Loading...

Table of Content

    01 January 2026, Volume 30 Issue 在线 Previous Issue    Next Issue
    For Selected: Toggle Thumbnails
    Preliminary study on the mechanisms and efficacy of deep brain stimulation in treating depression
    Haonan Yang, Zhengwei Yuan, Junpeng Xu, Zhiqi Mao, Jianning Zhang
    2026, 30 (在线):  1-9. 
    Abstract ( 56 )   PDF (2598KB) ( 57 )   Save
    BACKGROUND: This study combined fiber photometry calcium signal recording with C-fos immunohistochemistry to systematically investigate the neural modulation mechanisms of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). It also compared the effects of DBS and electro-ablation on depressive-like behaviors, providing experimental evidence for optimizing neuromodulation treatment strategies. 
    METHODS: Grouping and Modeling: Mice were randomly divided into control, CRS_Sham (sham stimulation), and CRS_DBS (intervention) groups. The latter two groups underwent 3.5 weeks of chronic restraint stress (CRS) modeling and had DBS electrodes implanted in the ACC. Intervention Protocol: The DBS group received daily high-frequency electrical stimulation (130 Hz, 200 μA, 50 μs, 2 hours/day for 1 week), while the Sham group underwent electrode implantation without current stimulation. Behavioral Assessment: Depressive-like behaviors were quantified using the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed via the open field test (OFT) in 10 mice (5 in each of the DBS and Sham groups). Circuit Mechanism Analysis: Real-time neural activity was monitored by fiber photometry to assess the activation effect of ACC-DBS on the ACC-BLA circuit. Whole-brain activation patterns were analyzed using C-fos immunohistochemistry to quantify downstream neuronal activity. Electro-ablation Validation: An additional experiment was conducted with an electro-ablation group and a sham stimulation group to verify their effects on depressive-like behaviors. 
    RESULTS: Behavioral Analysis: FST showed that immobility times in the CRS_DBS and CRS_Sham groups were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two groups. No significant differences were found in TST among the groups. OFT results indicated that central zone duration and total distance traveled were significantly lower in the DBS group than in the Sham group (P < 0.05), suggesting that DBS may exacerbate anxiety-like behaviors. In contrast, the immobility time in the electro-ablation group was significantly lower than in the sham stimulation group (P < 0.01). Neural Mechanisms: Fiber photometry confirmed that ACC-DBS specifically activated the ACC-BLA circuit. C-fos staining revealed that DBS significantly enhanced neuronal activity in downstream brain regions of the ACC.
    CONCLUSION: Traditional high-frequency ACC-DBS effectively activates target neural circuits but fails to improve depressive-like behaviors and may exacerbate anxiety states by enhancing limbic system activity. In contrast, ACC functional inhibition via electro-ablation demonstrates significant antidepressant effects, offering new directions for optimizing neuromodulation strategies.
    Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Research context and trend of TBK1 in autoimmunity, signaling pathways, gene expression, tumor prevention and treatment
    Xu Canli, He Wenxing, Wang Yuping, Ba Yinying, Chi Li, Wang Wenjuan, Wang Jiajia
    2026, 30 (在线):  1-11. 
    Abstract ( 29 )   PDF (4796KB) ( 0 )   Save
    Abstract
    BACKGROUND: To explore the research status, hot spots, and trends of TBK1 based on bibliometric analysis and provide references and suggestions for the further basic research of TBK1. 
    Method: We collected TBK1 articles for the last 10 years based on the SCIE database in the Web of Science Core Collection. The data were imported into CiteSpace 6.3.R1 and analyzed bibliometrically and visually with five options: Country, Author, Institution, Reference, and Keyword, respectively. In addition, we used Origin 2021 to plot the relevant statistical graphs. 
    Result: There was an upward trend in the number of publications and co-citations involved in TBK1 research. Dan-Dan Chen, Jian-Fang Gui, Qiwei Qin, and Shun Li were the four authors with the highest number of publications (11), while the Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Wuhan University had a larger number of publications (> 50). The research hot spots of TBK1 in the last decade mainly focused on innate immunity, the cGAS-STING pathway, NF-κB, inflammation, optineurin, expression, cancer, etc. Conclusion  In recent years, academics from various countries conducted sustained and in-depth research in related fields. TBK1 showed great potential for research in the autoimmune system, signaling pathways, gene expression, tumor control, and so on. But academic cooperation between academics and between institutions was not strong. In the future, cooperation and communication should be strengthened to grasp the research hot spots and trends of TBK1, to expand its research range in disease areas, and to provide more evidence for further elucidating the pharmacodynamic mechanisms and pathological changes of diseases
    Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics