👤 Reham Fawzy

Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to modify synaptic connections and reorganize neural circuits, underpinning cognitive function, emotional regulation, and recovery from injury. Recent advances have redefined adult neuroplasticity as more dynamic and therapeutically accessible than previously thought, spurring investigation into pharmacological interventions that can augment these adaptive processes. This review dissects current evidence for drug strategies targeting synaptic modulators (NMDA, AMPA, and GABA receptors), neuropeptide systems (including BDNF, oxytocin, vasopressin), and psychedelic compounds (psilocybin, LSD, ketamine), integrating insights from cellular, preclinical, and clinical studies. We detail how these agents modulate molecular pathways governing synaptic transmission, dendritic remodeling, and gene expression linked to neuronal growth and resilience. Highlighted findings include the rapid-acting antidepressant effects of NMDA antagonists, the structural and functional reorganization induced by classic psychedelics via 5-HT2A receptor activation, and the neurorestorative roles of neuropeptides in synaptic and network adaptation. Alongside these advances, we critically address safety, ethical considerations, and the risk of maladaptive plasticity, underscoring the importance of dosing, patient selection, and controlled therapeutic environments. Non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens and combinatorial approaches that are still emerging offer new avenues to fine-tune plasticity with an improved safety profile. The collective evidence positions neuroplasticity-targeting pharmacology as a promising and complex frontier for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders in adulthood. Show less

Concepts surrounding the mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in ITP have shifted from the traditional view of autoantibody mediated platelet destruction to more complex mechanisms in which impaired platelet production, T-cell-mediated effects, and disturbed cytokine profiles play a role. Interleukin 27 (IL-27) plays pleiotropic roles in immunomodulation and autoimmune diseases.We aimed to determine the level of IL-27 in patients with ITP and its relationship to patient and disease characteristics as well as disease chronicity and response to treatment.Sixty childrens with primary immune thrombocytopenia were consequetively enrolled in this study as well as 20 age and sex matched healthy controls.ITP patients had significantly higher levels of IL-27 than controls (770.6 and 373.8 pg/ml, respectively). Patients with acute ITP had the highest levels of IL-27 among patient groups, while patients in remission had the lowest IL-27 levels (860.1and 622.9 pg/ml, respectively). Patients who received IVIG and combined steroids plus IVIG had significantly higher IL-27 levels than others. Patients who received Eltrombopag had significantly lower IL-27 levels than others.IL-27 seems to play a role in pathogenesis of childhood ITP. IL-27 can be used as a predictor for disease occurrence as well as responsiveness to treatment. Show less

Elevated plasma triglycerides (TGs) are widely used as a major cardiovascular risk predictor and are thought to play an important role in the progression of coronary heart disease (CHD). It has been demonstrated that lipid lowering was associated with lower mortality in patients with CHD. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the consequences of the genetic variant c.553G > T (rs2075291) in apolipoprotein A5 gene to determination of triglycerides levels in CAD patients receiving, atorvastatin, lipid lowering drug. We here report that a recently identified genetic variant, c.553G > T in the APOA5 gene which causes a substitution of a cysteine for a glycine residue at amino acid residue 185(G185C) is also associated with increased TG levels. To investigate theses effects, a case-control study compressing 608 subjects from the same area was performed. TG levels in T allele patients were significantly lower than the control GT allele patient (χ Nevertheless, T allele is found to reduce TG levels in CAD patients who are on the cholesterol medication, atorvastatin. Thus, c.553G > T variant can be considered as a significant predicator of hypertriglyceridemia. In addition, it could be used as a hallmark for the diagnosis and prognosis of CAD. Show less