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Harris BN, Yavari M, Ramalingam L, Mounce PL, Alers Maldonado K, Chavira AC, Thomas S, Scoggin S, Biltz C, Moustaid-Moussa N. Impact of Long-Term Dietary High Fat and Eicosapentaenoic Acid on Behavior and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in Amyloidogenic APPswe/PSEN1dE9 Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2024; 114:553-576. [PMID: 38301617 PMCID: PMC11153005 DOI: 10.1159/000536586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) alters neurocognitive and emotional function and causes dysregulation of multiple homeostatic processes. The leading AD framework pins amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles as primary drivers of dysfunction. However, many additional variables, including diet, stress, sex, age, and pain tolerance, interact in ways that are not fully understood to impact the onset and progression of AD pathophysiology. We asked: (1) does high-fat diet, compared to low-fat diet, exacerbate AD pathophysiology and behavioral decline? And, (2) can supplementation with eicosapentaenoic (EPA)-enriched fish oil prevent high-fat-diet-induced changes? METHODS Male and female APPswePSdE9 mice, and their non-transgenic littermates, were randomly assigned to a diet condition (low-fat, high-fat, high-fat with EPA) and followed from 2 to 10 months of age. We assessed baseline corticosterone concentration during aging, pain tolerance, cognitive function, stress coping, and corticosterone response to a stressor. RESULTS Transgenic mice were consistently more active than non-transgenic mice but did not perform worse on either cognitive task, even though we recently reported that these same transgenic mice exhibited metabolic changes and had increased amyloid beta. Mice fed high-fat diet had higher baseline and post-stressor corticosterone, but diet did not impact cognition or pain tolerance. Sex had the biggest influence, as female mice were consistently more active and had higher corticosterone than males. CONCLUSION Overall, diet, genotype, and sex did not have consistent impacts on outcomes. We found little support for predicted interactions and correlations, suggesting diet impacts metabolic function and amyloid beta levels, but these outcomes do not translate to changes in behaviors measured here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna N. Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research & Innovation, Texas Tech University
| | - Mahsa Yavari
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research & Innovation, Texas Tech University
- Current address: Department of Molecular Metabolism, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA
| | - Latha Ramalingam
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research & Innovation, Texas Tech University
- Current address: Department of Nutritional and Food Studies Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
| | - P. Logan Mounce
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | | | - Angela C. Chavira
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Sarah Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Shane Scoggin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Caroline Biltz
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Naima Moustaid-Moussa
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research & Innovation, Texas Tech University
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A PDK-1 allosteric agonist improves spatial learning and memory in a βAPP/PS-1 transgenic mouse-high fat diet intervention model of Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114183. [PMID: 36404570 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM), peripheral insulin resistance (IR) and obesity are clear risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Several anti-diabetic drugs and insulin have been tested in rodents and humans with MCI or AD, yielding promising but inconclusive results. The PDK-1/Akt axis, essential to the action of insulin, has not however been pharmacologically interrogated to a similar degree. Our previous cell culture and in vitro studies point to such an approach. Double transgenic APPsw/PSENdE9 mice, a model for Alzheimer's disease, were used to test the oral administration of PS48, a PDK-1 agonist, on preventing the expected decline in learning and memory in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Mice were raised on either standard (SD) or high fat (HFD) diets, dosed beginning 10 months age and tested at an advanced age of 14 months. PS48 had positive effects on learning the spatial location of a hidden platform in the TG animals, on either SD or HFD, compared to vehicle diet and WT animals. On several measures of spatial memory following successful acquisition (probe trials), the drug also proved significantly beneficial to animals on either diet. The PS48 treatment-effect size was more pronounced in the TG animals on HFD compared to on SD in several of the probe measures. HFD produced some of the intended metabolic effects of weight gain and hyperglycemia, as well as accelerating cognitive impairment in the TG animals. PS48 was found to have added value in modestly reducing body weights and improving OGTT responses in TG groups although results were not definitive. PS48 was well tolerated without obvious clinical signs or symptoms and did not itself affect longevity. These results recommend a larger preclinical study before human trial.
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Černotová D, Hrůzová K, Levčík D, Svoboda J, Stuchlík A. Linking Social Cognition, Parvalbumin Interneurons, and Oxytocin in Alzheimer's Disease: An Update. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:861-875. [PMID: 37980658 PMCID: PMC10741376 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230333] [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] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been notoriously challenging for many decades. Therefore, the current focus is mainly on prevention, timely intervention, and slowing the progression in the earliest stages. A better understanding of underlying mechanisms at the beginning of the disease could aid in early diagnosis and intervention, including alleviating symptoms or slowing down the disease progression. Changes in social cognition and progressive parvalbumin (PV) interneuron dysfunction are among the earliest observable effects of AD. Various AD rodent models mimic these early alterations, but only a narrow field of study has considered their mutual relationship. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about PV interneuron dysfunction in AD and emphasize their importance in social cognition and memory. Next, we propose oxytocin (OT) as a potent modulator of PV interneurons and as a promising treatment for managing some of the early symptoms. We further discuss the supporting evidence on its beneficial effects on AD-related pathology. Clinical trials have employed the use of OT in various neuropsychiatric diseases with promising results, but little is known about its prospective impacts on AD. On the other hand, the modulatory effects of OT in specific structures and local circuits need to be clarified in future studies. This review highlights the connection between PV interneurons and social cognition impairment in the early stages of AD and considers OT as a promising therapeutic agent for addressing these early deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Černotová
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Hrůzová
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Levčík
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Svoboda
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Stuchlík
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Huang X, Su Z, Zhang S, Xu X, Yang B, Xu X. ANGPTL2 Deletion Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction Induced by Isoflurane in Aged Mice through Modulating MAPK Pathway. Mediators Inflamm 2023; 2023:2453402. [PMID: 36865085 PMCID: PMC9974309 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2453402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a well-known complication after surgery with cognitive impairments. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) has been found to be associated with inflammation. However, the role of ANGPTL2 in inflammation of POCD is unclear. Here, mice were subjected into isoflurane anesthesia. It was demonstrated that isoflurane increased ANGPTL2 expression and promoted pathological change in brain tissues. However, downregulation of ANGPTL2 alleviated the pathological change and elevated learning and memory abilities, improving isoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice. In addition, isoflurane-induced cell apoptosis and inflammation were repressed via ANGPTL2 knockdown in mice. Downregulation of ANGPTL2 was also verified to suppress isoflurane-induced microglial activation, evidenced by a decrease of Iba1 and CD86 expressions and an increase of CD206 expression. Further, the isoflurane-induced MAPK signaling pathway was repressed through downregulation of ANGPTL2 in mice. In conclusion, this study proved that downregulation of ANGPTL2 attenuated isoflurane-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction in mice via modulating the MAPK pathway, which provided a new therapeutic target for POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515000, China
| | - Zegeng Su
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515000, China
| | - Shuncai Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515000, China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515000, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515000, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515000, China
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Chesworth R, Cheng D, Staub C, Karl T. Effect of long-term cannabidiol on learning and anxiety in a female Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:931384. [PMID: 36238565 PMCID: PMC9551202 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.931384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol is a promising potential therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our laboratory has shown that oral CBD treatment prevents cognitive impairment in a male genetic mouse model of AD, the amyloid precursor protein 1 x presenilin 1 hemizygous (APPxPS1) mouse. However, as sex differences are evident in clinical populations and in AD mouse models, we tested the preventive potential of CBD therapy in female APPxPS1 mice. In this study, 2.5-month-old female wildtype-like (WT) and APPxPS1 mice were fed 20 mg/kg CBD or a vehicle via gel pellets daily for 8 months and tested at 10.5 months in behavioural paradigms relevant to cognition (fear conditioning, FC; cheeseboard, CB; and novel object recognition test, NORT) and anxiety-like behaviours (elevated plus maze, EPM). In the CB, CBD reduced latencies to find a food reward in APPxPS1 mice, compared to vehicle-treated APPxPS1 controls, and this treatment effect was not evident in WT mice. In addition, CBD also increased speed early in the acquisition of the CB task in APPxPS1 mice. In the EPM, CBD increased locomotion in APPxPS1 mice but not in WT mice, with no effects of CBD on anxiety-like behaviour. CBD had limited effects on the expression of fear memory. These results indicate preventive CBD treatment can have a moderate spatial learning-enhancing effect in a female amyloid-β-based AD mouse model. This suggests CBD may have some preventive therapeutic potential in female familial AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Chesworth
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - David Cheng
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Chloe Staub
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Tim Karl,
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Hulshof LA, Frajmund LA, van Nuijs D, van der Heijden DC, Middeldorp J, Hol EM. Both male and female APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice are impaired in spatial memory and cognitive flexibility at 9 months of age. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 113:28-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Wang T, Chen Y, Zou Y, Pang Y, He X, Chen Y, Liu Y, Feng W, Zhang Y, Li Q, Shi J, Ding F, Marshall C, Gao J, Xiao M. Locomotor Hyperactivity in the Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease-like Pathology of APP/PS1 Mice: Associated with Impaired Polarization of Astrocyte Aquaporin 4. Aging Dis 2022; 13:1504-1522. [PMID: 36186142 PMCID: PMC9466968 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-cognitive behavioral and psychological symptoms often occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and mouse models, although the exact neuropathological mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report hyperactivity with significant inter-individual variability in 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Pathological analysis revealed that intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ), c-Fos expression in glutamatergic neurons and activation of astrocytes were more evident in the frontal motor cortex of hyperactive APP/PS1 mice, compared to those with normal activity. Moreover, the hyperactive phenotype was associated with mislocalization of perivascular aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and glymphatic transport impairment. Deletion of the AQP4 gene increased hyperactivity, intraneuronal Aβ load and glutamatergic neuron activation, but did not influence working memory or anxiety-like behaviors of 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Together, these results demonstrate that AQP4 mislocalization or deficiency leads to increased intraneuronal Aβ load and neuronal hyperactivity in the motor cortex, which in turn causes locomotor over-activity during the early pathophysiology of APP/PS1 mice. Therefore, improving AQP4 mediated glymphatic clearance may offer a new strategy for early intervention of hyperactivity in the prodromal phase of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yan Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Ying Zou
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yingting Pang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xiaoxin He
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yali Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Yun Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Weixi Feng
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Qian Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Jingping Shi
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Fengfei Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Charles Marshall
- College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health, Hazard, KY 41701, USA
| | - Junying Gao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Ming Xiao (E-mail: ) or Dr. Junying Gao (), Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Ming Xiao (E-mail: ) or Dr. Junying Gao (), Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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NAD + supplementation reduces neuroinflammation and cell senescence in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease via cGAS-STING. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2011226118. [PMID: 34497121 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011226118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Impaired neuronal bioenergetics and neuroinflammation are thought to play key roles in the progression of AD, but their interplay is not clear. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an important metabolite in all human cells in which it is pivotal for multiple processes including DNA repair and mitophagy, both of which are impaired in AD neurons. Here, we report that levels of NAD+ are reduced and markers of inflammation increased in the brains of APP/PS1 mutant transgenic mice with beta-amyloid pathology. Treatment of APP/PS1 mutant mice with the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) for 5 mo increased brain NAD+ levels, reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and decreased activation of microglia and astrocytes. NR treatment also reduced NLRP3 inflammasome expression, DNA damage, apoptosis, and cellular senescence in the AD mouse brains. Activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) are associated with DNA damage and senescence. cGAS-STING elevation was observed in the AD mice and normalized by NR treatment. Cell culture experiments using microglia suggested that the beneficial effects of NR are, in part, through a cGAS-STING-dependent pathway. Levels of ectopic (cytoplasmic) DNA were increased in APP/PS1 mutant mice and human AD fibroblasts and down-regulated by NR. NR treatment induced mitophagy and improved cognitive and synaptic functions in APP/PS1 mutant mice. Our findings suggest a role for NAD+ depletion-mediated activation of cGAS-STING in neuroinflammation and cellular senescence in AD.
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Progressive impairments in executive function in the APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer's disease as measured by translatable touchscreen testing. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 108:58-71. [PMID: 34509856 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.08.004] [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: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Executive function deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) occur early in disease progression and may be predictive of cognitive decline. However, no preclinical studies have identified deficits in rewarded executive function in the commonly used APPSwe/PS1∆E9 (APP/PS1) mouse model. To address this, we assessed 12-26 month old APP/PS1 mice on rewarded reversal and/or extinction tasks. 16-month-old, but not 13- or 26-month-old, APP/PS1 mice showed an attenuated rate of extinction. Reversal deficits were seen in 22-month-old, but not 13-month-old APP/PS1 animals. We then confirmed that impairments in reversal were unrelated to previously reported visual impairments in both AD mouse models and humans. Age, but not genotype, had a significant effect on markers of retinal health, indicating the deficits seen in APP/PS1 mice were directly related to cognition. This is the first characterisation of rewarded executive function in APP/PS1 mice, and has great potential to facilitate translation from preclinical models to the clinic.
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Tzeng WY, Figarella K, Garaschuk O. Olfactory impairment in men and mice related to aging and amyloid-induced pathology. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:805-821. [PMID: 33608800 PMCID: PMC7895745 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02527-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Olfaction, or the sense of smell, is one of the most ancient senses in men and mice, important for a large variety of innate and acquired behaviors. Clinical data reveal an early impairment of olfaction during normal aging and in the course of neurodegenerative diseases, but the underlying cellular/molecular mechanisms remain obscure. In the current review, we compare different aspects of the aging- and Alzheimer's disease related impairment of olfaction in men and mice, aiming at the identification of common morbidities and biomarkers, which can be analyzed in detail in the appropriate mouse models. We also identify common, often interdependent (patho)physiological pathways, including but not limited to extracellular amyloid depositions, neuroinflammation, ɛ4 allele of the apolipoprotein E, CNS insulin resistance, and the impairment of adult neurogenesis, to be targeted by basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yu Tzeng
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Keplerstr. 15, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katherine Figarella
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Keplerstr. 15, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olga Garaschuk
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Keplerstr. 15, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
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Watt G, Shang K, Zieba J, Olaya J, Li H, Garner B, Karl T. Chronic Treatment with 50 mg/kg Cannabidiol Improves Cognition and Moderately Reduces Aβ40 Levels in 12-Month-Old Male AβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 Transgenic Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 74:937-950. [PMID: 32116258 DOI: 10.3233/jad-191242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and pathologically by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau hyperphosphorylation causing neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Current AD treatments do not stop or reverse the disease progression, highlighting the need for more effective therapeutics. The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg) reverses social and object recognition memory deficits in the AβPPxPS1 transgenic mouse model with only limited effects on AD-relevant brain pathology. Importantly, studies have indicated that CBD works in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, this study determined the chronic effects of 50 mg/kg CBD in male AβPPxPS1 mice. 12-month-old mice were treated with 50 mg/kg CBD or vehicle via daily intraperitoneal injections for 3 weeks prior to behavioral testing. A variety of cognitive domains including object and social recognition, spatial and fear-associated memory were evaluated. Pathological brain analyses for AD-relevant markers were conducted using ELISA and western blot. Vehicle-treated male AβPPxPS1 mice demonstrated impaired social recognition memory and reversal spatial learning. These deficits were restored after CBD treatment. Chronic CBD tended to reduce insoluble Aβ40 levels in the hippocampus of AβPPxPS1 mice but had no effect on neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, or PPARγ markers in the cortex. This study demonstrates that therapeutic-like effects of 50 mg/kg CBD on social recognition memory and spatial learning deficits in AβPPxPS1 mice are accompanied by moderate brain region-specific reductions in insoluble Aβ40 levels. The findings emphasize the clinical relevance of CBD treatment in AD; however, the underlying mechanisms involved require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Watt
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Kani Shang
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Randwick, Australia
| | - Jerzy Zieba
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Randwick, Australia
| | - Juan Olaya
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Randwick, Australia
| | - Henry Li
- University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | | | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Randwick, Australia
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Effects of Phenylethanoid Glycosides Extracted from Herba Cistanches on the Learning and Memory of the APP/PSI Transgenic Mice with Alzheimer's Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1291549. [PMID: 33532488 PMCID: PMC7834784 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1291549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background To investigate the effects of phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) extracted from Herba Cistanches on the behavioral and cognition capacity of the APP/PSI transgenic mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods AD mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, donepezil group, PhG groups, and verbascose group, respectively. Three weeks later, the animals were subject to behavioral and cognition evaluation by the nesting test, Morris water maze test, and step-down test. Results The cognition capacity in these groups showed a significant increase compared with that in the model group. The step-down test indicated that the errors induced by the memory decrease in the PhG groups and verbascose group showed a significant decrease compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05). Conclusions PhGs attenuated the cognitive dysfunction features of the APP/PSI transgenic gene. Besides, PhGs were the active components for the anti-AD activity of H. Cistanches.
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Coles M, Watt G, Kreilaus F, Karl T. Medium-Dose Chronic Cannabidiol Treatment Reverses Object Recognition Memory Deficits of APP Swe /PS1ΔE9 Transgenic Female Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:587604. [PMID: 33424597 PMCID: PMC7789874 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.587604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes behavioral and cognitive impairments. The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, and in vitro and limited in vivo evidence suggests that CBD possesses therapeutic-like properties for the treatment of AD. Cannabinoids are known to have dose-dependent effects and the therapeutic potential of medium-dose CBD for AD transgenic mice has not been assessed in great detail yet. 12-month-old control and APP Swe /PS1ΔE9 (APPxPS1) transgenic female mice were treated daily via intraperitoneal injection with 5 mg/kg bodyweight CBD (or vehicle) commencing three weeks prior to the assessment of behavioral domains including anxiety, exploration, locomotion, motor functions, cognition, and sensorimotor gating. APPxPS1 mice exhibited a hyperlocomotive and anxiogenic-like phenotype and had wild type-like motor and spatial learning abilities, although AD transgenic mice took generally longer to complete the cheeseboard training (due to a lower locomotion speed). Furthermore spatial learning and reversal learning was delayed by one day in APPxPS1 mice compared to control mice. All mice displayed intact spatial memory and retrieval memory, but APPxPS1 mice showed reduced levels of perseverance in the cheeseboard probe trial. Importantly, vehicle-treated APPxPS1 mice were characterized by object recognition deficits and delayed spatial learning, which were reversed by CBD treatment. Finally, impairments in sensorimotor gating of APPxPS1 mice were not affected by CBD. In conclusion, medium-dose CBD appears to have therapeutic value for the treatment of particular behavioral impairments present in AD patients. Future research should consider the molecular mechanisms behind CBD's beneficial properties for AD transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madilyn Coles
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgia Watt
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabian Kreilaus
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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14
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He C, Su C, Zhang W, Wan Q. miR-485-5p alleviates Alzheimer's disease progression by targeting PACS1. Transl Neurosci 2021; 12:335-345. [PMID: 34594577 PMCID: PMC8442568 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common dementia and a heterogeneous disease. Previous research has validated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are pivotal regulators in the initiation and development of tremendous diseases including AD. MicroRNA-485-5p (miR-485-5p) was reported to be an important participant implicated in several neurological diseases, but its role in AD still needs to be further investigated. In this research, we explored the biological function of miR-485-5p in AD. RT-qPCR revealed that miR-485-5p expression was downregulated in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, miR-485-5p overexpression facilitated the learning and memory capabilities of APP/PS1 mice according to Morris water maze test, fear conditioning test, and immunofluorescent staining. Moreover, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometric analysis, and western blot analysis suggested that miR-485-5p overexpression promoted pericyte viability and prohibited pericyte apoptosis in APP/PS1 mice. Mechanistically, miR-485-5p directly targeted PACS1 in pericytes, as shown in a luciferase reporter assay. In rescue assays, PACS1 overexpression countervailed the effect of miR-485-5p overexpression on pericyte viability and apoptosis. In conclusion, miR-485-5p ameliorates AD progression by targeting PACS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan He
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiangsu-Shengze Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215228, Jiangsu, China
| | - Caixia Su
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiangsu-Shengze Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215228, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wentong Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiangsu-Shengze Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215228, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Department of Neurological Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 21000, Jiangsu, China
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15
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Van den Broeck L, Sierksma A, Hansquine P, Thonnard D, Callaerts-Vegh Z, D'Hooge R. Comparison between touchscreen operant chambers and water maze to detect early prefrontal dysfunction in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12695. [PMID: 32812350 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The relative lack of sensitive and clinically valid tests of rodent behavior might be one of the reasons for the limited success of the clinical translation of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) research findings. There is a general interest in innovative behavioral methodology, and protocols have been proposed for touchscreen operant chambers that might be superior to existing cognitive assessment methods. We assessed and analyzed touchscreen performance in several novel ways to examine the possible occurrence of early signs of prefrontal (PFC) functional decline in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Touchscreen learning performance was compared between APP/PS1-21 mice and wildtype littermates on a C57BL/6J background at 3, 6 and 12 months of age in parallel to the assessment of spatial learning, memory and cognitive flexibility in the Morris water maze (MWM). We found that older mice generally needed more training sessions to complete the touchscreen protocol than younger ones. Older mice also displayed defects in MWM working memory performance, but touchscreen protocols detected functional changes beginning at 3 months of age. Histological changes in PFC of APP/PS1 mice indeed occurred as early as 3 months. Our results suggest that touchscreen operant protocols are more sensitive to PFC dysfunction, which is of relevance to the use of these tasks and devices in preclinical AD research and experimental pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lore Van den Broeck
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annerieke Sierksma
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pierre Hansquine
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Thonnard
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Rudi D'Hooge
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Gupta VB, Chitranshi N, den Haan J, Mirzaei M, You Y, Lim JK, Basavarajappa D, Godinez A, Di Angelantonio S, Sachdev P, Salekdeh GH, Bouwman F, Graham S, Gupta V. Retinal changes in Alzheimer's disease- integrated prospects of imaging, functional and molecular advances. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 82:100899. [PMID: 32890742 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, clinically characterised by cognitive deficits that gradually worsen over time. There is, at present, no established cure, or disease-modifying treatments for AD. As life expectancy increases globally, the number of individuals suffering from the disease is projected to increase substantially. Cumulative evidence indicates that AD neuropathological process is initiated several years, if not decades, before clinical signs are evident in patients, and diagnosis made. While several imaging, cognitive, CSF and blood-based biomarkers have been proposed for the early detection of AD; their sensitivity and specificity in the symptomatic stages is highly variable and it is difficult to justify their use in even earlier, pre-clinical stages of the disease. Research has identified potentially measurable functional, structural, metabolic and vascular changes in the retina during early stages of AD. Retina offers a distinctively accessible insight into brain pathology and current and developing ophthalmic technologies have provided us with the possibility of detecting and characterising subtle, disease-related changes. Recent human and animal model studies have further provided mechanistic insights into the biochemical pathways that are altered in the retina in disease, including amyloid and tau deposition. This information coupled with advances in molecular imaging has allowed attempts to monitor biochemical changes and protein aggregation pathology in the retina in AD. This review summarises the existing knowledge that informs our understanding of the impact of AD on the retina and highlights some of the gaps that need to be addressed. Future research will integrate molecular imaging innovation with functional and structural changes to enhance our knowledge of the AD pathophysiological mechanisms and establish the utility of monitoring retinal changes as a potential biomarker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veer B Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jurre den Haan
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jeremiah Kh Lim
- Optometry and Vision Science, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Devaraj Basavarajappa
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Angela Godinez
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Perminder Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ghasem H Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Femke Bouwman
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Stuart Graham
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia; Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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17
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Watt G, Chesworth R, Przybyla M, Ittner A, Garner B, Ittner LM, Karl T. Chronic cannabidiol (CBD) treatment did not exhibit beneficial effects in 4-month-old male TAU58/2 transgenic mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 196:172970. [PMID: 32562718 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline, motor impairments, and accumulation of hallmark proteins, amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau. Traditionally, transgenic mouse models for AD have focused on Aβ pathology, however, recently a number of tauopathy transgenic models have been developed, including the TAU58/2 transgenic model. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-toxic constituent of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been shown to prevent and reverse cognitive deficits in Aβ transgenic mouse models of AD. Importantly, the therapeutic properties of CBD on the behavioural phenotype of tauopathy mouse models have not been investigated. We assessed the impact of chronic CBD treatment (i.e. 50 mg/kg CBD i.p. administration starting 3 weeks prior to behavioural assessments) on disease-relevant behaviours of 4-month-old TAU58/2 transgenic males in paradigms for anxiety, motor functions, and cognition. TAU58/2 transgenic males demonstrated reduced body weight, anxiety and impaired motor functions. Furthermore, they demonstrated increased freezing in fear conditioning compared to wild type-like animals. Interestingly, both sociability and social recognition memory were intact in AD transgenic mice. Chronic CBD treatment did not affect behavioural changes in transgenic males. In summary, 4-month-old TAU58/2 transgenic males exhibited no deficits in social recognition memory, suggesting that motor deficits and changes in anxiety at this age do not impact on social domains. The moderate increase in fear-associated memory needs further investigation but could be related to differences in fear extinction. Future investigations will need to clarify CBD's therapeutic potential for reversing motor deficits in TAU58/2 transgenic mice by considering alternative CBD treatment designs including changed CBD dosing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Watt
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Rose Chesworth
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Brett Garner
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Randwick, Australia.
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18
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Lee JH, Cho SY, Kim E. Translational cognitive neuroscience of dementia with touchscreen operant chambers. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12664. [PMID: 32374080 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Translational cognitive neuroscience of dementia involves mainly two areas: the validation of newly developed dementia animal models and the preclinical assessment of novel drug candidates in such model animals. To validate new animal models, a multidomain panel (battery) approach is essential in that dementia is, by definition, not merely a memory disorder but rather a multidomain cognitive/behavior disorder: animal modeling with a certain type of dementia would develop cognitive impairments in multiple (two at minimum) domains in a specific order according to unique spreading patterns of its neuropathology. In new drug development, the availability of highly sensitive tools assessing animal cognition is crucial to the detection of cognitive decline at the earliest stage of the disease, which may be an optimal time point to test a drug candidate. Using interspecies translatable (analogous) cognitive tasks would also be necessary to successfully predict the efficacy of drug candidates in subsequent clinical trials. Currently, this translational prediction is seriously limited given discrepancies in behavioral assessment methods between animals and humans in the preclinical and clinical trials, respectively. Since neurodegenerative diseases are often accompanied by not only cognitive but also affective and movement disorders, simultaneous assessment of task-relevant locomotor behavior and motivation is also important to rule out the effects of potential confounders. The touchscreen operant platform may satisfy these needs by offering several advantages over conventional methodology. In this review, we discuss the touchscreen operant chamber system and highlight some of its qualities as a promising and desirable tool for translational research of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Han Lee
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eosu Kim
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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19
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Kosel F, Pelley JMS, Franklin TB. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease-related pathology. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 112:634-647. [PMID: 32070692 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mouse models have been used extensively to model the cognitive impairments arising from Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathology. However, less is known about the relationship between AD-related pathology and the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) commonly presented by patients. This review discusses the BPSD-like behaviours recapitulated by several mouse models of AD-related pathology, including the APP/PS1, Tg2576, 3xTg-AD, 5xFAD, and APP23 models. Current evidence suggests that social withdrawal and depressive-like behaviours increase with progressive neuropathology, and increased aggression and sleep-wake disturbances are present even at early stages; however, there is no clear evidence to support increased anxiety-like behaviours, agitation (hyperactivity), or general apathy. Overall, transgenic mouse models of AD-related pathology recapitulate some of the BPSD-like behaviours associated with AD, but these behaviours vary by model. This reflects the patient population, where AD patients typically exhibit one or more BPSD, but rarely all symptoms at once. As a result, we suggest that transgenic mouse models are an important tool to investigate the pathology underlying BPSD in human AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Kosel
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Jessica M S Pelley
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Tamara B Franklin
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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20
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Krivinko JM, Koppel J, Savonenko A, Sweet RA. Animal Models of Psychosis in Alzheimer Disease. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020; 28:1-19. [PMID: 31278012 PMCID: PMC6858948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Psychosis in Alzheimer Disease (AD) represents a distinct clinicopathologic variant associated with increased cognitive and functional morbidity and an accelerated disease course. To date, extant treatments offer modest benefits with significant risks. The development of new pharmacologic treatments for psychosis in AD would be facilitated by validated preclinical models with which to test candidate interventions. The current review provides a brief summary of the process of validating animal models of human disease together with a critical analysis of the challenges posed in attempting to apply those standards to AD-related behavioral models. An overview of phenotypic analogues of human cognitive and behavioral impairments, with an emphasis on those relevant to psychosis, in AD-related mouse models is provided, followed by an update on recent progress in efforts to translate findings in the pathophysiology of psychotic AD into novel models. Finally, some future directions are suggested to expand the catalogue of psychosis-relevant phenotypes that may provide a sturdier framework for model development and targets for preclinical treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh M. Krivinko
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jeremy Koppel
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY
| | - Alena Savonenko
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Robert A. Sweet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA,Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA,Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA
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21
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Behavioural effects of high fat diet in adult Nrg1 type III transgenic mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 377:112217. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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22
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Sphingosine Kinase 2 Potentiates Amyloid Deposition but Protects against Hippocampal Volume Loss and Demyelination in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9645-9659. [PMID: 31641049 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0524-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a potent vasculoprotective and neuroprotective signaling lipid, synthesized primarily by sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2) in the brain. We have reported pronounced loss of S1P and SK2 activity early in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, and an inverse correlation between hippocampal S1P levels and age in females, leading us to speculate that loss of S1P is a sensitizing influence for AD. Paradoxically, SK2 was reported to mediate amyloid β (Aβ) formation from amyloid precursor protein (APP) in vitro To determine whether loss of S1P sensitizes to Aβ-mediated neurodegeneration, we investigated whether SK2 deficiency worsens pathology and memory in male J20 (PDGFB-APPSwInd) mice. SK2 deficiency greatly reduced Aβ content in J20 mice, associated with significant improvements in epileptiform activity and cross-frequency coupling measured by hippocampal electroencephalography. However, several key measures of APPSwInd-dependent neurodegeneration were enhanced on the SK2-null background, despite reduced Aβ burden. These included hippocampal volume loss, oligodendrocyte attrition and myelin loss, and impaired performance in Y-maze and social novelty memory tests. Inhibition of the endosomal cholesterol exporter NPC1 greatly reduced sphingosine phosphorylation in glial cells, linking loss of SK2 activity and S1P in AD to perturbed endosomal lipid metabolism. Our findings establish SK2 as an important endogenous regulator of both APP processing to Aβ, and oligodendrocyte survival, in vivo These results urge greater consideration of the roles played by oligodendrocyte dysfunction and altered membrane lipid metabolic flux as drivers of neurodegeneration in AD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Genetic, neuropathological, and functional studies implicate both Aβ and altered lipid metabolism and/or signaling as key pathogenic drivers of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we first demonstrate that the enzyme SK2, which generates the signaling lipid S1P, is required for Aβ formation from APP in vivo Second, we establish a new role for SK2 in the protection of oligodendrocytes and myelin. Loss of SK2 sensitizes to Aβ-mediated neurodegeneration by attenuating oligodendrocyte survival and promoting hippocampal atrophy, despite reduced Aβ burden. Our findings support a model in which Aβ-independent sensitizing influences such as loss of neuroprotective S1P are more important drivers of neurodegeneration than gross Aβ concentration or plaque density.
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23
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Sex-specific spatial memory deficits in mice with a conditional TrkB deletion on parvalbumin interneurons. Behav Brain Res 2019; 372:111984. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.111984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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24
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Shepherd A, May C, Churilov L, Adlard PA, Hannan AJ, Burrows EL. Evaluation of attention in APP/PS1 mice shows impulsive and compulsive behaviours. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 20:e12594. [PMID: 31177612 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
While Alzheimer's disease (AD) is traditionally associated with deficits in episodic memory, early changes in other cognitive domains, such as attention, have been gaining interest. In line with clinical observations, some animal models of AD have been shown to develop attentional deficits, but this is not consistent across all models. The APPswe/PS1ΔE9 (APP/PS1) mouse is one of the most commonly used AD models and attention has not yet been scrutinised in this model. We set out to assess attention using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) early in the progression of cognitive symptoms in APP/PS1 mice, using clinically translatable touchscreen chambers. APP/PS1 mice showed no attentional changes across 5CSRTT training or any probes from 9 to 11 months of age. Interestingly, APP/PS1 mice showed increased impulsive and compulsive responding when task difficulty was high. This suggests that while the APP/PS1 mouse model may not be a good model of attentional changes in AD, it may be useful to study the early changes in impulsive and compulsive behaviour that have been identified in patient studies. As these changes have not previously been reported without attentional deficits in the clinic, the APP/PS1 mouse model may provide a unique opportunity to study these specific behavioural changes seen in AD, including their mechanistic underpinnings and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shepherd
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlos May
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leonid Churilov
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul A Adlard
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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25
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Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces anxiety-related behavior in mice via an FMRP-independent mechanism. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 181:93-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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26
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Story D, Chan E, Munro N, Rossignol J, Dunbar GL. Latency to startle is reduced in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:823-827. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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27
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Motzko-Soares ACP, Vizin RCL, Martins TMS, Hungaro ARO, Sato JR, Almeida MC, Carrettiero DC. Thermoregulatory profile of neurodegeneration-induced dementia of the Alzheimer's type using intracerebroventricular streptozotocin in rats. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 224:e13084. [PMID: 29719119 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
AIM Here, we have extensively investigated the relationship between thermoregulation and neurodegeneration-induced dementia of the Alzheimer's type using intracerebroventricular injections of streptozotocin (icv-STZ). METHODS Male Wistar rats were treated with bilateral injections of icv-STZ, and their thermoregulatory profiles (core body temperature, tail-skin temperature, cold and heat defence responses and thermal place preference) were evaluated. Spatial memory, locomotor activity, social interaction, brain ventricular volume, and Aβ1-42 and tau protein levels in the brain were analysed to characterize the effects of STZ on the brain and behaviour. RESULTS In addition to deficits in spatial memory, reduced social interaction and an increased brain ventricular volume, icv-STZ rats presented a pattern of hyperthermia, as demonstrated by an increased core body temperature. Hyperthermia was due to the activation of both autonomic heat conservation and behavioural cold avoidance, as STZ-treated rats presented tail-cutaneous vasoconstriction and an altered thermal preference. They also showed a distinct cold defence response when exposed to cold. CONCLUSION Our data bring evidence that icv-STZ in rats causes hyperthermia, with activation of both autonomic and behavioural thermoregulatory defence responses when challenged at colder temperatures, leading us to hypothesize that they are more efficient in preventing hypothermia. These data are relevant for a better understanding of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. C. P. Motzko-Soares
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cognition; Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
| | - R. C. L. Vizin
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cognition; Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
| | - T. M. S. Martins
- Undergraduate Program in Science and Technology; Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
| | - A. R. O. Hungaro
- Undergraduate Program in Science and Technology; Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
| | - J. R. Sato
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cognition; Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
- Center for Mathematics Computation and Cognition (CMCC); Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
| | - M. C. Almeida
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cognition; Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH); Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
| | - D. C. Carrettiero
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cognition; Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH); Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC); São Bernardo do Campo SP Brazil
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Seo Y, Kim HS, Kang KS. Microglial involvement in the development of olfactory dysfunction. J Vet Sci 2018; 19:319-330. [PMID: 29032655 PMCID: PMC5974513 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.3.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory impairment is the most common clinical manifestation among the elderly, and its prevalence increases sharply with age. Notably, growing evidence has shown that olfactory dysfunction is the first sign of neurodegeneration, indicating the importance of olfactory assessment as an early marker in the diagnosis of neurological disorders. In this review, we describe the nature of olfactory dysfunction and the advantage of using animal models in olfaction study, and we include a brief introduction to olfactory behavior tests widely used in this field. The contribution of microglia in the neurodegenerative processes including olfactory impairment is then discussed to provide a comprehensive description of the physiopathological role of interactions between neurons and microglia within the olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoojin Seo
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Korea
| | - Hyung-Sik Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Korea
| | - Kyung-Sun Kang
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.,Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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Branca C, Ferreira E, Nguyen TV, Doyle K, Caccamo A, Oddo S. Genetic reduction of Nrf2 exacerbates cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:4823-4835. [PMID: 29036636 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is the major risk factor for several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanisms by which aging contributes to neurodegeneration remain elusive. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that regulates expression of a vast number of genes by binding to the antioxidant response element. Nrf2 levels decrease as a function of age, and reduced Nrf2 levels have been reported in postmortem human brains and animal models of AD. Nevertheless, it is still unknown whether Nrf2 plays a role in the cognitive deficits associated with AD. To address this question, we used a genetic approach to remove the Nrf2 gene from APP/PS1 mice, a widely used animal model of AD. We found that the lack of Nrf2 significantly exacerbates cognitive deficits in APP/PS1, without altering gross motor function. Specifically, we found an exacerbation of deficits in spatial learning and memory, as well as in working and associative memory. Different brain regions control these behavioral tests, indicating that the lack of Nrf2 has a global effect on brain function. The changes in cognition were linked to an increase in Aβ and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) levels, and microgliosis. The changes in IFNγ levels are noteworthy as previously published evidence indicates that IFNγ can increase microglia activation and induce Aβ production. Our data suggest a clear link between Nrf2 and AD-mediated cognitive decline and further strengthen the connection between Nrf2 and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Branca
- Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Eric Ferreira
- Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Thuy-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Immunobiology and Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Kristian Doyle
- Department of Immunobiology and Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA.,The Arizona Center on Aging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Antonella Caccamo
- Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Salvatore Oddo
- Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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O'Leary TP, Hussin AT, Gunn RK, Brown RE. Locomotor activity, emotionality, sensori-motor gating, learning and memory in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res Bull 2018; 140:347-354. [PMID: 29870778 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse (line 85) is a double transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with familial amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 mutations. These mice develop age-related behavioral changes reflective of the neuropsychiatric symptoms (altered anxiety-like behaviour, hyperactivity) and cognitive dysfunction (impaired learning and memory) observed in AD. The APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse has been used to examine the efficacy of therapeutic interventions on behaviour, despite previous difficulties in replicating behavioural phenotypes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish the reliability of these phenotypes by further characterizing the behaviour of male APPswe/PS1dE9 and wild-type mice between 7 and 14 months of age. Mice were tested on the open-field over 5-days to examine emotionality, locomotor activity and inter-session habituation. Mice were also tested on the repeated-reversal water maze task and spontaneous alternation on the Y-maze to assess working memory. Sensori-motor gating was examined with acoustic startle and pre-pulse inhibition. Lastly contextual and cued (trace) memory was assessed with fear conditioning. The results show that among non-cognitive behaviours, APPswe/PS1dE9 mice have normal locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, habituation and sensori-motor gating. However, APPswe/PS1dE9 mice show impaired working memory on the repeated-reversal water-maze and impaired memory in contextual but not trace-cued fear conditioning. These results indicate that the APPswe/PS1dE9 (line 85) mice have deficits in some types of hippocampal-dependent learning and memory and, at the ages tested, APPswe/PS1dE9 mice model cognitive dysfunction but not neuropsychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P O'Leary
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ahmed T Hussin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Rhian K Gunn
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Transgenic autoinhibition of p21-activated kinase exacerbates synaptic impairments and fronto-dependent behavioral deficits in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 9:1386-1403. [PMID: 28522792 PMCID: PMC5472739 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Defects in p21-activated kinase (PAK) lead to dendritic spine abnormalities and are sufficient to cause cognition impairment. The decrease in PAK in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is suspected to underlie synaptic and dendritic disturbances associated with its clinical expression, particularly with symptoms related to frontal cortex dysfunction. To investigate the role of PAK combined with Aβ and tau pathologies (3xTg-AD mice) in the frontal cortex, we generated a transgenic model of AD with a deficit in PAK activity (3xTg-AD-dnPAK mice). PAK inactivation had no effect on Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels, but increased the phosphorylation ratio of tau in detergent-insoluble protein fractions in the frontal cortex of 18-month-old heterozygous 3xTg-AD mice. Morphometric analyses of layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the frontal cortex showed that 3xTg-AD-dnPAK neurons exhibited significant dendritic attrition, lower spine density and longer spines compared to NonTg and 3xTg-AD mice. Finally, behavioral assessments revealed that 3xTg-AD-dnPAK mice exhibited pronounced anxious traits and disturbances in social behaviors, reminiscent of fronto-dependent symptoms observed in AD. Our results substantiate a critical role for PAK in the genesis of neuronal abnormalities in the frontal cortex underlying the emergence of psychiatric-like symptoms in AD.
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32
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Braun D, Feinstein DL. The locus coeruleus neuroprotective drug vindeburnol normalizes behavior in the 5xFAD transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res 2017; 1702:29-37. [PMID: 29274883 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Damage to noradrenergic neurons in the Locus coeruleus (LC) occurs contributes to neuropathology and behavioral deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD); methods to reduce LC damage may therefore be of benefit. We previously showed that vindeburnol, a derivative of the plant alkaloid vincamine, reduced neuroinflammation, amyloid burden, and LC damage in a mouse model of AD; however, effects on behavior were not tested. We now tested the effects of vindeburnol on anxiety-like behavior in 5xFAD mice which develop robust amyloid burden at early ages. During novel object recognition testing, we observed that 5xFAD mice spent more time exploring than wildtype littermates, and that time was reduced by vindeburnol. Vindeburnol also reduced hyperlocomotion in the 5xFAD mice which may have contributed to their increased exploration times. In an open field test, vindeburnol normalized the increase of time spent in the center, and the decrease of time spent near the walls in 5xFAD mice. Vindeburnol reduced amyloid burden in the hippocampus and cortex, areas that contribute to regulation of anxiety-like behavior. In vitro, vindeburnol increased neuronal BDNF expression in a cAMP-dependent manner; and inhibited phosphodiesterase activity with an EC50 near 50 μM. These findings suggest that cAMP-mediated increases in neurotrophic factors contribute to beneficial effects of vindeburnol within the context of LC damage, which may be of value for treatment of some neuropsychiatric symptoms of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Braun
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Douglas L Feinstein
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60614, United States; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60614, United States.
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Negative Emotional Verbal Memory Biases in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Late-Onset Depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2017; 25:1160-1170. [PMID: 28595749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early and preferential targeting of limbic structures by Alzheimer disease (AD)-related pathology suggests emotion dysregulation may serve as a marker of AD risk. We studied emotional verbal memory in two groups at risk for AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and late-onset depression (LOD), to test the hypothesis that aMCI and LOD would be characterized by a negative bias in emotional memory, whereas cognitively normal (CN) adults would show the "positivity effect" associated with healthy aging. METHODS Participants completed a novel test of emotional verbal memory, the Emotional Verbal Learning Test (EVeLT), consisting of a 15-item list of words with positive, negative, or neutral valence. Recall as a function of group and valence was analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. Spearman's rho was used to examine associations between EVeLT, mood, and executive function. MCI and CN participants had no current or past history of mood or anxiety disorders. aMCI participants met neuropsychological criteria for single-domain aMCI (sd-aMCI). LOD developed their first episode of depression at ≥60 years of age. RESULTS CN adults recalled more positive words, whereas sd-aMCI and LOD adults recalled more negative, relative to neutral, words on the EVeLT. Positive emotional memory and negative attitudes regarding self were inversely correlated in CN adults. CONCLUSION sd-aMCI and LOD groups show negative emotional memory biases, consistent with our hypothesis that emotion dysregulation is a signature of AD risk.
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34
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Lei M, Shafique A, Shang K, Couttas TA, Zhao H, Don AS, Karl T. Contextual fear conditioning is enhanced in mice lacking functional sphingosine kinase 2. Behav Brain Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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35
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Interleukin33 deficiency causes tau abnormality and neurodegeneration with Alzheimer-like symptoms in aged mice. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1164. [PMID: 28675392 PMCID: PMC5538122 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a medical mystery. Recent studies have linked it to impaired repair of aged neurons. Potential involvement of interleukin33 (IL33) in AD has been reported. Here we show that IL33, which was expressed by up to 75% astrocytes in the aged brains, was critical for repair of aged neurons. Mice lacking Il33 gene (Il33-/-) developed AD-like disease after 60-80 weeks, which was characterized by tau abnormality and a heavy loss of neurons/neurites in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus accompanied with cognition/memory impairment. We detected an abrupt aging surge in the cortical and hippocampal neurons at middle age (40 weeks). To counter the aging surge, wild-type mice rapidly upregulated repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and autophagic clearance of cellular wastes in these neurons. Il33-/- mice failed to do so, but instead went on to develop rapid accumulation of abnormal tau, massive DSBs and abnormal autophagic vacuoles in these neurons. Thus, uncontrolled neuronal aging surge at middle age due to lack of IL33 resulted in neurodegeneration and late-onset AD-like symptome in Il33-/- mice. Our study also suggests that the aging surge is a time to search for biomarkers for early diagnosis of AD before massive neuron loss.
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Finnie G, Gunnarsson R, Manavis J, Blumbergs P, Mander K, Edwards S, Van den Heuvel C, Finnie J. Characterization of an ‘Amyloid Only’ Transgenic (B6C3-Tg(APPswe,PSEN1dE9)85Dbo/Mmjax) Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Comp Pathol 2017; 156:389-399. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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37
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Li C, Guo XD, Lei M, Wu JY, Jin JZ, Shi XF, Zhu ZY, Rukachaisirikul V, Hu LH, Wen TQ, Shen X. Thamnolia vermicularis extract improves learning ability in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by ameliorating both Aβ and Tau pathologies. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2017; 38:9-28. [PMID: 27694908 PMCID: PMC5220549 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2016.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the complicated pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), multi-targets have become a focus in the discovery of drugs for treatment of this disease. In the current work, we established a multi-target strategy for discovering active reagents capable of suppressing both Aβ level and Tau hyperphosphorylation from natural products, and found that the ethanol extract of Thamnolia vermicularis (THA) was able to improve learning ability in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by inhibiting both Aβ levels and Tau hyperphosphorylation. SH-SY5Y and CHO-APP/BACE1 cells and primary astrocytes were used in cell-based assays. APP/PS1 transgenic mice [B6C3-Tg(APPswe, PS1dE9)] were administered THA (300 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig) for 100 d. After the administration was completed, the learning ability of the mice was detected using a Morris water maze (MWM) assay; immunofluorescence staining, Congo red staining and Thioflavine S staining were used to detect the senile plaques in the brains of the mice. ELISA was used to evaluate Aβ and sAPPβ contents, and Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to investigate the relevant signaling pathway regulation in response to THA treatment. In SH-SY5Y cells, THΑ (1, 10, 20 μg/mL) significantly stimulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK/raptor/mTOR signaling-mediated autophagy in the promotion of Aβ clearance as both a PI3K inhibitor and an AMPK indirect activator, and restrained Aβ production as a suppressor against PERK/eIF2α-mediated BACE1 expression. Additionally, THA functioned as a GSK3β inhibitor with an IC50 of 1.32±0.85 μg/mL, repressing Tau hyperphosphorylation. Similar effects on Aβ accumulation and Tau hyperphosphorylation were observed in APP/PS1 transgenic mice treated with THA. Furthermore, administration of THA effectively improved the learning ability of APP/PS1 transgenic mice, and markedly reduced the number of senile plaques in their hippocampus and cortex. The results highlight the potential of the natural product THA for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiao-dan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Min Lei
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jia-yi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jia-zhen Jin
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiao-fan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhi-yuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Vatcharin Rukachaisirikul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Li-hong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tie-qiao Wen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xu Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
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Mazzitelli S, Filipello F, Rasile M, Lauranzano E, Starvaggi-Cucuzza C, Tamborini M, Pozzi D, Barajon I, Giorgino T, Natalello A, Matteoli M. Amyloid-β 1-24 C-terminal truncated fragment promotes amyloid-β 1-42 aggregate formation in the healthy brain. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:110. [PMID: 27724899 PMCID: PMC5057504 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0381-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Substantial data indicate that amyloid-β (Aβ), the major component of senile plaques, plays a central role in Alzheimer’s Disease and indeed the assembly of naturally occurring amyloid peptides into cytotoxic aggregates is linked to the disease pathogenesis. Although Aβ42 is a highly aggregating form of Aβ, the co-occurrence of shorter Aβ peptides might affect the aggregation potential of the Aβ pool. In this study we aimed to assess whether the structural behavior of human Aβ42 peptide inside the brain is influenced by the concomitant presence of N-terminal fragments produced by the proteolytic activity of glial cells. We show that the occurrence of the human C-terminal truncated 1–24 Aβ fragment impairs Aβ42 clearance through blood brain barrier and promotes the formation of Aβ42 aggregates even in the healthy brain. By showing that Aβ1-24 has seeding properties for aggregate formation in intracranially injected wild type mice, our study provide the proof-of-concept that peptides produced upon Aβ42 cleavage by activated glial cells may cause phenotypic defects even in the absence of genetic mutations associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, possibly contributing to the development of the sporadic form of the pathology.
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Translational Assays for Assessment of Cognition in Rodent Models of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 60:371-382. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0837-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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40
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Rusznák Z, Kim WS, Hsiao JHT, Halliday GM, Paxinos G, Fu Y. Early in vivo Effects of the Human Mutant Amyloid-β Protein Precursor (hAβPPSwInd) on the Mouse Olfactory Bulb. J Alzheimers Dis 2015; 49:443-57. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-150368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Woojin Scott Kim
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jen-Hsiang T. Hsiao
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glenda M. Halliday
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - George Paxinos
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - YuHong Fu
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Zieba J, Low JK, Purtell L, Qi Y, Campbell L, Herzog H, Karl T. Behavioural characteristics of the Prader-Willi syndrome related biallelic Snord116 mouse model. Neuropeptides 2015; 53:71-7. [PMID: 26259850 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2015.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the predominant genetic cause of obesity in humans and is associated with several behavioural phenotypes such as altered motoric function, reduced activity, and learning disabilities. It can include mood instability and, in some cases, psychotic episodes. Recently, the Snord116 gene has been associated with the development of PWS, however, it's contribution to the behavioural aspects of the disease are unknown. Here we show that male and female mice lacking Snord116 on both alleles exhibit normal motor behaviours and exploration but do display task-dependent alterations to locomotion and anxiety-related behaviours. Sociability is well developed in Snord116 deficient mice as are social recognition memory, spatial working memory, and fear-associated behaviours. No sex-specific effects were found. In conclusion, the biallelic Snord116 deficiency mouse model exhibits particular endophenotypes with some relevance to PWS, suggesting partial face validity for the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Zieba
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Jac Kee Low
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Louise Purtell
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Yue Qi
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Lesley Campbell
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Zlomuzica A, Dere D, Binder S, De Souza Silva MA, Huston JP, Dere E. Neuronal histamine and cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2015; 106:135-45. [PMID: 26025658 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular amyloid plaque deposits, mainly composed of amyloid-beta peptide and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles consisting of aggregated hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Amyloid-beta represents a neurotoxic proteolytic cleavage product of amyloid precursor protein. The progressive cognitive decline that is associated with Alzheimer's disease has been mainly attributed to a deficit in cholinergic neurotransmission due to the continuous degeneration of cholinergic neurons e.g. in the basal forebrain. There is evidence suggesting that other neurotransmitter systems including neuronal histamine also contribute to the development and maintenance of Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive deficits. Pathological changes in the neuronal histaminergic system of such patients are highly predictive of ensuing cognitive deficits. Furthermore, histamine-related drugs, including histamine 3 receptor antagonists, have been demonstrated to alleviate cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes findings from animal and clinical research on the relationship between the neuronal histaminergic system and cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer's disease. The significance of the neuronal histaminergic system as a promising target for the development of more effective drugs for the treatment of cognitive symptoms is discussed. Furthermore, the option to use histamine-related agents as neurogenesis-stimulating therapy that counteracts progressive brain atrophy in Alzheimer's disease is considered. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Histamine Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Zlomuzica
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Dorothea Dere
- Center for Psychological Consultation and Psychotherapy, Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sonja Binder
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Luebeck, Germany
| | - Maria Angelica De Souza Silva
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joseph P Huston
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ekrem Dere
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany; UFR des Sciences de la Vie (927), Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris 6, France.
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Verma M, Beaulieu-Abdelahad D, Ait-Ghezala G, Li R, Crawford F, Mullan M, Paris D. Chronic Anatabine Treatment Reduces Alzheimer's Disease (AD)-Like Pathology and Improves Socio-Behavioral Deficits in a Transgenic Mouse Model of AD. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128224. [PMID: 26010758 PMCID: PMC4444019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anatabine is a minor tobacco alkaloid, which is also found in plants of the Solanaceae family and displays a chemical structure similarity with nicotine. We have shown previously that anatabine displays some anti-inflammatory properties and reduces microgliosis and tau phosphorylation in a pure mouse model of tauopathy. We therefore investigated the effects of a chronic oral treatment with anatabine in a transgenic mouse model (Tg PS1/APPswe) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which displays pathological Aβ deposits, neuroinflammation and behavioral deficits. In the elevated plus maze, Tg PS1/APPswe mice exhibited hyperactivity and disinhibition compared to wild-type mice. Six and a half months of chronic oral anatabine treatment, suppressed hyperactivity and disinhibition in Tg PS1/APPswe mice compared to Tg PS1/APPswe receiving regular drinking water. Tg PS1/APPswe mice also elicited profound social interaction and social memory deficits, which were both alleviated by the anatabine treatment. We found that anatabine reduces the activation of STAT3 and NFκB in the vicinity of Aβ deposits in Tg PS1/APPswe mice resulting in a reduction of the expression of some of their target genes including Bace1, iNOS and Cox-2. In addition, a significant reduction in microgliosis and pathological deposition of Aβ was observed in the brain of Tg PS1/APPswe mice treated with anatabine. This is the first study to investigate the impact of chronic anatabine treatment on AD-like pathology and behavior in a transgenic mouse model of AD. Overall, our data show that anatabine reduces β-amyloidosis, neuroinflammation and alleviates some behavioral deficits in Tg PS1/APPswe, supporting further exploration of anatabine as a possible disease modifying agent for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Verma
- The Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida, 34243, United States of America
- The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Ghania Ait-Ghezala
- The Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida, 34243, United States of America
| | - Rena Li
- The Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida, 34243, United States of America
| | - Fiona Crawford
- The Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida, 34243, United States of America
| | - Michael Mullan
- The Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida, 34243, United States of America
- Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Sarasota, Florida, 34243, United States of America
| | - Daniel Paris
- The Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida, 34243, United States of America
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Dixit S, Bernardo A, Walker JM, Kennard JA, Kim GY, Kessler ES, Harrison FE. Vitamin C deficiency in the brain impairs cognition, increases amyloid accumulation and deposition, and oxidative stress in APP/PSEN1 and normally aging mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:570-81. [PMID: 25642732 DOI: 10.1021/cn500308h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Subclinical vitamin C deficiency is widespread in many populations, but its role in both Alzheimer's disease and normal aging is understudied. In the present study, we decreased brain vitamin C in the APPSWE/PSEN1deltaE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by crossing APP/PSEN1(+) bigenic mice with SVCT2(+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, which have lower numbers of the sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter required for neuronal vitamin C transport. SVCT2(+/-) mice performed less well on the rotarod task at both 5 and 12 months of age compared to littermates. SVCT2(+/-) and APP/PSEN1(+) mice and the combination genotype SVCT2(+/-)APP/PSEN1(+) were also impaired on multiple tests of cognitive ability (olfactory memory task, Y-maze alternation, conditioned fear, Morris water maze). In younger mice, both low vitamin C (SVCT2(+/-)) and APP/PSEN1 mutations increased brain cortex oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, F2-isoprostanes) and decreased total glutathione compared to wild-type controls. SVCT2(+/-) mice also had increased amounts of both soluble and insoluble Aβ1-42 and a higher Aβ1-42/1-40 ratio. By 14 months of age, oxidative stress levels were similar among groups, but there were more amyloid-β plaque deposits in both hippocampus and cortex of SVCT2(+/-)APP/PSEN1(+) mice compared to APP/PSEN1(+) mice with normal brain vitamin C. These data suggest that even moderate intracellular vitamin C deficiency plays an important role in accelerating amyloid pathogenesis, particularly during early stages of disease development, and that these effects are likely modulated by oxidative stress pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpy Dixit
- Division
of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Alexandra Bernardo
- Division
of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jennifer Michelle Walker
- Division
of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - John Andrew Kennard
- Division
of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Grace Youngeun Kim
- Division
of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Program
in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Eric Sean Kessler
- Division
of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Program
in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Fiona Edith Harrison
- Division
of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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Cheng D, Low JK, Logge W, Garner B, Karl T. Chronic cannabidiol treatment improves social and object recognition in double transgenic APPswe/PS1∆E9 mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3009-17. [PMID: 24577515 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3478-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit a decline in cognitive abilities including an inability to recognise familiar faces. Hallmark pathological changes in AD include the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ), tau protein hyperphosphorylation as well as pronounced neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity and oxidative damage. OBJECTIVES The non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) exerts neuroprotective, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes neurogenesis. CBD also reverses Aβ-induced spatial memory deficits in rodents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thus we determined the therapeutic-like effects of chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg, daily intraperitoneal injections for 3 weeks) on the APPswe/PS1∆E9 (APPxPS1) transgenic mouse model for AD in a number of cognitive tests, including the social preference test, the novel object recognition task and the fear conditioning paradigm. We also analysed the impact of CBD on anxiety behaviours in the elevated plus maze. RESULTS Vehicle-treated APPxPS1 mice demonstrated impairments in social recognition and novel object recognition compared to wild type-like mice. Chronic CBD treatment reversed these cognitive deficits in APPxPS1 mice without affecting anxiety-related behaviours. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to investigate the effect of chronic CBD treatment on cognition in an AD transgenic mouse model. Our findings suggest that CBD may have therapeutic potential for specific cognitive impairments associated with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cheng
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker St, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
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Puzzo D, Lee L, Palmeri A, Calabrese G, Arancio O. Behavioral assays with mouse models of Alzheimer's disease: practical considerations and guidelines. Biochem Pharmacol 2014; 88:450-67. [PMID: 24462904 PMCID: PMC4014001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD) basic research and drug discovery, mouse models are essential resources for uncovering biological mechanisms, validating molecular targets and screening potential compounds. Both transgenic and non-genetically modified mouse models enable access to different types of AD-like pathology in vivo. Although there is a wealth of genetic and biochemical studies on proposed AD pathogenic pathways, as a disease that centrally features cognitive failure, the ultimate readout for any interventions should be measures of learning and memory. This is particularly important given the lack of knowledge on disease etiology - assessment by cognitive assays offers the advantage of targeting relevant memory systems without requiring assumptions about pathogenesis. A multitude of behavioral assays are available for assessing cognitive functioning in mouse models, including ones specific for hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Here we review the basics of available transgenic and non-transgenic AD mouse models and detail three well-established behavioral tasks commonly used for testing hippocampal-dependent cognition in mice - contextual fear conditioning, radial arm water maze and Morris water maze. In particular, we discuss the practical considerations, requirements and caveats of these behavioral testing paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Linda Lee
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, P&S #12-420D, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Giorgio Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacy, Federico II University, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, P&S #12-420D, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Cheng D, Low JK, Logge W, Garner B, Karl T. Novel behavioural characteristics of female APPSwe/PS1ΔE9 double transgenic mice. Behav Brain Res 2014; 260:111-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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George S, Petit GH, Gouras GK, Brundin P, Olsson R. Nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators and selective estrogen receptor β agonists moderate cognitive deficits and amyloid-β levels in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2013; 4:1537-48. [PMID: 24020966 DOI: 10.1021/cn400133s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Decreases of the sex steroids, testosterone and estrogen, are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Testosterone and estrogen supplementation improves cognitive deficits in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Sex hormones play a role in the regulation of amyloid-β via induction of the amyloid-β degrading enzymes neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme. To mimic the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), we administered a selective androgen receptor agonist, ACP-105, alone and in combination with the selective estrogen receptor β (ERβ) agonist AC-186 to male gonadectomized triple transgenic mice. We assessed long-term spatial memory in the Morris water maze, spontaneous locomotion, and anxiety-like behavior in the open field and in the elevated plus maze. We found that ACP-105 given alone decreases anxiety-like behavior. Furthermore, when ACP-105 is administered in combination with AC-186, they increase the amyloid-β degrading enzymes neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme and decrease amyloid-β levels in the brain as well as improve cognition. Interestingly, the androgen receptor level in the brain was increased by chronic treatment with the same combination treatment, ACP-105 and AC-186, not seen with DHT or ACP-105 alone. Based on these results, the beneficial effect of the selective ERβ agonist as a potential therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia George
- Neuronal Survival
Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience
Center, Lund University, Lund S-22184, Sweden
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund S-22184, Sweden
| | - Géraldine H. Petit
- Neuronal Survival
Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience
Center, Lund University, Lund S-22184, Sweden
| | - Gunnar K. Gouras
- Experimental Dementia Research Unit, Department
of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund S-22184, Sweden
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Neuronal Survival
Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience
Center, Lund University, Lund S-22184, Sweden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand
Rapids, Michigan 49503, United States
| | - Roger Olsson
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund S-22184, Sweden
- ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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