cognitive impairment

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor expression is chronically decreased in the anterior cerebral cortex of male rats following repetitive low-level blast exposure

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Military Veterans exposed to blast explosions often develop long-term problems with memory, anxiety, and PTSD. Researchers found that in rats exposed to blast, a brain receptor called 5-HT2A becomes less active, particularly in the front part of the brain involved in thinking and emotions. This decrease in the receptor correlates with anxiety-like behaviors in the animals. Since psychedelic substances like psilocybin activate this same receptor, the findings suggest that such substances might help treat PTSD and cognitive problems in blast-injured Veterans.

Unveiling the Therapeutic Potentials of Mushroom Bioactive Compounds in Alzheimer’s Disease

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Mushrooms contain special compounds that may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows that eating mushrooms regularly could reduce the risk of memory problems and cognitive decline in older adults. These compounds work by reducing brain inflammation, protecting nerve cells, and helping the brain clear out harmful proteins. While these findings are promising, more human studies are needed to confirm how effective mushrooms are as an Alzheimer’s treatment.

Safety, feasibility, and tolerability of psilocybin in older adults with amnestic MCI: Preliminary data from a SV2a PET imaging study

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Researchers investigated whether psilocybin, a compound from certain mushrooms, could be safely used to treat memory problems in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. In this early-stage study, participants received either psilocybin or a placebo while researchers used brain imaging to measure changes in synaptic connections. The preliminary results suggest psilocybin was well-tolerated with manageable side effects like dizziness, and participants were able to complete the study without serious problems.

Long term worsening of amyloid pathology, cerebral function, and cognition after a single inoculation of beta-amyloid seeds with Osaka mutation

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Researchers found that a single exposure to mutated amyloid-beta proteins (Aβ Osaka) in the brains of genetically modified mice caused lasting damage over four months. The mutated proteins triggered more severe memory loss, brain connectivity problems, and synapse damage compared to normal amyloid-beta. This suggests that even one encounter with mutated amyloid proteins can set off a chain reaction of disease progression that persists long after initial exposure.

β-chitosan attenuates hepatic macrophage-driven inflammation and reverses aging-related cognitive impairment

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Researchers found that β-chitosan, a compound extracted from squid parietal bone, can reverse age-related memory and learning problems in mice, zebrafish, and worms. The compound works by reducing excessive inflammation in the liver and lowering inflammatory chemicals in the blood, which in turn reduces brain inflammation. This discovery suggests a direct connection between liver health and brain aging, and β-chitosan may offer a new therapeutic approach for age-related cognitive decline.

Erythropoietin restrains the inhibitory potential of interneurons in the mouse hippocampus

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Researchers studied how a protein called erythropoietin (EPO) affects brain cells called interneurons in the hippocampus, a region important for memory and learning. They found that EPO treatment reduces the inhibitory activity of certain interneurons, which makes the brain’s excitatory neurons more active. This change in brain balance could potentially help treat psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism that involve imbalanced brain activity.

Synaptic degeneration in the prefrontal cortex of a rat AD model revealed by volume electron microscopy

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Researchers used advanced microscopy techniques to examine brain tissue from rats with Alzheimer’s disease and compared it to healthy rats. They found that Alzheimer’s disease causes damage to connections between brain cells (synapses) in a brain region important for thinking and memory. Specifically, the connections were weaker and smaller, and many new spine-like structures formed but didn’t properly connect to other cells, suggesting the brain may be trying unsuccessfully to compensate for the disease.

Primary cilia in the mature brain: emerging roles in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis

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Primary cilia are small hair-like structures on brain cells that act like sensory antennas, helping regulate memory and thinking ability. In Alzheimer’s disease, these structures become abnormally shaped and function poorly, contributing to memory loss and cognitive decline. The shape and function of primary cilia change as the brain ages and when amyloid plaques develop, suggesting they could be targeted with new treatments to slow Alzheimer’s progression.

Research Keyword: cognitive impairment