS treatment can potentially effectively alleviate obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the short term. Notably, this therapeutic approach may offer a promising solution for postpartum OCD patients, as it addresses practical concerns such as medication safety for breastfeeding mothers and the specific needs of this population. To further establish the efficacy of this combined therapy, future randomized controlled trials with large samples and long-term follow-up are warranted to validate its therapeutic potential.
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