Restoring tripartite glutamatergic synapses: A potential therapy for mood and cognitive deficits in Gulf War illness.

ABSTRACT: Gulf War illness is associated with a combination of exposure to war-related chemical agents and traumatic stress. Currently, there are no effective treatments, and the pathophysiology remains elusive. Neurological problems are among the most commonly reported symptoms. In this study, we investigated the glutamatergic system in the hippocampi of mice exposed to war-related chemical agents and stress. Mice developed Gulf War illness-like symptoms, including mood deficits, cognitive impairments, and fatigue. They exhibited the following pathological changes in hippocampi: elevated extracellular glutamate levels, impaired glutamatergic synapses, astrocyte atrophy, loss of interneurons, and decreased neurogenesis. LDN/OSU-215111 is a small-molecule that can strengthen the structure and functio

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7739039 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature