Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Mar 15;20(6). Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany.

Mammalian Bornavirus (BoDV-1) typically causes a fatal neurologic disorder in horses and sheep, and was recently shown to cause fatal encephalitis in humans with and without transplant reception. It has been suggested that BoDV-1 enters the central nervous system (CNS) via the olfactory pathway. However, (I) susceptible cell types that replicate the virus for successful spread, and (II) the role of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), remained unclear. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Mar 6. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Interdisciplinary Center Smell and Taste, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.

Purpose: Few studies have investigated the correlation between chemosensory function (trigeminal and olfactory) and nasal volume in humans, even though nasal anatomy is crucial for the sense of smell. Aim of this study was to evaluate these correlations in normosmic subjects.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-six healthy volunteers (age range 19-69 years) participated. Read More

PLoS One 2019 6;14(3):e0211571. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

The Francis Crick Institute, Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, London, United Kingdom.

Operant conditioning is a crucial tool in neuroscience research for probing brain function. While molecular, anatomical and even physiological techniques have seen radical increases in throughput, efficiency, and reproducibility in recent years, behavioural tools have somewhat lagged behind. Here we present a fully automated, high-throughput system for self-initiated conditioning of up to 25 group-housed, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagged mice over periods of several months and >106 trials. Read More

Front Neuroanat 2019 5;13. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China.

The antennal lobe of the moth brain is the primary olfactory center processing information concerning pheromones and plant odors. is a major worldwide pest of cruciferous vegetables and its behavior is highly dependent on their olfactory system. However, detailed knowledge of the anatomy and function of the olfactory system remains limited. Read More

J Comp Neurol 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

African mole-rats are subterranean rodents that spend their whole life in underground burrow systems. They show a range of morphological and physiological adaptations to their ecotope, for instance severely reduced eyes and specialized somatosensory, olfactory, and auditory systems. These adaptations are also reflected in the accessory sensory pathways in the brain that process the input coming from the sensory organs. Read More

Chem Senses 2019 Mar;44(3):173-188

Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Understanding how sensory space maps to neural activity in the olfactory system requires efficiently and flexibly delivering numerous odorants within single experimental preparations. Such delivery is difficult with current olfactometer designs, which typically include limited numbers of stimulus channels and are subject to intertrial and interchannel contamination of odorants. Here, we present a novel olfactometer design that is easily constructed, modular, and capable of delivering an unlimited number of odorants in air with temporal precision and no detectable intertrial or interchannel contamination. Read More

Part Fibre Toxicol 2019 01 17;16(1). Epub 2019 Jan 17.

NeuroBiologie de l'Olfaction, INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.

Background: Airborne pollution, especially from diesel exhaust (DE), is known to have a negative effect on the central nervous system in exposed human populations. However, the consequences of gestational exposure to DE on the fetal brain remain poorly explored, with various effects depending on the conditions of exposure, as well as little information on early developmental stages. We investigated the short-term effects of indirect DE exposure throughout gestation on the developing brain using a rabbit model. Read More

J Chem Neuroanat 2019 Mar 10;96:126-133. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Applied Biophotonics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

The generation of dopaminergic neurons from stem cells is a potential therapeutic approach to treat neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. The current study aims to investigate the potential of two different types of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human Wharton's jelly and nasal cavity for differentiation into dopaminergic neurons. The differentiation capacities of both cell types were evaluated using real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and HPLC. Read More

Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

The colonial naked mole rat Heterocephalus glaber is a subterranean, eusocial rodent. The H. glaber vomeronasal organ neuroepithelium (VNE) displays little postnatal growth. Read More

Glia 2019 May 26;67(5):935-949. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

The central nervous system (CNS) is considered to be immune privileged, owing in part to the absence of major histocompatibility (MHC) class II cells in the healthy brain parenchyma. However, systemic inflammation can activate microglia to express MHC class II, suggesting that systemic inflammation may be sufficient to mature microglia into functional antigen presenting cells (APCs). We examined the effects of systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on the phenotype and function of putative APCs within the mouse brain parenchyma, as well as its supporting tissues-the choroid plexus and meninges. Read More

Histol Histopathol 2018 Dec 12:18073. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience Group (NiCE-IMIB), Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Institute for Aging Research, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.

After Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent and incidental neurodegenerative disorder, affecting more than 2% of the population older than 65 years old. Since it was first described 200 years ago by Dr James Parkinson, great steps have been made in the understanding of the pathology. However, the cause(s) that initiates and perpetuates the neurodegenerative process is (are) still not clear. Read More

Braz J Phys Ther 2018 Nov 8. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, Birley Campus, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Background: Central sensitisation pain is a predominant mechanism in a proportion of individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain and is associated with poor outcomes. It is proposed that the pre-morbid experiences and contexts may be related to the development of central sensitisation.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the pre-morbid experiences and personal characteristics of participants with central sensitisation pain from a non-specific chronic low back pain population. Read More

Dev Comp Immunol 2019 03 1;92:212-222. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

University of New Mexico, Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology (CETI), Albuquerque, NM, USA.

The human olfactory system is a mucosal surface and a major portal of entry for respiratory and neurotropic pathogens into the body. Understanding how the human nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) halts the progression of pathogens into the lower respiratory tract or the central nervous system is key for developing effective cures. Although traditionally mice have been used as the gold-standard model for the study of human nasal diseases, mouse models present important caveats due to major anatomical and functional differences of the human and murine olfactory system and NALT. Read More

Acta Histochem 2019 Feb 27;121(2):143-150. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Chonburi 20131, Thailand.

The mud crab, Scylla olivacea, is a high value economic marine animal in Thailand. However, collection of these crabs from natural habitat for local consumption and export has caused rapid population decline. Hence, aquaculture of this species is required and to this measure understanding of endocrine control of their reproduction must be understood. Read More

Elife 2018 11 20;7. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

The stochastic multicolor labeling method 'Brainbow' is a powerful strategy to label multiple neurons differentially with fluorescent proteins; however, the fluorescence levels provided by the original attempts to use this strategy were inadequate. In the present study, we developed a stochastic multicolor labeling method with enhanced expression levels that uses a tetracycline-operator system (Tetbow). We optimized Tetbow for either plasmid or virus vector-mediated multicolor labeling. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virgina.

Olfactory receptor axons reinnervate the olfactory bulb (OB) after chemical or transection lesion. Diffuse brain injury damages the same axons, but the time course and regulators of OB reinnervation are unknown. Gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]2, MMP9) and their substrate osteopontin (OPN) are candidate mediators of synaptogenesis after central nervous system (CNS) insult, including olfactory axon damage. Read More

Acta Histochem 2019 Jan 12;121(1):94-100. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Isernia, Italy. Electronic address:

The vomeronasal system (VNS) is an accessory olfactory structure present in most mammals adhibited to the detection of specific chemosignals implied in social and reproductive behavior. The VNS comprises the vomeronasal organ (VNO), vomeronasal nerve and accessory olfactory bulb. VNO is characterized by a neuroepithelium constituted by bipolar neurons and supporting and stem/progenitor cells. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(44):e13098

Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan PR China.

Rationale: Central nervous system (CNS) solid cavernous hemangiomas are rare extra-axial anomalies that may sometimes resemble meningiomas. Due to their complex vascular nature, accurate preoperative diagnosis is important to avoid disastrous hemorrhage during operation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case in an adolescent since all middle cranial fossa hemangioma cases reported in literature are adults in their 40s or 50s and all the pediatric cases are cystic. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 10 26;9(1):4463. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.

Mating drive is balanced by a need to safeguard resources for offspring, yet the neural basis for negative regulation of mating remains poorly understood. In rodents, pheromones critically regulate sexual behavior. Here, we observe suppression of adult female sexual behavior in mice by exocrine gland-secreting peptide 22 (ESP22), a lacrimal protein from juvenile mice. Read More

Elife 2018 10 22;7. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Lasting changes in gene expression are critical for the formation of long-term memories (LTMs), depending on the conserved CrebB transcriptional activator. While requirement of distinct neurons in defined circuits for different learning and memory phases have been studied in detail, only little is known regarding the gene regulatory changes that occur within these neurons. We here use the fruit fly as powerful model system to study the neural circuits of CrebB-dependent appetitive olfactory LTM. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 10 15;9(1):4269. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Institute for Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, D-30173, Hannover, Germany.

Bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS) remain a major cause of mortality in the neonatal population. Commonly used parenteral infection models, however, do not reflect the early course of the disease leaving this critical step of the pathogenesis largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed nasal exposure of 1-day-old newborn mice to Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Read More

J Vet Med Sci 2018 Nov 11;80(11):1724-1727. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Veterinary Medical Center, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-58 Rinku Ourai Kita, Izumisano-shi, Osaka 598-8531, Japan.

Canine nasal carcinomas are often treated with radiotherapy. Presence of lysis of the cribriform plate by tumor invasion (stage 4 by modified Adams's staging system) is a well-known prognostic factor. In this study, dogs with stage 4 disease were divided into two subgroups based on the presence or absence of midline shift of the olfactory or frontal lobes of the brain (Stage 4a: without presence of midline shift. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 10 8;15(10). Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, 520 W Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA.

A major step in our understanding of brain function is to determine how neural circuits are altered in their function by signaling molecules or neuromodulators. Neuromodulation is the neurochemical process that modifies the computations performed by a neuron or network based on changing the functional needs or behavioral state of the subject. These modulations have the effect of altering the responsivity to synaptic inputs. Read More

Front Aging Neurosci 2018 13;10:272. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.

Olfactory impairment is present in up to 90% of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is present in certain cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a transient phase between normal aging and dementia. Subjects affected by MCI have a higher risk of developing dementia compared to the general population, and studies have found that olfactory deficits could be an indicator of whether such a conversion might happen. Following these assumptions, aim of this study was to investigate olfactory perception in MCI patients. Read More

Nature 2018 10 26;562(7725):119-123. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behaviour, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.

DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a synthetic chemical identified by the US Department of Agriculture in 1946 in a screen for repellents to protect soldiers from mosquito-borne diseases. Since its discovery, DEET has become the world's most widely used arthropod repellent and is effective against invertebrates separated by millions of years of evolution-including biting flies, honeybees, ticks, and land leeches. In insects, DEET acts on the olfactory system and requires the olfactory receptor co-receptor Orco, but exactly how it works remains controversial. Read More

PLoS One 2018 26;13(9):e0204604. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, United States of America.

We previously characterized a clonal olfactory placode-derived cell line (OP6) as a model system for studying odorant receptor (OR) choice, where individual OP6 cells, similar to olfactory sensory neurons in vivo, transcribe one allele ("monoallelic") of one OR gene ("monogenic"). The OP6 cell line provides a unique opportunity to investigate intrinsic properties of OR regulation that cannot easily be investigated in vivo. First, whereas OR-expressing cells in vivo are post-mitotic, OP6 cells are immortalized, raising interesting questions about the stability of epigenetic states associated with OR selection/silencing as OP6 cells progress through the cell cycle. Read More

J Anat 2018 Dec 25;233(6):814-827. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.

The characterization of the rabbit mammary pheromone, which is sensed by the main olfactory system, has made this species a unique model for the study of pheromonal communication in mammals. This discovery has brought attention to the global understanding of chemosensory communication in this species. Chemocommunication is mediated by two distinct organs located in the nasal cavity, the main olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Read More

Microsc Res Tech 2018 Oct 20;81(10):1122-1131. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Aquatic Ecology and Fish Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.

The histological as well as ultramicroscopic structures of olfactory system of an amphihaline migratory fish hilsa Tenualosa ilisha, were studied. The sexually matured riverine fish were collected from a common breeding habitat-the Hooghly, a tributary of river Ganga, West Bengal, India. This study revealed that the riverine hilsa has larger olfactory bulb compared to marine hilsa with the olfactory lobes well exposed through nostrils. Read More

Front Neuroanat 2018 29;12:71. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Insect Behavior Regulation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.

The oriental fruit fly, is one of the most destructive pests of horticultural crops in tropical and subtropical Asia. The insect relies heavily on its olfactory system to select suitable hosts for development and reproduction. To understand the neural basis of its odor-driven behaviors, it is fundamental to characterize the anatomy of its olfactory system. Read More

PLoS One 2018 13;13(9):e0202754. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.

The nasal cavity hosts an array of chemoresponsive cells, including the extended olfactory system and several other cells involved in detection of and responses to irritants. Solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs), which respond to irritants and bacteria, express the transient receptor potential channel TRPM5 an essential element of the taste transduction-signaling cascade. Microvillous cells (MVCs), non-neuronal cells situated in the apical layer of the main olfactory epithelium, also express TRPM5, but their function has not yet been clarified. Read More

Int J Exp Pathol 2018 08 9;99(4):180-188. Epub 2018 Sep 9.

Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, México City, México.

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is synthesized in the olfactory system, has antioxidant activity as a scavenger of free radicals and has been reported to have neuroprotective action in diseases which have been attributed to oxidative damage. In neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, impairment of olfactory function has been described. Vanadium derivatives are environmental pollutants, and its toxicity has been associated with oxidative stress. Read More

J Bioenerg Biomembr 2019 Feb 31;51(1):15-27. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38134, USA.

Experiences, such as sensory learning, are known to induce plasticity in mammalian sensory systems. In recent years aversive olfactory learning-induced plasticity has been identified at all stages of the adult olfactory pathway; however, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be identified. Much of the work regarding mechanisms of olfactory associative learning comes from neonates, a time point before which the brain or olfactory system is fully developed. Read More

Acta Neurochir Suppl 2018;129:121-126

Department of Neurosurgery, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa, Chiba, Japan.

The topographical distribution of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) was analyzed based on the embryological anatomy of the dural membrane. Sixty-six consecutive cases of intracranial and spinal DAVFs were analyzed based on the angiography, and each shunt point was identified according to the embryological bony structures. The area of dural membranes was categorized into three different groups: a ventral group located on the endochondral bone (VE group), a dorsal group on the membranous bone (DM group), and a falcotentorial group (FT group) in the falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, falx cerebelli, and diaphragma sellae. Read More

Mycopathologia 2019 Feb 30;184(1):141-146. Epub 2018 Aug 30.

Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-11, Obihiro-Shi, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.

Here, we report a case of rhinocerebral zygomycosis due to a Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a calf. A histopathological examination revealed that a fungus had invaded the brain through the olfactory nerves. Lichtheimia ramosa was detected by polymerase chain reaction analysis of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of the affected tissue. Read More

Cureus 2018 Jun 22;10(6):e2859. Epub 2018 Jun 22.

Medicine, Medical University, Varna, BGR.

Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring (January 28, 1755, Thorn, then Royal Prussia, now Torun Poland - March 2, 1830, Frankfurt am Main, then a free city, now Germany) was one of the most respected Germanic scientists of his time. Whilst working on his philosophy doctorate (Ph.D. Read More

Brain Struct Funct 2018 Dec 24;223(9):4067-4085. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.

The anterior commissure (AC) is a phylogenetically conserved inter-hemispheric connection found among vertebrates with bilateral symmetry. The AC connects predominantly olfactory areas but many aspects of its development and structure are unknown. To fill this gap, we investigated the embryonic and postnatal development of the AC by tracing axons with DiI and the piggyback transposon multicolor system. Read More

Genesis 2018 06;56(6-7):e23215

Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom.

The neural crest-derived ensheathing glial cells of the olfactory nerve (OECs) are unique in spanning both the peripheral and central nervous systems: they ensheathe bundles of axons projecting from olfactory receptor neurons in the nasal epithelium to their targets in the olfactory bulb. OECs are clinically relevant as a promising autologous cell transplantation therapy for promoting central nervous system repair. They are also important for fertility, being required for the migration of embryonic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons from the olfactory placode along terminal nerve axons to the medial forebrain, which they enter caudal to the olfactory bulbs. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2018 Nov 21;18(5):4185-4196. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common type of malignant tumor of the central nervous system. The prognosis of patients with GBM is very poor, with a survival time of ~15 months. GBM is highly heterogeneous and highly aggressive. Read More

Nature 2018 08 15;560(7719):447-452. Epub 2018 Aug 15.

Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.

The olfactory system must recognize and discriminate amongst an enormous variety of chemicals in the environment. To contend with such diversity, insects have evolved a family of odorant-gated ion channels comprised of a highly conserved co-receptor (Orco) and a divergent odorant receptor (OR) that confers chemical specificity. Here, we present the single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of an Orco homomer from the parasitic fig wasp Apocrypta bakeri at 3. Read More

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018 Dec 6;57:68-71. Epub 2018 Aug 6.

Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Rivières, G9A 5H7, Québec, Canada; Research Center, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montréal, H4J 1C5, Québec, Canada. Electronic address:

Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) exhibit a considerably diminished sense of smell. The olfactory system is intimately connected to the trigeminal system, responsible for the perception of sensations such as freshness, warmth or piquancy in odorants. Usually, olfactory impairment is associated with a similar reduction of trigeminal sensitivity. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 11 10;128(11):2473-2477. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Department of Neurosurgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.

Objectives/hypothesis: Define the anatomic distribution of the olfactory filaments within specific mucosal regions of the nasal cavity.

Study Design: Cadaveric study.

Methods: Seventeen cadaveric specimens (34 sides) were dissected to study the anatomical distribution and density of olfactory fila within different regions of the nasal cavity. Read More

Results Probl Cell Differ 2018 ;65:585-598

Department of Biology, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.

Octopus vulgaris underwent a radical modification to cope with the benthic lifestyle. It diverged from other cephalopods in terms of body plan, anatomy, behavior, and intelligence. It independently evolved the largest and most complex nervous system and sophisticated behaviors among invertebrates in a separate evolutionary lineage. Read More

J Comp Neurol 2018 Nov 18;526(16):2548-2569. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, School of Anatomical Sciences, Republic of South Africa.

This study employed a range of neuroanatomical stains to determine the organization of the main and accessory olfactory systems within the brain of the tree pangolin. The tree pangolin has a typically mammalian olfactory system, but minor variations were observed. The main olfactory system is comprised of the layered main olfactory bulb (MOB), the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON), the rostral olfactory cortex (including the taenia tecta, anterior hippocampal continuation and induseum griseum), the olfactory tubercle (Tu), the lateral olfactory tract (lot) and the olfactory limb of the anterior commissure, the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract (NLOT), the piriform cortex (PIR) and a typically mammalian rostral migratory stream (RMS). Read More

Exp Neurol 2018 11 27;309:119-133. Epub 2018 Jul 27.

Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States. Electronic address:

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are unique glia that support axon outgrowth in the olfactory system, and when used as cellular therapy after spinal cord injury, improve recovery and axon regeneration. Here we assessed the effects of combining OEC transplantation with another promising therapy, epidural electrical stimulation during a rehabilitative motor task. Sprague-Dawley rats received a mid-thoracic transection and transplantation of OECs or fibroblasts (FBs) followed by lumbar stimulation while climbing an inclined grid. Read More

Chem Senses 2018 Sep;43(8):611-616

Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.

The olfactory and trigeminal systems are intimately connected as most odorants stimulate both sensory systems. They interact by mutually suppressing and enhancing each other. However, the location and the degree of their interaction remain unclear. Read More

Rhinology 2018 Dec;56(4):336-342

Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction significantly impairs the life quality of patients. Therefore, a model needs to be developed for anosmia. Chitosan is a biodegradable natural polysaccharide that has been widely studied for regenerative purposes in the nervous system. Read More

Cureus 2018 May 17;10(5):e2643. Epub 2018 May 17.

Consultant Otolaryngologist, North Devon, Uk.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a structure located in the anteroinferior portion of the nasal septum and is part of the accessory olfactory system. The VNO, together with its associated structures, has been shown to play a role in the formation of social and sexual behavior in animals, thanks to its pheromone receptor cells and the stimulating effect on the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The VNO was first described as a structure by the Dutch botanist and anatomist Frederik Ruysch in 1703 while dissecting a young male cadaver. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Jul;53(7):550-554

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Naval Medical University Affiliated Chang Zheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, China.

As a sensor of the olfactory system, olfactory epithelium plays an important role in the olfactory system. In addition, olfactory epithelium is the only neuroepithelial epithelium in mammals that can maintain its self-renewal all along. There are of great significance in researching regenerating and repairing neural tissues, transplanting and treatment neural stem cells as well as the occurrence of olfactory disorders and intervention. Read More

J Mol Neurosci 2018 Aug 20;65(4):411-419. Epub 2018 Jul 20.

Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, People's Republic of China.

FEZ family zinc finger 1 (FEZF1) is an essential transcription factor during olfactory development. In gastrointestinal tumors, FEZF1 plays an oncogenic role through DNA demethylation. However, the role of FEZF1 in the prognosis of human glioma prognosis remains unclear. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 14;71:1-10. Epub 2018 Jun 14.

Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007, India. Electronic address:

The central control of feeding in animals depends upon the alternating actions of orexigenic and anorectic peptides. Studies at understanding the food intake mechanisms have emphasised the role of Neuropeptide Y as a potent orexigenic peptide in the brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the response of NPY system to positive and negative energy states and elucidate a holistic response of NPY expression throughout the brain of a tadpole model. Read More