scholarly journals Development of a New Polymeric Nanocarrier Dedicated to Controlled Clozapine Delivery at the Dopamine D2-Serotonin 5-HT1A Heteromers

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1000
Author(s):  
Sylwia Łukasiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Dopamine D2 ◽  
Targeted Transport ◽  
First Choice ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
Second Generation Antipsychotic ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Polymeric Nanocarrier

Clozapine, the second generation antipsychotic drug, is one of the prominent compounds used for treatment of schizophrenia. Unfortunately, use of this drug is still limited due to serious side effects connected to its unspecific and non-selective action. Nevertheless, clozapine still remains the first-choice drug for the situation of drug-resistance schizophrenia. Development of the new strategy of clozapine delivery into well-defined parts of the brain has been a great challenge for modern science. In the present paper we focus on the presentation of a new nanocarrier for clozapine and its use for targeted transport, enabling its interaction with the dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A heteromers (D2-5-HT1A) in the brain tissue. Clozapine polymeric nanocapsules (CLO-NCs) were prepared using anionic surfactant AOT (sodium docusate) as an emulsifier, and bio-compatible polyelectrolytes such as: poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) and poly-L-lysine (PLL). Outer layer of the carrier was grafted by polyethylene glycol (PEG). Several variants of nanocarriers containing the antipsychotic varying in physicochemical parameters were tested. This kind of approach may enable the availability and safety of the drug, improve the selectivity of its action, and finally increase effectiveness of schizophrenia therapy. Moreover, the purpose of the manuscript is to cover a wide scope of the issues, which should be considered while designing a novel means for drug delivery. It is important to determine the interactions of a new nanocarrier with many cell components on various cellular levels in order to be sure that the new nanocarrier will be safe and won’t cause undesired effects for a patient.

scholarly journals Unraveling the neurotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: focusing on molecular mechanisms

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 645-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Song ◽  
Yanli Zhang ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Xiaoli Feng ◽  
Ting Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Titanium Dioxide ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Brain Dysfunction ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Brain

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) possess unique characteristics and are widely used in many fields. Numerous in vivo studies, exposing experimental animals to these NPs through systematic administration, have suggested that TiO2 NPs can accumulate in the brain and induce brain dysfunction. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs remain unclear. However, we have concluded from previous studies that these mechanisms mainly consist of oxidative stress (OS), apoptosis, inflammatory response, genotoxicity, and direct impairment of cell components. Meanwhile, other factors such as disturbed distributions of trace elements, disrupted signaling pathways, dysregulated neurotransmitters and synaptic plasticity have also been shown to contribute to neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs. Recently, studies on autophagy and DNA methylation have shed some light on possible mechanisms of nanotoxicity. Therefore, we offer a new perspective that autophagy and DNA methylation could contribute to neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs. Undoubtedly, more studies are needed to test this idea in the future. In short, to fully understand the health threats posed by TiO2 NPs and to improve the bio-safety of TiO2 NPs-based products, the neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs must be investigated comprehensively through studying every possible molecular mechanism.

scholarly journals What is the effect of body’s chemical messengers in the brain?

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-618
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Geometry Optimization ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Delivery Technique ◽  
Normal Brain Function ◽  
Practical Model ◽  
The Brain

Neurochemical transmitters in the brain are fundamental to normal brain function and this investigation aims to introduce a study on the center of neuroscientific through an account of language development which conducts human speech mechanism using theoretical methods. In the process of this work, new understanding has been gained from the neurochemistry of several important neurotransmitters of dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EN), norepinephrine (NE), histamine (HA) and serotonin (ST) in brain by Monte Carlo simulation (MC) which uses the increased temperature to the potential energy of the neurochemicals in the brain considering the geometry optimization of the compounds as an additional conformational level. Moreover, the results of optimized DA, EN, NE, HA, ST neurochemical transmitters by running the physicochemical parameters as a practical model using Gaussian 09 program package can approve the twisting of language-brain due to these structures using density electron deliverers. The most stable of these compounds through the active sites of nitrogen and oxygen atoms has illustrated the best optimized position for localizing the structure through delivery technique in the brain to activate the center of learning a language as a simulated model. So, the best results with the calculated amounts conduct us to analyze the perspective of language learning process and enhancing this ability.

scholarly journals New Technologies of Motor Control and Rehabilitation

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albertas Skurvydas
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Computational Approach ◽  
Neural Cells ◽  
Motor Rehabilitation ◽  
Principal Mechanism ◽  
Brain Stroke ◽  
Computational Paradigm ◽  
The Brain

Modern paradigms of motor control and rehabilitation are analyzed in the paper. Two main paradigms, i. e. computational approach and dynamical system approach are engaged in rivalry in motor control and learning research at present. From the standpoint of computational paradigm the principal mechanism of motor control and learning consists in the ability of the brain “to calculate” (acting as some kind of biological computer). According to the paradigm of dynamical systems the mechanism of motor control is time dependent. In other words, it can be different each time. The main principles of motor control and properties of movements are given considerable attention in the paper. Besides, modern methods of motor rehabilitation after stroke are emphasized in the paper. Fitting of neuroprosthesis and restoration of damaged neural cells are significant maiden steps in modern science. The scientists are engaged in search for: a) constraining such mechanism prosthesis that would submit to the efforts of human will and b) restoring neural cells damaged because of the brain stroke suffered.Keywords: motor control, rehabilitation, stroke.

Mind, identity theory of

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Identity Theory ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Ontological Categories ◽  
Great Merit ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Brain

We know that the brain is intimately connected with mental activity. Indeed, doctors now define death in terms of the cessation of the relevant brain activity. The identity theory of mind holds that the intimate connection is identity: the mind is the brain, or, more precisely, mental states are states of the brain. The theory goes directly against a long tradition according to which mental and material belong to quite distinct ontological categories – the mental being essentially conscious, the material essentially unconscious. This tradition has been bedevilled by the problem of how essentially immaterial states could be caused by the material world, as would happen when we see a tree, and how they could cause material states, as would happen when we decide to make an omelette. A great merit of the identity theory is that it avoids this problem: interaction between mental and material becomes simply interaction between one subset of material states, namely certain states of a sophisticated central nervous system, and other material states. The theory also brings the mind within the scope of modern science. More and more phenomena are turning out to be explicable in the physical terms of modern science: phenomena once explained in terms of spells, possession by devils, Thor’s thunderbolts, and so on, are now explained in more mundane, physical terms. If the identity theory is right, the same goes for the mind. Neuroscience will in time reveal the secrets of the mind in the same general way that the theory of electricity reveals the secrets of lightning. This possibility has received enormous support from advances in computing. We now have at least the glimmerings of an idea of how a purely material or physical system could do some of the things minds can do. Nevertheless, there are many questions to be asked of the identity theory. How could states that seem so different turn out to be one and the same? Would neurophysiologists actually see my thoughts and feelings if they looked at my brain? When we report on our mental states what are we reporting on – our brains?

scholarly journals Rose Mentioned in the Works of Scientists of the Medieval East and Implications in Modern Science

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1701200
Author(s):  
K. Hüsnü Can Başer
Keyword(s):  
Brain Function ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Rosa Damascena ◽  
Ibn Sina ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cognitive Power ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Ancient Texts

Fragrant roses (e.g., Rosa damascena, R.gallica, R. centifolia) have been mentioned in ancient texts written by scientists of the Medieval East such as Al-Kindi (9th CE), Al-Dinawari (9th CE), Rhazes (9th CE), Az-Zahrawi (10th CE), Ibn Sina (11th CE), Al-Mizza (14th CE), and Ad-Dimasqi (14th CE). The great physician Ibn Sina emphasized the beneficial effects of rose fragrance on the heart and the brain. He praised rose water's effects on mind and spirit, and its beneficial effects on brain function and cognitive power. Modern studies have provided scientific evidence for this information.

Naturalism and Kantianism

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-123
Author(s):  
Valentin A. Bazhanov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Research ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
External Data ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Brain

An article by T. Rockmore, published in the journal “Epistemology and Philosophy of Science” in 2009 (Vol. XXII. No. 4, pp. 14‒29), claim that naturalism is by its nature an example of anti-Kantianism, for it treats philosophy as a continuation science and recognizes science as a legitimate source of knowledge, does not allow a priori, relies on an a posteriori approach, empiricism in the pre-Kantian sense, and insists on the possibility of revising the knowledge acquired. This article has a goal to show that T. Rockmore point of view should be revised due to the progress of modern cognitive research and, first of all, neuroscience, in which all the features of the naturalistic approach are implemented and in which the “Kantian program” of brain research is developed. In the context of this program, the existence on the ontological level (i.e., in the brain) of certain neural structures that make it possible and play a crucial role in the cognitive activity of a person is recognized. Those concepts that Kant treated as components of cognitive activity in modern neuroscience acquired ontological status in the form of the activity of certain neural structures, which turn out to be prerequisites and components of this activity. We claim that in the context of the Kantian research program in neuroscience, the metaphor “Kantian brain” naturally entered the vocabulary of neuroscientists, and certain specific operations and functions of the brain began to be associated with individual elements of Kant's ideas. It is in this context attempts are made to comprehend the mechanisms of the brain in the “stimulus – activity” mode, when an external effect leads to the excitation of certain neural structures. The brain is capable to anticipate the long-term results of certain actions of the subject. In the case of foresight, the brain generates “internal” models and uses for their correction external data that constantly provided from reality across the subject. At the same time, some kind of self-correcting mechanisms implements, which from a formal point of view described by the Bayes theorem, using a priori evaluations of upcoming events and changes in these evaluations as result of experience. Thus, naturalism and Kantianism understood in the context of the progress of modern science, despite T. Rockmore idea, are completely compatible.

Descartes’ Man Under Construction: The Circulatory Statue of Salomon Reisel, 1680

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-134
Author(s):  
Mattia Mantovani
Keyword(s):  
Blood Circulation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Blood Circulation System ◽  
Under Construction ◽  
Circulation Of The Blood ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Scientific Academies

Abstract This paper studies the “human circulatory statues” which Salomon Reisel designed in the 1670s in order to demonstrate the circulation of the blood and its effect on the brain. It investigates how Reisel intended this project to promote Descartes’ philosophy, and how it relates to contemporary diagrammatic schematizations of the blood circulation system. It further explores Reisel’s claims concerning the epistemological and practical advantages of working with a three-dimensional model and argues that Reisel intended his statua to address the concerns of his fellow physicians and, more specifically, to help in diagnostics. I consider the background, strategy and legacy of the essays in which Reisel presented his devices, as well as their relevance to the general project of the scien­tific journal – one of the earliest – in which they appeared, the Miscellanea Curiosa. Reisel was a leading physician who acted throughout his life as a mediator between the Royal Society and the Academia Naturæ Curiosorum. His articles, the paper argues, have much to tell us much about the role played by the recently established scientific academies and their journals in shaping the transmission of early modern science and medicine, in terms both of theories and of the knowledge embodied in scientific instruments.

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