The article compares structural brain changes and molecular signatures in Alzheimer’s disease and late-life depression, highlighting distinct patterns of gray matter loss and neurotransmitter systems. It also notes overlaps in serotonin disruption and mitochondrial energy issues, while pointing out condition-specific differences in cholinergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic dynamics.

The piece is of interest to psychology readers because it connects brain structure, chemical signaling, and cell-level differences to clinically observable symptoms, illustrating how distinct biological pathways can underlie similar cognitive and mood presentations.

Article Title: Scientists map the structural and chemical differences between Alzheimer’s disease and late-life depression

Link to PsyPost Article: https://nolinkpreview.com/www.psypost.org/scientists-map-the-structural-and-chemical-differences-between-alzheimers-disease-and-late-life-depression/

#Alzheimer's #LateLifeDepression #graymatter #neurotransmitters #serotonin #dopamine #glutamate #NMDA #PVALB #interneurons

To capture this local heterogeneity, the authors developed a #multiphoton #FLIM approach with the Na⁺ indicator ING-2 and #astrocyte labeling, enabling quantitative Na⁺ measurements in individual #astrocytes and their processes. This is important because astrocytic Na⁺ is not just a bulk somatic variable. It varies locally across branches and subdomains, where K⁺ uptake and #glutamate-linked Na⁺ influx are regulated.

#Neuroscience #Imaging

🧠🎨 New paper by Meyer et al: #astrocytic #sodium #homeostasis is not uniform. Using multiphoton #FLIM in #mouse #brain slices and #invivo, they show strong #cellular and #subcellular heterogeneity in astrocytic Na⁺ levels.

Processes contain more Na⁺ than somata, Na⁺ varies between #astrocyte branches, and distinct Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase subunit patterns help tune local K⁺ uptake and #glutamate-linked Na⁺ influx.

🌍 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-73435-z

#Neuroscience #Astrocytes #Neurobiology #NeuralDynamics

Aspirin and N-acetylcysteine co-administration markedly inhibit chronic ethanol intake and block relapse binge drinking: Role of neuroinflammation-oxidative stress self-perpetuation [2019]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31733014/

link to full text:
https://repositorio.udd.cl/server/api/core/bitstreams/19b18abc-323a-4be6-9fa9-b084fa5ec1ab/content

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Female only study ('Adult female rats, Wistar-derived, bred for over 90 generations as alcohol consumers').

#neuroinflammation #glutamate #AlcoholUseDisorder #NAC #aspirin

New findings show that #pancreatictumors form nerve-like “pseudosynapses” where #neurotransmitter #glutamate binds to receptors, triggering calcium waves. The findings reveal a link between neural communication processes and #tumor progression: http://go.tum.de/285549

📷E. Demir

How Neurotransmitters Shape Your Memory, Mood, and Movement

#BrainScience #Neurotransmitters #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #Memory #Dopamine #Acetylcholine #Glutamate #GABA #BrainCircuits #NeuroscienceEducation #MindAndMemory #BrainFunction #NeuralNetworks #BrainTips

https://youtube.com/shorts/SkXbm5LmCLY?feature=share

Neurotransmitters and Brain Health: The Science Behind Memory and Mood

#BrainChemistry #Neurotransmitters #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #MentalHealth #Glutamate #Serotonin #Dopamine #BloodBrainBarrier #NeuralCommunication #Neuroplasticity #BrainFunction #Neurobiology #CognitiveScience #MentalWellness

https://youtube.com/shorts/oM4FjZm4FEg?feature=share

"Why Alcohol Hijacks Neurotransmitters & How to Rebalance Them"

by Sarah Rusbatch: https://sarahrusbatch.com/blog/why-alcohol-hijacks-neurotransmitters-how-to-rebalance-them

#serotonin #dopamine #GABA #Glutamate #magnesium #vitamins #neurotransmitters #alcohol #alcoholic #alcoholism #anxiety #balance #sober #sobriety #AA #12steps