Neural Integration of Audiovisual Sensory Inputs in Macaque Amygdala and Adjacent Regions / 神经科学通报·英文版

Integrating multisensory inputs to generate accurate perception and guide behavior is among the most critical functions of the brain. Subcortical regions such as the amygdala are involved in sensory processing including vision and audition, yet their roles in multisensory integration remain unclear. In this study, we systematically investigated the function of neurons in the amygdala and adjacent regions in integrating audiovisual sensory inputs using a semi-chronic multi-electrode array and multiple combinations of audiovisual stimuli. From a sample of 332 neurons, we showed the diverse response patterns to audiovisual stimuli and the neural characteristics of bimodal over unimodal modulation, which could be classified into four types with differentiated regional origins. Using the hierarchical clustering method, neurons were further clustered into five groups and associated with different integrating functions and sub-regions. Finally, regions distinguishing congruent and incongruent bimodal sensory inputs were identified. Overall, visual processing dominates audiovisual integration in the amygdala and adjacent regions. Our findings shed new light on the neural mechanisms of multisensory integration in the primate brain.

Structure of Gardenia Blue Pigment and Its Inhibitory Activity on Monoamine Oxidase B / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the chemical structure of gardenia blue pigment and its inhibitory activity against monoamine oxidase B （MAO-B）， in order to seek a potential feasible way for rational utilization and value enhancement of iridoids in Gardeniae Fructus. MethodIridoid glycosides in Gardeniae Fructus were hydrolyzed by cellulase to obtain their aglycones and reacted with amino acids. Then， the products were purified by column chromatography packed with D101 macroporous resin and preparative liquid chromatography to obtain gardenia blue pigments， and the gardenia blue pigments were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） and mass spectrometry （MS）. Benzylamine was used as the reaction substrate of MAO-B and in vitro incubated with gardenia blue pigment monomers， high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） was employed to determine the production of benzaldehyde for evaluating the inhibitory effect of gardenia blue pigments on MAO-B， the mobile phase was methanol （A） -50 mmol·L-1 potassium phosphate buffer （B， pH 3.2） （2∶3）， and the detection wavelength was 245 nm. ResultEight compounds of gardenia blue pigment A-H were synthesized and identified. In MAO-B inhibition test， compared with geniposide， the inhibitory activity of gardenia blue pigment D and E was significantly enhanced （P<0.05）. Compared with the 6β-hydroxygeniposide， the inhibitory activity of gardenia blue pigment G and H was significantly enhanced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. All the four gardenia blue pigments showed better MAO-B inhibitory activity than the prototype compounds. ConclusionGardenia blue pigment is a simple compound formed by one molecule of amino acid and one molecule of iridoid. Some gardenia blue pigments have better MAO-B inhibitory activity than the prototype compounds. The activity of gardenia blue pigment produced by different substrates is different， and the high-value gardenia blue pigment can be prepared based on experimental optimization， which can expand the application range of gardenia blue pigment and enrich the comprehensive utilization of iridoids from Gardeniae Fructus.

Estimulación de la médula espinal: una nueva estrategia terapéutica para restaurar la función motora / Spinal cord stimulation: a new therapeutic strategy to restore motor function

La estimulación de la Médula Espinal (EME) es una técnica de neuromodulación que ha mostrado ser efectiva en el manejo de los trastornos motores propios de enfermedades tan devastadoras como la Enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) y las lesiones de la médula espinal. Considerando que ambas patologías cuentan con opciones terapéuticas limitadas, la EME se podría posicionar como una técnica prometedora. Los mecanismos por los cuales operaría la estimulación difieren en ambos casos, generando cambios en la circuitería espinal local en el caso de las lesiones medulares, y cambios supraespinales, en el caso de la EP. En esta revisión se busca analizar los efectos de la EME en ambas enfermedades, tanto en modelos animales como en pacientes, hacer una breve descripción de los mecanismos y aludir a los desafíos futuros propuestos para ambos casos. (AU)

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a neurophysiological technique that has shown to be effective in modulating motor dysfunction associated with devastating diseases such as: Parkinson's disease (PD) and spinal cord injuries. Considering that both pathologies have limited treatment options, SCS could be considered as a potential useful technique. The mechanism by which stimulation operates differs in both cases, generating changes in local circuits in the case of spinal cord injuries and supraspinal changes in PD. This review aims to analyze the effects of EES on both diseases, focusing in the results observed in animal models and patients, give a brief description of the mechanisms behind and postulate the future challenges proposed for SCS in both pathologies.(AU)