Abstract The Editorial Office of Neural Circuits introduces our prestigious Editor-in-Chief, highlighting his endeavours and achievements in the field of neuroscience, and his future plans for Neural Circuits.

Abstract This experimental study evaluated the effects of supraphysiological doses injections of testosterone cypionate and stanozolol on neural density in mice lateral hypothalamus and central amygdala. For this research 60 Swiss mice were used and divided into three groups: control, stanozolol and testosterone cypionate. Neuron cell bodies profile density estimation was performed according to random simple counting. The use of supraphysiological doses of both anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) proved to be statistically significant for decreasing the number of neuron cell bodies in lateral hypothalamus of male and female mice, and in central amygdala of female mice. The use of AAS such as Deposteron® and Winstrol Depot® can induce neuron cell death, compromises lateral hypothalamus and central amygdala functions, and may lead to behavioral changes.

Abstract Back pain secondary to herniated disc is very common throughout the world, leading to frequent absence from work activities, economic and financial losses, in addition to causing major affective-motivational changes. Initial treatment is based on analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy. However, in most cases, it evolves chronically and requires surgery or minimally invasive procedures like epidural steroid injections. This paper proposes, through a systematic literature review, to establish the effectiveness of epidural steroid for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. We selected 7 papers, of which 5 showed effectiveness of the technique above 56%. The papers showed an important reduction in pain intensity and indication of surgery, besides safety and tolerability.

Abstract Arterio-venous malformation (AVM) is the most common clinical disease caused by intracranial vascular dysplasia. AVM has particular importance in the clinical setting and is difficult to treat because of its high disability and case fatality rate, as well as the uncertainty of its natural course and complex blood flow structure. The treatments for arterio-venous malformations mainly include conservative treatment, surgical resection, endovascular interventional treatment and stereotactic radiotherapy. It is difficult to discern the so-called arterio-venous malformation treatment norms within the clinical setting, as there are many different treatment combinations, different arterio-venous malformation classifications, different clinical manifestations and different high risk factors. Therefore, we are faced with a challenge regarding the treatment of intracranial arterio-venous malformations in clinical practice.

Abstract Epileptic mutant animals are normally kept in frozen embryo to spare the costs and human powers. However, the seizure thresholds of epileptic mutants are very delicate and the reproducibility of seizure threshold through frozen embryo procedures is unstable.