Homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channels

Abstract Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition associated with various neurological disorders affecting multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the effects of exposing cultured rat hippocampal neurons to Hcy conc...

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Main Authors: Alzbeta Filipova, Matus Tomko, Katarina Ondacova, Lucia Dubiel-Hoppanova, Nikola Chmúrčiaková, Leoš Cmarko, Robin N. Stringer, Norbert Weiss, Lubica Lacinova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Molecular Brain
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13041-025-01205-x
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author Alzbeta Filipova
Matus Tomko
Katarina Ondacova
Lucia Dubiel-Hoppanova
Nikola Chmúrčiaková
Leoš Cmarko
Robin N. Stringer
Norbert Weiss
Lubica Lacinova
author_facet Alzbeta Filipova
Matus Tomko
Katarina Ondacova
Lucia Dubiel-Hoppanova
Nikola Chmúrčiaková
Leoš Cmarko
Robin N. Stringer
Norbert Weiss
Lubica Lacinova
author_sort Alzbeta Filipova
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition associated with various neurological disorders affecting multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the effects of exposing cultured rat hippocampal neurons to Hcy concentrations corresponding to mild, moderate, and severe hyperhomocysteinemia. A short 24-hour exposure had minimal effects, whereas prolonged exposure up to 14 days moderately enhanced hippocampal excitability without altering the gene expression of voltage-dependent calcium, sodium, or potassium channels or intracellular calcium levels. These findings suggest that Hcy-induced changes in neuronal excitability may contribute to neuropathologies associated with hyperhomocysteinemia.
format Article
id doaj-art-ba4801d6f4384a1c84cfa9fd73d7c49c
institution OA Journals
issn 1756-6606
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher BMC
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series Molecular Brain
spelling doaj-art-ba4801d6f4384a1c84cfa9fd73d7c49c2025-08-20T02:28:04ZengBMCMolecular Brain1756-66062025-04-011811410.1186/s13041-025-01205-xHomocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channelsAlzbeta Filipova0Matus Tomko1Katarina Ondacova2Lucia Dubiel-Hoppanova3Nikola Chmúrčiaková4Leoš Cmarko5Robin N. Stringer6Norbert Weiss7Lubica Lacinova8Center of Biosciences, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of SciencesCenter of Biosciences, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of SciencesCenter of Biosciences, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of SciencesCenter of Biosciences, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of SciencesInstitute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles UniversityInstitute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles UniversityDepartment of Pathophysiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles UniversityCenter of Biosciences, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of SciencesCenter of Biosciences, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of SciencesAbstract Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition associated with various neurological disorders affecting multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the effects of exposing cultured rat hippocampal neurons to Hcy concentrations corresponding to mild, moderate, and severe hyperhomocysteinemia. A short 24-hour exposure had minimal effects, whereas prolonged exposure up to 14 days moderately enhanced hippocampal excitability without altering the gene expression of voltage-dependent calcium, sodium, or potassium channels or intracellular calcium levels. These findings suggest that Hcy-induced changes in neuronal excitability may contribute to neuropathologies associated with hyperhomocysteinemia.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13041-025-01205-xHyperhomocysteinemiaHippocampal excitabilityTranscriptomicsVoltage gated ion channelsIntracellular calcium
spellingShingle Alzbeta Filipova
Matus Tomko
Katarina Ondacova
Lucia Dubiel-Hoppanova
Nikola Chmúrčiaková
Leoš Cmarko
Robin N. Stringer
Norbert Weiss
Lubica Lacinova
Homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channels
Molecular Brain
Hyperhomocysteinemia
Hippocampal excitability
Transcriptomics
Voltage gated ion channels
Intracellular calcium
title Homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channels
title_full Homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channels
title_fullStr Homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channels
title_full_unstemmed Homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channels
title_short Homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage-gated ion channels
title_sort homocysteine enhances the excitability of cultured hippocampal neurons without altering the gene expression of voltage gated ion channels
topic Hyperhomocysteinemia
Hippocampal excitability
Transcriptomics
Voltage gated ion channels
Intracellular calcium
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13041-025-01205-x
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