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Browsing by Author "Soares-Guedes, C."

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  • Focused Neuroprotection in Parkinson's Disease: Effects of N-Acetylcysteine and MRI-guided Ultrasound Neuromodulation
    Publication . Silva, Rita Caridade; Araújo, B.; Vilaça-Ferreira, A. C.; Vilela, C.; Teixeira, C.; Martins-Macedo, J.; Soares-Guedes, C.; Gomes, Eduardo D.; Meriaux, S.; Larrat, B.; Wade-Martins, R.; Fernandes, H. J.; Teixeira, F.; Gomes, Eduardo
    Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DAn) in the brain, leading to severe symptomatology. Current treatments mainly address motor symptoms rather than preventing DAn damage or degeneration. Hence, there is an urgent need for novel strategies, particularly those that can combine neuroprotective and neuroregenerative approaches [1]. Drug repurposing is a powerful method for identifying new applications for approved drugs outside the scope of the original medical indication [2]. Under this concept, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, has shown therapeutic abilities in modulating oxidative stress and preventing dopamine-induced cell death [3], suggesting potential disease-modifying actions in PD. Notably, recent data from our team revealed that NAC could restore dopamine transporter (DAT) levels in the dorsal striatum of PD animals [4].
    2025Conference poster Open access Show more
  • The synergy of dopaminergic system and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in a pre-clinical model of Parkinson’s disease pp85
    Publication . Araújo, B.; Caridade-Silva, Rita; Vilaça-Ferreira, A.; Martins-Macedo, J.; Teixeira, C.; Soares-Guedes, C.; Svenningsson, P.; Pinto, L.; Teixeira, F.; Guedes, Carla
    Depressive disturbances are prevalent in 40% to 50% of clinical cases of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), alongside a common reduction in adult hippocampal neurogenesis observed in both PD and its related conditions. This neurogenesis deficit may affect the clinical course of the disease. With this in mind, we set an experiment using the glial fibrillary acidic protein-thymidine kinase (GFAP-TK) transgenic rat model to assess the impact of impaired adult cytogenesis induced by the antiviral Ganciclovir on PD. The experiment involved a combination of the GFAP-TK model and a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD, while behavioral analyses focused on anxiety, depression, and motor skills. From the results, histological examinations revealed decreased proliferative cells and reduced dopaminergic innervation. Additionally, analysis of newborn and immature neurons occurred in the hippocampus, subventricular zone, and olfactory bulbs, while dopaminergic loss was assessed in regions like the substantia nigra and striatum. Findings indicated that the model exhibited anxiety/depressive-like behaviors and motor impairments, linked to the notable loss of dopaminergic neurons, which appeared to correlate with reduced doublecortin-positive cells in the hippocampus. Moreover, results suggested subtle differences between ipsilateral and contralateral sides, highlighting the dopaminergic system's role in hippocampal adaptation. Therefore, these findings suggest a connection between reduced neurogenesis and dopaminergic neuron loss, hinting that these phenomena might be interrelated. Therefore, investigating this potential regional interconnection may augment our understanding of non-motor dimensions in PD pathophysiology related to motor functions, thereby facilitating the development of enhanced therapeutic strategies for individuals in the early stages of PD.
    2025-06Conference paper Open access Show more