Loss of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor delta PTPRD increases the number of cortical neurons, impairs synaptic function and induces autistic-like behaviors in adult mice.

BACKGROUND: The brain cortex is responsible for many higher-level cognitive functions. Disruptions during cortical development have long-lasting consequences on brain function and are associated with the etiology of brain disorders. We previously found that the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor delta Ptprd, which is genetically associated with several human neurodevelopmental disorders, is essential to cortical brain development. Loss of Ptprd expression induced an aberrant increase of excitatory neurons in embryonic and neonatal mice by hyper-activating the pro-neurogenic receptors TrkB and PDGFRß in neural precursor cells. However, whether these alterations have long-lasting consequences in adulthood remains unknown. RESULTS: Here, we found that in Ptprd+/- or Ptprd-/- mice, the developmental increase of excitatory neurons persists through adulthood, affecting excitatory synaptic function in the medial prefrontal cortex. Likewise, heterozygosity or homozygosity for Ptprd also induced an increase of inhibitory cortical GABAergic neurons and impaired inhibitory synaptic transmission. Lastly, Ptprd+/- or Ptprd-/- mice displayed autistic-like behaviors and no learning and memory impairments or anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that loss of Ptprd has long-lasting effects on cortical neuron number and synaptic function that may aberrantly impact ASD-like behaviors.

Non-canonical type 1 cannabinoid receptor signaling regulates night visual processing in the inner rat retina.

Type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) are expressed in major retinal neurons within the rod-pathway suggesting a role in regulating night visual processing, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using acute rat retinal slices, we show that CB1R activation reduces glutamate release from rod bipolar cell (RBC) axon terminals onto AII and A17 amacrine cells through a pathway that requires exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC1/2) signaling. Consequently, CB1R activation abrogates reciprocal GABAergic feedback inhibition from A17 amacrine cells. Moreover, the activation of CB1Rs in vivo enhances and prolongs the time course of the dim-light rod-driven visual responses, an effect that was eliminated when both GABAA and GABAC receptors were blocked. Altogether, our findings underscore a non-canonical mechanism by which cannabinoid signaling regulates RBC dyad synapses in the inner retina to regulate dim-light visual responses to fine-tune night vision.

Deep Learning Techniques to Characterize the RPS28P7 Pseudogene and the Metazoa-SRP Gene as Drug Potential Targets in Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

The molecular explanation about why some pancreatic cancer (PaCa) patients die early and others die later is poorly understood. This study aimed to discover potential novel markers and drug targets that could be useful to stratify and extend expected survival in prospective early-death patients. We deployed a deep learning algorithm and analyzed the gene copy number, gene expression, and protein expression data of death versus alive PaCa patients from the GDC cohort. The genes with higher relative amplification (copy number >4 times in the dead compared with the alive group) were EWSR1, FLT3, GPC3, HIF1A, HLF, and MEN1. The most highly up-regulated genes (>8.5-fold change) in the death group were RPL30, RPL37, RPS28P7, RPS11, Metazoa_SRP, CAPNS1, FN1, H3-3B, LCN2, and OAZ1. None of their corresponding proteins were up or down-regulated in the death group. The mRNA of the RPS28P7 pseudogene could act as ceRNA sponging the miRNA that was originally directed to the parental gene RPS28. We propose RPS28P7 mRNA as the most druggable target that can be modulated with small molecules or the RNA technology approach. These markers could be added as criteria to patient stratification in future PaCa drug trials, but further validation in the target populations is encouraged.

Enhanced Astrocyte Activity and Excitatory Synaptic Function in the Hippocampus of Pentylenetetrazole Kindling Model of Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures. The interaction between astrocytes and neurons has been suggested to play a role in the abnormal neuronal activity observed in epilepsy. However, the exact way astrocytes influence neuronal activity in the epileptogenic brain remains unclear. Here, using the PTZ-induced kindling mouse model, we evaluated the interaction between astrocyte and synaptic function by measuring astrocytic Ca2+ activity, neuronal excitability, and the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the hippocampus. Compared to control mice, hippocampal slices from PTZ-kindled mice displayed an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels and an abnormal pattern of intracellular Ca2+-oscillations, characterized by an increased frequency of prolonged spontaneous transients. PTZ-kindled hippocampal slices also showed an increase in the E/I ratio towards excitation, likely resulting from an augmented release probability of excitatory inputs without affecting inhibitory synapses. Notably, the alterations in the release probability seen in PTZ-kindled slices can be recovered by reducing astrocyte hyperactivity with the reversible toxin fluorocitrate. This suggests that astroglial hyper-reactivity enhances excitatory synaptic transmission, thereby impacting the E/I balance in the hippocampus. Altogether, our findings support the notion that abnormal astrocyte-neuron interactions are pivotal mechanisms in epileptogenesis.

Deletion of VPS50 protein in mice brain impairs synaptic function and behavior.

VPS50, is an accessory protein, involved in the synaptic and dense core vesicle acidification and its alterations produce behavioral changes in C.elegans. Here, we produce the mosaic knock out (mKO) of VPS50 using CRISPR/Cas9 system in both cortical cultured neurons and whole animals to evaluate the effect of VPS50 in regulating mammalian brain function and behavior. While mKO of VPS50 does not change the number of synaptic vesicles, it produces a mislocalization of the V-ATPase pump that likely impact in vesicle acidification and vesicle content to impair synaptic and neuronal activity in cultured neurons. In mice, mKO of VPS50 in the hippocampus, alter synaptic transmission and plasticity, and generated robust cognitive impairments associate to memory formation. We propose that VPS50 is an accessory protein that aids the correct recruitment of the V-ATPase pump to synaptic vesicles, thus having a crucial role controlling synaptic vesicle acidification and hence synaptic transmission.

Ca2+- and Voltage-Activated K+ (BK) Channels in the Nervous System: One Gene, a Myriad of Physiological Functions.

BK channels are large conductance potassium channels characterized by four pore-forming α subunits, often co-assembled with auxiliary ß and γ subunits to regulate Ca2+ sensitivity, voltage dependence and gating properties. BK channels are abundantly expressed throughout the brain and in different compartments within a single neuron, including axons, synaptic terminals, dendritic arbors, and spines. Their activation produces a massive efflux of K+ ions that hyperpolarizes the cellular membrane. Together with their ability to detect changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, BK channels control neuronal excitability and synaptic communication through diverse mechanisms. Moreover, increasing evidence indicates that dysfunction of BK channel-mediated effects on neuronal excitability and synaptic function has been implicated in several neurological disorders, including epilepsy, fragile X syndrome, mental retardation, and autism, as well as in motor and cognitive behavior. Here, we discuss current evidence highlighting the physiological importance of this ubiquitous channel in regulating brain function and its role in the pathophysiology of different neurological disorders.

Psychological first aid teaching and training for healthcare professionals. Its importance in the COVID-19 context

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly made us reflect on, among other things, the evident failures of the healthcare system, including the gaps detected in undergraduate and graduate training. One of the points that must be strengthened includes teaching psychological first aid as a humanitarian support technique for people in crisis situations. As has been shown in the context of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, there is a high psychosocial and emotional component that must be treated by the professional who has the first contact with the affected person. The importance of including psychological first aid in healthcare training, then, is for all staff responding to the emergency to be able to implement it, and not necessarily and exclusively a psychologist. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2234).

No cabe duda que la actual pandemia de COVID-19, ha hecho reflexionar entre otras cosas, sobre las evidentes falencias del sistema de salud, incluyendo los vacíos detectados durante la formación de pregrado y postgrado. Uno de estos puntos a fortalecer, incluye la enseñanza de pri meros auxilios psicológicos como técnica de apoyo humanitario a personas en situación de crisis. Como se ha comprobado en el contexto de la pandemia de SARS-COV2, existe un alto componente psicosocial y emocional que debe ser tratado por el profesional que tiene el primer contacto con la persona afectada. La importancia de incluir primeros auxilios psicológicos en la formación de salud, radica entonces en que puedan ser ejecutados por todo el personal que atiende dicha emergencia, y no necesaria y exclusivamente por un psicólogo. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2234).

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Function at Central Synapses in Health and Disease.

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a ligand-gated nonselective cation channel, is well known for mediating heat and pain sensation in the periphery. Increasing evidence suggests that TRPV1 is also expressed at various central synapses, where it plays a role in different types of activity-dependent synaptic changes. Although its precise localizations remain a matter of debate, TRPV1 has been shown to modulate both neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminals and synaptic efficacy in postsynaptic compartments. In addition to being required in these forms of synaptic plasticity, TRPV1 can also modify the inducibility of other types of plasticity. Here, we highlight current evidence of the potential roles for TRPV1 in regulating synaptic function in various brain regions, with an emphasis on principal mechanisms underlying TRPV1-mediated synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity. Finally, we discuss the putative contributions of TRPV1 in diverse brain disorders in order to expedite the development of next-generation therapeutic treatments.

Using hypnoanalysis and guided imagery to identify and manage emotional aspects of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: To date, no studies have used hypnosis to examine and manage the potential emotional causes of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the scientific field; therefore, we decided to compare the effectiveness of hypnoanalysis and guided imagery for determining and manage these emotional causes. METHODS: Fifteen participants with severe MS were included and assigned into 2 groups: hypnoanalysis and guided imagery. In the hypnoanalysis group, the participants underwent 10 hypnotic sessions to understand events related to the cause of the disease, which were restructured (the events were modified by adding the psychological resources that each involved person needed); in addition, other techniques were used to investigate the causes and solutions according to the participants' unconscious. The guided imagery group received 10 group sessions of body relaxation and guided imagery, which were recorded for practice at home. Outcome measures, namely, disability (the Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS), quality of life (QoL, measured with the SF-36) and number of relapses, were evaluated 4 months previous the intervention, at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 months later. RESULTS: Hypnoanalysis revealed that stressful events and psychoemotional maladaptive patterns acted as causal, detonating, or aggravating factors of disease, and psychoemotional changes were the most frequent and varied solutions. No changes were observed in disability between the two groups. The guided imagery group showed an improvement in 2 subscales of QoL when compared with the hypnoanalysis group (which disappeared at the follow-up); this difference is probably due to the increased number of sessions and probably due to psychoemotional maladaptive patterns being more frequently mentioned than difficult circumstances in life and/or unsolved past events. However, the techniques used in hypnoanalysis were effective in understanding the potential emotional causes of MS, which showed high intra- and inter-participant consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The daily use of guided imagery overcame the restructuring of negative past events to improve QoL in patients with MS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12618002024224 (retrospectively registered).

Psychological responses to COVID-19 in a Mexican population: an exploratory study during second and third phases.

This work constitutes an exploratory study during the second and third phases of COVID-19 in Mexico, characterized by local transmission and untraceable cases, respectively, with an incidental sample of 666 participants. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale was used to assess depression, anxiety and stress associated to COVID-19. Additionally, the Impact of the Event Scale-Revised was applied to assess the impact of the event, and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was employed to assess resilience. Participants' levels of traumatic impact (21.7%), severe depression (7%), severe anxiety (9.4%) and severe stress (5.4%) were revealed to be lower than other populations. Comparison of means and effect size η2p of the data shows that women and young people (18-39 years) suffer the greatest negative effects. Individuals with higher levels of resilience experience fewer psychological consequences confirming its importance in the face of the adversities. These findings provide valuable information on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Mexican population, allowing a comparative analysis at an international level which can be helpful in the development of appropriate sanitary policies.

Impacto psicológico de la pandemia COVID-19 en cinco países de Latinoamérica / Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on five Latin American countries

Resumen Introducción: El distanciamiento social y la cuarentena han probado tener efectos negativos en la salud mental de las poblaciones, a saber: miedo, ansiedad, depresión y sintomatología de estrés postraumático. La resiliencia emerge como variable amortiguadora del impacto. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el impacto psicológico del COVID-19 en varios países latinoamericanos. Método: se obtuvo una muestra de 1184 participantes de México, Cuba, Chile, Colombia y Guatemala; cuya edad osciló entre 18 y 83 años (M = 38.78, DT = 13.81). Se aplicó una encuesta sobre síntomas médicos asociados al COVID-19 con tres instrumentos para evaluar: (1) síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, (2) impacto del evento y (3) resiliencia. Resultados: Las personas más jóvenes, con mayor cantidad de síntomas médicos y con mayores puntajes de impacto del evento tienden a presentar mayor sintomatología depresiva, ansiosa y estrés, siendo el impacto del evento el predictor más determinante. La resiliencia fue el predictor protector contra la depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran las diferencias en la respuesta psicológica ante la pandemia del COVID-19 en cada país, y sugieren la necesidad del desarrollo de políticas públicas enfocadas en la prevención y la promoción de la salud integral ante emergencias sanitarias.

Abstract Introduction: Social distancing and quarantine have proven to have negative effects on the mental health of populations, namely fear, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Resilience emerges as a buffering variable for such impact. The objective of this study was to compare the psychological impact of COVID-19 in several Latin American countries. Method: A sample of 1184 participants from Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Colombia and Guatemala was obtained; whose age ranged from 18 to 83 years old (M = 38.78, SD = 13.81). A survey on medical symptoms associated with COVID-19 and three instruments to evaluate: (1) depression, anxiety and stress, (2) impact of the event and (3) resilience were administered. Results: Younger people, with more symptoms associated with COVID-19 and those who reported higher scores of impact of event tended to present greater depressive, anxious and stress symptomatology. The impact of the event was the most determinant predictor. Resilience was protective against the impact of event, depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusions: The results show the differences in the psychological response to COVID-19 in each country and suggesting the need to develop public policies focused on prevention and promotion of integral health when facing sanitary emergencies.

Determinantes sociales y salud mental en el manejo del duelo en tiempos de COVID-19 / Social determinants and mental health in the management of grief in COVID-19 times

RESUMEN La pandemia de COVID-19, sin lugar a dudas, ha dejado marcas profundas en la salud mental individual y colectiva. Aunque ciertamente el SARS- Cov2 es una enfermedad que no discrimina edad, sexo, estatus social, clase económica etc., si se ha evidenciado que ciertos determinantes sociales influyen altamente en su riesgo de mortalidad. Por tanto, estas muertes no serán vistas de la misma manera por todas las personas, sino que dependerá del contexto social en que ellas se devuelven. El manejo del proceso normal de duelo luego de una pérdida nunca es fácil, mucho menos si de por medio se encuentra la actual emergencia sanitaria y los problemas psicosociales que ésta conlleva.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly left deep marks on individual and collective mental health. Although SARS-Cov2 is certainly a disease that does not discriminate age, sex, social status, economic class, etc., it has been shown that certain social determinants highly influence their risk of mortality. Therefore, these deaths will not be seen in the same way by all people, but will depend on the social context in which they exist. Managing the normal grieving process after a loss is never easy, much less if the current health emergency and the psychosocial problems that it entails are involved.

Estadística epidemiológica del suicidio adolescente durante confinamiento por pandemia de Covid-19 en Ecuador / Epidemiological statistics of adolescent suicide during confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Ecuador

Objetivo:Presentar las características del suicidio adolescente, durante el periodo de connamiento por pandemia en el año 2020 en el Ecuador, para con su conocimiento atender las necesidades de salud mental en este grupo etario. Método:Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal retrospectivo, con la información de la base de datos de muertes violentas del Ministerio de Gobierno, desde el 17 de marzo al 13 de septiembre que duró el estado de excepción. El análisis se llevó a cabo por provincia, sexo, edad, método de suicidio y frecuencia en días de ocurrido el evento. Se estimó la tasa de mortalidad de suicidio (por 100 000 habitantes) para cada provincia. Todos estos resultados se compararon con estadísticas del 2019 durante el mismo periodo de tiempo. Resultados: Durante el connamiento por estado de excepción en el año 2020 en el Ecuador, se registraron 97 suicidios en adolescentes de entre 10 a 19 años de edad. Se estimó el número más alto en varones de 15 a 19 años, siendo la edad más frecuente a los 19. El día con más frecuencia de levantamiento de cadáveres fueron los lunes, y el modo preferido de suicidio fue la ahorcadura con 81 casos reportados, seguido con diferencia de la intoxicación y envenenamiento. Conclusiones:Las características del suicidio adolescente durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en Ecuador indican que merece una atención especial en nuestro medio, al tratarse de un problema de salud pública.

Objective: To present the characteristics of adolescent suicide, during the period of connement due to pandemic in 2020 in Ecuador, in order to satisfy the mental health needs of this age group with their knowledge. Method:Observational, descriptive, cut-off study It was carried out. Cross-sectional retrospective, with information from the database of violent deaths of the Ministry of Government, from March 17 to September 13, which lasted the state of emergency. The analysis was carried out by province, sex, age, suicide method and frequency in days after the occurrence of the event. The suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) was estimated for each province. All of these results were compared to 2019 statistics for the same time period. Results: During the connement due to a state of exception in 2020 in Ecuador, 97 suicides were registered in adolescents between 10 and 19 years old. The highest number was estimated in males between 15 and 19 years of age, with the most frequent age being 19. The most frequent day of removal of corpses was Monday and the preferred form of suicide was hanging with 81 reported cases. followed by much by intoxication and poisoning. Conclusions:Adolescent suicide deserves special attention in our environment, as it is a public health problem, inuenced by various psychological and emotional factors, which can be neglected in a context of pandemic and isolation. They are, therefore, essential psychosocial interventions aimed at mitigating the mental effects of the pandemic and connement, as well as promoting prevention and mental health programs in the adolescent population.

Precautionary Behaviors during the Second and Third Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparative Study in the Latin American Population.

The population's behavioral responses to containment and precautionary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have played a fundamental role in controlling the contagion. A comparative analysis of precautionary behaviors in the region was carried out. A total of 1184 people from Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, and Guatemala participated through an online survey containing a questionnaire on sociodemographic factors, precautionary behaviors, information about COVID-19, concerns, maintenance of confinement, and medical symptoms associated with COVID-19. Cubans reported the highest scores for information about COVID-19. Colombians reported less frequent usage of precautionary measures (e.g., use of masks), but greater adherence to confinement recommendations in general, in contrast to the low levels of these behaviors in Guatemalans. Chileans reported greater pandemic-related concerns and the highest number of medical symptoms associated with COVID-19. These findings allow a partial characterization of the Latin American population's responses during the second and third phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the importance of designing and managing public health policies according to the circumstances of each population when facing pandemics.

Use of mandibular advancement devices for the treatment of primary snoring with or without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): A systematic review.

The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the available scientific evidence on the benefit of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) in the treatment of primary snoring (PS). From 905 initially identified articles, 18 were selected. Papers that provided indirect information regarding obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and/or sleep breathing disorders (SBD) were included. Information was obtained on monoblock and duoblock appliances from the selected studies. The devices were most commonly able to achieve 50%-70% of the maximum mandibular protrusion. The frequently used outcome measurements were the apnea-hypopnea index, Epworth sleepiness scale, and oxygen desaturation index, which all yielded positive post-treatment results. The most common side effects were temporomandibular joint pain and excessive salivation, which improved with time. Our findings indicated that the use of MADs, even with varying designs, improved outcomes in all the reported patient populations (PS, OSAS, and SBD). Despite the lack of studies on PS, the available evidence supports the use of MADs for treatment of PS. Snoring should be treated from a preventive and psychosocial perspective to avoid progression to more severe diseases that could have a significant medical and economic impact.

Muscarinic Regulation of Spike Timing Dependent Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampus.

Long-term changes in synaptic transmission between neurons in the brain are considered the cellular basis of learning and memory. Over the last few decades, many studies have revealed that the precise order and timing of activity between pre- and post-synaptic cells ("spike-timing-dependent plasticity; STDP") is crucial for the sign and magnitude of long-term changes at many central synapses. Acetylcholine (ACh) via the recruitment of diverse muscarinic receptors is known to influence STDP in a variety of ways, enabling flexibility and adaptability in brain network activity during complex behaviors. In this review, we will summarize and discuss different mechanistic aspects of muscarinic modulation of timing-dependent plasticity at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the hippocampus to shape learning and memory.

Validación del "Índice de calidad de vida, versión en español" (QLISp) en una muestra mexicana / Validation of the Quality of Life Index, Spanish Version (QLI-Sp) in a Mexican sample

El objetivo de este estudio fue la validación del "Índice de calidad de vida, versión en español" (QLI-Sp), con una muestra no aleatoria de 3384 estudiantes del nivel técnico y universitario que informaron estar sanos, además, se recogieron datos de 386 estudiantes que informaron tener hipertensión. Se utilizó una batería de pruebas psicológicas que median calidad de vida, bienestar psicológico, satisfacción con la vida y estrés académico. Los análisis factoriales exploratorio y confirmatorio ratificaron la naturaleza unifactorial del QLI-Sp apoyando su uso para medir percepción de calidad de vida en estudiantes universitarios. La fiabilidad fue adecuada (alfa= 0.93). Para explorar más la validez del QLI-Sp, se examinaron los datos de 396 estudiantes que informaron hipertensión. El grupo relativamente sano tuvo puntuaciones más altas en todos los ítems del QLI-Sp en comparación con el grupo hipertenso. El modelo final indicó que la calidad de vida se relaciona de manera positiva con el bienestar psicológico (autopercepción, autonomía, dominio del entorno, propósito en la vida) y la satisfacción con la vida, y de manera negativa con el estrés académico

The objective of this study was the validation of the Spanish version of the Quality of Life Index. A non-random sample of 3384 technical and university level healthy students was selected, in addition, data were collected from 386 students who reported being hypertensive. A battery of psychological tests that mediate quality of life, psychological well-being and life satisfaction as well as a measure of academic stress were included. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the unifactorial nature of the QLI-Sp and support its use to measure perception of quality of life in university students. The reliability was adequate ( alpha=0.93). To further explore the validity of the QLI-Sp, data from 396 students who reported being hypertensive were examined. The relatively healthy group had higher scores on all QLI-Sp items relative to the hypertensive group. In the final model, positive correlations were found between the QLI-Sp items with psychological well-being (self-perception, autonomy, mastery of the environment, purpose in life), with satisfaction with life and negative correlation with academic stress

Relaxation with heat and procedural information to diminish anxiety in presurgical patients of hernia surgery.

Presurgical anxiety has been associated with postsurgical pain and complications, therefore we decided to compare two psychological interventions in order to reduce presurgical anxiety-state and pain in patients undergoing hernia surgery. Patients undergoing the presurgical consultation for hernia repair (umbilical or inguinal), were invited. The group of procedural information consisted in administering an informative brochure after the presurgical consultation, while the relaxation with heat group (RWH) consisted in giving a heat pack to the patients while asking them to think in the benefits of the surgery and instructions of relaxation were given, this was performed at the operating theater before surgery. Anxiety-state and pain levels were measured after presurgical consultation and a day after just before surgery. Ninety-five patients were included in 3 groups of study (control = 36, procedural information = 31 and RWH = 28); when we included only those individuals with moderate or high anxiety at the presurgical consultation, we found that procedural information (-4.72 ± 6.10) and RWH diminished anxiety (-9.29 ± 6.91) but only RWH group reached statistical significance when compared with control group (-9.29 ± 6.91 vs -0.56 ± 9.82, p = 0.007). In conclusion, RWH produced a significantly higher reduction of anxiety-state before hernia surgery.

Cannabinoid Signaling Selectively Modulates GABAergic Inhibitory Input to OFF Bipolar Cells in Rat Retina.

Purpose: In the mammalian retina, cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) are well-positioned to alter inhibitory synaptic function from amacrine cells and, thus, might influence visual signal processing in the inner retina. However, it is not known if CB1R modulates amacrine cells feedback inhibition at retinal bipolar cell (BC) terminals. Methods: Using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings, we examined the pharmacological effect of CB1R activation and inhibition on spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) and glutamate-evoked IPSCs (gIPSCs) from identified OFF BCs in light-adapted rat retinal slices. Results: Activation of CB1R with WIN55212-2 selectively increased the frequency of GABAergic, but not glycinergic sIPSC in types 2, 3a, and 3b OFF BCs, and had no effect on inhibitory activity in type 4 OFF BCs. The increase in GABAergic activity was eliminated in axotomized BCs and can be suppressed by blocking CB1R with AM251 or GABAA and GABAρ receptors with SR-95531 and TPMPA, respectively. In all OFF BC types tested, a brief application of glutamate to the outer plexiform layer elicited gIPSCs comprising GABAergic and glycinergic components that were unaffected by CB1R activation. However, blocking CB1R selectively increased GABAergic gIPSCs, supporting a role for endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of glutamate-evoked GABAergic inhibitory feedback to OFF BCs. Conclusions: CB1R activation shape types 2, 3a, and 3b OFF BC responses by selectively regulate GABAergic feedback inhibition at their axon terminals, thus cannabinoid signaling might play an important role in the fine-tuning of visual signal processing in the mammalian inner retina.