Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to modify synaptic connections and reorganize neural circuits, underpinning cognitive function, emotional regulation, and recovery from injury. Recent advances have redefined adult neuroplasticity as more dynamic and therapeutically accessible than previously thought, spurring investigation into pharmacological interventions that can augment...
Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and oxidative stress represent important mechanisms that have been implicated in etiopathology of depression. Although first antidepressants were introduced in clinical practice more than six decades ago, approximately 30 % of patients with a diagnosis of depression show treatment resistance. A noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating mental illness with high morbidity and major social and economic burden. Currently, there is no promising therapy available for the treatment of PTSD. Some clinical studies showed that ketamine could effectively alleviate PTSD symptoms. However, it is still unclear which brain region ketamine targets and how it attenuates the PTSD-like...
Acute Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) injection increased ERK pathway (ERK, pCREB, and c-fos) mostly in the caudate putamen and cerebellum. This effect underwent to homeostatic adaptation after chronic treatment. Moreover, chronic THC exposure induced increases in the ERK cascade (ERK, pCREB, and Fos B) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, suggesting that different neuronal circuits...