1
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Sherman ER, Li J, Cahill EN. No impairment of contextual fear memory consolidation by oxytocin receptor antagonism in male rats. Physiol Behav 2024; 279:114545. [PMID: 38580203 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a peptide released into brain regions associated with the processing of aversive memory and threat responses. Given the expression of oxytocin receptors across this vigilance surveillance system of the brain, we investigated whether pharmacological antagonism of the receptor would impact contextual aversive conditioning and memory. Adult male rats were conditioned to form an aversive contextual memory. The effects of peripheral administration of either the competitive antagonist Atosiban or noncompetitive antagonist L-368,899 were compared to saline controls. Oxytocin receptor antagonism treatment did not significantly impact the consolidation of aversive contextual memory in any of the groups. We conclude that peripheral antagonism of oxytocin signalling did not impact the formation of aversive memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Sherman
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Jialu Li
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
| | - Emma N Cahill
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK; School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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2
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Eyraud N, Bloch S, Brizard B, Pena L, Tharsis A, Surget A, El-Hage W, Belzung C. Influence of Stress Severity on Contextual Fear Extinction and Avoidance in a Posttraumatic-like Mouse Model. Brain Sci 2024; 14:311. [PMID: 38671963 PMCID: PMC11048507 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a widespread fear-related psychiatric affection associated with fear extinction impairments and important avoidance behaviors. Trauma-related exposure therapy is the current first-hand treatment for PTSD, yet it needs to be improved to shorten the time necessary to reach remission and increase responsiveness. Additional studies to decipher the neurobiological bases of extinction and effects on PTSD-like symptoms could therefore be of use. However, a PTSD-like animal model exhibiting pronounced PTSD-related phenotypes even after an extinction training directly linked to the fearful event is necessary. Thus, using a contextual fear conditioning model of PTSD, we increased the severity of stress during conditioning to search for effects on extinction acquisition and on pre- and post-extinction behaviors. During conditioning, mice received either two or four electrical shocks while a control group was constituted of mice only exposed to the context. Stressed mice exhibited important fear generalization, high fear reaction to the context and selective avoidance of a contextual reminder even after the extinction protocol. Increasing the number of footshocks did not induce major changes on these behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Eyraud
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Solal Bloch
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Bruno Brizard
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Laurane Pena
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Antoine Tharsis
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Alexandre Surget
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Wissam El-Hage
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
- Pôle de Psychiatrie et d’Addictologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Catherine Belzung
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Imaging Brain & Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France
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3
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Koszałka A, Lustyk K, Pytka K. Sex-dependent differences in animal cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105374. [PMID: 37634555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The differences in cognitive processes driven by biological sex are the issues that have gotten growing attention recently. Considering the increasing population suffering from various cognitive impairments and the development of therapeutic strategies, it is essential that we recognize the mechanisms responsible for discrepancies observed in male and female learning and memory functions. In this review, we discuss recent reports from preclinical studies on rodents regarding selected cognitive domains to explore the state of knowledge on sex-dependent differences and point to challenges encountered during such research. We focus on spatial, recognition, and emotional memory, as well as on executive functions, such as attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. This review will help to acknowledge sex-related differences in cognition and indicate some fields that lack sufficient data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Koszałka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; Jagiellonian University Medical College, Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Św. Łazarza 16, 31-530 Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland.
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4
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Gohar T, Ciacciarelli EJ, Dunn SD, West EA. Transient strain differences in an operant delayed non-match to position task. Behav Processes 2023; 211:104932. [PMID: 37604215 PMCID: PMC10493892 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Working memory refers to the temporary retention of a small amount of information used in the execution of a cognitive task. Working memory impairments are one of the common hallmarks of many neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we investigated Fischer 344 and Long-Evans rats for strain and sex differences in working memory using the operant-based DNMTP task. Rats were required to press one of two levers presented during a sample phase and followed by a 2-32 second delay, the rats were then required to press the opposite, nonmatch, lever during the choice phase. We found a transient strain difference with Fischer 344 rats performing better than Long-Evans early in training. The Fischer 344 strain showed stable performance across sessions while the performance of Long-Evans increased in the later sessions. Since different background rat strains are used for transgenic rat models, it is critical to be able to compare the behavioral performance across different strains. These findings have implications in behavioral neuroscience research as understanding the typical behavioral endpoints in different background strains will aid our understanding of how different models affect behavioral performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taqdees Gohar
- MARC Program, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ 08102, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth A West
- Cell Biology and Neuroscience, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
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5
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Automated classification of estrous stage in rodents using deep learning. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17685. [PMID: 36271290 PMCID: PMC9587051 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The rodent estrous cycle modulates a range of biological functions, from gene expression to behavior. The cycle is typically divided into four stages, each characterized by distinct hormone concentration profiles. Given the difficulty of repeatedly sampling plasma steroid hormones from rodents, the primary method for classifying estrous stage is by identifying vaginal epithelial cell types. However, manual classification of epithelial cell samples is time-intensive and variable, even amongst expert investigators. Here, we use a deep learning approach to achieve classification accuracy at expert level. Due to the heterogeneity and breadth of our input dataset, our deep learning approach ("EstrousNet") is highly generalizable across rodent species, stains, and subjects. The EstrousNet algorithm exploits the temporal dimension of the hormonal cycle by fitting classifications to an archetypal cycle, highlighting possible misclassifications and flagging anestrus phases (e.g., pseudopregnancy). EstrousNet allows for rapid estrous cycle staging, improving the ability of investigators to consider endocrine state in their rodent studies.
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6
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Short-Term Fish Oil Supplementation during Adolescence Supports Sex-Specific Impact on Adulthood Visuospatial Memory and Cognitive Flexibility. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173513. [PMID: 36079771 PMCID: PMC9459882 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have supported benefits of omega-3 supplementation using Menhaden fish oil (FO) to promote brain maturation and plasticity during critical developmental periods. The goal of this study was to determine sex-specific immediate and delayed impact of adolescent omega-3 supplementation on visuospatial memory and cognitive flexibility. Sixty-four Wistar rats (n = 32 males and females) received daily FO or soybean oil (CSO) supplementation via oral gavage (0.3 mL/100 g body weight) from postnatal day 28–47. The Barnes Maze Test (BMT) was used to measure visuospatial memory and reversal learning trials (RL) determined cognitive flexibility. Juveniles underwent testing immediately after the gavage period, while adults began testing on postnatal day 90. Adult rats showed reduced working memory errors (WME) and gradual decrease in escape latencies compared to juveniles. Importantly, adult FO-supplemented females displayed fewer WME than males, while males’ performance benefited from CSO supplementation. Overall, sex- and supplementation-dependent effects supported a positive impact of FO in female rats only. Our findings support the potential for supplementation limited to the early adolescence period to influence adulthood spatial learning and cognitive flexibility in a sex-specific manner.
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7
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Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat improves spatial memory in mice via peripheral mechanisms. Neurosci Lett 2022; 788:136840. [PMID: 35985509 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) - cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling is important for healthy memory function and a healthy vascular system. Targeting sGC-cGMP signalling can therefore be a potential strategy to enhance memory processes. sGC can be targeted by using agonists, such as sGC stimulator riociguat. Therefore, this study aimed to target sGC using riociguat to investigate its acute effects on memory function and neuronal plasticity in mice. The effects of riociguat on long-term memory and a biperiden-induced memory deficit model for assessing short-term memory were tested in the object location task, and working memory was tested in the Y-maze continuous alternation task. Pharmacokinetic measurements were performed within brain tissue of mice, and hippocampal plasticity measures were assessed using western blotting. Acute oral administration with a low dose of 0.03 mg/kg riociguat was able to enhance working-, short-, and long-term spatial memory. Under cerebral vasoconstriction higher doses of riociguat were still effective on memory. Pharmacokinetic measurements revealed poor brain penetration of riociguat and its metabolite M-1. Increased activation of VASP was found, while no effects were found on other memory-related hippocampal plasticity measures. Memory enhancing effects of riociguat are most likely regulated by vascular peripheral effects on cGMP signalling. Yet, further research is needed to investigate the possible contribution of hemodynamic or metabolic effects of sGC stimulators on memory performance.
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8
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Becegato M, Silva RH. Object recognition tasks in rats: Does sex matter? Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:970452. [PMID: 36035023 PMCID: PMC9412164 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.970452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novelty recognition tasks based on object exploration are frequently used for the evaluation of cognitive abilities and investigation of neurobiological and molecular aspects of memory in rodents. This is an interesting approach because variations of the object recognition tasks focus on different aspects of the memory events such as novelty, location, context, and combinations of these elements. Nevertheless, as in most animal neuroscience research, female subjects are underrepresented in object recognition studies. When studies include females, the particularities of this sex are not always considered. For example, appropriate controls for manipulations conducted exclusively in females (such as estrous cycle verification) are not included. In addition, interpretation of data is often based on standardizations conducted with male subjects. Despite that, females are frequently reported as deficient and unable to adequately perform some memory tests. Thus, our study aims to review studies that describe similarities and differences between male and female performances in the different variations of object recognition tasks. In summary, although females are commonly described with deficits and the articles emphasize sex differences, most published data reveal similar performances when sexes are compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Becegato
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina H. Silva
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- MaternaCiência, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Regina H. Silva,
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9
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Ovariectomy reduces cholinergic modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the rat entorhinal cortex. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271131. [PMID: 35939438 PMCID: PMC9359571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogens are thought to contribute to cognitive function in part by promoting the function of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons that project to the hippocampus and cortical regions including the entorhinal cortex. Reductions in estrogens may alter cognition by reducing the function of cholinergic inputs to both the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. In the present study, we assessed the effects of ovariectomy on proteins associated with cholinergic synapses in the entorhinal cortex. Ovariectomy was conducted at PD63, and tissue was obtained on PD84 to 89 to quantify changes in the degradative enzyme acetylcholinesterase, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and muscarinic M1 receptor protein. Although the vesicular acetylcholine transporter was unaffected, ovariectomy reduced both acetylcholinesterase and M1 receptor protein, and these reductions were prevented by chronic replacement of 17β-estradiol following ovariectomy. We also assessed the effects of ovariectomy on the cholinergic modulation of excitatory transmission, by comparing the effects of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor eserine on evoked excitatory synaptic field potentials in brain slices obtained from intact rats, and from ovariectomized rats with or without 17β-estradiol replacement. Eserine is known to prolong the effects of endogenously released acetylcholine, resulting in an M1-like mediated reduction of glutamate release at excitatory synapses. The reduction in excitatory synaptic potentials in layer II of the entorhinal cortex induced by 15-min application of 10 μM eserine was greatly reduced in slices from ovariectomized rats as compared to intact rats and ovariectomized rats with replacement of 17β-estradiol. The reduced modulatory effect of eserine is consistent with the observed changes in cholinergic proteins, and suggests that reductions in 17β-estradiol following ovariectomy lead to impaired cholinergic function within the entorhinal cortex.
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10
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Stevanovic KD, Fry SA, DeFilipp JMS, Wu N, Bernstein BJ, Cushman JD. Assessing the importance of sex in a hippocampus-dependent behavioral test battery in C57BL/6NTac mice. LEARNING & MEMORY (COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y.) 2022; 29:203-215. [PMID: 35882502 PMCID: PMC9374270 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053599.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Inclusion of male and female subjects in behavioral neuroscience research requires a concerted effort to characterize sex differences in standardized behavioral assays. Sex differences in hippocampus-dependent assays have been widely reported but are still poorly characterized. In the present study, we conducted a parametric analysis of spontaneous alternation, object recognition, and fear conditioning in a commonly used control strain, C57BL/6NTac. Our findings show largely similar performance between males and females across the majority of behavioral end points. However, we identified an important difference in nonassociative fear sensitization, whereby females showed an enhanced fear response to the 75-dB tone that is used as the conditional stimulus. In addition, we observed an impairment in object location performance in females that was ameliorated by more extensive habituation to handling. Together, these findings argue that sex differences in nonassociative fear responses to both novel auditory cues and novel objects need to be considered when designing and interpreting cognitive assays in C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, this elevated fear sensitization could serve as a novel approach to model the increased incidence of anxiety disorders in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korey D Stevanovic
- Neurobehavioral Core Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - Sydney A Fry
- Neurobehavioral Core Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - Jemma M S DeFilipp
- Neurobehavioral Core Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - Nicholas Wu
- University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Briana J Bernstein
- Neurobehavioral Core Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - Jesse D Cushman
- Neurobehavioral Core Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA
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11
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Paiva-Santos MA, Leão AHFF, Kurita JPF, Becegato MS, Lima AC, Bioni VS, Meurer YSR, Cunha DMG, Medeiros AM, Silva RH. Sex differences in the acute ethanol effects on object recognition memory: influence of estrous cycle. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:322-332. [PMID: 35502955 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Effects of acute ethanol (EtOH) on memory depend on several factors, including type of behavioral task. Sex differences in EtOH effects have been reported in humans and animals, and recognition memory can be influenced by circulating sex hormones. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sex and estrous cycle in the acute effects of EtOH on novel object recognition memory in rats. Male and female Wistar rats were part of one of the groups: control, 0.6-g/kg EtOH and 1.8-g/kg EtOH (administered intraperitoneally before the training session). The estrous cycle was evaluated by vaginal smear. The task was conducted in an open field arena. During training, animals were exposed to two identical objects, and test sessions were performed 1 h (short-term) and 24 h (long-term) later. One of the objects was changed in each test. Increased novel object exploration was shown by male and female controls in the short- and long-term tests, respectively. In the short-term test, females did not show preference for the novel object, and EtOH 1.8 g/kg impaired performance in males. In the long-term test, both sexes showed object discrimination, and 1.8-g/kg EtOH reduced preference for the new object in male rats. The phase of the cycle, the performance on proestrus was worse compared with other phases, and EtOH failed to impair performance mainly on estrous. In conclusion, while male rats displayed ethanol-induced recognition memory deficit, female rats were unaffected by EtOH impairing effects. In addition, the performance of female rats was influenced by the estrous cycle phases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - João P F Kurita
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo
| | - Marcela S Becegato
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo
| | - Alvaro C Lima
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo
| | - Vinicius S Bioni
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo
| | - Ywlliane S R Meurer
- Memory and Cognition Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa
| | - Débora M G Cunha
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo
| | - André M Medeiros
- Department of Health Sciences, Center of Health and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Regina H Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo
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12
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Rinaudo M, Natale F, La Greca F, Spinelli M, Farsetti A, Paciello F, Fusco S, Grassi C. Hippocampal Estrogen Signaling Mediates Sex Differences in Retroactive Interference. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061387. [PMID: 35740410 PMCID: PMC9219958 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being a crucial physiological function of the brain, the mechanisms underlying forgetting are still poorly understood. Estrogens play a critical role in different brain functions, including memory. However, the effects of sex hormones on forgetting vulnerabilitymediated by retroactive interference (RI), a phenomenon in which newly acquired information interferes with the retrieval of already stored information, are still poorly understood. The aim of our study was to characterize the sex differences in interference-mediated forgetting and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that adult male C57bl/6 mice showed a higher susceptibility to RI-dependent memory loss than females. The preference index (PI) in the NOR paradigm was 52.7 ± 5.9% in males and 62.3 ± 13.0% in females. The resistance to RI in female mice was mediated by estrogen signaling involving estrogen receptor α activation in the dorsal hippocampus. Accordingly, following RI, females showed higher phosphorylation levels (+30%) of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) in the hippocampus. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 made female mice prone to RI. The PI was 70.6 ± 11.0% in vehicle-injected mice and 47.4 ± 10.8% following PD98059 administration. Collectively, our data suggest that hippocampal estrogen α receptor-ERK1/2 signaling is critically involved in a pattern separation mechanism that inhibits object-related RI in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rinaudo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.N.); (F.L.G.); (M.S.); (F.P.); (S.F.); (C.G.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesca Natale
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.N.); (F.L.G.); (M.S.); (F.P.); (S.F.); (C.G.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco La Greca
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.N.); (F.L.G.); (M.S.); (F.P.); (S.F.); (C.G.)
| | - Matteo Spinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.N.); (F.L.G.); (M.S.); (F.P.); (S.F.); (C.G.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Farsetti
- Institute for System Analysis and Computer Science “A. Ruberti” (IASI), National Research Council (CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Fabiola Paciello
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.N.); (F.L.G.); (M.S.); (F.P.); (S.F.); (C.G.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.N.); (F.L.G.); (M.S.); (F.P.); (S.F.); (C.G.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.N.); (F.L.G.); (M.S.); (F.P.); (S.F.); (C.G.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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13
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Rubio Arzola P, Shansky RM. Considering Organismal Physiology in Laboratory Studies of Rodent Behavior. Annu Rev Neurosci 2022; 45:387-402. [PMID: 35395164 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-111020-085500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Any experiment conducted in a rodent laboratory is done so against the backdrop of each animal's physiological state at the time of the experiment. This physiological state can be the product of multiple factors, both internal (e.g., animal sex, strain, hormone cycles, or circadian rhythms) and external (e.g., housing conditions, social status, and light/dark phases). Each of these factors has the potential to influence experimental outcomes, either independently or via interactions with others, and yet there is little consistency across laboratories in terms of the weight with which they are considered in experimental design. Such discrepancies-both in practice and in reporting-likely contribute to the perception of a reproducibility crisis in the field of behavioral neuroscience. In this review, we discuss how several of these sources of variability can impact outcomes within the realm of common learning and memory paradigms. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Neuroscience, Volume 45 is July 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca M Shansky
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
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14
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Jankovic M, Spasojevic N, Ferizovic H, Stefanovic B, Dronjak S. Sex specific effects of the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 on memory and brain β 2-adrenergic and D1-dopamine receptors. Neurosci Lett 2022; 768:136363. [PMID: 34843876 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
An increasing body of evidence shows significant sex differences in the mammalian brain in multiple behaviours and psychiatric and neurological diseases and as well as that the endocannabinoid system may differ between males and females. In this study we investigated sex differences in working, short-term and long-term memory and the expression of β2-adrenergic and D1- and D2-receptors in the mPFC and hippocampus, brain regions that are involved in stress response and memory modulation in rats exposed to the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) and the potential beneficial effects of the chronic fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 treatment. Chronically stressed male rats had an improvement of working memory, while stressed females showed very low object-recognition abilities. On the other hand, animals of both sexes exhibited long-term memory impairment. Our results showed that CUS decreased the expression of β2-adrenoceptors in the mPFC and D1 receptors in the mPFC and hippocampus of male rats and decreased β2-adrenoceptors and D1- receptors in the hippocampus of female. URB597 treatment had a positive effect on the short-term memory of stressed animals of both sexes whereas failed to restore long-term memory and did not affect the protein levels β2-adrenoceptors and D1 receptors in the hippocampus of CUS female rats. The present results support that endocannabinoids induced long-term memory and neurochemical alternations which are sex dependent, suggesting sex specific treatment strategies of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Jankovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "Vinča" Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Natasa Spasojevic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "Vinča" Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Harisa Ferizovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "Vinča" Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Stefanovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "Vinča" Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sladjana Dronjak
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "Vinča" Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
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15
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Waite L, Bonardi C, Stevenson CW, Cassaday HJ. Strain comparisons in inhibitory discrimination learning and novel object recognition procedures. Physiol Behav 2021; 240:113557. [PMID: 34400194 PMCID: PMC8476941 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Strain differences in visual abilities and exploratory tendencies can confound rats' performance in cognitive tests of learning and memory. In the present study we compared the performance of albino Wistar and pigmented Lister Hooded rats in appetitive conditioning and recognition memory procedures, specifically within-subjects inhibitory learning (A+ /AX-) and novel object recognition (NOR) variants. The inhibition task included an excitatory training stage and summation and retardation tests. Difference scores were used to help control for individual variation in baseline nosepoke responding. NOR was tested after a 10 min delay, following 24hr delay and using a recency variant. Discrimination ratios were used to control for individual variation in exploratory activity. In the inhibitory learning procedure, Lister Hooded showed more magazine activity prior to stimulus presentations than Wistar rats but this was a transient effect restricted to day 1 of excitatory training. There was no strain difference in associative learning at the excitatory training stage. The Wistars went on to show some performance advantage at the inhibitory discrimination stage and marginally stronger retardation test performance. In the NOR tasks, there was no significant effect of strain on cognitive performance, but the Wistars showed some advantage in the 10 min delay variant, whereas in the 24hr delay and relative recency NOR variants, the Lister Hooded rats showed some advantage. Overall the results of the present study confirm the suitability of Wistar rats for use in associative learning and basic NOR procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Waite
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham,UK
| | - C Bonardi
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham,UK
| | | | - H J Cassaday
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham,UK
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16
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Promoting and Optimizing the Use of 3D-Printed Objects in Spontaneous Recognition Memory Tasks in Rodents: A Method for Improving Rigor and Reproducibility. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0319-21.2021. [PMID: 34503967 PMCID: PMC8489023 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0319-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous recognition memory tasks are widely used to assess cognitive function in rodents and have become commonplace in the characterization of rodent models of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Leveraging an animal’s innate preference for novelty, these tasks use object exploration to capture the what, where and when components of recognition memory. Choosing and optimizing objects is a key feature when designing recognition memory tasks. Although the range of objects used in these tasks varies extensively across studies, object features can bias exploration, influence task difficulty and alter brain circuit recruitment. Here, we discuss the advantages of using 3D-printed objects in rodent spontaneous recognition memory tasks. We provide strategies for optimizing their design and usage, and offer a repository of tested, open-source designs for use with commonly used rodent species. The easy accessibility, low-cost, renewability and flexibility of 3D-printed open-source designs make this approach an important step toward improving rigor and reproducibility in rodent spontaneous recognition memory tasks.
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17
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Nelissen E, Argyrousi EK, Van Goethem NP, Zhao F, Hines CDG, Swaminath G, Gerisch M, Hueser J, Sandner P, Prickaerts J. Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator Vericiguat Enhances Long-Term Memory in Rats without Altering Cerebral Blood Volume. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1047. [PMID: 34440254 PMCID: PMC8393324 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is characterized by impairments in cerebral blood flow (CBF), endothelial function and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. These processes are all physiologically regulated by the nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-cGMP signaling pathway. Additionally, cGMP signaling plays an important role in long-term potentiation (LTP) underlying memory formation. Therefore, targeting the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway may be a therapeutic strategy for treating VCI. Hence, in this study we investigated whether sGC stimulator vericiguat has potential as a cognitive enhancer. The effects of vericiguat on long-term memory were measured in rats using an object location task. Due to the low brain-penetrance of vericiguat found in this study, it was investigated whether in the absence of BBB limitations, vericiguat enhanced hippocampal plasticity using an ex vivo memory acquisition-like chemical LTP model. Finally, peripheral effects were measured by means of blood pressure and cerebral blood volume. Vericiguat successfully enhanced long-term memory and increased hippocampal plasticity via enhanced translocation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors to the cell membrane, while blood pressure and cerebral blood volume were unaltered. Although the memory enhancing effects in this study are likely due to peripheral effects on the cerebral microvasculature, sGC stimulation may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating VCI, especially when BBB integrity is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Elentina K. Argyrousi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Nick P. Van Goethem
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Fuqiang Zhao
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (F.Z.); (C.D.G.H.)
| | | | | | - Michael Gerisch
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Joerg Hueser
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Pharmacology, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
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18
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Nikbakht N, Diamond ME. Conserved visual capacity of rats under red light. eLife 2021; 10:66429. [PMID: 34282724 PMCID: PMC8360654 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies examine the behavioral capacities of rats and mice with and without visual input, and the neuronal mechanisms underlying such capacities. These animals are assumed to be functionally blind under red light, an assumption that might originate in the fact that they are dichromats who possess ultraviolet and green cones, but not red cones. But the inability to see red as a color does not necessarily rule out form vision based on red light absorption. We measured Long-Evans rats’ capacity for visual form discrimination under red light of various wavelength bands. Upon viewing a black and white grating, they had to distinguish between two categories of orientation: horizontal and vertical. Psychometric curves plotting judged orientation versus angle demonstrate the conserved visual capacity of rats under red light. Investigations aiming to explore rodent physiological and behavioral functions in the absence of visual input should not assume red-light blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Nikbakht
- Tactile Perception and Learning Lab, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Mathew E Diamond
- Tactile Perception and Learning Lab, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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19
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Investigation of alpha-lipoic acid effect on memory impairment considering strain-dependent differences in mice. Life Sci 2021; 281:119766. [PMID: 34186041 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Memory impairment is regarded as one of the most challenging neurological disorders. The present study aimed to investigate behavioral and biochemical differences among similar mouse strains following Scopolamine (SCO) exposure as a widespread memory disturbing agent, and a supremely potent antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Three sets of mouse strains (i.e. SW, NMRI, and NIH mice) were subjected to 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal SCO and/or 50 mg/kg ALA 30 min before each Morris Water Maze (MWM) trial for five consecutive days. Upon completion of the trials, the hippocampal region of the animals was dissected for histopathological and biochemical analyses. KEY FINDINGS The results exhibited significant impairments caused by SCO in behavioral tests, including probe test, escape latency, and distance traveled in two strains of NMRI and NIH. Nevertheless, at swimming speed, SCO had no meaningful effect on SW and NIH strains. The level of oxidative stress parameters including MDA, ROS, and SOD increased, FRAP and TTM levels related to the hippocampus decreased. There was also a significant increase in hippocampal acetylcholinesterase levels, ADP/ATP ratio, p-NFkB, and Cyt-c. Conversely, ALA administration resulted in a significant improvement in SCO-induced spatial learning and memory impairments only in the SW and NIH mice, which was associated with a significant reduction in hippocampal AChE activity, ADP/ATP ratio, ROS and MDA levels, and SOD activity. SIGNIFICANCE In addition of highlighting the efficacious role of ALA in cognitive functions, the findings of this study signified the behavioral dissimilarities among similar animal strains in case of different chemical exposures.
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20
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Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a critical role in the neuropharmacology of learning and memory. As such, naturally occurring alkaloids that regulate nAChR activity have gained interest for understanding and potentially improving memory function. In this study, we tested the acute effects of three known nicotinic alkaloids, nicotine, cotinine, and anatabine, in suppressing scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rodents by using two classic memory paradigms, Y-maze and novel object recognition (NOR) in mice and rats, respectively. We found that all compounds were able to suppress scopolamine-induced spatial memory deficit in the Y-maze spontaneous alternation paradigm. However, only nicotine was able to suppress the short-term object memory deficit in NOR, despite the higher doses of cotinine and anatabine used to account for their potential differences in nAChR activity. These results indicate that cotinine and anatabine can uniquely regulate short-term spatial memory, while nicotine seems to have more robust and general role in memory regulation in rodents. Thus, nAChR-activating alkaloids may possess distinct procognitive properties in rodents, depending on the memory types examined.
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21
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Alò R, Olivito I, Fazzari G, Zizza M, Di Vito A, Avolio E, Mandalà M, Bruno R, Barni T, Canonaco M, Facciolo RM. Correlation of distinct behaviors to the modified expression of cerebral Shank1,3 and BDNF in two autistic animal models. Behav Brain Res 2021; 404:113165. [PMID: 33577886 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder featuring altered neuronal circuitry and consequently impaired social interactions, restrictive interests plus repetitive stereotypic activities. In the present study, differentiated behaviors of valproic (VPA) and propionic (PPA) acid-mediated autism rats were correlated to cerebral scaffolding proteins (Shank1,3) and BDNF expression variations. Sprague-Dawley offspring that received VPA during pregnancy displayed a notably diminished permanence (-78 %, p < 0.01) in the light chamber of light dark (LD) test, reduced exploratory tasks, i.e. grooming (-90 %) and rearing (-65 %). Moreover, they executed extremely greater climbing intervals (+300 %, p < 0.001) in novel cage (NC) test, plus exhibited an extremely reduced (-331 %) discrimination index in novel object recognition (NOR) test when compared to controls. PPA-treated postnatal days (PND) 12-16 rats also displayed anxiety-like behaviors, although in a less evident manner, as indicated by a moderate time (+55 %; p < 0.05) spent in dark chamber along with notable and moderate decreases in digging (-78 %) plus grooming (-52 %), respectively. Contextually, VPA- more than PPA supplied opposite Shank1,3 expression changes in cerebellum (CB; -62 %; +78 %), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DM-PFC; +95 % -76 %), respectively, while resulting extremely upregulated in hippocampus (HIP; +125 % - +155 %). Even BDNF resulted to be substantially and notably diminished in HIP (-85 %) and DM-PFC (-72 %), respectively, of VPA rats while it was only moderately reduced (-35 % to -45 %) in these same areas of PPA rats. The early altered brain-specific expression levels accounting for different behavioral performances may provide useful diagnostic indications and constitute valuable therapeutic strategies for autistic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Alò
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Ilaria Olivito
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Gilda Fazzari
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Merylin Zizza
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Anna Di Vito
- Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ennio Avolio
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy; Health Center srl, Biomedical and Nutritional Center, via Sabotino 66, 87100 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mandalà
- Vascular Physiology Lab., Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Bruno
- Dept. of Pharmacy and Science of Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Tullio Barni
- Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marcello Canonaco
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Rosa Maria Facciolo
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
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22
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de França Malheiros MAS, Castelo-Branco R, de Medeiros PHS, de Lima Marinho PE, da Silva Rodrigues Meurer Y, Barbosa FF. Conspecific Presence Improves Episodic-Like Memory in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:572150. [PMID: 33519391 PMCID: PMC7844209 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.572150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of studies have provided evidence that animals, including rats, remember past episodes. However, few experiments have addressed episodic-like memory from a social perspective. In the present study, we evaluated Wistar rats in the WWWhen/ELM task as single setups and in dyads, applying a long retention interval. We also investigated behaviors that could subserve the emergence of this type of memory. We found that only rats tested in the social setting were able to recollect an integrated episodic-like memory that lasted 24 h. Additionally, rats in dyads presented higher levels of exploration during the task. When exposed to the testing environment, the dyads exhibited affiliative behavior toward each other and presented fewer anxiety-like responses. Our findings indicate that the presence of a conspecific could act as a facilitating factor in memory evaluations based on spontaneous exploration of objects and provide empirical support for applying more naturalistic settings in investigations of episodic-like memory in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Augustta Sobral de França Malheiros
- Laboratory of Psychopharmaology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.,Memory and Cognition Studies Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Rochele Castelo-Branco
- Laboratory of Psychopharmaology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.,Memory and Cognition Studies Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique Santos de Medeiros
- Laboratory of Psychopharmaology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.,Memory and Cognition Studies Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Pedro Emmílio de Lima Marinho
- Laboratory of Psychopharmaology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.,Memory and Cognition Studies Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Ywlliane da Silva Rodrigues Meurer
- Laboratory of Psychopharmaology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.,Memory and Cognition Studies Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Flávio Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Psychopharmaology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.,Memory and Cognition Studies Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
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23
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Alò R, Fazzari G, Zizza M, Avolio E, Di Vito A, Bruno R, Cuda G, Barni T, Canonaco M, Facciolo RM. Daidzein Pro-cognitive Effects Coincided with Changes of Brain Neurotensin1 Receptor and Interleukin-10 Expression Levels in Obese Hamsters. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:645-657. [PMID: 33428179 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
At present, concerns are pointing to "tasteful" high-fat diets as a cause of conditioning physical-social states that through alterations of some key emotional- and nutritional-related limbic circuits such as hypothalamic and amygdalar areas lead to obesity states. Feeding and energetic homeostatic molecular mechanisms are part of a complex neuronal circuit accounting for this metabolic disorder. In an attempt to exclude conventional drugs for treating obesity, daidzein, a natural glycosidic isoflavone, which mimics estrogenic neuroprotective properties against increased body weight, is beginning to be preferred. In this study, evident anxiolytic-like behaviors were detected following treatment of high-fat diet hamsters with daidzein as shown by extremely evident (p < 0.001) exploration tendencies in novel object recognition test and a notably greater amount of time spent (p < 0.01) in open arms of elevated plus maze. Moreover, the isoflavone promoted a protective role against neurodegeneration processes as shown by few, if any, amino cupric silver granules in amygdalar, hypothalamic and hippocampal neuronal fields when compared with obese hamsters. Interestingly, elevated expression levels of the anorexic neuropeptide receptor neurotensin1 in the above limbic areas of obese hamsters were extremely reduced by daidzein, especially during recovery of cognitive events. Contextually, such effects were strongly paralleled by increased levels of the anti-neuroinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10. Our results corroborate a neuroprotective ability of this natural glycosidic isoflavone, which through its interaction with the receptor neurotensin1 and interleukin-10 pathways is correlated not only to improved feeding states, and subsequently obesity conditions, but above all to cognitive performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Alò
- Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science Department (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, Ponte P. Bucci 4B, 87036, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Gilda Fazzari
- Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science Department (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, Ponte P. Bucci 4B, 87036, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Merylin Zizza
- Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science Department (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, Ponte P. Bucci 4B, 87036, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Ennio Avolio
- Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science Department (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, Ponte P. Bucci 4B, 87036, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Anna Di Vito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy and Science of Health and Nutrition, Polyfunctional Building, University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, 87036, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cuda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Tullio Barni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marcello Canonaco
- Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science Department (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, Ponte P. Bucci 4B, 87036, Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Rosa Maria Facciolo
- Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science Department (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, Ponte P. Bucci 4B, 87036, Cosenza, Italy
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24
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Ontogeny of spontaneous recognition memory in rodents. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 177:107361. [PMID: 33307181 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous recognition memory tasks explore thewhat,whereandwhencomponents of recognition memory. These tasks are widely used in rodents to assess cognitive function across the lifespan. While several neurodevelopmental and mental disorders present symptom onset in early life, very little is known about how memories are expressed in early life, and as a consequence how they may be affected in pathological conditions. In this review, we conduct an analysis of the studies examining the expression of spontaneous recognition memory in young rodents. We compiled studies using four different tasks: novel object recognition, object location, temporal order recognition and object place. First, we identify major sources of variability between early life spontaneous recognition studies and classify them for later comparison. Second, we use these classifications to explore the current knowledge on the ontogeny of each of these four spontaneous recognition memory tasks. We conclude by discussing the possible implications of the relative time of onset for each of these tasks and their respective neural correlates. In compiling this research, we hope to advance on establishing a developmental timeline for the emergence of distinct components of recognition memory, while also identifying key areas of focus for future research. Establishing the ontogenetic profile of rodent spontaneous recognition memory tasks will create a necessary blueprint for cognitive assessment in animal models of neurodevelopmental and mental disorders, a first step towards improved and earlier diagnosis as well as novel intervention strategies.
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25
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Pharmacological inhibition of phosphodiesterase 7 enhances consolidation processes of spatial memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 177:107357. [PMID: 33278592 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Augmentation of cAMP signaling through inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDE) is known to enhance plasticity and memory. Inhibition of PDE4 enhances consolidation into memory, but less is known about the role of other cAMP specific PDEs. Here, we tested the effects of oral treatment with a selective inhibitor of PDE7 of nanomolar potency on spatial and contextual memory. In an object location task, doses of 0.3-3 mg/kg administered 3 h after training dose-dependently attenuated time-dependent forgetting in rats. Significant enhancement of memory occurred at a dose of 3 mg/kg with corresponding brain levels consistent with PDE7 inhibition. The same dose given prior to training augmented contextual fear conditioning. In mice, daily dosing before training enhanced spatial memory in two different incremental learning paradigms in the Barnes Maze. Drug treated mice made significantly less errors locating the escape in a probe-test 24 h after the end of training, and they exhibited hippocampal-dependent spatial search strategies more frequently than controls, which tended to show serial sampling of escape locations. Acquisition and short-term memory, in contrast, were unaffected. Our data provide evidence for a role of PDE7 in the consolidation of hippocampal-dependent memory. We suggest that targeting PDE7 for memory enhancement may provide an alternative to PDE4 inhibitors, which tend to have undesirable gastrointestinal side-effects.
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Rajizadeh MA, Esmaeilpour K, Motamedy S, Mohtashami Borzadaranb F, Sheibani V. Cognitive Impairments of Sleep-Deprived Ovariectomized (OVX) Female Rats by Voluntary Exercise. Basic Clin Neurosci 2020; 11:573-586. [PMID: 33643551 PMCID: PMC7878057 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.9.10.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies demonstrated that forced and voluntary exercise had ameliorative effects on behavioral tasks followed by Sleep Deprivation (SD) in intact female rats. The main goal of this research was evaluating the impact of voluntary exercise on cognitive functions while SD and ovariectomization is induced in female wistar rats. Methods: The rats were anesthesized combining dosage of ketamine and xylazine. Then, both ovaries were eliminated and 3 weeks after surgery the animals entered the study. The exercise protocol took 4 weeks of voluntary exercise in a wheel which was connected to home cage. For inducing a 72 hours deprivation the multiple platforms was applied. The cognitive functions were studied by exploiting the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Novel object recognition tests. Anxiety was evaluated by open field test and corticostrone measurement was carried out by ELISA method. One-way and two-way ANOVA and repeated measures were utilized for data analysis and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We observed significant spatial and recognition learning and memory impairments in OVX sleep-deprived rats compared to the control group and voluntary exercise alleviated the SD-induced learning and memory defects. Conclusion: We concluded that voluntary exercise can improve cognitive impairments followed by SD in OVX female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sina Motamedy
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Vahid Sheibani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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The medial prefrontal cortex - hippocampus circuit that integrates information of object, place and time to construct episodic memory in rodents: Behavioral, anatomical and neurochemical properties. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:373-407. [PMID: 32298711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Rats and mice have been demonstrated to show episodic-like memory, a prototype of episodic memory, as defined by an integrated memory of the experience of an object or event, in a particular place and time. Such memory can be assessed via the use of spontaneous object exploration paradigms, variably designed to measure memory for object, place, temporal order and object-location inter-relationships. We review the methodological properties of these tests, the neurobiology about time and discuss the evidence for the involvement of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampus, with respect to their anatomy, neurotransmitter systems and functional circuits. The systematic analysis suggests that a specific circuit between the mPFC, lateral EC and hippocampus encodes the information for event, place and time of occurrence into the complex episodic-like memory, as a top-down regulation from the mPFC onto the hippocampus. This circuit can be distinguished from the neuronal component memory systems for processing the individual information of object, time and place.
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Vannuchi CR, Costa CS, de Jesus FM, Maior RS, Barros M. Sex, diurnal variation and retention interval differently affect performance of marmoset monkeys in a recognition memory task for object location. Behav Brain Res 2020; 379:112334. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Moura CA, Oliveira MC, Costa LF, Tiago PRF, Holanda VAD, Lima RH, Cagni FC, Lobão-Soares B, Bolaños-Jiménez F, Gavioli EC. Prenatal restraint stress impairs recognition memory in adult male and female offspring. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2020; 32:1-6. [PMID: 31992385 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2020.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accumulating evidence from preclinical and clinical studies indicates that prenatal exposure to stress impairs the development of the offspring brain and facilitates the emergence of mental illness. This study aims to describe the impact of prenatal restraint stress on cognition and exploration to an unfamiliar environment at adulthood in an outbred strain of mice. METHODS Late pregnant mice were exposed to restraint stress and adult offspring (60 days of age) behaviours were assessed in the object recognition task and open field test. FINDINGS Prenatal stress (PNS) impaired new object recognition in male and female mice. Importantly, the learning deficits in female PNS mice were linked to their estrous cycle. Actually, PNS females in metestrus/diestrus but not in proestrus/estrus phases displayed recognition deficits compared to controls. Concerning locomotion in an unfamiliar environment, male but not female PNS mice displayed significant increase, but showed no differences in the distance travelled within the centre zone of the arena. CONCLUSION Present findings support the view that maternal restraint-stress during late pregnancy impairs recognition memory in both male and female offspring, and in females, this cognitive deficit is dependent on the estrous cycle phase. Ultimately, these data reinforce that PNS is an aetiological component of psychiatric disorders associated with memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa A Moura
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Matheus C Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Layse F Costa
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Pamella R F Tiago
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Victor A D Holanda
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Ramon H Lima
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Fernanda C Cagni
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Bruno Lobão-Soares
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | | | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
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Xia W, Veljkovic E, Koshibu K, Peitsch MC, Hoeng J. Neurobehavioral effects of selected tobacco constituents in rodents following subchronic administration. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 865:172809. [PMID: 31738931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Bidirectional correlations between cigarette smoking and affective disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, are well documented. These findings have led to substantial investigations into the effects of the major tobacco alkaloid, nicotine, and to a lesser extent, of other tobacco constituents, on the central nervous system (CNS). However, systematic profiling of the neuropharmacological effects of tobacco constituents is limited. To elucidate the effects of selected tobacco constituents on the CNS, we used the SmartCube® system, which captures and classifies behavioral features of compound-treated mice, to profile the psychiatric drugs-like properties of previously reported neuroactive tobacco compounds in mice. Daily intraperitoneal injection of nicotine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg/day) and anatabine (5 mg/kg/day) for 7 days produced antidepressant-like behavioral SmartCube® signatures in mice, and these results were supported by the improved active coping responses in the forced swim tests. Conversely, ferulic acid did not show any identifiable class signatures in the SmartCube® tests, but rather displayed subclass signatures associated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. In novel object recognition memory test in rats, ferulic acid improved memory after 7 days of subcutaneous injection at 0.3 or 3 mg/kg/day. These results support previous findings showing the antidepressant drug-like effects of nicotine and the nootropic effects of ferulic acid. This is also the first report on the antidepressant drug-like effects of anatabine in rodents. This study provides a systemic behavioral evaluation of tobacco alkaloids and further insights into the association between affective disorders and smoking incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Xia
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris International Research Laboratories Pte. Ltd., 50 Science Park Road, The Kendall #02-07, Science Park II, 117406, Singapore.
| | - Emilija Veljkovic
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Kyoko Koshibu
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel C Peitsch
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hoeng
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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31
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APOE genetic background and sex confer different vulnerabilities to postnatal chlorpyrifos exposure and modulate the response to cholinergic drugs. Behav Brain Res 2019; 376:112195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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32
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Gulinello M, Mitchell HA, Chang Q, Timothy O'Brien W, Zhou Z, Abel T, Wang L, Corbin JG, Veeraragavan S, Samaco RC, Andrews NA, Fagiolini M, Cole TB, Burbacher TM, Crawley JN. Rigor and reproducibility in rodent behavioral research. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 165:106780. [PMID: 29307548 PMCID: PMC6034984 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral neuroscience research incorporates the identical high level of meticulous methodologies and exacting attention to detail as all other scientific disciplines. To achieve maximal rigor and reproducibility of findings, well-trained investigators employ a variety of established best practices. Here we explicate some of the requirements for rigorous experimental design and accurate data analysis in conducting mouse and rat behavioral tests. Novel object recognition is used as an example of a cognitive assay which has been conducted successfully with a range of methods, all based on common principles of appropriate procedures, controls, and statistics. Directors of Rodent Core facilities within Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers contribute key aspects of their own novel object recognition protocols, offering insights into essential similarities and less-critical differences. Literature cited in this review article will lead the interested reader to source papers that provide step-by-step protocols which illustrate optimized methods for many standard rodent behavioral assays. Adhering to best practices in behavioral neuroscience will enhance the value of animal models for the multiple goals of understanding biological mechanisms, evaluating consequences of genetic mutations, and discovering efficacious therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gulinello
- IDDRC Behavioral Core Facility, Neuroscience Department, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Heather A Mitchell
- IDD Models Core, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Qiang Chang
- IDD Models Core, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - W Timothy O'Brien
- IDDRC Preclinical Models Core, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- IDDRC Preclinical Models Core, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ted Abel
- IDDRC Preclinical Models Core, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Current affiliation: Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Li Wang
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Joshua G Corbin
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Surabi Veeraragavan
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rodney C Samaco
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nick A Andrews
- IDDRC Neurodevelopmental Behavior Core, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michela Fagiolini
- IDDRC Neurodevelopmental Behavior Core, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Toby B Cole
- IDDRC Rodent Behavior Laboratory, Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas M Burbacher
- IDDRC Rodent Behavior Laboratory, Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- IDDRC Rodent Behavior Core, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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van Goethem NP, Paes D, Puzzo D, Fedele E, Rebosio C, Gulisano W, Palmeri A, Wennogle LP, Peng Y, Bertrand D, Prickaerts J. Antagonizing α7 nicotinic receptors with methyllycaconitine (MLA) potentiates receptor activity and memory acquisition. Cell Signal 2019; 62:109338. [PMID: 31176021 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) have been targeted to improve cognition in different neurological and psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, no α7nAChR activating ligand has been clinically approved. Here, we investigated the effects of antagonizing α7nAChRs using the selective antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA) on receptor activity in vitro and cognitive functioning in vivo. Picomolar concentrations of MLA significantly potentiated receptor responses in electrophysiological experiments mimicking the in vivo situation. Furthermore, microdialysis studies showed that MLA administration substantially increased hippocampal glutamate efflux which is related to memory processes. Accordingly, pre-tetanus administration of low MLA concentrations produced longer lasting potentiation (long-term potentiation, LTP) in studies examining hippocampal plasticity. Moreover, low doses of MLA improved acquisition, but not consolidation memory processes in rats. While the focus to enhance cognition by modulating α7nAChRs lies on agonists and positive modulators, antagonists at low doses should provide a novel approach to improve cognition in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick P van Goethem
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dean Paes
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Polyclinic Hospital San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Rebosio
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Youyi Peng
- Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc., New York 10016, United States
| | - Daniel Bertrand
- HiQScreen Sàrl, 6, rte de Compois, 1222, Vésenaz, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Su Y, Liu J, Yu B, Ba R, Zhao C. Brpf1 Haploinsufficiency Impairs Dendritic Arborization and Spine Formation, Leading to Cognitive Deficits. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:249. [PMID: 31213987 PMCID: PMC6558182 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of the bromodomain and PHD finger-containing protein 1 (BRPF1) gene causes intellectual disability (ID), which is characterized by impaired intellectual and cognitive function; however, the neurological basis for ID and the neurological function of BRPF1 dosage in the brain remain unclear. Here, by crossing Emx1-cre mice with Brpf1fl/fl mice, we generated Brpf1 heterozygous mice to model BRPF1-related ID. Brpf1 heterozygotes showed reduced dendritic complexity in both hippocampal granule cells and cortical pyramidal neurons, accompanied by reduced spine density and altered spine and synapse morphology. An in vitro study of Brpf1 haploinsufficiency also demonstrated decreased frequency and amplitude of miniature EPSCs that may subsequently contribute to abnormal behaviors, including decreased anxiety levels and defective learning and memory. Our results demonstrate a critical role for Brpf1 dosage in neuron dendrite arborization, spine morphogenesis and behavior and provide insight into the pathogenesis of BRPF1-related ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Su
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Baocong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ru Ba
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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35
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Ali S, Asad MHHB, Maity S, Zada W, Rizvanov AA, Iqbal J, Babak B, Hussain I. Fluoro-benzimidazole derivatives to cure Alzheimer's disease: In-silico studies, synthesis, structure-activity relationship and in vivo evaluation for β secretase enzyme inhibition. Bioorg Chem 2019; 88:102936. [PMID: 31054426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.102936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sayyad Ali
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan; Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Muhammad Hassham Hassan Bin Asad
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan; Department of Genetics, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420021, Russia.
| | - Soham Maity
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Wahid Zada
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Albert A Rizvanov
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420021, Russia
| | - Jamshed Iqbal
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Borhan Babak
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Izhar Hussain
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan.
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Takahashi S, Ohmiya M, Honda S, Ni K. The KCNH3 inhibitor ASP2905 shows potential in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207750. [PMID: 30462746 PMCID: PMC6248980 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N'-phenyl-N"-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine [ASP2905] is a potent and selective inhibitor of the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily H member 3 (KCNH3) that was originally identified in our laboratory. KCNH3 is concentrated in the forebrain, and its overexpression in mice leads to cognitive deficits. In contrast, Kcnh3 knockout mice exhibit enhanced performance in cognitive tasks such as attention. These data suggest that KCNH3 plays important roles in cognition. Here we investigated the neurochemical and neurophysiological profiles of ASP2905 as well as its effects on cognitive function, focusing on attention. ASP2905 (0.0313 and 0.0625 mg/kg, po) improved the latent learning ability of mice, which reflects attention. Microdialysis assays in rats revealed that ASP2905 increased the efflux of dopamine and acetylcholine in the medial prefrontal cortex (0.03, 0.1 mg/kg, po; 0.1, 1 mg/kg, po, respectively). The activities of these neurotransmitters are closely associated with attention. We used a multiple-trial passive avoidance task to investigate the effects of ASP2905 on inattention and impulsivity in juvenile stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. ASP2905 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, po) significantly prolonged cumulative latency as effectively as methylphenidate (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, sc), which is the gold standard for treating ADHD. Further, ASP2905, amphetamine, and methylphenidate significantly increased the alpha-band power of rats, suggesting that ASP2905 increases arousal, which is a pharmacologically important activity for treating ADHD. In contrast, atomoxetine and guanfacine did not significantly affect power. Together, these findings suggest that ASP2905, which acts through a novel mechanism, is as effective for treating ADHD as currently available drugs such as methylphenidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takahashi
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Makoto Ohmiya
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sokichi Honda
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keni Ni
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Assessing spatial pattern separation in rodents using the object pattern separation task. Nat Protoc 2018; 13:1763-1792. [DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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38
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Reduced learning and memory performances in high-fat treated hamsters related to brain neurotensin receptor1 expression variations. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:227-233. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Physiological and pathological processes of synaptic plasticity and memory in drug discovery: Do not forget the dose-response curve. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 817:59-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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40
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Cordeira J, Kolluru SS, Rosenblatt H, Kry J, Strecker RE, McCarley RW. Learning and memory are impaired in the object recognition task during metestrus/diestrus and after sleep deprivation. Behav Brain Res 2017; 339:124-129. [PMID: 29180134 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Females are an under-represented research model and the mechanisms through which sleep loss impairs cognition are not clear. Since levels of reproductive hormones and the estrous cycle are sensitive to sleep loss and necessary for learning and memory, we hypothesized that sleep deprivation impacts learning and memory in female mice by interfering with the estrous cycle. We used the object recognition task to assess learning and memory in female mice during separate phases of the estrous cycle and after sleep loss. Mice in metestrus/diestrus attended to sample objects less than mice in proestrus/estrus during object acquisition, the first phase of the object recognition task. Subsequently, during the recognition phase of the task, only mice in proestrus/estrus displayed a preference for the novel object. Sleep deprivation for 12h immediately before the object recognition task reduced time attending to sample objects and novel object preference for mice in proestrus/estrus, without changing length of the estrous cycle. These results show that sleep deprived mice in proestrus/estrus had learning deficits and memory impairments, like mice in metestrus/diestrus. Since sleep deprivation did not disrupt the estrous cycle, however, results did not support the hypothesis. Cognitive impairments due to acute sleep loss were not due to alterations to the estrous cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Cordeira
- Department of Biological & EnvironmentalSciences, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, USA.
| | - Sai Saroja Kolluru
- Department of Biological & EnvironmentalSciences, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, USA
| | - Heather Rosenblatt
- Department of Biological & EnvironmentalSciences, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, USA
| | - Jenny Kry
- Department of Biological & EnvironmentalSciences, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, USA
| | - Robert E Strecker
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA 02132, USA
| | - Robert W McCarley
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, MA 02301, USA
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Yanai S, Ito H, Endo S. Long-term cilostazol administration prevents age-related decline of hippocampus-dependent memory in mice. Neuropharmacology 2017; 129:57-68. [PMID: 29122629 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that hydrolyze and inactivate 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and/or 3', 5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The regulation of intracellular signaling pathways mediated by cyclic nucleotides is imperative to synaptic plasticity and memory in animals. Because PDEs play an important role in this regulation, PDE inhibitors are considered as candidate compounds for treating cognitive and memory disorders. In the present study, we tested whether cilostazol, a selective PDE3 inhibitor, prevents the cognitive deterioration that occurs during the course of normal aging in mice. Ten months of cilostazol administration (1.5%) in 13-month-old mice improved spatial memory when tested at 23 months of age. First, it prevented the decline in the ability of these aged mice to recognize a change in an object's location in the object recognition task. Second, spatial memory of these cilostazol-treated aged mice in the Morris water maze was comparable to that of untreated middle-aged mice (13 months old). Cilostazol administration had no effect on the emotional states and physical ability of aged mice. Thus, long-term cilostazol administration prevented hippocampus-dependent memory decline in aged mice, allowing them to achieve a level of cognitive performance similar to middle-aged mice and without negative behavioral side effects. Considering its well-established safety in other medical contexts, cilostazol may be a potential therapeutic candidate drug for staving off cognitive decline in the aging human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Yanai
- Aging Neuroscience Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
| | - Hideki Ito
- Department of CNS Research, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokushima, 771-0192, Japan
| | - Shogo Endo
- Aging Neuroscience Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan.
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Lueptow LM. Novel Object Recognition Test for the Investigation of Learning and Memory in Mice. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28892027 DOI: 10.3791/55718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 295] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The object recognition test (ORT) is a commonly used behavioral assay for the investigation of various aspects of learning and memory in mice. The ORT is fairly simple and can be completed over 3 days: habituation day, training day, and testing day. During training, the mouse is allowed to explore 2 identical objects. On test day, one of the training objects is replaced with a novel object. Because mice have an innate preference for novelty, if the mouse recognizes the familiar object, it will spend most of its time at the novel object. Due to this innate preference, there is no need for positive or negative reinforcement or long training schedules. Additionally, the ORT can also be modified for numerous applications. The retention interval can be shortened to examine short-term memory, or lengthened to probe long-term memory. Pharmacological intervention can be used at various times prior to training, after training, or prior to recall to investigate different phases of learning (i.e., acquisition, early or late consolidation, or recall). Overall, the ORT is a relatively low-stress, efficient test for memory in mice, and is appropriate for the detection of neuropsychological changes following pharmacological, biological, or genetic manipulations.
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Anderzhanova E, Kirmeier T, Wotjak CT. Animal models in psychiatric research: The RDoC system as a new framework for endophenotype-oriented translational neuroscience. Neurobiol Stress 2017; 7:47-56. [PMID: 28377991 PMCID: PMC5377486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The recently proposed Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) system defines psychopathologies as phenomena of multilevel neurobiological existence and assigns them to 5 behavioural domains characterizing a brain in action. We performed an analysis on this contemporary concept of psychopathologies in respect to a brain phylogeny and biological substrates of psychiatric diseases. We found that the RDoC system uses biological determinism to explain the pathogenesis of distinct psychiatric symptoms and emphasises exploration of endophenotypes but not of complex diseases. Therefore, as a possible framework for experimental studies it allows one to evade a major challenge of translational studies of strict disease-to-model correspondence. The system conforms with the concept of a normality and pathology continuum, therefore, supports basic studies. The units of analysis of the RDoC system appear as a novel matrix for model validation. The general regulation and arousal, positive valence, negative valence, and social interactions behavioural domains of the RDoC system show basic construct, network, and phenomenological homologies between human and experimental animals. The nature and complexity of the cognitive behavioural domain of the RDoC system deserve further clarification. These homologies in the 4 domains justifies the validity, reliably and translatability of animal models appearing as endophenotypes of the negative and positive affect, social interaction and general regulation and arousal systems’ dysfunction. The RDoC system encourages endophenotype-oriented experimental studies in human and animals. The system conforms with the normality-pathology continuum concept. The RDoC system appears to be a suitable framework for basic research. Four RDoC domains show construct and phenomenological homology in human and animals. Endophenotype-based models of affective psychopathologies appear most reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Anderzhanova
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstrasse 2, 80804 Munich, Germany; FSBI "Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology", Baltiyskaya street, 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstrasse 2, 80804 Munich, Germany
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Koss WA, Frick KM. Sex differences in hippocampal function. J Neurosci Res 2016; 95:539-562. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy A. Koss
- Department of Psychology; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Milwaukee Wisconsin
| | - Karyn M. Frick
- Department of Psychology; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Milwaukee Wisconsin
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Subbanna S, Nagre NN, Shivakumar M, Basavarajappa BS. A single day of 5-azacytidine exposure during development induces neurodegeneration in neonatal mice and neurobehavioral deficits in adult mice. Physiol Behav 2016; 167:16-27. [PMID: 27594097 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of a single-day exposure to 5-Azacytidine (5-AzaC), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, on neurobehavioral abnormalities in mice. Our findings suggest that the 5-AzaC treatment significantly inhibited DNA methylation, impaired extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation and reduced expression of the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc). These events lead to the activation of caspase-3 (a marker for neurodegeneration) in several brain regions, including the hippocampus and cortex, two brain areas that are essential for memory formation and memory storage, respectively. 5-AzaC treatment of P7 mice induced significant deficits in spatial memory, social recognition, and object memory in adult mice and deficits in long-term potentiation (LTP) in adult hippocampal slices. Together, these data demonstrate that the inhibition of DNA methylation by 5-AzaC treatment in P7 mice causes neurodegeneration and impairs ERK1/2 activation and Arc protein expression in neonatal mice and induces behavioral abnormalities in adult mice. DNA methylation-mediated mechanisms appear to be necessary for the proper maturation of synaptic circuits during development, and disruption of this process by 5-AzaC could lead to abnormal cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivakumar Subbanna
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Nagaraja N Nagre
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Madhu Shivakumar
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Balapal S Basavarajappa
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Weinert D, Schöttner K, Müller L, Wienke A. Intensive voluntary wheel running may restore circadian activity rhythms and improves the impaired cognitive performance of arrhythmic Djungarian hamsters. Chronobiol Int 2016; 33:1161-1170. [DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2016.1205083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Weinert
- Institute of Biology, Department of Zoology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Konrad Schöttner
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lisa Müller
- Institute of Biology, Department of Zoology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Andreas Wienke
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Intellectual disability is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning. Both environmental insults and genetic defects contribute to the etiology of intellectual disability. Copy number variations of SORBS2 have been linked to intellectual disability. However, the neurobiological function of SORBS2 in the brain is unknown. The SORBS2 gene encodes ArgBP2 (Arg/c-Abl kinase binding protein 2) protein in non-neuronal tissues and is alternatively spliced in the brain to encode nArgBP2 protein. We found nArgBP2 colocalized with F-actin at dendritic spines and growth cones in cultured hippocampal neurons. In the mouse brain, nArgBP2 was highly expressed in the cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, and enriched in the outer one-third of the molecular layer in dentate gyrus. Genetic deletion of Sorbs2 in mice led to reduced dendritic complexity and decreased frequency of AMPAR-miniature spontaneous EPSCs in dentate gyrus granule cells. Behavioral characterization revealed that Sorbs2 deletion led to a reduced acoustic startle response, and defective long-term object recognition memory and contextual fear memory. Together, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, an important role for nArgBP2 in neuronal dendritic development and excitatory synaptic transmission, which may thus inform exploration of neurobiological basis of SORBS2 deficiency in intellectual disability. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Copy number variations of the SORBS2 gene are linked to intellectual disability, but the neurobiological mechanisms are unknown. We found that nArgBP2, the only neuronal isoform encoded by SORBS2, colocalizes with F-actin at neuronal dendritic growth cones and spines. nArgBP2 is highly expressed in the cortex, amygdala, and dentate gyrus in the mouse brain. Genetic deletion of Sorbs2 in mice leads to impaired dendritic complexity and reduced excitatory synaptic transmission in dentate gyrus granule cells, accompanied by behavioral deficits in acoustic startle response and long-term memory. This is the first study of Sorbs2 function in the brain, and our findings may facilitate the study of neurobiological mechanisms underlying SORBS2 deficiency in the development of intellectual disability.
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Mesa-Gresa P, Ramos-Campos M, Redolat R. Corticosterone levels and behavioral changes induced by simultaneous exposure to chronic social stress and enriched environments in NMRI male mice. Physiol Behav 2016; 158:6-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Ortiz-Pérez A, Espinosa-Raya J, Picazo O. An enriched environment and 17-beta estradiol produce similar pro-cognitive effects on ovariectomized rats. Cogn Process 2016; 17:15-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s10339-015-0746-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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50
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Lueptow LM, Zhan CG, O'Donnell JM. Cyclic GMP-mediated memory enhancement in the object recognition test by inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-2 in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:447-56. [PMID: 26525565 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4129-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase-2 (PDE2) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction. Using the object recognition test (ORT), this study assessed the effects of two PDE2 inhibitors, Bay 60-7550 and ND7001, on learning and memory, and examined underlying mechanisms. METHODS To assess the role of PDE2 inhibition on phases of memory, Bay 60-7550 (3 mg/kg) was administered: 30 min prior to training; 0, 1, or 3 h after training; or 30 min prior to recall testing. To assess cyclic nucleotide involvement in PDE2 inhibitor-enhanced memory consolidation, either the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 20 mg/kg; intraperitoneal (IP)), soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[-1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 20 mg/kg; IP), protein kinase G inhibitor KT5823 (2.5 μg; intracerebroventricular (ICV)), or protein kinase A inhibitor H89 (1 μg; ICV) was administered 30 min prior to the PDE2 inhibitor Bay 60-7550 (3 mg/kg) or ND7001 (3 mg/kg). Changes in the phosphorylation of 3'5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) at Ser-133 and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) at Ser-239 were determined to confirm activation of cAMP and 3'5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling. RESULTS Bay 60-7550 (3 mg/kg) enhanced memory of mice in the ORT when given 30 min prior to training, immediately after training, or 30 min prior to recall. Inhibitors of the cGMP pathway blocked the memory-enhancing effects of both Bay 60-7550 (3 mg/kg) and ND7001 (3 mg/kg) on early consolidation processes. Bay 60-7550 (3 mg/kg) enhanced phosphorylation of CREB and VASP, both targets of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). CONCLUSIONS These results confirm a potential of PDE2, or components of its signaling pathway, as a therapeutic target for drug discovery focused on restoring memory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Lueptow
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA.
- West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Drive, PO Box 9128, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - James M O'Donnell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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