The
locus
coeruleus
(LC)
is
an
important
noradrenergic
nucleus
that
has
recently
attracted
a
lot
of
attention
because
its
emerging
role
in
cognitive
and
psychiatric
disorders.
Although
previous
histological
studies
have
shown
the
LC
heterogeneous
connections
cellular
features,
no
yet
assessed
functional
topography
vivo,
how
this
heterogeneity
changes
over
aging
whether
it
associated
with
cognition
mood.
Here
we
employ
gradient-based
approach
to
characterize
organization
using
3T
resting-state
fMRI
population-based
cohort
aged
from
18
88
years
old
(Cambridge
Centre
for
Ageing
Neuroscience
cohort,
n=618).
We
show
exhibits
rostro-caudal
gradient
along
longitudinal
axis,
which
was
replicated
independent
dataset
(Human
Connectome
Project
7T
dataset,
n=184).
main
direction
consistent
across
age
groups,
spatial
features
varied
increasing
age,
emotional
memory
emotion
regulation.
More
specifically,
loss
rostral-like
connectivity,
more
clustered
greater
asymmetry
between
right
left
gradients
higher
worse
behavioral
performance.
Furthermore,
participants
higher-than-normal
Hospital
Anxiety
Depression
Scale
ratings
exhibited
alterations
as
well,
manifested
asymmetry.
These
results
provide
vivo
account
aging,
imply
are
relevant
markers
LC-related
measures
psychopathology.
npj Parkinson s Disease,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
11(1)
Published: Jan. 29, 2025
Non-motor
symptoms
(NMS)
in
Parkinson's
disease
(PD)
significantly
impact
quality
of
life,
especially
later
stages.
REM
sleep
behavior
disorder
(RBD)
affects
approximately
42%
all
PD
patients
and
frequently
precedes
motor
symptoms.
RBD
is
linked
to
increased
rates
depression
cognitive
decline.
This
study
explores
how
early
can
predict
the
development
NMS
profiles
patients,
comparing
those
with
without
RBD.
We
identified
a
unique
profile
associated
These
had
higher
rate
impairment
(M2
=
326.84,
p
<
0.001),
apathy
332.93,
hallucinations
480.05,
0.0001),
anxiety
(corrected
0.01),
impulse
control
disorders
77.577,
autonomic
dysfunction
(F
251.8,
0001).
A
survival
analysis
revealed
an
association
between
faster
progression
impairment.
may
play
critical
role
stratifying
for
targeted
interventions.
The
locus
coeruleus
(LC)
is
an
important
noradrenergic
nucleus
that
has
recently
attracted
a
lot
of
attention
because
its
emerging
role
in
cognitive
and
psychiatric
disorders.
Although
previous
histological
studies
have
shown
the
LC
heterogeneous
connections
cellular
features,
no
yet
assessed
functional
topography
vivo,
how
this
heterogeneity
changes
over
aging,
whether
it
associated
with
cognition
mood.
Here,
we
employ
gradient-based
approach
to
characterize
organization
aging
using
3T
resting-state
fMRI
population-based
cohort
aged
from
18
88
years
age
(Cambridge
Centre
for
Ageing
Neuroscience
cohort,
n=618).
We
show
exhibits
rostro-caudal
gradient
along
longitudinal
axis,
which
was
replicated
independent
dataset
(Human
Connectome
Project
[HCP]
7T
dataset,
n=184).
main
direction
consistent
across
groups,
spatial
features
varied
increasing
age,
emotional
memory,
emotion
regulation.
More
specifically,
loss
rostral-like
connectivity,
more
clustered
topography,
greater
asymmetry
between
right
left
gradients
higher
worse
behavioral
performance.
Furthermore,
participants
higher-than-normal
Hospital
Anxiety
Depression
Scale
(HADS)
ratings
exhibited
alterations
as
well,
manifested
asymmetry.
These
results
provide
vivo
account
imply
are
relevant
markers
LC-related
measures
psychopathology.
Biology of Sex Differences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: April 18, 2025
Abstract
Background
Brainstem
nuclei
play
a
critical
role
in
both
ascending
monoaminergic
modulation
of
cortical
function
and
arousal,
descending
bulbospinal
pain
modulation.
Even
though
sex-related
differences
the
systems
have
been
reported
animal
models,
complete
understanding
sex
differences,
as
well
menopausal
effects,
brainstem
connectivity
humans
is
lacking.
This
study
evaluated
resting-state
dorsal
raphe
nucleus,
right
left
locus
coeruleus
complex
(LCC),
periaqueductal
gray
(PAG)
according
to
status
healthy
individuals.
In
addition,
relationships
between
systemic
estrogen
levels
brainstem-network
were
examined
subset
participants.
Methods
Resting-state
fMRI
was
performed
47
male
(age,
31.2
±
8.0
years),
53
premenopausal
female
24.7
7.3
years;
22
follicular
phase,
31
luteal
phase),
20
postmenopausal
participants
54.6
7.2
years).
Permutation
Analysis
Linear
Models
(5000
permutations)
used
evaluate
status,
controlling
for
age.
10
males
17
females
(9
premenopausal;
8
postmenopausal),
metabolite
plasma
stool
determined
by
liquid
chromatography-mass
spectrometry/mass
spectrometry.
Relationships
partial
least
squares
analysis.
Results
Left
LCC-executive
control
network
showed
an
overall
difference
(p
=
0.02),
with
higher
than
males;
however,
this
mainly
due
0.008).
Additional
dependent
on
status:
PAG-default
mode
(DMN)
0.04),
PAG-sensorimotor
(SMN)
0.03)
0.007).
Notably,
free
2-hydroxyestrone
reliably
associated
PAG-SMN
PAG-DMN
<
0.01).
Conclusions
Healthy
show
involved
cognitive
control,
sensorimotor
function,
self-relevant
processes
males,
their
status.
Further,
2-hydroxyestrone,
implicated
pain,
may
modulate
PAG
females.
These
findings
relate
differential
vulnerabilities
chronic
stress-sensitive
disorders
at
different
life
stages.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
16(7), P. 8199 - 8212
Published: Feb. 12, 2024
Parkinson's
disease
(PD)
affects
millions
of
people's
lives
worldwide.
The
main
pathogenesis
PD
is
dopaminergic
neuron
necrosis
and
neuroinflammation
mediated
by
activated
microglia
cells.
In
recent
years,
the
anti-inflammatory
ability
neuroprotective
effects
miR-124
in
models
were
well
proved,
but
vivo
delivery
remains
challenging.
Herein,
we
report
a
protein
nanosystem
modified
with
brain-targeting
peptide
ApoE
that
could
efficiently
deliver
across
blood-brain
barrier
(BBB).
This
showed
good
cell
viability
on
brain
endothelial
cells
cells,
administration
this
significantly
decreased
loss,
as
recovered
parts
neurobehavioral
deficits.
peptide-based
holds
great
promise
for
RNA
therapeutics
to
realizing
protection
treatment.
Frontiers in Neurology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15
Published: July 22, 2024
A
longitudinal
study
was
conducted
to
investigate
whether
rapid
eye
movement
sleep
behavior
disorder
affect
depression
in
patients
with
Parkinson's
disease
through
activities
of
daily
living.
Current Opinion in Neurology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
37(4), P. 361 - 368
Published: June 17, 2024
Purpose
of
review
The
brainstem's
complex
anatomy
and
relatively
small
size
means
that
structural
functional
assessment
this
structure
is
done
less
frequently
compared
to
other
brain
areas.
However,
recent
years
have
seen
substantial
progress
in
brainstem
imaging,
enabling
more
detailed
investigations
into
its
function,
as
well
role
neuropathology.
Recent
findings
Advancements
ultrahigh
field
MRI
technology
allowed
for
unprecedented
spatial
resolution
facilitating
the
new
creation
brainstem-specific
atlases.
Methodological
improvements
significantly
enhanced
accuracy
physiological
(cardiac
respiratory)
noise
correction
within
imaging
studies.
These
technological
methodological
advancements
in-depth
analyses
anatomy,
including
quantitative
assessments
examinations
connectivity
both
gray
white
matter.
Furthermore,
studies,
activation
patterns
connectivity,
revealed
roles
specialized
functions
broader
neural
integration.
Notably,
these
identified
alterations
function
associated
with
various
neurological
disorders.
Summary
aforementioned
developments
a
greater
appreciation
importance
wider
context
neuroscience
clinical
neurology.
Research Square (Research Square),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Aug. 12, 2024
Abstract
Background
Brainstem
nuclei
play
a
critical
role
in
both
ascending
monoaminergic
modulation
of
cortical
function
and
arousal,
descending
bulbospinal
pain
modulation.
Even
though
sex-related
differences
the
systems
have
been
reported
animal
models,
complete
understanding
sex
differences,
as
well
menopausal
effects,
brainstem
connectivity
humans
is
lacking.
This
study
evaluated
resting-state
dorsal
raphe
nucleus
(DRN),
right
left
locus
coeruleus
complex
(LCC),
periaqueductal
gray
(PAG)
according
to
status
healthy
individuals.
In
addition,
relationships
between
systemic
estrogen
levels
brainstem-network
were
examined
subset
participants.
Methods
Resting-state
fMRI
was
performed
50
men
(age,
31.2
±
8.0
years),
53
premenopausal
women
24.7
7.3
years;
22
follicular
phase,
31
luteal
phase),
20
postmenopausal
54.6
7.2
years).
Permutation
Analysis
Linear
Models
(5000
permutations)
used
evaluate
status,
controlling
for
age.
10
17
(9
premenopausal;
8
postmenopausal),
metabolite
plasma
stool
determined
by
liquid
chromatography-mass
spectrometry/mass
spectrometry.
Relationships
partial
least
squares
analysis.
Results
Left
LCC-executive
control
network
(ECN)
showed
an
overall
difference
(p
=
0.02),
with
higher
than
men;
however,
this
mainly
due
pre-menopausal
0.008).
Additional
dependent
on
status:
PAG-default
mode
(DMN)
0.04),
PAG-sensorimotor
(SMN)
0.03)
0.007).
Notably,
free
2-hydroxyestrone
associated
PAG-SMN
PAG-DMN
<
0.01).
Conclusions
Healthy
show
involved
cognitive
control,
sensorimotor
function,
self-relevant
processes
men,
their
status.
Further,
2-hydroxyestrone,
implicated
pain,
may
modulate
PAG
women.
These
findings
relate
differential
vulnerabilities
chronic
stress-sensitive
disorders
at
different
life
stages.