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Joushi S, Taherizadeh Z, Eghbalian M, Esmaeilpour K, Sheibani V. Boosting decision-making in rat models of early-life adversity with environmental enrichment and intranasal oxytocin. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107050. [PMID: 38677097 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Impaired decision-making constitutes a fundamental issue in numerous psychiatric disorders. Extensive research has established that early life adversity (ELA) increases vulnerability to psychiatric disorders later in life. ELA in human neonates is associated with changes in cognitive, emotional, as well as reward-related processing. Maternal separation (MS) is an established animal model of ELA and has been shown to be associated with decision-making deficits. On the other hand, enriched environment (EE) and intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on decision-making in humans or animals. Given these considerations, our investigation sought to explore the impact of brief exposure to EE and intranasal OT administration on the decision-making abilities of adolescent rats that had experienced MS during infancy. The experimental protocol involved subjecting rat pups to the MS regimen for 180 min per day from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND 21. Then, from PND 22 to PND 34, the rats were exposed to EE and/or received intranasal OT (2 μg/μl) for seven days. The assessment of decision-making abilities, using a rat gambling task (RGT), commenced during adolescence. Our findings revealed that MS led to impaired decision-making and a decreased percentage of advantageous choices. However, exposure to brief EE or intranasal OT administration mitigated the deficits induced by MS and improved the decision-making skills of maternally-separated rats. Furthermore, combination of these treatments did not yield additional benefits. These results suggest that EE and OT may hold promise as therapeutic interventions to enhance certain aspects of cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Taherizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mostafa Eghbalian
- 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; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Ayed IB, Aouichaoui C, Ammar A, Naija S, Tabka O, Jahrami H, Trabelsi K, Trabelsi Y, El Massioui N, El Massioui F. Mid-Term and Long-Lasting Psycho-Cognitive Benefits of Bidomain Training Intervention in Elderly Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2024; 14:284-298. [PMID: 38391486 PMCID: PMC10887966 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe14020019] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: This study investigated whether combining simultaneous physical and cognitive training yields superior cognitive outcomes compared with aerobic training alone in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and whether these benefits persist after four weeks of detraining. Methods: Forty-four people with MCI (11 males and 33 females) aged 65 to 75 years were randomly assigned to an 8-week, twice-weekly program of either aerobic training (AT group, n = 15), aerobic training combined with cognitive games (ACT group, n = 15), or simply reading for controls (CG group, n = 14). Selective attention (Stroop), problem-solving (Hanoi Tower), and working memory (Digit Span) tasks were used to assess cognitive performances at baseline, in the 4th (W4) and 8th weeks (W8) of training, and after 4 weeks of rest (W12). Results: Both training interventions induced beneficial effects on all tested cognitive performance at W4 (except for the number of moves in the Hanoi tower task) and W8 (all p <0.001), with the ACT group exhibiting a more pronounced positive impact than the AT group (p < 0.05). This advantage was specifically observed at W8 in tasks such as the Stroop and Tower of Hanoi (% gain ≈40% vs. ≈30% for ACT and AT, respectively) and the digit span test (% gain ≈13% vs. ≈10% for ACT and AT, respectively). These cognitive improvements in both groups, with the greater ones in ACT, persisted even after four weeks of detraining, as evidenced by the absence of a significant difference between W8 and W12 (p > 0.05). Concerning neuropsychological assessments, comparable beneficial effects were recorded following both training regimens (all p < 0.05 from pre- to post-intervention). The control group did not show any significant improvement in most of the cognitive tasks. Conclusions: The greater mid-term and long-lasting effects of combined simultaneous physical-cognitive training underscores its potential as a cost-effective intervention for the prevention and management of cognitive decline. While these results are valuable in guiding optimal physical and mental activity recommendations for adults with MCI, further neurophysiological-based studies are essential to offer robust support and deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these promising findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Ben Ayed
- Research Laboratory, Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular "Biology, Medicine and Health", LR19ES09, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sousse University, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Human and Artificial Cognition (EA 4004), Psychology UFR, University of Vincennes/Saint-Denis, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
- Research Laboratory, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health (EM2S), LR15JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
| | - Chirine Aouichaoui
- Research Laboratory, Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular "Biology, Medicine and Health", LR19ES09, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sousse University, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
- High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Saïd, University of Manouba, Mannouba 2010, Tunisia
| | - Achraf Ammar
- Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany
- Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and Learning (LINP2), UFR STAPS, UPL, Paris Nanterre University, 92000 Nanterre, France
- High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
| | - Salma Naija
- Neurology Department, University Hospital Sahloul Sousse, Sousse 4052, Tunisia
| | - Oussama Tabka
- Research Laboratory, Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular "Biology, Medicine and Health", LR19ES09, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sousse University, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Haitham Jahrami
- College of Medicine and Medical Science, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 293, Bahrain
| | - Khaled Trabelsi
- Research Laboratory, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health (EM2S), LR15JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
- High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
| | - Yassine Trabelsi
- Research Laboratory, Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular "Biology, Medicine and Health", LR19ES09, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sousse University, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Nicole El Massioui
- Laboratory of Human and Artificial Cognition (EA 4004), Psychology UFR, University of Vincennes/Saint-Denis, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
| | - Farid El Massioui
- Laboratory of Human and Artificial Cognition (EA 4004), Psychology UFR, University of Vincennes/Saint-Denis, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
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Farmer AL, Lewis MH. Reduction of restricted repetitive behavior by environmental enrichment: Potential neurobiological mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105291. [PMID: 37353046 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB) are one of two diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder and common in other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The term restricted repetitive behavior refers to a wide variety of inflexible patterns of behavior including stereotypy, self-injury, restricted interests, insistence on sameness, and ritualistic and compulsive behavior. However, despite their prevalence in clinical populations, their underlying causes remain poorly understood hampering the development of effective treatments. Intriguingly, numerous animal studies have demonstrated that these behaviors are reduced by rearing in enriched environments (EE). Understanding the processes responsible for the attenuation of repetitive behaviors by EE should offer insights into potential therapeutic approaches, as well as shed light on the underlying neurobiology of repetitive behaviors. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the relationship between EE and RRB and discusses potential mechanisms for EE's attenuation of RRB based on the broader EE literature. Existing gaps in the literature and future directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Farmer
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Mark H Lewis
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Gelfo F, Serra L, Petrosini L. New prospects on cerebellar reserve: Remarks on neuroprotective effects of experience in animals and humans. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 16:1088587. [PMID: 36685287 PMCID: PMC9854258 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.1088587] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of the brain to change structure and function in response to experience accounts for its ability to successfully adapt to the environment in both learning processes and unique phases, such as during development and repair. On this basis, the occurrence of the brain, cognitive, and neural reserves has been advanced to explain the discrepancies between the extent of neurological damage and the severity of clinical manifestations described in patients with different life span experiences. Research on this topic highlighted the neuroprotective role of complex stimulations, allowing the brain to better cope with the damage. This framework was initially developed by observing patients with Alzheimer's disease, and it has since been progressively expanded to multifarious pathological states. The cerebellum is known to be particularly responsive to experience through extensive plastic rearrangements. The neuroprotective value exerted by reserve mechanisms appears to be suitable for basic neuronal plasticity in the cerebellum. Thus, it is of primary interest to deepen our understanding of how life experiences modify individuals' cerebellar morphology and functionality. The present study is aimed at analyzing the evidence provided on this topic by animal and human studies. For animals, we considered the studies in which subjects were submitted to enhanced stimulations before the damage occurred. For humans, we considered studies in which previous lifelong high-level experiences were associated with superior cerebellar abilities to cope with injury. Detailed indications of the processes underlying cerebellar reserves may be important in proposing effective interventions for patients suffering from pathologies that directly or indirectly damage cerebellar functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Francesca Gelfo ✉
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Key role of Rho GTPases in motor disorders associated with neurodevelopmental pathologies. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:118-126. [PMID: 35918397 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01702-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that Rho GTPases and molecules involved in their signaling pathways play a major role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Whole exome sequencing (WES) and de novo examination of mutations, including SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) in genes coding for the molecules of their signaling cascade, has allowed the recent discovery of dominant autosomic mutations and duplication or deletion of candidates in the field of neurodevelopmental diseases (NDD). Epidemiological studies show that the co-occurrence of several of these neurological pathologies may indeed be the rule. The regulators of Rho GTPases have often been considered for cognitive diseases such as intellectual disability (ID) and autism. But, in a remarkable way, mild to severe motor symptoms are now reported in autism and other cognitive NDD. Although a more abundant litterature reports the involvement of Rho GTPases and signaling partners in cognitive development, molecular investigations on their roles in central nervous system (CNS) development or degenerative CNS pathologies also reveal their role in embryonic and perinatal motor wiring through axon guidance and later in synaptic plasticity. Thus, Rho family small GTPases have been revealed to play a key role in brain functions including learning and memory but their precise role in motor development and associated symptoms in NDD has been poorly scoped so far, despite increasing clinical data highlighting the links between cognition and motor development. Indeed, early impairements in fine or gross motor performance is often an associated feature of NDDs, which then impact social communication, cognition, emotion, and behavior. We review here recent insights derived from clinical developmental neurobiology in the field of Rho GTPases and NDD (autism spectrum related disorder (ASD), ID, schizophrenia, hypotonia, spastic paraplegia, bipolar disorder and dyslexia), with a specific focus on genetic alterations affecting Rho GTPases that are involved in motor circuit development.
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Gelfo F, Petrosini L. Environmental Enrichment Enhances Cerebellar Compensation and Develops Cerebellar Reserve. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095697. [PMID: 35565093 PMCID: PMC9099498 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The brain is able to change its structure and function in response to environmental stimulations. Several human and animal studies have documented that enhanced stimulations provide individuals with strengthened brain structure and function that allow them to better cope with damage. In this framework, studies based on the exposure of animals to environmental enrichment (EE) have provided indications of the mechanisms involved in such a beneficial action. The cerebellum is a very plastic brain region that responds to every experience with deep structural and functional rearrangement. The present review specifically aims to collect and synthesize the evidence provided by animal models on EE exposure effects on cerebellar structure and function by considering the studies on healthy subjects and on animals exposed to EE both before and after damage involving cerebellar functionality. On the whole, the evidence supports the role of EE in enhancing cerebellar compensation and developing cerebellar reserve. However, since studies addressing this issue are still scarce, large areas of inconsistency and lack of clarity remain. Further studies are required to provide suggestions on possible mechanisms of enhancement of compensatory responses in human patients following cerebellar damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Via Plinio 44, 00193 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Petrosini
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy;
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Learning Ability and Hippocampal Transcriptome Responses to Early and Later Life Environmental Complexities in Dual-Purpose Chicks. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050668. [PMID: 35268235 PMCID: PMC8909157 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050668] [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: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we hypothesized that complex early-life environments enhance the learning ability and the hippocampal plasticity when the individual is faced with future life challenges. Chicks were divided into a barren environment group (BG), a litter materials group (LG), and a perches and litter materials group (PLG) until 31 days of age, and then their learning abilities were tested following further rearing in barren environments for 22 days. In response to the future life challenge, the learning ability showed no differences among the three groups. In the hippocampal KEGG pathways, the LG chicks showed the downregulation of neural-related genes neuronal growth regulator 1 (NEGR1) and neurexins (NRXN1) in the cell adhesion molecules pathway compared to the BG (p < 0.05). Immune-related genes TLR2 in Malaria and Legionellosis and IL-18 and IL18R1 in the TNF signaling pathway were upregulated in the LG compared to in the BG (p < 0.05). Compared to the BG, the PLG displayed upregulated TLR2A in Malaria (p < 0.05). The PLG showed upregulated neural-related gene, i.e., neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-7-like (CHRNA8) in the nicotine addiction pathway and secretagogin (SCGN) gene expression, as compared to the LG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, early-life environmental complexities had limited effects on the learning ability in response to a future life challenge. Early-life perches and litter materials can improve neural- and immune-related gene expression and functional pathways in the hippocampus of chicks.
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Joushi S, Taherizadeh Z, Esmaeilpour K, Sheibani V. Environmental enrichment and intranasal oxytocin administration reverse maternal separation-induced impairments of prosocial choice behavior. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 213:173318. [PMID: 34974063 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Adverse early life experiences influence behavioral and physiological functions and increase vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders. Maternal separation (MS) is an established animal model that reproduces the features of chronic stress or adverse experiences during early life. Previous studies have been shown that MS may lead to impairments of social behaviors. Here, we investigated the effects of MS on mutual reward preferences in a double T-maze prosocial choice task. Since enriched environment (EE) and intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration have beneficial effects on cognition and social behaviors, in the present study we tested whether these treatments, alone or in combination, would affect prosocial behavior of rats which underwent MS during infancy. Rat pups underwent MS paradigm for 180 min/day from postnatal day (PND) 1-21. From PND 22-34, rats were exposed to an EE and/or received intranasal OT (2 μg/μl, 7 days). Hence, the 8 groups consisted of control (CTRL), MS, CTRL+EE, CTRL+OT and the saline groups. Assessment of prosocial choice behavior was started in adolescence. MS impaired prosocial choice behavior and reduced mutual reward preferences. Getting exposed to EE and intranasal OT administration could overcome MS-induced deficits and promoted mutual reward preferences of MS rats. Combination of short-term EE and OT strengthened prosocial behavior. Obtained results showed that EE and OT may be considered as profitable therapeutic approaches for promoting some aspects of social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Taherizadeh
- 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; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Cutuli D, Landolfo E, Petrosini L, Gelfo F. Environmental Enrichment Effects on the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Healthy Condition, Alzheimer's Disease, and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 85:975-992. [PMID: 34897089 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein belonging to the neurotrophin family, is known to be heavily involved in synaptic plasticity processes that support brain development, post-lesion regeneration, and cognitive performances, such as learning and memory. Evidence indicates that BDNF expression can be epigenetically regulated by environmental stimuli and thus can mediate the experience-dependent brain plasticity. Environmental enrichment (EE), an experimental paradigm based on the exposure to complex stimulations, constitutes an efficient means to investigate the effects of high-level experience on behavior, cognitive processes, and neurobiological correlates, as the BDNF expression. In fact, BDNF exerts a key role in mediating and promoting EE-induced plastic changes and functional improvements in healthy and pathological conditions. This review is specifically aimed at providing an updated framework of the available evidence on the EE effects on brain and serum BDNF levels, by taking into account both changes in protein expression and regulation of gene expression. A further purpose of the present review is analyzing the potential of BDNF regulation in coping with neurodegenerative processes characterizing Alzheimer's disease (AD), given BDNF expression alterations are described in AD patients. Moreover, attention is also paid to EE effects on BDNF expression in other neurodegenerative disease. To investigate such a topic, evidence provided by experimental studies is considered. A deeper understanding of environmental ability in modulating BDNF expression in the brain may be fundamental in designing more tuned and effective applications of complex environmental stimulations as managing approaches to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Cutuli
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia Landolfo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Gelfo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
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Joushi S, Esmaeilpour K, Masoumi-Ardakani Y, Esmaeili-Mahani S, Sheibani V. Effects of short environmental enrichment on early-life adversity induced cognitive alternations in adolescent rats. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:3373-3391. [PMID: 34676587 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Early-life experiences, including parental care, affect cognitive performance later in life. Being exposed to early-life maternal separation (MS) increases susceptibility to stress-related psychopathology. Previous studies suggest that MS could induce learning and memory impairments. Since enriched environment (EE) provides more opportunities for exploration and social interaction, in the present study we evaluated the effects of a short EE paradigm with a duration of 13 days on cognitive abilities of maternally separated rats (MS; 180 min/day, postnatal day (PND) 1-21) during adolescence in four experimental groups: Control, Control+EE, MS, and MS+EE. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were also measured in experimental animals. We also studied the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the slices of hippocampal CA1 area. The behavioral and electrophysiological assessments were started at PND 35. MS caused higher basal CORT levels in plasma and impaired spatial learning, memory, and social interaction. LTP induction was also impaired in MS rats and plasma BDNF levels were reduced in these animals. MS also induced more anxiety-like behavior. Short EE reduced plasma CORT levels had the potential to improve locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in MS+EE rats and reversed MS-induced impairments of spatial learning, memory, and social behavior. LTP induction and plasma BDNF levels were also enhanced in MS+EE rats. We concluded that short EE might be considered as a therapeutic strategy for promoting cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Joushi
- 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
| | - Yaser Masoumi-Ardakani
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeed Esmaeili-Mahani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Won J, Faroqi-Shah Y, Callow DD, Williams A, Awoyemi A, Nielson KA, Smith JC. Association Between Greater Cerebellar Network Connectivity and Improved Phonemic Fluency Performance After Exercise Training in Older Adults. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 20:542-555. [PMID: 33507462 PMCID: PMC10734642 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-020-01218-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the effects of exercise training (ET) on lexical characteristics during fluency task and its association with cerebellum functional connectivity. The purposes of this study were (1) to investigate whether ET alters response patterns during phonemic and semantic fluency tasks and (2) to assess the association between ET-related changes in cerebellum functional connectivity (FC) and lexical characteristics during fluency tasks. Thirty-five older adults (78.0 ± 7.1 years; 17 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 18 healthy cognition (HC)) underwent a 12-week treadmill ET. Before and after ET, cardiorespiratory fitness tests, phonemic and semantic fluency tests, and resting-state fMRI scans were administered. We utilized a seed-based correlation analysis to measure cerebellum FC and linear regression to assess the association of residualized ET-induced Δcerebellum FC with Δtask performance. Improved mean switches and frequency during the phonemic fluency task were observed following ET in all participants. There were significant associations between ET-induced increases in cerebellum FC and greater phonemic fluency task log frequency, increases in mean switches, and a reduction in the number of syllables in HC. Lastly, there was a significant interaction between group and cerebellar connectivity on phonemic fluency mean log frequency and number of syllables. A 12-week walking ET is related to enhanced phonemic fluency lexical characteristics in older adults with MCI and HC. The association between ET-induced increases in cerebellum FC and enhanced response patterns after ET suggests that the cerebellum may play an important role in ET-related improvement in phonemic fluency performance in cognitively healthy older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyeon Won
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yasmeen Faroqi-Shah
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Daniel D Callow
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Allison Williams
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Adewale Awoyemi
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kristy A Nielson
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Neuropsychology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - J Carson Smith
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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12
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van der Geest JN, Spoor M, Frens MA. Environmental Enrichment Improves Vestibular Oculomotor Learning in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:676416. [PMID: 34211378 PMCID: PMC8239173 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.676416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the behavioral effects of environmental enrichment on contrast sensitivity, reflexive eye movements and on oculomotor learning in mice that were housed in an enriched environment for a period of 3 weeks. Research has shown that a larger cage and a more complex environment have positive effects on the welfare of laboratory mice and other animals held in captivity. It has also been shown that environmental enrichment affects various behavior and neuroanatomical and molecular characteristics. We found a clear effect on oculomotor learning. Animals that were housed in an enriched environment learned significantly faster than controls that were housed under standard conditions. In line with existing literature, the enriched group also outperformed the controls in behavioral tests for explorative behavior. Meanwhile, both visual and reflexive oculomotor performance in response to visual and vestibular stimuli was unaffected. This points toward an underlying mechanism that is specific for motor learning, rather than overall motor performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcella Spoor
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maarten A Frens
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Ergen FB, Cosan DT, Kandemir T, Dag İ, Mutlu F, Cosan TE. An Enriched Environment Leads to Increased Synaptic Plasticity-Associated miRNA Levels after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2021; 30:105766. [PMID: 33866227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.105766] [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: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), impairments in motor and cognitive functions may occur and continue in later periods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can directly or indirectly affect synaptic reconstruction. mir-132, mir-134, and mir-138 are the leading miRNAs that can be effective on some neurological functions through its effects on synaptic plasticity in the relevant brain areas. In our study, it was aimed to determine the levels of miRNAs in the hippocampus and frontal lobe of rats exposed to different environmental conditions after the experimental SAH. METHODS SAH was created using the cisterna magna double blood-injection method. Brain tissues were collected at different times after the last blood injection. Rats were grouped according to the different environmental conditions in which they were kept. Expression levels of miRNAs were performed by qPCR and ultrastructural changes in samples were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS After SAH, miR-132, miR-134, and miR-138 expressions in the frontal lobes of rats increased in impoverished environment on the 7th day and in the enriched environment on the 14th day. It was observed that the myelin and microtubule structures in the axons that were disrupted after SAH were more organized and stable in the enriched environment. CONCLUSIONS After SAH, different environmental conditions may affect the miRNA levels associated with synaptic plasticity and microtubule organization in the frontal lobe, and this might have some effects especially on cognitive and motor functions related to this brain area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Buge Ergen
- Department of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Health Science Institute, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey.
| | - Didem Turgut Cosan
- Department of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Health Science Institute, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Turan Kandemir
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - İlknur Dag
- Central Research Laboratory Application and Research Center, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey; Vocational Health Services High School, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Fezan Mutlu
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Tevfik Erhan Cosan
- Department of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Health Science Institute, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey; Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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14
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Orock A, Yuan T, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B. Importance of Non-pharmacological Approaches for Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Mechanisms and Clinical Relevance. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2021; 1:609292. [PMID: 35295688 PMCID: PMC8915633 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2020.609292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic visceral pain represents a major unmet clinical need with the severity of pain ranging from mild to so severe as to prevent individuals from participating in day-to-day activities and detrimentally affecting their quality of life. Although chronic visceral pain can be multifactorial with many different biological and psychological systems contributing to the onset and severity of symptoms, one of the major triggers for visceral pain is the exposure to emotional and physical stress. Chronic visceral pain that is worsened by stress is a hallmark feature of functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Current pharmacological interventions for patients with chronic visceral pain generally lack efficacy and many are fraught with unwanted side effects. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as a psychotherapy that shows efficacy at ameliorating stress-induced chronic visceral pain; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying CBT remain incompletely understood. Preclinical studies in experimental models of stress-induced visceral pain employing environmental enrichment (EE) as an animal model surrogate for CBT are unraveling the mechanism by which environmental signals can lead to long-lasting changes in gene expression and behavior. Evidence suggests that EE signaling interacts with stress and nociceptive signaling. This review will (1) critically evaluate the behavioral and molecular changes that lead to chronic pain in IBS, (2) summarize the pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches used to treat IBS patients, and (3) provide experimental evidence supporting the potential mechanisms by which CBT ameliorates stress-induced visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Orock
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Tian Yuan
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- *Correspondence: Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld
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Yan C, Hartcher K, Liu W, Xiao J, Xiang H, Wang J, Liu H, Zhang H, Liu J, Chen S, Zhao X. Adaptive response to a future life challenge: consequences of early-life environmental complexity in dual-purpose chicks. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:5941772. [PMID: 33111138 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditions in early life play profound and long-lasting effects on the welfare and adaptability to stress of chickens. This study aimed to explore the hypothesis that the provision of environmental complexity in early life improves birds' adaptive plasticity and ability to cope with a challenge later in life. It also tried to investigate the effect of the gut-brain axis by measuring behavior, stress hormone, gene expression, and gut microbiota. One-day-old chicks were split into 3 groups: (1) a barren environment (without enrichment items) group (BG, n = 40), (2) a litter materials group (LG, n = 40), and (3) a perches with litter materials group (PLG, n = 40). Then, enrichment items were removed and simulated as an environmental challenge at 31 to 53 d of age. Birds were subjected to a predator test at 42 d of age. In the environmental challenge, when compared with LG, PLG birds were characterized by decreased fearfulness, lower plasma corticosterone, improved gut microbial functions, lower relative mRNA expression of GR, and elevated mRNA expressions of stress-related genes CRH, BDNF, and NR2A in the hypothalamus (all P < 0.05). Unexpectedly, the opposite was true for the LG birds when compared with the BG (P < 0.05). Decreased plasma corticosterone and fearfulness were accompanied by altered hypothalamic gene mRNA expressions of BDNF, NR2A, GR, and CRH through the HPA axis in response to altered gut microbial compositions and functions. The findings suggest that gut microbiota may integrate fearfulness, plasma corticosterone, and gene expression in the hypothalamus to provide an insight into the gut-brain axis in chicks. In conclusion, having access to both perches and litter materials in early life allowed birds to cope better with a future challenge. Birds in perches and litter materials environment may have optimal development and adaptive plasticity through the gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Guizhou Nayong Professor Workstation of China Agricultural University, Bijie, China
| | - Kate Hartcher
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Wen Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinlong Xiao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Guizhou Nayong Professor Workstation of China Agricultural University, Bijie, China
| | - Hai Xiang
- Guizhou Nayong Professor Workstation of China Agricultural University, Bijie, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Jikun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education, Institute of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Guizhou Nayong Professor Workstation of China Agricultural University, Bijie, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Xingbo Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Guizhou Nayong Professor Workstation of China Agricultural University, Bijie, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
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Pourmajidian M, Lauber B, Sidhu SK. Preconditioning cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation facilitates the neuroplastic effect of subsequent anodal transcranial direct current stimulation applied during cycling in young adults. Neurosci Lett 2020; 714:134597. [PMID: 31689457 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed to examine the effect of a pre-conditioning cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) before subsequent anodal-tDCS (atDCS) was applied during low workload cycling exercise on the corticospinal responses in young healthy individuals. Eleven young subjects participated in two sessions receiving either conditioning ctDCS or sham stimulation, followed by atDCS while cycling (i.e. ctDCS-atDCS, sham-atDCS) at 1.2 times their body weight (84 ± 20 W) in a counterbalanced double-blind design. Corticospinal excitability was measured with motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited via transcranial magnetic stimulation with the intensity set to produce an MEP amplitude of 1 mV in a resting hand muscle at baseline (PRE), following pre-conditioning tDCS (POST-COND) and post atDCS combined with cycling exercise (POST-TEST). There was a significant interaction between time and intervention (P < 0.01) on MEPs. MEPs increased from PRE (1.0 ± 0.06 mV) to POST-TEST (1.3 ± 0.06 mV) during ctDCS-atDCS (P < 0.001) but did not change significantly across time during sham-atDCS (P > 0.7). Furthermore, MEPs were higher in ctDCS-atDCS compared to sham-atDCS (both P < 0.01) at POST-COND (ctDCS-atDCS: 1.1 ± 0.06 mV, sham-atDCS: 1.0 ± 0.06 mV) and POST-TEST (ctDCS-atDCS: 1.3 ± 0.06 mV, sham-atDCS: 1.0 ± 0.06 mV). These outcomes demonstrate that pre-conditioning cathodal tDCS can enhance subsequent corticospinal excitability changes induced by anodal tDCS applied in combination with cycling exercise. The findings have implications for the application of tDCS in combination with cycling exercise in rehabilitation and sporting contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Pourmajidian
- Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Benedikt Lauber
- Department of Neuroscience and Movement Science, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Simranjit K Sidhu
- Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
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Wille-Bille A, Bellia F, Jiménez García AM, Miranda-Morales RS, D'Addario C, Pautassi RM. Early exposure to environmental enrichment modulates the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure upon opioid gene expression and adolescent ethanol intake. Neuropharmacology 2019; 165:107917. [PMID: 31926456 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) promotes ethanol consumption in the adolescent offspring accompanied by the transcriptional regulation of kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system genes. This study analysed if environmental enrichment (EE, from gestational day 20 to postnatal day 26) exerts protective effects upon PEE-modulation of gene expression, ethanol intake and anxiety responses. Pregnant rats were exposed to PEE (0.0 or 2.0 g/kg ethanol, gestational days 17-20) and subsequently the dam and offspring were reared under EE or standard conditions. PEE upregulated KOR mRNA levels in amygdala (AMY) and prodynorphin (PDYN) mRNA levels in ventral tegmental area (VTA) with the latter effect associated with lower DNA methylation at the gene promoter. These effects were normalized by exposure to EE. PEE modulated BDNF mRNA levels in VTA and Nucleus accumbens (AcbN), and EE mitigated the changes in AcbN. EE induced a protective effect on ethanol intake and preference, an effect more noticeable in males than in females, and in prenatal vehicle-treated (PV) than in PEE rats. The male offspring drank significantly less ethanol than the female offspring. The latter result suggests that the protective effect of EE on ethanol drinking may only emerge at lower levels of drinking. In the dams, PEE induced an upregulation of PDYN and KOR in AcbN. PDYN gene expression was normalized by exposure to EE. These results suggest that EE is a promising treatment to inhibit the effects of PEE. The results confirm that PEE effects are mediated by alterations in the transcriptional regulation of KOR system genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranza Wille-Bille
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, C.P. 5000, Argentina
| | - Fabio Bellia
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, C.P. 64100, Italy
| | - Ana María Jiménez García
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Farmacología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, C.P. 18071, Spain
| | - Roberto Sebastián Miranda-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, C.P. 5000, Argentina; Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, C.P. 5000, Argentina
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, C.P. 64100, Italy.
| | - Ricardo Marcos Pautassi
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, C.P. 5000, Argentina; Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, C.P. 5000, Argentina.
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18
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Environmental enrichment restores the reduced expression of cerebellar synaptophysin and the motor coordination impairment in rats prenatally treated with betamethasone. Physiol Behav 2019; 209:112590. [PMID: 31252027 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Preterm babies treated with synthetic glucocorticoids in utero exhibit behavioural alterations and disturbances in brain maturation during postnatal life. Accordingly, it has been shown in preclinical studies that SGC exposure at a clinical dose alters the presynaptic and postsynaptic structures and results in synaptic impairments. However, the precise mechanism by which SGC exposure impairs synaptic protein expression and its implications are not fully elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to a clinical dose of betamethasone on the pre- and postsynaptic proteins expression in the developing rat cerebellum and prefrontal cortex, whose synchronized synaptic activity is crucial for motor control and learning. Consequently, the first objective of the present study was to determine whether prenatal betamethasone -equivalent to the clinically used dose- alters cerebellar vermal and cortical expression of synaptophysin, synaptotagmin I, post-synaptic density protein 95 and gephyrin - four important pre- and post-synaptic proteins, respectively- at a relevant adolescent stage. In addition, our second objective was to assess whether prenatal betamethasone administration induced coordination impairment using a rotarod test. On the other hand, it has been shown that the environmental enrichment is capable of improving synaptic transmission and recovering various behavioural impairments. Nevertheless, there is not enough information about the effect of this non-pharmacological preclinical approach on the regulation of this cerebellar and cortical synaptic proteins. Therefore, the third objective of this study was to examine whether environmental enrichment exposure could recover the possible molecular and behavioural impairments in the offspring at the same developmental stage. The principal data showed that adolescent rats prenatally treated with betamethasone exhibited underexpression of synaptophysin in the vermal cerebellum, but not change in levels of synaptotagmin I, post-synaptic density protein 95 and gephyrin. Analysis of the same pre- and post-synaptic proteins no showed differences in the frontal cortex of the same rats. These results were accompanied by an increase in the number of falls in the rotarod test, when the speed of rotation was fixed and when it was in acceleration, which means motor coordination impairments. Importantly, we found that environmental enrichment restores the betamethasone-induced reduction in the cerebellar synaptophysin together with a recover in the motor coordination impairments in prenatally betamethasone-exposed adolescent rats.
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19
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Moreno-Rius J. The cerebellum under stress. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 54:100774. [PMID: 31348932 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Stress-related psychiatric conditions are one of the main causes of disability in developed countries. They account for a large portion of resource investment in stress-related disorders, become chronic, and remain difficult to treat. Research on the neurobehavioral effects of stress reveals how changes in certain brain areas, mediated by a number of neurochemical messengers, markedly alter behavior. The cerebellum is connected with stress-related brain areas and expresses the machinery required to process stress-related neurochemical mediators. Surprisingly, it is not regarded as a substrate of stress-related behavioral alterations, despite numerous studies that show cerebellar responsivity to stress. Therefore, this review compiles those studies and proposes a hypothesis for cerebellar function in stressful conditions, relating it to stress-induced psychopathologies. It aims to provide a clearer picture of stress-related neural circuitry and stimulate cerebellum-stress research. Consequently, it might contribute to the development of improved treatment strategies for stress-related disorders.
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20
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de Souza RM, de Souza L, Machado AE, de Bem Alves AC, Rodrigues FS, Aguiar AS, dos Santos ARS, de Bem AF, Moreira ELG. Behavioural, metabolic and neurochemical effects of environmental enrichment in high-fat cholesterol-enriched diet-fed mice. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:648-656. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Gugliandolo E, D'Amico R, Cordaro M, Fusco R, Siracusa R, Crupi R, Impellizzeri D, Cuzzocrea S, Di Paola R. Neuroprotective Effect of Artesunate in Experimental Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Neurol 2018; 9:590. [PMID: 30108544 PMCID: PMC6079305 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are an important public health challenge. In addition, subsequent events at TBI can compromise the quality of life of these patients. In fact, TBI is associated with several complications for both long and short term, some evidence shows how TBI is associated with a decline in cognitive functions such as the risk of developing dementia, cerebral atrophy, and Parkinson disease. After the direct damage from TBI, a key role in TBI injury is played by the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, that contributes to tissue damage and to neurodegenerative processes, typical of secondary injury, after TBI. Given the complex series of events that are involved after TBI injury, a multitarget pharmacological approach is needed. Artesunate is a more stable derivative of its precursor artemisin, a sesquiterpene lactone obtained from a Chinese plant Artemisia annua, a plant used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. artesunate has been shown to be a pluripotent agent with different pharmacological actions. therefore, in this experimental model of TBI we evaluated whether the treatment with artesunate at the dose of 30 mg\Kg, had an efficacy in reducing the neuroinflammatory process after TBI injury, and in inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, which plays a key role in the inflammatory process. We also assessed whether treatment with artesunate was able to exert a neuroprotective action by modulating the release of neurotrophic factors. our results show that artesunate was able to reduce the TBI-induced lesion, it also showed an anti-inflammatory action through the inhibition of Nf-kb, release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α and through the inhibition NLRP3 inflammasome complex, furthermore was able to reduce the activation of astrocytes and microglia (GFAP, Iba-1). Finally, our results show that the protective effects of artesunate also occur through the modulation of neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, NT-3) that play a key role in neuronal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D'Amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Laricchiuta D, Andolina D, Angelucci F, Gelfo F, Berretta E, Puglisi-Allegra S, Petrosini L. Cerebellar BDNF Promotes Exploration and Seeking for Novelty. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21:485-498. [PMID: 29471437 PMCID: PMC5932472 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyy015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Approach system considered a motivational system that activates reward-seeking behavior is associated with exploration/impulsivity, whereas avoidance system considered an attentional system that promotes inhibition of appetitive responses is associated with active overt withdrawal. Approach and avoidance dispositions are modulated by distinct neurochemical profiles and synaptic patterns. However, the precise working of neurons and trafficking of molecules in the brain activity predisposing to approach and avoidance are yet unclear. Methods In 3 phenotypes of inbred mice, avoiding, balancing, and approaching mice, selected by using the Approach/Avoidance Y-maze, we analyzed endogenous brain levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor, one of the main secretory proteins with pleiotropic action. To verify the effects of the acute increase of brain derived neurotrophic factor, balancing and avoiding mice were bilaterally brain derived neurotrophic factor-infused in the cortical cerebellar regions. Results Approaching animals showed high levels of explorative behavior and response to novelty and exhibited higher brain derived neurotrophic factor levels in the cerebellar structures in comparison to the other 2 phenotypes of mice. Interestingly, brain derived neurotrophic factor-infused balancing and avoiding mice significantly increased their explorative behavior and response to novelty. Conclusions Cerebellar brain derived neurotrophic factor may play a role in explorative and novelty-seeking responses that sustain the approach predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Laricchiuta
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Andolina
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelucci
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francesca Gelfo
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of TeCoS, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Berretta
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Programme
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Damirchi A, Hosseini F, Babaei P. Mental Training Enhances Cognitive Function and BDNF More Than Either Physical or Combined Training in Elderly Women With MCI: A Small-Scale Study. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2018; 33:20-29. [PMID: 28946752 PMCID: PMC10852433 DOI: 10.1177/1533317517727068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The effects of mental, physical, and combination of these two trainings were investigated on cognitive performance, serum level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and irisin in women diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-four participants were randomized into 4 groups: physical training (PH; 8 weeks' aerobic training, n = 11), mental training (ME; special computer gaming, n = 11), combined (PH + ME; n = 13), and control group (CO; n = 9). RESULTS Analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc test revealed a significant increase in working memory ( P = .012) and BDNF ( P = 0.024) in the ME compared with the CO group. Also the ME group in comparison with the PH group demonstrated better working memory ( P = .014) and processing speed ( P = .024). CONCLUSION Positive effect of mental training on the cognitive parameters, parallel with BDNF elevation, suggests that mental training is a more useful, safe, and persistent strategy to attenuate the progression of MCI probably via BDNF elevation, but the effect size is relatively small elevation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsalan Damirchi
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Hosseini
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Parvin Babaei
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Science, Rasht, Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Science, Rasht, Iran
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Gallant Z, Nicolson RI. "Cerebellar Challenge" for Older Adults: Evaluation of a Home-Based Internet Intervention. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:332. [PMID: 29163125 PMCID: PMC5663712 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is converging evidence that maintenance of function in the multiple connectivity networks involving the cerebellum is a key requirement for healthy aging. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a home-based, internet-administered "cerebellar challenge" intervention designed to create progressive challenges to vestibular function, multi-tasking, and dynamic coordination. Participants (n = 98, mean age 68.2, SD 6.6) were randomly allocated to either intervention (the cerebellar challenge training for 10 weeks) or no intervention. All participants undertook an initial series of pre-tests, and then an identical set of post-tests following the intervention period. The test battery comprised five suites of tests designed to evaluate cognitive-sensori-motor-affective functions, including Physical Coordination, Memory, Language Dexterity, Fluid Thinking and Affect. The intervention group showed significant pre- to post improvements in 9 of the 18 tests, whereas the controls improved significantly on one only. Furthermore, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement than the controls on the "Physical Coordination" suite of tests, with evidence also of differential improvement on the Delayed Picture Recall test. Frequency of intervention use correlated significantly with the improvement in balance and in peg-moving speed. It is concluded that an internet-based cerebellar challenge programme for older adults can lead to benefits in balance, coordination and declarative memory. Limitations and directions for further research are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Gallant
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Roderick I Nicolson
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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25
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Chan CB, Ye K. Sex differences in brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling and functions. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:328-335. [PMID: 27870419 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family that plays a critical role in numerous neuronal activities. Recent studies have indicated that some functions or action mechanisms of BDNF vary in a sex-dependent manner. In particular, BDNF content in some brain parts and the tendency to develop BDNF deficiency-related diseases such as depression are greater in female animals. With the support of relevant studies, it has been suggested that sex hormones or steroids can modulate the activities of BDNF, which may account for its functional discrepancy in different sexes. Indeed, the cross-talk between BDNF and sex steroids has been detected for decades, and some sex steroids, such as estrogen, have a positive regulatory effect on BDNF expression and signaling. Thus, the sex of animal models that are used in studying the functions of BDNF is critical. This Mini-Review summarizes our current findings on the differences in expression, signaling, and functions of BDNF between sexes. We also discuss the potential mechanisms for mediating these differential responses, with a specific emphasis on sex steroids. By presenting and discussing these findings, we seek to encourage researchers to take sex influences into consideration when designing experiments, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Bun Chan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
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Gelfo F, Mandolesi L, Serra L, Sorrentino G, Caltagirone C. The Neuroprotective Effects of Experience on Cognitive Functions: Evidence from Animal Studies on the Neurobiological Bases of Brain Reserve. Neuroscience 2017; 370:218-235. [PMID: 28827089 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.07.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Brain plasticity is the ability of the nervous system to change structurally and functionally in response to experience. By shaping brain structure and function, experience leads to the creation of a protective reserve that accounts for differences among individuals in susceptibility to age-related brain modifications and pathology. This review is aimed to address the biological bases of the experience-dependent "brain reserve" by describing the results of animal studies that focused on the neuroanatomical and molecular effects of environmental enrichment. More specifically, the effects at the cellular level are considered in terms of changes in neurogenesis, gliogenesis, angiogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Moreover, the effects at the molecular level are described, highlighting gene- and protein-level changes in neurotransmitter and neurotrophin expression. The experimental evidence for the basic biological consequences of environmental enrichment is described for healthy animals. Subsequently, by discussing the findings for animal models that mimic age-related diseases, the involvement of such plastic changes in supporting an organism as it copes with normal and pathological age-related cognitive decline is considered. On the whole, studies of the structural and molecular effects of environmental enrichment strongly support the neuroprotective action of a particularly stimulating lifestyle on cognitive functions. Our current level of understanding of these effects and mechanisms is such that additional and novel studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are necessary to investigate the specific effects of the different components of environmental enrichment in both healthy and pathological models. Only in this way can comprehensive recommendations for proper life habits be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy; Department of Systemic Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Mandolesi
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy; Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University "Parthenope", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Sorrentino
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University "Parthenope", Naples, Italy; Istituto di diagnosi e cura Hermitage Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy; Department of Systemic Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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Fucà E, Guglielmotto M, Boda E, Rossi F, Leto K, Buffo A. Preventive motor training but not progenitor grafting ameliorates cerebellar ataxia and deregulated autophagy in tambaleante mice. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 102:49-59. [PMID: 28237314 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment options for degenerative cerebellar ataxias are currently very limited. A large fraction of such disorders is represented by hereditary cerebellar ataxias, whose familiar transmission facilitates an early diagnosis and may possibly allow to start preventive treatments before the onset of the neurodegeneration and appearance of first symptoms. In spite of the heterogeneous aetiology, histological alterations of ataxias often include the primary degeneration of the cerebellar cortex caused by Purkinje cells (PCs) loss. Thus, approaches aimed at replacing or preserving PCs could represent promising ways of disease management. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of two different preventive strategies, namely cell replacement and motor training. We used tambaleante (tbl) mice as a model for progressive ataxia caused by selective loss of PCs and evaluated the effectiveness of the preventive transplantation of healthy PCs into early postnatal tbl cerebella, in terms of PC replacement and functional preservation. On the other hand, we investigated the effects of motor training on PC survival, cerebellar circuitry and their behavioral correlates. Our results demonstrate that, despite a good survival rate and integration of grafted PCs, the adopted grafting protocol could not alleviate the ataxic symptoms in tbl mice. Conversely, preventive motor training increases PCs survival with a moderate positive impact on the motor phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Fucà
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - Michela Guglielmotto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrica Boda
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Rossi
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Ketty Leto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Annalisa Buffo
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
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28
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Environmental factors linked to depression vulnerability are associated with altered cerebellar resting-state synchronization. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37384. [PMID: 27892484 PMCID: PMC5124945 DOI: 10.1038/srep37384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hosting nearly eighty percent of all human neurons, the cerebellum is functionally connected to large regions of the brain. Accumulating data suggest that some cerebellar resting-state alterations may constitute a key candidate mechanism for depressive psychopathology. While there is some evidence linking cerebellar function and depression, two topics remain largely unexplored. First, the genetic or environmental roots of this putative association have not been elicited. Secondly, while different mathematical representations of resting-state fMRI patterns can embed diverse information of relevance for health and disease, many of them have not been studied in detail regarding the cerebellum and depression. Here, high-resolution fMRI scans were examined to estimate functional connectivity patterns across twenty-six cerebellar regions in a sample of 48 identical twins (24 pairs) informative for depression liability. A network-based statistic approach was employed to analyze cerebellar functional networks built using three methods: the conventional approach of filtered BOLD fMRI time-series, and two analytic components of this oscillatory activity (amplitude envelope and instantaneous phase). The findings indicate that some environmental factors may lead to depression vulnerability through alterations of the neural oscillatory activity of the cerebellum during resting-state. These effects may be observed particularly when exploring the amplitude envelope of fMRI oscillations.
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Xiao R, Bergin SM, Huang W, Slater AM, Liu X, Judd RT, Lin EJD, Widstrom KJ, Scoville SD, Yu J, Caligiuri MA, Cao L. Environmental and Genetic Activation of Hypothalamic BDNF Modulates T-cell Immunity to Exert an Anticancer Phenotype. Cancer Immunol Res 2016; 4:488-497. [PMID: 27045020 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Macroenvironmental factors, including a patient's physical and social environment, play a role in cancer risk and progression. Our previous studies show that living in an enriched environment (EE) providing complex stimuli confers an anticancer phenotype in mice mediated, in part by a specific neuroendocrine axis, with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as the key brain mediator. Here, we investigated how an EE modulated T-cell immunity and its role in the EE-induced anticancer effects. Our data demonstrated that CD8 T cells were required to mediate the anticancer effects of an EE in an orthotropic model of melanoma. In secondary lymphoid tissue (SLT), an EE induced early changes in the phenotype of T-cell populations, characterized by a decrease in the ratio of CD4 T helper to CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Overexpression of hypothalamic BDNF reproduced EE-induced T-cell phenotypes in SLT, whereas knockdown of hypothalamic BDNF inhibited EE-induced immune modulation in SLT. Both propranolol and mifepristone blocked the EE-associated modulation of CTLs in SLT, suggesting that both the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis were involved. Our results demonstrated that enhanced anticancer effect of an EE was mediated at least in part through modulation of T-cell immunity and provided support to the emerging concept of manipulating a single gene in the brain to improve cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(6); 488-97. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Xiao
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Stephen M Bergin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Andrew M Slater
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Xianglan Liu
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Ryan T Judd
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - En-Ju D Lin
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Kyle J Widstrom
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Steven D Scoville
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
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30
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Gatta C, Altamura G, Avallone L, Castaldo L, Corteggio A, D'Angelo L, de Girolamo P, Lucini C. Neurotrophins and their Trk-receptors in the cerebellum of zebrafish. J Morphol 2016; 277:725-36. [PMID: 27197756 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) and their specific Trk-receptors are key molecules involved in the regulation of survival, proliferation, and differentiation of central nervous system during development and adulthood in vertebrates. In the present survey, we studied the expression and localization of neurotrophins and their Trk-receptors in the cerebellum of teleost fish Danio rerio (zebrafish). Teleostean cerebellum is composed of a valvula, body and vestibulolateral lobe. Valvula and body show the same three-layer structure as cerebellar cortex in mammals. The expression of NTs and Trk-receptors in the whole brain of zebrafish has been studied by Western blotting analysis. By immunohistochemistry, the localization of NTs has been observed mainly in Purkinje cells; TrkA and TrkB-receptors in cells and fibers of granular and molecular layers. TrkC was faintly detected. The occurrence of NTs and Trk-receptors suggests that they could have a synergistic action in the cerebellum of zebrafish. J. Morphol. 277:725-736, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Gennaro Altamura
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Luigi Avallone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Luciana Castaldo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | | | - Livia D'Angelo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Paolo de Girolamo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Carla Lucini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
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31
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Neural circuits and mechanisms involved in fear generalization: Implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 60:31-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Giacobbo BL, Corrêa MS, Vedovelli K, de Souza CEB, Spitza LM, Gonçalves L, Paludo N, Molina RD, da Rosa ED, Argimon IIDL, Bromberg E. Could BDNF be involved in compensatory mechanisms to maintain cognitive performance despite acute sleep deprivation? An exploratory study. Int J Psychophysiol 2015; 99:96-102. [PMID: 26602839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2015.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging studies suggest that acute sleep deprivation can lead to adaptations, such as compensatory recruitment of cerebral structures, to maintain cognitive performance despite sleep loss. However, the understanding of the neurochemical alterations related to these adaptations remains incomplete. OBJECTIVE Investigate BDNF levels, cognitive performance and their relations in healthy subjects after acute sleep deprivation. METHODS Nineteen sleep deprived (22.11±3.21years) and twenty control (25.10±4.42years) subjects completed depression, anxiety and sleep quality questionnaires. Sleep deprived group spent a full night awake performing different playful activities to keep themselves from sleeping. Attention, response inhibition capacity and working memory (prefrontal cortex-dependent) were assessed with Stroop and Digit Span tests. Declarative memory (hippocampus-dependent) was assessed with Logical Memory test. Serum BDNF was measured by sandwich ELISA. Data were analyzed with independent samples T-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA and curve estimation regressions. p<0.05 was deemed statistically significant. RESULTS The sleep deprived group showed higher BDNF levels and normal performance on attention, response inhibition capacity and working memory. However, declarative memory was impaired. A sigmoidal relation between BDNF and Stroop Test scores was found. CONCLUSIONS Increased BDNF could be related, at least in part, to the maintenance of normal prefrontal cognitive functions after sleep deprivation. This potential relation should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lima Giacobbo
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Márcio Silveira Corrêa
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Kelem Vedovelli
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil; Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Bruhn de Souza
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Letícia Martins Spitza
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Lucas Gonçalves
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Nathália Paludo
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Rachel Dias Molina
- Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Dias da Rosa
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Irani Iracema de Lima Argimon
- Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Elke Bromberg
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil.
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Loss CM, Binder LB, Muccini E, Martins WC, de Oliveira PA, Vandresen-Filho S, Prediger RD, Tasca CI, Zimmer ER, Costa-Schmidt LE, de Oliveira DL, Viola GG. Influence of environmental enrichment vs. time-of-day on behavioral repertoire of male albino Swiss mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 125:63-72. [PMID: 26247375 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is a non-pharmacological manipulation that promotes diverse forms of benefits in the central nervous system of captive animals. It is thought that EE influences animal behavior in a specie-(strain)-specific manner. Since rodents in general present different behaviors during distinct periods of the day, in this study we aimed to investigate the influence of time-of-day on behavioral repertoire of Swiss mice that reared in EE. Forty male Swiss mice (21days old) were housed in standard (SC) or enriched conditions (EC) for 60days. Behavioral assessments were conducted during the light phase (in presence of light) or dark phase (in absence of light) in the following tasks: open field, object recognition and elevated plus maze. First, we observed that the locomotor and exploratory activities are distinct between SC and EC groups only during the light phase. Second, we observed that "self-protective behaviors" were increased in EC group only when mice were tested during the light phase. However, "less defensive behaviors" were not affected by both housing conditions and time-of-day. Third, we showed that the performance of EE animals in object recognition task was improved in both light and dark conditions. Our findings highlight that EE-induced alterations in exploratory and emotional behaviors are just evident during light conditions. However, EE-induced cognitive benefits are remarkable even during dark conditions, when exploratory and emotional behaviors were similar between groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássio Morais Loss
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Luisa Bandeira Binder
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Eduarda Muccini
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Wagner Carbolin Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | | | - Samuel Vandresen-Filho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Básicas em Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
| | - Rui Daniel Prediger
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Carla Inês Tasca
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo R Zimmer
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Ernesto Costa-Schmidt
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal - IDEA/CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba - UNC, Vélez Sarsfield 299, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
| | - Diogo Losch de Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Giordano Gubert Viola
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Curitibanos, Curitibanos, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológica, Universidade Federal do Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
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Bücker J, Fries GR, Kapczinski F, Post RM, Yatham LN, Vianna P, Bogo Chies JA, Gama CS, Magalhães PV, Aguiar BW, Pfaffenseller B, Kauer-Sant'Anna M. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and inflammatory markers in school-aged children with early trauma. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 131:360-8. [PMID: 25401224 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The impact of childhood trauma (CT) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines levels remains unclear. We investigated the association between CT and changes in BDNF and cytokines plasma levels in children. METHOD We recruited 36 children with trauma (CT+) and 26 children without trauma (CT-). The presence of CT was based on a clinical interview and by Criteria A of DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. Blood samples were drawn from all children to assess BDNF and cytokines. ancova was performed with psychiatric symptoms and BMI as covariates to evaluate group differences in plasma levels. RESULTS CT+ showed increased levels of BDNF and TNF-α after excluding children with history of inflammatory disease (P<0.05) when compared with those CT-. IL-12p70, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-1β levels were not statistically different between groups. CONCLUSION CT+ showed increased BDNF and proinflammatory cytokines levels. The increase in BDNF levels may be an attempt to neutralize the negative effects of CT, while an increase in TNF-a levels be associated with a proinflammatory state after CT. How these changes associated with trauma relate to other biological changes and illness trajectory later in life remain to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bücker
- Bipolar Disorder Program and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, National Institute for Translational Medicine, INCT-TM Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Ulupinar E, Erol K, Ay H, Yucel F. Rearing conditions differently affect the motor performance and cerebellar morphology of prenatally stressed juvenile rats. Behav Brain Res 2014; 278:235-43. [PMID: 25315128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum is one of the most vulnerable parts of the brain to environmental changes. In this study, the effect of diverse environmental rearing conditions on the motor performances of prenatally stressed juvenile rats and its reflection to the cerebellar morphology were investigated. Prenatally stressed Wistar rats were grouped according to different rearing conditions (Enriched=EC, Standard=SC and Isolated=IC) after weaning. Six weeks later, male and female offspring from different litters were tested behaviorally. In rotarod and string suspension tests, females gained better scores than males. Significant gender and housing effects were observed especially on the motor functions requiring fine skills with the best performance by enriched females, but the worst by enriched males. The susceptibility of cerebellar macro- and micro-neurons to environmental conditions was compared using stereological methods. In female groups, no differences were observed in the volume proportions of cerebellar layers, soma sizes and the numerical densities of granule or Purkinje cells. However, a significant interaction between housing and gender was observed in the granule to Purkinje cell ratio of males, due to the increased numerical densities of the granule cells in enriched males. These data imply that proper functioning of the cerebellum relies on its well organized and evolutionarily conserved structure and circuitry. Although early life stress leads to long term behavioral and neurobiological consequences in the offspring, diverse rearing conditions can alter the motor skills of animals and synaptic connectivity between Purkinje and granular cells in a gender dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Ulupinar
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Department, Health Science Institute of Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey.
| | - Kevser Erol
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Department, Health Science Institute of Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Hakan Ay
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Ferruh Yucel
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Department, Health Science Institute of Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey
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Differential neuronal plasticity in mouse hippocampus associated with various periods of enriched environment during postnatal development. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:3435-48. [PMID: 25096287 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0865-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Enriched environment (EE) is characterized by improved conditions for enhanced exploration, cognitive activity, social interaction and physical exercise. It has been shown that EE positively regulates the remodeling of neural circuits, memory consolidation, long-term changes in synaptic strength and neurogenesis. However, the fine mechanisms by which environment shapes the brain at different postnatal developmental stages and the duration required to induce such changes are still a matter of debate. In EE, large groups of mice were housed in bigger cages and were given toys, nesting materials and other equipment that promote physical activity to provide a stimulating environment. Weaned mice were housed in EE for 4, 6 or 8 weeks and compared with matched control mice that were raised in a standard environment. To investigate the differential effects of EE on immature and mature brains, we also housed young adult mice (8 weeks old) for 4 weeks in EE. We studied the influence of onset and duration of EE housing on the structure and function of hippocampal neurons. We found that: (1) EE enhances neurogenesis in juvenile, but not young adult mice; (2) EE increases the number of synaptic contacts at every stage; (3) long-term potentiation (LTP) and spontaneous and miniature activity at the glutamatergic synapses are affected differently by EE depending on its onset and duration. Our study provides an integrative view of the role of EE during postnatal development in various mechanisms of plasticity in the hippocampus including neurogenesis, synaptic morphology and electrophysiological parameters of synaptic connectivity. This work provides an explanation for discrepancies found in the literature about the effects of EE on LTP and emphasizes the importance of environment on hippocampal plasticity.
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Ratajczak P, Nowakowska E, Kus K, Danielewicz R, Herman S, Woźniak A. Neuroleptics and enrichment environment treatment in memory disorders and other central nervous system function observed in prenatally stressed rats. Hum Exp Toxicol 2014; 34:526-37. [PMID: 25062975 DOI: 10.1177/0960327114543934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
It is believed that the most effective method of treatment in schizophrenia is pharmacotherapy, in particular, the use of atypical neuroleptics like aripiprazole (ARI) and olanzapine (OLA). Moreover, studies of many authors have shown that enriched living conditions and tobacco smoke exposure can also affect the cognitive functions that are disturbed in the course of schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to find whether tobacco smoke and enrichment living conditions have the influence on cognitive functions in the newborn offspring of prenatally stressed rats and whether drugs such as ARI (1.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)) and OLA (0.5 mg/kg ip) in single and chronic treatment modify those functions (Morris water maze). The study (in the same conditions) also analyses immobility time (Porsolt test) and motor activity of animals that received ARI and OLA. It has been shown that ARI and OLA as well as enriched environment reduce cognitive function disorders and modify cognitive functions in rats exposed to tobacco smoke. In turn, current research has shown that nicotine has increased cognitive function disorders compared to the previous study (animals without tobacco smoke exposure).
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ratajczak
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - E Nowakowska
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - K Kus
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - R Danielewicz
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - S Herman
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - A Woźniak
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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De Bartolo P, Florenzano F, Burello L, Gelfo F, Petrosini L. Activity-dependent structural plasticity of Purkinje cell spines in cerebellar vermis and hemisphere. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:2895-904. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0833-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Adams JA, Uryash A, Bassuk J, Sackner MA, Kurlansky P. Biological basis of neuroprotection and neurotherapeutic effects of Whole Body Periodic Acceleration (pGz). Med Hypotheses 2014; 82:681-7. [PMID: 24661939 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2014.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Exercise is a well known neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic strategy in animal models and humans with brain injury and cognitive dysfunction. In part, exercise induced beneficial effects relate to endothelial derived nitric oxide (eNO) production and induction of the neurotrophins; Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF). Whole Body Periodic Acceleration (WBPA (pGz), is the motion of the supine body headward to footward in a sinusoidal fashion, at frequencies of 100-160 cycles/min, inducing pulsatile shear stress to the vascular endothelium. WBPA (pGz) increases eNO in the cardiovascular system in animal models and humans. We hypothesized that WBPA (pGz) has neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic effects due to enhancement of biological pathways that include eNOS, BDNF and GDNF. We discuss protein expression analysis of these in brain of rodents. Animal and observational human data affirm a neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic role for WBPA (pGz). These findings suggest that WBPA (pGz) in addition to its well known beneficial cardiovascular effects can be a simple non-invasive neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic strategy with far reaching health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Adams
- Division of Neonatology and Department of Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States.
| | - Arkady Uryash
- Division of Neonatology and Department of Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
| | - Jorge Bassuk
- Division of Neonatology and Department of Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
| | - Marvin A Sackner
- Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Paul Kurlansky
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY, United States
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Smith AE, Goldsworthy MR, Garside T, Wood FM, Ridding MC. The influence of a single bout of aerobic exercise on short-interval intracortical excitability. Exp Brain Res 2014; 232:1875-82. [PMID: 24570388 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-014-3879-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Regular physical activity can have positive effects on brain function and plasticity. Indeed, there is some limited evidence that even a single bout of exercise may promote plasticity within the cortex. However, the mechanisms by which exercise acutely promotes plasticity are not clear. To further explore the effects of acute exercise on cortical function, we examined whether a single bout of exercise was associated with changes in cortical excitability and inhibition. Using standard techniques, cortical stimulus-response curves [90% resting motor threshold (RMT)-150% RMT] were investigated in nine subjects (four females, 31.1 ± 11.7 years) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) [interstimulus interval 2 ms and 3 ms, conditioning intensities of 80% active motor threshold (AMT) and 90% AMT] in 13 subjects (six females, 28.4 ± 5.1 years) before and at 0 and 15 min following 30 min of ergometer cycling at low-moderate or moderate-high intensity. There were no changes in cortical excitability following exercise but less SICI at both 0 and 15 min post-exercise (F [2, 24] = 7.7, P = 0.003). These findings show that a short period of exercise can transiently reduce SICI. Such a change in inhibition after exercise may contribute to the development of a cortical environment that would be more optimal for plasticity and may partially explain previous findings of enhanced neuroplasticity following low-intensity exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh E Smith
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia,
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Environmental enrichment decreases asphyxia-induced neurobehavioral developmental delay in neonatal rats. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:22258-73. [PMID: 24232451 PMCID: PMC3856064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141122258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal asphyxia during delivery produces long-term disability and represents a major problem in neonatal and pediatric care. Numerous neuroprotective approaches have been described to decrease the effects of perinatal asphyxia. Enriched environment is a popular strategy to counteract nervous system injuries. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether enriched environment is able to decrease the asphyxia-induced neurobehavioral developmental delay in neonatal rats. Asphyxia was induced in ready-to-deliver mothers by removing the pups by caesarian section after 15 min of asphyxia. Somatic and neurobehavioral development was tested daily and motor coordination weekly. Our results show that rats undergoing perinatal asphyxia had a marked developmental delay and worse performance in motor coordination tests. However, pups kept in enriched environment showed a decrease in the developmental delay observed in control asphyctic pups. Rats growing up in enriched environment did not show decrease in weight gain after the first week and the delay in reflex appearance was not as marked as in control rats. In addition, the development of motor coordination was not as strikingly delayed as in the control group. Short-term neurofunctional outcome are known to correlate with long-term deficits. Our results thus show that enriched environment could be a powerful strategy to decrease the deleterious developmental effects of perinatal asphyxia.
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Horvath G, Reglodi D, Vadasz G, Farkas J, Kiss P. Exposure to enriched environment decreases neurobehavioral deficits induced by neonatal glutamate toxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:19054-66. [PMID: 24065102 PMCID: PMC3794820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140919054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment is a popular strategy to enhance motor and cognitive performance and to counteract the effects of various harmful stimuli. The protective effects of enriched environment have been shown in traumatic, ischemic and toxic nervous system lesions. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a commonly used taste enhancer causing excitotoxic effects when given in newborn animals. We have previously demonstrated that MSG leads to a delay in neurobehavioral development, as shown by the delayed appearance of neurological reflexes and maturation of motor coordination. In the present study we aimed at investigating whether environmental enrichment is able to decrease the neurobehavioral delay caused by neonatal MSG treatment. Newborn pups were treated with MSG subcutaneously on postnatal days 1, 5 and 9. For environmental enrichment, we placed rats in larger cages, supplemented with different toys that were altered daily. Normal control and enriched control rats received saline treatment only. Physical parameters such as weight, day of eye opening, incisor eruption and ear unfolding were recorded. Animals were observed for appearance of reflexes such as negative geotaxis, righting reflexes, fore- and hindlimb grasp, fore- and hindlimb placing, sensory reflexes and gait. In cases of negative geotaxis, surface righting and gait, the time to perform the reflex was also recorded daily. For examining motor coordination, we performed grid walking, footfault, rope suspension, rota-rod, inclined board and walk initiation tests. We found that enriched environment alone did not lead to marked alterations in the course of development. On the other hand, MSG treatment caused a slight delay in reflex development and a pronounced delay in weight gain and motor coordination maturation. This delay in most signs and tests could be reversed by enriched environment: MSG-treated pups kept under enriched conditions showed no weight retardation, no reflex delay in some signs and performed better in most coordination tests. These results show that environmental enrichment is able to decrease the neurobehavioral delay caused by neonatal excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor Horvath
- Department of Anatomy, PTE-MTA Lendulet PACAP Research Team, University of Pecs, Pécs 7624, Hungary.
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Zancada-Menendez C, Begega A, Rubio S, Arias J. Effects of environmental enrichment on anxiety responses, spatial memory and cytochrome c oxidase activity in adult rats. Brain Res Bull 2013; 98:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Anderson DI, Campos JJ, Witherington DC, Dahl A, Rivera M, He M, Uchiyama I, Barbu-Roth M. The role of locomotion in psychological development. Front Psychol 2013; 4:440. [PMID: 23888146 PMCID: PMC3719016 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The psychological revolution that follows the onset of independent locomotion in the latter half of the infant's first year provides one of the best illustrations of the intimate connection between action and psychological processes. In this paper, we document some of the dramatic changes in perception-action coupling, spatial cognition, memory, and social and emotional development that follow the acquisition of independent locomotion. We highlight the range of converging research operations that have been used to examine the relation between locomotor experience and psychological development, and we describe recent attempts to uncover the processes that underlie this relation. Finally, we address three important questions about the relation that have received scant attention in the research literature. These questions include: (1) What changes in the brain occur when infants acquire experience with locomotion? (2) What role does locomotion play in the maintenance of psychological function? (3) What implications do motor disabilities have for psychological development? Seeking the answers to these questions can provide rich insights into the relation between action and psychological processes and the general processes that underlie human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I. Anderson
- Department of Kinesiology, San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joseph J. Campos
- Department of Psychology, University of CaliforniaBerkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Audun Dahl
- Department of Psychology, University of CaliforniaBerkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Monica Rivera
- Department of Physical Therapy, Samuel Merritt CollegeOakland, CA, USA
| | - Minxuan He
- Department of Psychology, University of CaliforniaBerkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Marianne Barbu-Roth
- Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception, Université Paris Descartes – Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueParis, France
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Pre- and postsynaptic twists in BDNF secretion and action in synaptic plasticity. Neuropharmacology 2013; 76 Pt C:610-27. [PMID: 23791959 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Revised: 05/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Overwhelming evidence collected since the early 1990's strongly supports the notion that BDNF is among the key regulators of synaptic plasticity in many areas of the mammalian central nervous system. Still, due to the extremely low expression levels of endogenous BDNF in most brain areas, surprisingly little data i) pinpointing pre- and postsynaptic release sites, ii) unraveling the time course of release, and iii) elucidating the physiological levels of synaptic activity driving this secretion are available. Likewise, our knowledge regarding pre- and postsynaptic effects of endogenous BDNF at the single cell level in mediating long-term potentiation still is sparse. Thus, our review will discuss the data currently available regarding synaptic BDNF secretion in response to physiologically relevant levels of activity, and will discuss how endogenously secreted BDNF affects synaptic plasticity, giving a special focus on spike timing-dependent types of LTP and on mossy fiber LTP. We will attempt to open up perspectives how the remaining challenging questions regarding synaptic BDNF release and action might be addressed by future experiments. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'.
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Frasca D, Tomaszczyk J, McFadyen BJ, Green RE. Traumatic brain injury and post-acute decline: what role does environmental enrichment play? A scoping review. Front Hum Neurosci 2013; 7:31. [PMID: 23616755 PMCID: PMC3628363 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: While a growing number of studies provide evidence of neural and cognitive decline in traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors during the post-acute stages of injury, there is limited research as of yet on environmental factors that may influence this decline. The purposes of this paper, therefore, are to (1) examine evidence that environmental enrichment (EE) can influence long-term outcome following TBI, and (2) examine the nature of post-acute environments, whether they vary in degree of EE, and what impact these variations have on outcomes. Methods: We conducted a scoping review to identify studies on EE in animals and humans, and post-discharge experiences that relate to barriers to recovery. Results: One hundred and twenty-three articles that met inclusion criteria demonstrated the benefits of EE on brain and behavior in healthy and brain-injured animals and humans. Nineteen papers on post-discharge experiences revealed that variables such as insurance coverage, financial, and social support, home therapy, and transition from hospital to home, can have an impact on clinical outcomes. Conclusion: There is evidence to suggest that lack of EE, whether from lack of resources or limited ability to engage in such environments, may play a role in post-acute cognitive and neural decline. Maximizing EE in the post-acute stages of TBI may improve long-term outcomes for the individual, their family and society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Frasca
- Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada ; Cognitive Neurorehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Toronto, ON, Canada
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