Advances in Animal Neuroscience

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2024 | Viewed by 2131

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Interests: neuronal plasticity events in vivo and vitro; neuronal changes produced by different factors; non-classical pathways involved on steroidogenesis; activity of neuroprotective enzymes on neuronal and glial cells underwent oxidative/nitrosative stress; brain aging on sheep cortical neurons subjected to oxidative conditions; paleoanatomy; bone histology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurosciences is rapidly developing. Alongside macroscopic studies on brain anatomy, an increase in cellular level studies is occurring.  Indeed, promising in vitro studies using cell culture techniques are highlighting alterations in neuronal function. For example, interesting studies include those on cell aging, the morphological and functional changes cells undergo with age, and nerve cells of various species of domestic animals, which have highlighted enzymatic alterations that have repercussions on the functionality of cell DNA. The process of brain senescence specifically related to oxidative damages induced by ROS (reactive oxygen species) has been well described. These achievements are fundamental as they could have extreme relevance in the study of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.

From this point of view, you are invited to submit your work on these topics. In particular, we welcome in vivo and in vitro studies on brain and nerve cell morphological changes in different stress conditions.

Dr. Gianluca Lepore
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • brain aging
  • neuronal cells
  • glial cells
  • oxidative stress
  • animal anatomy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 5007 KiB  
Communication
The Arteries of the Encephalon Base in Caracal (Caracal caracal; Felidae; Carnivora)
by Maciej Zdun, Aleksander F. Butkiewicz and Marcin Zawadzki
Animals 2023, 13(24), 3780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243780 - 7 Dec 2023
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Abstract
This study represents the comprehensive anatomical analysis of the arterial circulation at the base of the encephalon in caracal (Caracal caracal), a member of the Felidae family. Caracals are found in various environments in Africa and Asia, and their conservation status [...] Read more.
This study represents the comprehensive anatomical analysis of the arterial circulation at the base of the encephalon in caracal (Caracal caracal), a member of the Felidae family. Caracals are found in various environments in Africa and Asia, and their conservation status is threatened by hunting and habitat loss. This study was conducted on 14 post-mortem specimens obtained from zoos. Three different methods were used to prepare the specimens—corrosive preparation, latex specimen preparation, and computer tomography imaging. This study revealed a configuration of the arterial circulation in the caracal encephalon resembling the shape of the number eight. The presence of the rostral communicating artery in this species is of particular significance, as it is associated with an increased ability to detect dehydration in the forebrain. This adaptation plays a crucial role in responding to challenges related to hydration. Comparative anatomical analysis with other felids highlighted differences in the shape and configuration of the encephalon’s arterial circulation. This study also discussed the obliteration of the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery in adult caracals, a feature shared with other Felidae members. The results of this study provide valuable information regarding the anatomy of blood vessels in caracals, with potential implications for veterinary practice in zoos and wildlife conservation efforts. This research expands our knowledge of this species’ unique adaptations and physiological processes, contributing to the development of comparative anatomy in the Felidae family. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
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Review

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13 pages, 590 KiB  
Review
Morphological and Metabolic Features of Brain Aging in Rodents, Ruminants, Carnivores, and Non-Human Primates
by Gianluca Lepore, Sara Succu, Maria Grazia Cappai, Adele Frau, Alice Senes, Marco Zedda, Vittorio Farina and Sergio D. Gadau
Animals 2024, 14(19), 2900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192900 - 8 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Brain aging in mammals is characterized by morphological and functional changes in neural cells. Macroscopically, this process, leading to progressive cerebral volume loss and functional decline, includes memory and motor neuron deficits, as well as behavioral disorders. Morphologically, brain aging is associated with [...] Read more.
Brain aging in mammals is characterized by morphological and functional changes in neural cells. Macroscopically, this process, leading to progressive cerebral volume loss and functional decline, includes memory and motor neuron deficits, as well as behavioral disorders. Morphologically, brain aging is associated with aged neurons and astrocytes, appearing enlarged and flattened, and expressing enhanced pH-dependent β-galactosidase activity. Multiple mechanisms are considered hallmarks of cellular senescence in vitro, including cell cycle arrest, increased lysosomal activity, telomere shortening, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The most common markers for senescence identification were identified in (i) proteins implicated in cell cycle arrest, such as p16, p21, and p53, (ii) increased lysosomal mass, and (iii) increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expression. Finally, dysfunctional autophagy, a process occurring during aging, contributes to altering brain homeostasis. The brains of mammals can be studied at cellular and subcellular levels to elucidate the mechanisms on the basis of age-related and degenerative disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize and update the most recent knowledge about brain aging through a comparative approach, where similarities and differences in some mammalian species are considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
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