1
|
O'Dell DE, Schreurs BG, Smith-Bell C, Wang D. Disruption of rat deep cerebellar perineuronal net alters eyeblink conditioning and neuronal electrophysiology. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 177:107358. [PMID: 33285318 PMCID: PMC8279724 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The perineuronal net (PNN) is a specialized type of extracellular matrix found in the central nervous system. The PNN forms on fast spiking neurons during postnatal development but the ontogeny of PNN development has yet to be elucidated. By studying the development and prevalence of the PNN in the juvenile and adult rat brain, we may be able to understand the PNN's role in development and learning and memory. We show that the PNN is fully developed in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of rats by P18. By using enzymatic digestion of the PNN with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC), we are able to study how digestion of the PNN affects cerebellar-dependent eyeblink conditioning in vivo and perform electrophysiological recordings from DCN neurons in vitro. In vivo degradation of the PNN resulted in significant differences in eyeblink conditioning amplitude and area. Female animals in the vehicle group demonstrated higher levels of conditioning as well as significantly higher post-probe conditioned responses compared to males in that group, differences not present in the ChABC group. In vitro, we found that DCN neurons with a disrupted PNN following exposure to ChABC had altered membrane properties, fewer rebound spikes, and decreased intrinsic excitability. Together, this study further elucidates the role of the PNN in cerebellar learning in the DCN and is the first to demonstrate PNN degradation may erase sex differences in delay conditioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deidre E O'Dell
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, WVU, 33 Medical Center Dr, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States.
| | - Bernard G Schreurs
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, WVU, 33 Medical Center Dr, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States
| | - Carrie Smith-Bell
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, WVU, 33 Medical Center Dr, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States
| | - Desheng Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, WVU, 33 Medical Center Dr, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Steiner KM, Jansen S, Adeishvili N, Hulst T, Ernst TM, Müller O, Wondzinski E, Göricke SL, Siebler M, Uengoer M, Timmann D. Extinction of cognitive associations is preserved in patients with cerebellar disease. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 169:107185. [PMID: 32061996 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the present study extinction and renewal of cognitive associations were assessed in two experiments in participants with focal and degenerative cerebellar disease. Using a predictive learning task, participants had to learn by trial and error the relationships between food items and the occurrence of stomach trouble in a hypothetical patient. In the first experiment, focus was on renewal effects. Participants with chronic cerebellar stroke (n = 14; mean age 50.9 ± 12 years), participants with degenerative cerebellar disease (n = 16; mean age 58 ± 12 years), age-, sex-, and education matched controls (n = 20; mean age 53.7 ± 10.8 years) and young controls (n = 19; mean age 23.2 ± 2.7 years) were tested. Acquisition and extinction of food-stomach trouble associations took part in two different contexts (represented by restaurants). In a subsequent test phase, food stimuli were presented in both contexts and no feedback was given. This allowed testing for renewal of the initially acquired associations in the acquisition context. Acquisition and extinction learning were not significantly different between groups. Significant renewal effects were present in young controls only. In the second experiment, focus was on extinction. To control for age effects, 19 young participants with chronic surgical lesions of the cerebellum (mean age 25.6 ± 6.1 years), and 24 age-, sex- and education-matched healthy controls were tested. Acquisition and extinction of food-stomach trouble associations took part in the same context. In the extinction phase, the relationship with stomach trouble was reversed in some of the food items. Acquisition and extinction learning were not significantly different between groups. The main finding of the present study was preserved extinction of learned cognitive associations in participants with chronic cerebellar disease. Findings agree with previous observations in the literature that cognitive abnormalities are frequently absent or weak in adults with cerebellar disease. This does not exclude a contribution of the cerebellum to extinction of learned associations. For example, findings may be different in more challenging cognitive tasks, and in participants with acute cerebellar disease with no time for compensation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina M Steiner
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Sarah Jansen
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nino Adeishvili
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hulst
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas M Ernst
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Müller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elke Wondzinski
- Department of Neurology, MediClin Fachklinik Rhein/Ruhr, Essen, Germany
| | - Sophia L Göricke
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Mario Siebler
- Department of Neurology, MediClin Fachklinik Rhein/Ruhr, Essen, Germany
| | - Metin Uengoer
- Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Extinction and Renewal of Conditioned Eyeblink Responses in Focal Cerebellar Disease. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 18:166-177. [PMID: 30155831 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0973-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Extinction of conditioned aversive responses (CR) has been shown to be context-dependent. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are of particular importance. The cerebellum may contribute to context-related processes because of its known connections with the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Context dependency of extinction can be demonstrated by the renewal effect. When CR acquisition takes place in context A and is extinguished in context B, renewal refers to the recovery of the CR in context A (A-B-A paradigm). In the present study acquisition, extinction and renewal of classically conditioned eyeblink responses were tested in 18 patients with subacute focal cerebellar lesions and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Standard delay eyeblink conditioning was performed using an A-B-A paradigm. All cerebellar patients underwent a high-resolution T1-weighted brain MRI scan to perform lesion-symptom mapping. CR acquisition was not significantly different between cerebellar and control participants allowing to draw conclusions on extinction. CR extinction was significantly less in cerebellar patients. Reduction of CR extinction tended to be more likely in patients with lesions in the lateral parts of lobule VI and Crus I. A significant renewal effect was present in controls only. The present data provide further evidence that the cerebellum contributes to extinction of conditioned eyeblink responses. Because acquisition was preserved and extinction took place in another context than acquisition, more lateral parts of the cerebellar hemisphere may contribute to context-related processes. Furthermore, lack of renewal in cerebellar patients suggest a contribution of the cerebellum to context-related processes.
Collapse
|
4
|
van Gaalen J, Maas RPPWM, Ippel EF, Elting MW, van Spaendonck-Zwarts KY, Vermeer S, Verschuuren-Bemelmans C, Timmann D, van de Warrenburg BP. Abnormal eyeblink conditioning is an early marker of cerebellar dysfunction in preclinical SCA3 mutation carriers. Exp Brain Res 2018; 237:427-433. [PMID: 30430184 PMCID: PMC6373441 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5424-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of autosomal dominantly inherited degenerative diseases. As the pathological process probably commences years before the first appearance of clinical symptoms, preclinical carriers of a SCA mutation offer the opportunity to study the earliest stages of cerebellar dysfunction and degeneration. Eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) is a motor learning paradigm, crucially dependent on the integrity of the olivocerebellar circuit, and has been shown to be able to detect subtle alterations of cerebellar function, which might already be present in preclinical carriers. Methods In order to acquire conditioned responses, we performed EBCC, delay paradigm, in 18 preclinical carriers of a SCA3 mutation and 16 healthy, age-matched controls by presenting repeated pairings of an auditory tone with a supraorbital nerve stimulus with a delay interval of 400 ms. Results Preclinical carriers acquired significantly less conditioned eyeblink responses than controls and learning rates were significantly reduced. This motor learning defect was, however, not associated with the predicted time to onset. Conclusions EBCC is impaired in preclinical carriers of a SCA3 mutation, as a result of impaired motor learning capacities of the cerebellum and is thus suggestive of cerebellar dysfunction. EBCC can be used to detect but probably not monitor preclinical cerebellar dysfunction in genetic ataxias, such as SCA3. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00221-018-5424-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J van Gaalen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R P P W M Maas
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E F Ippel
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M W Elting
- Department of Genetics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - S Vermeer
- Family Cancer Clinic, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Verschuuren-Bemelmans
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - D Timmann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bart P van de Warrenburg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cerebellar-dependent associative learning is impaired in very preterm born children and young adults. Sci Rep 2017; 7:18028. [PMID: 29269751 PMCID: PMC5740078 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18316-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth incorporates an increased risk for cerebellar developmental disorders likely contributing to motor and cognitive abnormalities. Experimental evidence of cerebellar dysfunction in preterm subjects, however, is sparse. In this study, classical eyeblink conditioning was used as a marker of cerebellar dysfunction. Standard delay conditioning was investigated in 20 adults and 32 preschool children born very preterm. Focal lesions were excluded based on structural magnetic resonance imaging. For comparison, an equal number of matched term born healthy peers were tested. Subgroups of children (12 preterm, 12 controls) were retested. Preterm subjects acquired significantly less conditioned responses (CR) compared to controls with slower learning rates. A likely explanation for these findings is that preterm birth impedes function of the cerebellum even in the absence of focal cerebellar lesions. The present findings are consistent with the assumption that prematurity results in long-term detrimental effects on the integrity of the cerebellum. It cannot be excluded, however, that extra-cerebellar pathology contributed to the present findings.
Collapse
|
6
|
Beyer L, Batsikadze G, Timmann D, Gerwig M. Cerebellar tDCS Effects on Conditioned Eyeblinks using Different Electrode Placements and Stimulation Protocols. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:23. [PMID: 28203151 PMCID: PMC5285376 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is good evidence that the human cerebellum is involved in the acquisition and timing of classically conditioned eyeblink responses (CRs). Animal studies suggest that the cerebellum is also important in CR extinction and savings. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was reported to modulate CR acquisition and timing in a polarity dependent manner. To extent previous findings three experiments were conducted using standard delay eyeblink conditioning. In a between-group design, effects of tDCS were assessed with stimulation over the right cerebellar hemisphere ipsilaterally to the unconditioned stimulus (US). An extracephalic reference electrode was used in Experiment 1 and a cephalic reference in Experiment 2. In both parts the influence on unconditioned eyeblink responses (UR) was investigated by starting stimulation in the second half of the pseudoconditioning phase lasting throughout the first half of paired trials. In a third experiment, effects of cerebellar tDCS during 40 extinction trials were assessed on extinction and reacquisition on the next day. In each experiment, 30 subjects received anodal, cathodal or sham stimulation in a double-blinded fashion. Using the extracephalic reference electrode, no significant effects on CR incidences comparing stimulation groups were observed. Using the cephalic reference anodal as well as cathodal cerebellar tDCS increased CR acquisition compared to sham only on a trend level. Analysis of timing parameters did not reveal significant effects on CR onset and peaktime latencies nor on UR timing. In the third experiment, cerebellar tDCS during extinction trials had no significant effect on extinction and savings on the next day. The present study did not reveal clear polarity dependent effects of cerebellar tDCS on CR acquisition and timing as previously described. Weaker effects may be explained by start of tDCS before the learning phase i.e., offline, individual thresholds and current flow based on individual anatomy may also play role. Likewise cerebellar tDCS during extinction did not modulate extinction or reacquisition. Further studies are needed in larger subject populations to determine parameters of stimulation and learning paradigms yielding robust cerebellar tDCS effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Beyer
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-EssenEssen, Germany
| | | | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-EssenEssen, Germany
| | - Marcus Gerwig
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-EssenEssen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cortisol disrupts the neural correlates of extinction recall. Neuroimage 2016; 133:233-243. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
|
8
|
Ernst T, Beyer L, Mueller O, Göricke S, Ladd M, Gerwig M, Timmann D. Pronounced reduction of acquisition of conditioned eyeblink responses in young adults with focal cerebellar lesions impedes conclusions on the role of the cerebellum in extinction and savings. Neuropsychologia 2016; 85:287-300. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
9
|
Hu C, Zhang LB, Chen H, Xiong Y, Hu B. Neurosubstrates and mechanisms underlying the extinction of associative motor memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
10
|
|
11
|
Chang DI, Lissek S, Ernst TM, Thürling M, Uengoer M, Tegenthoff M, Ladd ME, Timmann D. Cerebellar Contribution to Context Processing in Extinction Learning and Recall. THE CEREBELLUM 2015; 14:670-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-015-0670-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
12
|
Thürling M, Galuba J, Thieme A, Burciu R, Göricke S, Beck A, Wondzinski E, Siebler M, Gerwig M, Bracha V, Timmann D. Age effects in storage and extinction of a naturally acquired conditioned eyeblink response. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 109:104-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
13
|
Gerwig M, Guberina H, Eßer AC, Siebler M, Schoch B, Frings M, Kolb FP, Aurich V, Beck A, Forsting M, Timmann D. Evaluation of multiple-session delay eyeblink conditioning comparing patients with focal cerebellar lesions and cerebellar degeneration. Behav Brain Res 2010; 212:143-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2010] [Accepted: 04/03/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
14
|
Kronenbuerger M, Tronnier V, Gerwig M, Fromm C, Coenen V, Reinacher P, Kiening K, Noth J, Timmann D. Thalamic deep brain stimulation improves eyeblink conditioning deficits in essential tremor. Exp Neurol 2008; 211:387-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2007] [Revised: 01/06/2008] [Accepted: 02/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
15
|
Gerwig M, Esser AC, Guberina H, Frings M, Kolb FP, Forsting M, Aurich V, Beck A, Timmann D. Trace eyeblink conditioning in patients with cerebellar degeneration: comparison of short and long trace intervals. Exp Brain Res 2008; 187:85-96. [PMID: 18253726 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-008-1283-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2007] [Accepted: 01/11/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate whether the cerebellar cortex may contribute to trace eyeblink conditioning in humans, eight patients with degenerative cerebellar disorders (four with sporadic adult onset ataxia, three with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type III and one with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6) and eight age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were investigated. Individual high resolution three-dimensional MRI data sets were acquired. As revealed by volumetric measurements of the cerebellum using ECCET software, patients showed cerebellar atrophy to various degrees. No abnormalities were observed in the control subjects. Eyeblink conditioning was performed twice using a tone of 40 ms as conditioned stimulus, followed by a short (400 ms) and a long (1,000 ms) trace interval and an air-puff of 100 ms as unconditioned stimulus. Using the short trace interval, eyeblink conditioning was significantly impaired in cerebellar patients compared to controls, even in those who fulfilled criteria of awareness. Using the long trace interval no significant group differences could be observed. The present findings of impaired trace eyeblink acquisition in patients with cortical cerebellar degeneration suggest that the cerebellar cortex in humans, in addition to the interposed nucleus, is involved in trace eyeblink conditioning, if the trace interval is relatively short. Using a long trace interval, the cerebellum appears to be less important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Gerwig
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gerwig M, Kolb FP, Timmann D. The involvement of the human cerebellum in eyeblink conditioning. THE CEREBELLUM 2007; 6:38-57. [PMID: 17366265 DOI: 10.1080/14734220701225904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Besides its known importance for motor coordination, the cerebellum plays a major role in associative learning. The form of cerebellum-dependent associative learning, which has been examined in greatest detail, is classical conditioning of eyeblink responses. The much advanced knowledge of anatomical correlates, as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in eyeblink conditioning in animal models are of particular importance because there is general acceptance that findings in humans parallel the animal data. The aim of the present review is to give an update of findings in humans. Emphasis is put on human lesion studies, which take advantage of the advances of high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, findings of functional brain imaging in healthy human subjects are reviewed. The former helped to localize areas involved in eyeblink conditioning within the cerebellum, the latter was in particular helpful in delineating extracerebellar neural substrates, which may contribute to eyeblink conditioning. Human lesion studies support the importance of cortical areas of the ipsilateral superior cerebellum both in the acquisition and timing of conditioned eyeblink responses (CR). Furthermore, the ipsilateral cerebellar cortex seems to be also important in extinction of CRs. Cortical areas, which are important for CR acquisition, overlap with areas related to the control of the unconditioned eyeblink response. Likewise, cortical lesions are followed by increased amplitudes of unconditioned eyeblinks. These findings are in good accordance with the animal literature. Knowledge about contributions of the cerebellar nuclei in humans, however, is sparse. Due to methodological limitations both of human lesion and functional MRI studies, at present no clear conclusions can be drawn on the relative contributions of the cerebellar cortex and nuclei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Gerwig
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45138 Essen, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|