Role of Neural Stem Cells and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)-Mediated Cellular Signaling in the Mitigation of Neurological Diseases.

Specific stem cell-based therapies for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia are gaining importance in recent years. Accumulating data is providing further support by demonstrating the efficacy of neural stem cells in enhancing the neurogenesis in the aging brain. In addition to stem cells, recent studies have shown the efficacy of supplementing vitamin D in promoting neurogenesis and neuronal survival. Studies have also demonstrated the presence of mutational variants and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in neurological disorders; however, implications of these mutations in the pathophysiology and response to drug treatment are yet to be explored. Hence, in this article, we have reviewed recent reports pertaining to the role of neural stem cells and VDR-mediated cellular signaling cascades that are involved in enhancing the neurogenesis through Wnt/ß-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog pathways. This review benefits neurobiologists and pharmaceutical industry experts to develop stem cell-based and vitamin D-based therapies to better treat the patients suffering from neurological diseases.

Changes in Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Response to Short Term Isometric Exercise in Young Adults.

Ocular Perfusion Pressure (OPP) is the pressure difference between the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and theIntra Ocular Pressure (IOP). Decreased OPP could be a major risk factor for glaucoma. The aim is to study the effect ofIsometric exercise on OPP in apparently healthy young adults. Forty apparently healthy young adult volunteers comprising20 males and 20 females in the age group of 18-21 years were selected among MBBS Phase I students of JSS Medicalcollege, JSSU, Mysore. IOP and BP were recorded. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and OPP were calculated. There was astatistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean OPP before and after performing Isometric exercise and betweenmales (50.58±0.72 to 56.85±1.15 mm Hg) and females (49.35 ± 1.66 to 56.71 ± 1.61 mm Hg). Physical activity in the formof Isometric exercise improves ocular blood flow - OPP. Hence regular exercise of prescribed intensity may prove useful forglaucomatous patients which enhance their OPP.