Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major cause of disability in adults worldwide. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is complex, involving both inflammatory and redox components triggered by the extravasation of blood into the cerebral parenchyma. Hemoglobin, heme, and iron released therein seem be important in the brain damage observed in ICH. However, there is a lack of information concerning hemoglobin traffic and metabolism in brain cells. Here, we investigated the fate of hemoglobin and heme in cultured neurons and astrocytes, as well as in the cortex of adult rats. Hemoglobin was made traceable by conjugation to Alexa 488, whereas a fluorescent heme analogue (tin-protoporphyrin IX) was prepared to allow heme tracking. Using fluorescence microscopy we observed that neurons were more efficient in uptake hemoglobin and heme than astrocytes. Exposure of cortical neurons to hemoglobin or heme resulted in an oxidative stress condition. Viability assays showed that neurons were more susceptible to both hemoglobin and heme toxicity than astrocytes. Together, these results show that neurons, rather than astrocytes, preferentially take up hemoglobin-derived products, indicating that these cells are actively involved in the ICH-associated brain damage.

Anxiety is a common symptom associated with high caffeine intake. Although the neurochemical mechanisms of caffeine-induced anxiety remain unclear, there are some evidences suggesting participation of oxidative stress. Based on these evidences, the current study is aimed at evaluating the possible protective effect of alpha-tocopherol (TPH) against anxiety-like behavior induced by caffeine (CAF) in zebrafish. Adult animals were treated with CAF (100 mg/kg) or TPH (1 mg/kg)+CAF before behavioral and biochemical evaluations. Oxidative stress in the zebrafish brain was evaluated by a lipid peroxidation assay, and anxiety-like behavior was monitored using light/dark preference and novel tank diving test. Caffeine treatment evoked significant elevation of brain MDA levels in the zebrafish brain, and TPH treatment prevented this increase. Caffeine treatment also induced anxiety-like behavior, while this effect was not observed in the TPH+CAF group. Taken together, the current study suggests that TPH treatment is able to inhibit oxidative stress and anxiety-like behavior evoked by caffeine.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease with motor symptoms that are well understood, but non-motor symptoms may be present and appear at different temporal stages of the disease. Physical activity based on dance movements is emerging as a complementary therapeutic approach to a range of PD symptoms as a multidimensional activity that requires rhythmic synchronization and more neuromuscular functions.Objective: To evaluate the effects of physical activity based on dance movements on the movement, executive functions, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and severity of PD in individuals diagnosed with PD.Methods: 13 individuals with PD (Hoehn & Yahr I-III, MDS-UPDRS 67.62 ± 20.83), underwent physical activity based on dance movements (2x week for 6 months). Participants were assessed at baseline and after 6 months on movement (POMA, TUG and MDS-UPDRS Part III), executive function (FAB), depressive symptoms (MADRS), quality of life (PDQ-39), and severity of PD (MDS-UPDRS TOTAL). Student’s t-test was used to compare pre and post-intervention results.Results: We observed a significant improvement in the movement (balance and gait) by the POMA test,p= 0.0207, executive function by the FAB test,p= 0.0074, abstract reasoning and inhibitory control by the FAB, Conceptualization test,p= 0.0062, and Inhibitory Control,p= 0.0064, depressive symptoms assessed by the MADRS test significantly reduced,p= 0.0214, and the quality of life by the PDQ-39 had a significant increase after the intervention,p= 0.0006, showed significant improvements between the pre-and post-intervention periods of physical activity based on dance movements.Conclusion: Physical activity based on dance movements contributed to significant improvements in movement (balance and gait), executive functions, especially in cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control, and the quality of life too. Sensorimotor integration, most cognitive processing and social skills may have contributed to the results.Trial registration: The study was registered in the Brazilian registry of clinical trials:RBR-3bhbrb5.

The main goal of the present work was to investigate the pattern of NADPH-diaphorase activity in the somatosensory cortex of the adult mouse. Our results show that this enzyme, which is responsible for the production of the neuronal messenger nitric oxide, is abundant within the neuropil of Sml cortex, revealing the complete pattern of barrel fields. A previous study, however, had reported that NADPH-diaphorase reactivity within the barrels was transient, disappearing after the second postnatal week. We hypothesize that the massive occurrence of NADPH-diaphorase in the barrel fields of the adult mouse brain is related to the potential for plastic changes in the somatosensory cortex that is maintained throughout maturity.

The plasticity of the central nervous system (CNS) allows the change of neuronal organization and function after environmental stimuli or adaptation after sensory deprivation. The so-called critical period (CP) for neuroplasticity is the time window when each sensory brain region is more sensitive to changes and adaptations. This time window is usually different for each primary sensory area: somatosensory (S1), visual (V1), and auditory (A1). Several intrinsic mechanisms are also involved in the start and end of the CP for neuroplasticity; however, which is its duration in S1, VI, and A1? This systematic review evaluated studies on the determination of these time windows in small rodents. The careful study selection and methodological quality assessment indicated that the CP for neuroplasticity is different among the sensory areas, and the brain maps are influenced by environmental stimuli. Moreover, there is an overlap between the time windows of some sensory areas. Finally, the time window duration of the CP for neuroplasticity is predominant in S1.