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Gatto E, Lucon-Xiccato T, Bertolucci C. Environmental conditions shape learning in larval zebrafish. Behav Processes 2024; 218:105045. [PMID: 38692461 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Growing evidence reveals notable phenotypic plasticity in cognition among teleost fishes. One compelling example is the positive impact of enriched environments on learning performance. Most studies on this effect have focused on juvenile or later life stages, potentially overlooking the importance of early life plasticity. To address this gap, we investigated whether cognitive plasticity in response to environmental factors emerges during the larval stage in zebrafish. Our findings indicate that larvae exposed to an enriched environment after hatching exhibited enhanced habituation learning performance compared to their counterparts raised in a barren environment. This work underscores the presence of developmental phenotypic plasticity in cognition among teleost fish, extending its influence to the very earliest stages of an individual's life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Gatto
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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2
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Deng J, Wang H, Fu T, Xu C, Zhu Q, Guo L, Zhu Y. Physical activity improves the visual-spatial working memory of individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1365589. [PMID: 38605880 PMCID: PMC11007231 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1365589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Our network meta-analysis aimed to ascertain the effect of physical activity on the visual-spatial working memory of individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease as well as to propose tailored exercise interventions for each group. Methods Employing a frequentist approach, we performed a network meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of different exercise interventions in improving the visual-spatial working memory of individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Subsequently, we explored the moderating variables influencing the effectiveness of the exercise interventions through a subgroup analysis. Results We included 34 articles involving 3,074 participants in the meta-analysis, comprised of 1,537 participants from studies on mild cognitive impairment and 1,537 participants from studies on Alzheimer's disease. The articles included exhibited an average quality score of 6.6 (score studies) and 6.75 (reaction time [RT] studies), all passing the inconsistency test (p > 0.05). In the mild cognitive impairment literature, mind-body exercise emerged as the most effective exercise intervention (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.07-1.14). In Alzheimer's disease research, aerobic exercise was identified as the optimal exercise intervention (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.06-0.71). Conclusion The results of the subgroup analysis suggest that the most effective approach to enhancing the visual-spatial working memory of individuals with mild cognitive impairment entails exercising at a frequency of three or more times per week for over 60 min each time and at a moderate intensity for more than 3 months. Suitable exercise options include mind-body exercise, multicomponent exercise, resistance exercise, and aerobic exercise. For individuals with Alzheimer's disease, we recommend moderately intense exercise twice per week for over 90 min per session and for a duration of 3 months or longer, with exercise options encompassing aerobic exercise and resistance exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Deng
- College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Wang
- College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingting Fu
- College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chong Xu
- Ministry of Sports and National Defense Education, Chongqing College of Electronic Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiqi Zhu
- College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liya Guo
- College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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3
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Wang H, Chai Y, Xu Y, Wang Y, Li J, Zhang R, Bao J. Long-term music stimulating alleviated the inflammatory responses caused by acute noise stress on the immune organs of broilers by NF-κB signaling pathway. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 273:116131. [PMID: 38412629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
As an environmental enrichment, music can positively influence the immune function, while noise has an adverse effect on the physical and mental health of humans and animals. However, whether music-enriched environments mitigate noise-induced acute stress remains unclear. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of music on the immune organs of broiler chickens under conditions of early-life acute noise stress, 140 one-day-old white feather broilers (AA) were randomly divided into four groups: control (C), the music stimulation (M) group, the acute noise stimulation (N) group, the acute noise stimulation followed by music (NM) group. At 14 days of age, the N and NM groups received 120 dB noise stimulation for 10 min for one week. After acute noise stimulation, the NM group and M group were subjected to continuous music stimulation for 14 days (6 h per day, 60 dB). At 28 days of age, the body temperature of the chicks, the histopathological changes, quantification of ROS-positive density and apoptosis positivity in tissues of spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius (BF) were measured. The results showed that acute noise stimulation led to an increase in the number and area of splenic microsomes and the cortex/medulla ratio of the detected immune organs. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of immune tissues of broilers in N group were decreased compared to the broilers in C group, while the mRNA levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-1β increased. In addition, the gene and protein expression levels of IKK, NF-κB, and IFN-γ of three immune organs from broilers in the N group were increased. Compared to the C and N group, chickens from the NM group showed a decrease in the number and area of splenic follicles, an increase in the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and a decrease in the expression levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-1β. Therefore, a music-enriched environment can attenuate oxidative stress induced by acute noise stimulation, inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and consequently alleviating the inflammatory response in immune organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiwen Chai
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yandong Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulai Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhong Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Runxiang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jun Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China
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4
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Nachtigall EG, de Freitas JDR, Marcondes LA, Furini CRG. Memory persistence induced by environmental enrichment is dependent on different brain structures. Physiol Behav 2023; 272:114375. [PMID: 37806510 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on different functions of the central nervous system in several mammal species, being used to improve behavior and cell damage in various neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, little has been investigated on the effect of EE in healthy animals, particularly regarding its impact on memory persistence and the brain structures involved. Therefore, here we verified in male Wistar rats that contextual fear conditioning (CFC) memory persistence, tested 28 days after the CFC training session, was facilitated by 5 weeks of exposure to EE, with no effect in groups tested 7 or 14 days after CFC training. However, a two-week exposure to EE did not affect memory persistence. Moreover, we investigated the role of specific brain regions in mediating the effect of EE on memory persistence. We conducted inactivation experiments using the GABAergic agonist Muscimol to target the basolateral amygdala (BLA), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and CA1 region of the hippocampus (CA1). Inactivation of the BLA immediately and 12 h after CFC training impaired the effect of EE on memory persistence. Similarly, inactivation of the CA1 region and mPFC 12 h after training, but not immediately, also impaired the effect of EE on memory persistence. These results have important scientific implications as they shed new light on the effect of an enriched environment on memory persistence and the brain structures involved, thereby helping elucidate how an environment rich in experiences can modify the persistence of learned information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda G Nachtigall
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Júlia D R de Freitas
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Aschidamini Marcondes
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiane R G Furini
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Rudolph S, Badura A, Lutzu S, Pathak SS, Thieme A, Verpeut JL, Wagner MJ, Yang YM, Fioravante D. Cognitive-Affective Functions of the Cerebellum. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7554-7564. [PMID: 37940582 PMCID: PMC10634583 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1451-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum, traditionally associated with motor coordination and balance, also plays a crucial role in various aspects of higher-order function and dysfunction. Emerging research has shed light on the cerebellum's broader contributions to cognitive, emotional, and reward processes. The cerebellum's influence on autonomic function further highlights its significance in regulating motivational and emotional states. Perturbations in cerebellar development and function have been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An increasing appreciation for neuropsychiatric symptoms that arise from cerebellar dysfunction underscores the importance of elucidating the circuit mechanisms that underlie complex interactions between the cerebellum and other brain regions for a comprehensive understanding of complex behavior. By briefly discussing new advances in mapping cerebellar function in affective, cognitive, autonomic, and social processing and reviewing the role of the cerebellum in neuropathology beyond the motor domain, this Mini-Symposium review aims to provide a broad perspective of cerebellar intersections with the limbic brain in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Rudolph
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - Aleksandra Badura
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Lutzu
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - Salil Saurav Pathak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, Minnesota 55812
| | - Andreas Thieme
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, D-45147, Germany
| | - Jessica L Verpeut
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287
| | - Mark J Wagner
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
| | - Yi-Mei Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, Minnesota 55812
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Diasynou Fioravante
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95618
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95618
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Jin M, Wei Z, Ramalingam N, Xiao M, Xu A, Yu X, Song Q, Liu W, Zhao J, Zhang D, Selkoe DJ, Li S. Activation of β 2-adrenergic receptors prevents AD-type synaptotoxicity via epigenetic mechanisms. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4877-4888. [PMID: 37365243 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02145-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that prolonged exposure to an enriched environment (EE) enhances hippocampal synaptic plasticity, with one of the significant mechanistic pathways being activation of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) signaling, thereby mitigating the synaptotoxic effects of soluble oligomers of amyloid β-protein (oAβ). However, the detailed mechanism remained elusive. In this work, we recorded field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) in the CA1 region of mouse hippocampal slices treated with or without toxic Aβ-species. We found that pharmacological activation of β2-AR, but not β1-AR, selectively mimicked the effects of EE in enhancing LTP and preventing oAβ-induced synaptic dysfunction. Mechanistic analyses showed that certain histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors mimicked the benefits of EE, but this was not seen in β2-AR knockout mice, suggesting that activating β2-AR prevents oAβ-mediated synaptic dysfunction via changes in histone acetylation. EE or activation of β-ARs each decreased HDAC2, whereas Aβ oligomers increased HDAC2 levels in the hippocampus. Further, oAβ-induced inflammatory effects and neurite degeneration were prevented by either β2-AR agonists or certain specific HDAC inhibitors. These preclinical results suggest that activation of β2-AR is a novel potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate oAβ-mediated features of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Jin
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Zhiyun Wei
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nagendran Ramalingam
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Meng Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453100, China
- Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Anqi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453100, China
| | - Xiaohan Yu
- Department of Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453100, China
| | - Qingyang Song
- Department of Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453100, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jianhua Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453100, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, Xinxiang, Henan, 453100, China
| | - Dainan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453100, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Dennis J Selkoe
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shaomin Li
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Farmer AL, Lewis MH. Reduction of restricted repetitive behavior by environmental enrichment: Potential neurobiological mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105291. [PMID: 37353046 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB) are one of two diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder and common in other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The term restricted repetitive behavior refers to a wide variety of inflexible patterns of behavior including stereotypy, self-injury, restricted interests, insistence on sameness, and ritualistic and compulsive behavior. However, despite their prevalence in clinical populations, their underlying causes remain poorly understood hampering the development of effective treatments. Intriguingly, numerous animal studies have demonstrated that these behaviors are reduced by rearing in enriched environments (EE). Understanding the processes responsible for the attenuation of repetitive behaviors by EE should offer insights into potential therapeutic approaches, as well as shed light on the underlying neurobiology of repetitive behaviors. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the relationship between EE and RRB and discusses potential mechanisms for EE's attenuation of RRB based on the broader EE literature. Existing gaps in the literature and future directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Farmer
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Mark H Lewis
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Sałaciak K, Koszałka A, Lustyk K, Żmudzka E, Jagielska A, Pytka K. Memory impairments in rodent depression models: A link with depression theories. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110774. [PMID: 37088171 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of depressed patients struggle with learning new tasks, remembering positive events, or concentrating on a single topic. These neurocognitive deficits accompanying depression may be linked to functional and structural changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. However, their mechanisms are not yet completely understood. We conducted a narrative review of articles regarding animal studies to assess the state of knowledge. First, we argue the contribution of changes in neurotransmitters and hormone levels in the pathomechanism of cognitive dysfunction in animal depression models. Then, we used numerous neuroinflammation studies to explore its possible implication in cognitive decline. Encouragingly, we also observed a positive correlation between increased oxidative stress and a depressive-like state with concomitant memory deficits. Finally, we discuss the undeniable role of neurotrophin deficits in developing cognitive decline in animal models of depression. This review reveals the complexity of depression-related memory impairments and highlights the potential clinical importance of gathered findings for developing more reliable animal models and designing novel antidepressants with procognitive properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Sałaciak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Koszałka
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Żmudzka
- Department of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College Medyczna, 9 Street, Kraków 30-688, Poland
| | - Angelika Jagielska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland.
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Vaquero-Rodríguez A, Ortuzar N, Lafuente JV, Bengoetxea H. Enriched environment as a nonpharmacological neuroprotective strategy. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:553-560. [PMID: 37309729 PMCID: PMC10350798 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231171915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure and functions of the central nervous system are influenced by environmental stimuli, which also play an important role in brain diseases. Enriched environment (EE) consists of producing modifications in the environment of standard laboratory animals to induce an improvement in their biological conditions. This paradigm promotes transcriptional and translational effects that result in ameliorated motor, sensory, and cognitive stimulation. EE has been shown to enhance experience-dependent cellular plasticity and cognitive performance in animals housed under these conditions compared with animals housed under standard conditions. In addition, several studies claim that EE induces nerve repair by restoring functional activities through morphological, cellular, and molecular adaptations in the brain that have clinical relevance in neurological and psychiatric disorders. In fact, the effects of EE have been studied in different animal models of psychiatric and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, ischemic brain injury, or traumatic brain injury, delaying the onset and progression of a wide variety of symptoms of these disorders. In this review, we analyze the action of EE focused on diseases of the central nervous system and the translation to humans to develop a bridge to its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vaquero-Rodríguez
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Naiara Ortuzar
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - José Vicente Lafuente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Harkaitz Bengoetxea
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
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Li S. The β-adrenergic hypothesis of synaptic and microglial impairment in Alzheimer's disease. J Neurochem 2023; 165:289-302. [PMID: 36799441 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease originating partly from amyloid β protein-induced synaptic failure. As damaging of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) occurs at the prodromal stage of AD, activation of adrenergic receptors could serve as the first line of defense against the onset of the disease. Activation of β2 -ARs strengthens long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic activity, thus improving learning and memory. Physical stimulation of animals exposed to an enriched environment (EE) leads to the activation of β2 -ARs and prevents synaptic dysfunction. EE also suppresses neuroinflammation, suggesting that β2 -AR agonists may play a neuroprotective role. The β2 -AR agonists used for respiratory diseases have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Epidemiological studies further support the beneficial effects of β2 -AR agonists on several neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, I propose that β2 -AR agonists may provide therapeutic value in combination with novel treatments for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaomin Li
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Reorganization of Brain Networks as a Substrate of Resilience: An Analysis of Cytochrome c Oxidase Activity in Rats. Neuroscience 2023; 516:75-90. [PMID: 36805003 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.012] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model has been used to induce depressive-like symptoms in animal models, showing adequate predictive validity. Our work aims to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on resilience in this experimental model of depression. We also aim to assess changes in brain connectivity using cytochrome c oxidase histochemistry in cerebral regions related to cognitive-affective processes associated with depressive disorder: dorsal hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, accumbens, and habenula nuclei. Five groups of rats were used: UCMS, EE, EE + UCMS (enrichment + stress), BG (basal level of brain activity), and CONT (behavioral tests only). We assessed the hedonic responses elicited by sucrose solution using a consumption test; the anxiety level was evaluated using the elevated zero maze test, and the unconditioned fear responses were assessed by the cat odor test. The behavioral results showed that the UCMS protocol induces elevated anhedonia and anxiety. But these responses are attenuated previous exposure to EE. Regarding brain activity, the UCMS group showed greater activity in the habenula compared to the EE + UCMS group. EE induced a functional reorganization of brain activity. The EE + UCMS and UCMS groups showed different patterns of connections between brain regions. Our results showed that EE favors greater resilience and could reduce vulnerability to disorders such as depression and anxiety, modifying metabolic brain activity.
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12
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Environmental Enrichment Protects Offspring of a Rat Model of Preeclampsia from Cognitive Decline. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:381-394. [PMID: 35119541 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01192-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia affects 5-7% of all pregnancies and contributes to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. In addition to the short-term effects of preeclampsia, preeclampsia can exert long-term adverse effects on offspring. Numerous studies have demonstrated that offspring of preeclamptic women exhibit cognitive deficits from childhood to old age. However, effective ways to improve the cognitive abilities of these offspring remain to be investigated. The aim of this study was to explore whether environmental enrichment in early life could restore the cognitive ability of the offspring of a rat model of preeclampsia and to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which EE improves cognitive ability. L-NAME was used to establish a rat model of preeclampsia. The spatial learning and memory abilities and recognition memory of 56-day-old offspring were evaluated by the Morris water maze and Novel object recognition (NOR) task. Immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis in the DG region of the hippocampus. qRT-PCR was performed to examine the expression levels of neurogenesis-associated genes, pre- and postsynaptic proteins and inflammatory cytokines. An enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay was performed to evaluate the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. The administration of L-NAME led to increased systolic blood pressure and urine protein levels in pregnant rats. Offspring in the L-NAME group exhibited impaired spatial learning ability and memory as well as NOR memory. Hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity were impaired in offspring from the L-NAME group. Furthermore, cell apoptosis in the hippocampus was increased in the L-NAME group. The hippocampus was skewed to a proinflammatory profile, as shown by increased inflammatory cytokine levels. EE improved the cognitive ability of offspring in the L-NAME group and resulted in increased hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic protein expression levels and decreased apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine levels. Environmental enrichment resolves cognitive impairment in the offspring of a rat model of preeclampsia by improving hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity and normalizing the apoptosis level and the inflammatory balance.
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Mañas‐Padilla MC, Tezanos P, Cintado E, Vicente L, Sánchez‐Salido L, Gil‐Rodríguez S, Trejo JL, Santín LJ, Castilla‐Ortega E. Environmental enrichment alleviates cognitive and psychomotor alterations and increases adult hippocampal neurogenesis in cocaine withdrawn mice. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13244. [PMID: 36577726 PMCID: PMC9786803 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine is a widely used psychostimulant drug whose repeated exposure induces persistent cognitive/emotional dysregulation, which could be a predictor of relapse in users. However, there is scarce evidence on effective treatments to alleviate these symptoms. Environmental enrichment (EE) has been shown to be associated with improved synaptic function and cellular plasticity changes related to adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), resulting in cognitive enhancement. Therefore, EE could mitigate the negative impact of chronic administration of cocaine in mice and reduce the emotional and cognitive symptoms present during cocaine abstinence. In this study, mice were chronically administered with cocaine for 14 days, and control mice received saline. After the last cocaine or saline dose, mice were submitted to control or EE housing conditions, and they stayed undisturbed for 28 days. Subsequently, mice were evaluated with a battery of behavioural tests for exploratory activity, emotional behaviour, and cognitive performance. EE attenuated hyperlocomotion, induced anxiolytic-like behaviour and alleviated cognitive impairment in spatial memory in the cocaine-abstinent mice. The EE protocol notably upregulated AHN in both control and cocaine-treated mice, though cocaine slightly reduced the number of immature neurons. Altogether, these results demonstrate that EE could enhance hippocampal neuroplasticity ameliorating the behavioural and cognitive consequences of repeated administration of cocaine. Therefore, environmental stimulation may be a useful strategy in the treatment cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Carmen Mañas‐Padilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - Patricia Tezanos
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceCajal Institute, Spanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| | - Elisa Cintado
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceCajal Institute, Spanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| | - Lucía Vicente
- Centro de Experimentación AnimalUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain,Departamento de PsicologíaUniversidad de DeustoBilbaoSpain
| | - Lourdes Sánchez‐Salido
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud MentalHospital Regional Universitario de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - Sara Gil‐Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - José L. Trejo
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceCajal Institute, Spanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| | - Luis J. Santín
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - Estela Castilla‐Ortega
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
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14
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Gattas S, Collett HA, Huff AE, Creighton SD, Weber SE, Buckhalter SS, Manning SA, Ryait HS, McNaughton BL, Winters BD. A rodent obstacle course procedure controls delivery of enrichment and enhances complex cognitive functions. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2022; 7:21. [PMID: 36057661 PMCID: PMC9440923 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-022-00134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Enrichment in rodents affects brain structure, improves behavioral performance, and is neuroprotective. Similarly, in humans, according to the cognitive reserve concept, enriched experience is functionally protective against neuropathology. Despite this parallel, the ability to translate rodent studies to human clinical situations is limited. This limitation is likely due to the simple cognitive processes probed in rodent studies and the inability to control, with existing methods, the degree of rodent engagement with enrichment material. We overcome these two difficulties with behavioral tasks that probe, in a fine-grained manner, aspects of higher-order cognition associated with deterioration with aging and dementia, and a new enrichment protocol, the 'Obstacle Course' (OC), which enables controlled enrichment delivery, respectively. Together, these two advancements will enable better specification (and comparisons) of the nature of impairments in animal models of complex mental disorders and the potential for remediation from various types of intervention (e.g., enrichment, drugs). We found that two months of OC enrichment produced substantial and sustained enhancements in categorization memory, perceptual object invariance, and cross-modal sensory integration in mice. We also tested mice on behavioral tasks previously shown to benefit from traditional enrichment: spontaneous object recognition, object location memory, and pairwise visual discrimination. OC enrichment improved performance relative to standard housing on all six tasks and was in most cases superior to conventional home-cage enrichment and exercise track groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Gattas
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Heather A Collett
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew E Huff
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Samantha D Creighton
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Siobhon E Weber
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Silas A Manning
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Hardeep S Ryait
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Bruce L McNaughton
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Boyer D Winters
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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15
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Zheng F, Valero-Aracama MJ, Schaefer N, Alzheimer C. Activin A Reduces GIRK Current to Excite Dentate Gyrus Granule Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:920388. [PMID: 35711474 PMCID: PMC9197229 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.920388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the TGF-β family, is recognized as a multifunctional protein in the adult brain with a particular impact on neuronal circuits associated with cognitive and affective functions. Activin receptor signaling in mouse hippocampus is strongly enhanced by the exploration of an enriched environment (EE), a behavioral paradigm known to improve performance in learning and memory tasks and to ameliorate depression-like behaviors. To interrogate the relationship between EE, activin signaling, and cellular excitability in the hippocampus, we performed ex vivo whole-cell recordings from dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells (GCs) of wild type mice and transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative mutant of activin receptor IB (dnActRIB), which disrupts activin signaling in a forebrain-specific fashion. We found that, after overnight EE housing, GC excitability was strongly enhanced in an activin-dependent fashion. Moreover, the effect of EE on GC firing was mimicked by pre-treatment of hippocampal slices from control mice with recombinant activin A for several hours. The excitatory effect of activin A was preserved when canonical SMAD-dependent signaling was pharmacologically suppressed but was blocked by inhibitors of ERK-MAPK and PKA signaling. The involvement of a non-genomic signaling cascade was supported by the fact that the excitatory effect of activin A was already achieved within minutes of application. With respect to the ionic mechanism underlying the increase in intrinsic excitability, voltage-clamp recordings revealed that activin A induced an apparent inward current, which resulted from the suppression of a standing G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) current. The link between EE, enhanced activin signaling, and inhibition of GIRK current was strengthened by the following findings: (i) The specific GIRK channel blocker tertiapin Q (TQ) occluded the characteristic electrophysiological effects of activin A in both current- and voltage-clamp recordings. (ii) The outward current evoked by the GIRK channel activator adenosine was significantly reduced by preceding EE exploration as well as by recombinant activin A in control slices. In conclusion, our study identifies GIRK current suppression via non-canonical activin signaling as a mechanism that might at least in part contribute to the beneficial effects of EE on cognitive performance and affective behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zheng
- Institute of Physiology
and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christian Alzheimer Fang Zheng
| | - Maria Jesus Valero-Aracama
- Institute of Physiology
and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Natascha Schaefer
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Alzheimer
- Institute of Physiology
and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christian Alzheimer Fang Zheng
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16
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Kovalchuk A, Mychasiuk R, Muhammad A, Hossain S, Ghose A, Kirkby C, Ghasroddashti E, Kovalchuk O, Kolb B. Complex housing partially mitigates low dose radiation-induced changes in brain and behavior in rats. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2022; 40:109-124. [DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: In recent years, much effort has been focused on developing new strategies for the prevention and mitigation of adverse radiation effects on healthy tissues and organs, including the brain. The brain is very sensitive to radiation effects, albeit as it is highly plastic. Hence, deleterious radiation effects may be potentially reversible. Because radiation exposure affects dendritic space, reduces the brain’s ability to produce new neurons, and alters behavior, mitigation efforts should focus on restoring these parameters. To that effect, environmental enrichment through complex housing (CH) and exercise may provide a plausible avenue for exploration of protection from brain irradiation. CH is a much broader concept than exercise alone, and constitutes exposure of animals to positive physical and social stimulation that is superior to their routine housing and care conditions. We hypothesized that CHs may lessen harmful neuroanatomical and behavioural effects of low dose radiation exposure. Methods: We analyzed and compared cerebral morphology in animals exposed to low dose head, bystander (liver), and scatter irradiation on rats housed in either the environmental enrichment condos or standard housing. Results: Enriched condo conditions ameliorated radiation-induced neuroanatomical changes. Moreover, irradiated animals that were kept in enriched CH condos displayed fewer radiation-induced behavioural deficits than those housed in standard conditions. Conclusions: Animal model-based environmental enrichment strategies, such as CH, are excellent surrogate models for occupational and exercise therapy in humans, and consequently have significant translational possibility. Our study may thus serve as a roadmap for the development of new, easy, safe and cost-effective methods to prevent and mitigate low-dose radiation effects on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna. Kovalchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | | | - Arif. Muhammad
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Shakhawat. Hossain
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Abhijit. Ghose
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Charles. Kirkby
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Esmaeel. Ghasroddashti
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Olga. Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan. Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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17
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Bareiss SK, Johnston T, Lu Q, Tran TD. The effect of exercise on early sensorimotor performance alterations in the 3xTg-AD model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Res 2022; 178:60-68. [PMID: 35033583 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function; however, recent evidence suggests that non-cognitive sensorimotor and psychomotor symptoms accompany early stages of the disease in humans and AD models. Although exercise is emerging as an important therapeutic to combat AD progression, little is known about the effect of exercise on sensorimotor domain functions. The purpose of this study was to determine if early sensorimotor symptoms accompany deficits in Morris water maze (MWM) performance in the 3xTg-AD model, and investigate if exercise could protect against early behavioral decline. 3xTg-AD and wild-type (WT) control mice were subjected to 12 weeks of moderate intensity wheel running or remained sedentary. At 6 months of age, animals underwent a series of sensorimotor and MWM testing. 3xTg-AD mice displayed deficits in sensorimotor function (beam traversal, spontaneous activity, and adhesive removal) and MWM performance. Interestingly, 3xTg-AD animals exhibited increased freezing and unusual shaking/tremoring behaviors not displayed by WT controls. Exercise improved beam traversal, adhesive removal, and reduced the unusual motor-related behaviors in 3xTg-AD mice. Our study shows that sensorimotor symptoms coincide with deficits in MWM performance, and suggest that exercise may mitigate deficits associated with early disease in 3xTg-AD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja K Bareiss
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY 40205, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, United States; The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, East Carolina University, United States.
| | - Tyler Johnston
- Department of Physical Therapy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States.
| | - Qun Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, United States; The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, East Carolina University, United States.
| | - Tuan D Tran
- The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, East Carolina University, United States; Department of Psychology East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States.
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18
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Higarza SG, Arboleya S, Arias JL, Gueimonde M, Arias N. Akkermansia muciniphila and environmental enrichment reverse cognitive impairment associated with high-fat high-cholesterol consumption in rats. Gut Microbes 2022; 13:1-20. [PMID: 33678110 PMCID: PMC7946069 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1880240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most prevalent diseases globally. A high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet leads to an early NASH model. It has been suggested that gut microbiota mediates the effects of diet through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, modifying the host's brain metabolism and disrupting cognition. Here, we target NASH-induced cognitive damage by testing the impact of environmental enrichment (EE) and the administration of either Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or Akkermansia muciniphila CIP107961 (AKK). EE and AKK, but not LGG, reverse the HFHC-induced cognitive dysfunction, including impaired spatial working memory and novel object recognition; however, whereas AKK restores brain metabolism, EE results in an overall decrease. Moreover, AKK and LGG did not induce major rearrangements in the intestinal microbiota, with only slight changes in bacterial composition and diversity, whereas EE led to an increase in Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia members. Our findings illustrate the interplay between gut microbiota, the host's brain energy metabolism, and cognition. In addition, the findings suggest intervention strategies, such as the administration of AKK, for the management of the cognitive dysfunction related to NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara G. Higarza
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology. University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain,Instituto De Neurociencias Del Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA), Asturias, Spain
| | - Silvia Arboleya
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto De Productos Lácteos De Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | - Jorge L. Arias
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology. University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain,Instituto De Neurociencias Del Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA), Asturias, Spain
| | - Miguel Gueimonde
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto De Productos Lácteos De Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain,Miguel Gueimonde Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto De Productos Lácteos De Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias 33300, Spain
| | - Natalia Arias
- Instituto De Neurociencias Del Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA), Asturias, Spain,UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK,CONTACT Natalia Arias Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, LondonSE5 8AF, United Kingdom
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19
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Qin H, Reid I, Gorelik A, Ng L. Environmental enrichment for stroke and other non-progressive brain injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 11:CD011879. [PMID: 34811724 PMCID: PMC8609277 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011879.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rehabilitation is effective for recovery after stroke and other non-progressive brain injuries but it is unclear if the rehabilitation environment itself, outside of limited therapy hours, is maximally conducive to recovery. Environmental enrichment is a relatively new concept within rehabilitation for humans. In this review, this is defined as an intervention designed to facilitate physical (motor and sensory), cognitive and social activity by the provision of equipment and organisation of a structured, stimulating environment. The environment should be designed to encourage (but not force) activities without additional specialised rehabilitation input. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of environmental enrichment on well-being, functional recovery, activity levels and quality of life in people who have stroke or non-progressive brain injury. SEARCH METHODS We conducted the search on 26 October 2020. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE (from 1950); Embase (from 1980); the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; from 1982); the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED; from 1985); PsycINFO (from 1806); the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro; from 1999); and 10 additional bibliographic databases and ongoing trial registers. SELECTION CRITERIA We planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared environmental enrichment with standard services. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Any disagreements were resolved through discussion with a third review author. We determined the risk of bias for the included study and performed a 'best evidence' synthesis using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS We identified one RCT, involving 53 participants with stroke, comparing environmental enrichment (which included physical, cognitive and social activities such as reading material, board and card games, gaming technology, music, artwork, and computer with Internet) with standard services in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. We excluded five studies, found two studies awaiting classification and one ongoing study which described environmental enrichment in their interventions. Of the excluded studies, three were non-RCTs and two described co-interventions with a significant component of rehabilitation. Based on the single small included RCT at high risk of bias, data are insufficient to provide any reliable indication of benefit or risk to guide clinical practice in terms of the provision of environmental enrichment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The gap in current research should not, however, be interpreted as proof that environmental enrichment is ineffective. Further research is needed with robust study designs, such as cluster RCTs, and consistent outcome measurement evaluating the effectiveness of environmental enrichment in different settings (inpatient versus outpatient), the relative effectiveness of various components of environmental enrichment, cost-effectiveness, and safety of the intervention in people following stroke or other non-progressive brain injuries. It should be noted, however, that it is challenging to randomise or double-blind trials of environmental enrichment given the nature of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Qin
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Isabella Reid
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexandra Gorelik
- Melbourne EpiCentre Melbourne Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louisa Ng
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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20
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Hirono M, Karube F, Yanagawa Y. Modulatory Effects of Monoamines and Perineuronal Nets on Output of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:661899. [PMID: 34194302 PMCID: PMC8236809 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.661899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Classically, the cerebellum has been thought to play a significant role in motor coordination. However, a growing body of evidence for novel neural connections between the cerebellum and various brain regions indicates that the cerebellum also contributes to other brain functions implicated in reward, language, and social behavior. Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) make inhibitory GABAergic synapses with their target neurons: other PCs and Lugaro/globular cells via PC axon collaterals, and neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) via PC primary axons. PC-Lugaro/globular cell connections form a cerebellar cortical microcircuit, which is driven by serotonin and noradrenaline. PCs' primary outputs control not only firing but also synaptic plasticity of DCN neurons following the integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs in the cerebellar cortex. Thus, strong PC-mediated inhibition is involved in cerebellar functions as a key regulator of cerebellar neural networks. In this review, we focus on physiological characteristics of GABAergic transmission from PCs. First, we introduce monoaminergic modulation of GABAergic transmission at synapses of PC-Lugaro/globular cell as well as PC-large glutamatergic DCN neuron, and a Lugaro/globular cell-incorporated microcircuit. Second, we review the physiological roles of perineuronal nets (PNNs), which are organized components of the extracellular matrix and enwrap the cell bodies and proximal processes, in GABA release from PCs to large glutamatergic DCN neurons and in cerebellar motor learning. Recent evidence suggests that alterations in PNN density in the DCN can regulate cerebellar functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritoshi Hirono
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Fuyuki Karube
- Lab of Histology and Cytology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuchio Yanagawa
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
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21
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Lee S, Charles ST, Almeida DM. Change Is Good for the Brain: Activity Diversity and Cognitive Functioning Across Adulthood. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:1036-1048. [PMID: 32025733 PMCID: PMC8200355 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Participating in a variety of daily activities (i.e., activity diversity) requires people to adjust to a variety of situations and engage in a greater diversity of behaviors. These experiences may, in turn, enhance cognitive functioning. This study examined associations between activity diversity and cognitive functioning across adulthood. METHOD Activity diversity was defined as the breadth and evenness of participation in seven common daily activity domains (e.g., paid work, time with children, leisure, physical activities, volunteering). Participants from the National Survey of Daily Experiences (NSDE: N = 732, Mage = 56) provided activity data during eight consecutive days at Wave 1 (W1) and Wave 2 (W2) 10 years apart. They also provided cognitive data at W2. RESULTS Greater activity diversity at W2 was associated with higher overall cognitive functioning and higher executive functioning at W2. Individuals who increased activity diversity from W1 to W2 also exhibited higher scores in overall cognitive functioning and executive functioning at W2. Overall cognitive functioning, executive functioning, and episodic memory were better in those who had higher activity diversity at both waves, or increased activity diversity from W1 to W2, compared to those who had lower activity diversity or decreased activity diversity over time. DISCUSSION Activity diversity is important for cognitive health in adulthood. Future work can study the directionality between activity diversity and cognitive functioning and underlying social and neurological mechanisms for these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soomi Lee
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Susan T Charles
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
| | - David M Almeida
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
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22
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Zhang X, Liu JY, Liao WJ, Chen XP. Differential Effects of Physical and Social Enriched Environment on Angiogenesis in Male Rats After Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:622911. [PMID: 33841116 PMCID: PMC8032869 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.622911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Different housing conditions, including housing space and the physiological and social environment, may affect rodent behavior. Here, we examined the effects of different housing conditions on post-stroke angiogenesis and functional recovery to clarify the ambiguity about environmental enrichment and its components. Male rats in the model groups underwent right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. The MCAO rats were divided into four groups: the physical enrichment (PE) group, the social enrichment (SE) group, the combined physical and social enrichment (PSE) group and the ischemia/reperfusion + standard conditioning (IS) group. The rats in the sham surgery (SS) group were housed under standard conditions. In a set of behavioral tests, including the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS), rotarod test, and adhesive removal test, we demonstrated that the animals in the enriched condition groups exhibited significantly improved neurological functions compared to those in the standard housing group. Smaller infarction volumes were observed in the animals of the PSE group by MRI detection. The enriched conditions increased the microvessel density (MVD) in the ischemic boundary zone, as revealed by CD31 immunofluorescent staining. The immunochemical and q-PCR results further showed that environmental enrichment increased the expression levels of angiogenic factors after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our data suggest that all three enrichment conditions promoted enhanced angiogenesis and functional recovery after ischemia/reperfusion injury compared to the standard housing, while only exposure to the combination of both physical and social enrichment yielded optimal benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing-Ying Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei-Jing Liao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The first Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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23
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Katz DI, Dwyer B. Clinical Neurorehabilitation: Using Principles of Neurological Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Neuroplasticity in Assessment and Treatment Planning. Semin Neurol 2021; 41:111-123. [PMID: 33663002 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1725132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurorehabilitation aspires to restore a person to his or her fullest potential after incurring neurological dysfunction. In medical rehabilitation, diagnosis involves assessment of medical conditions and their effects on functioning. It is usually a team effort that involves an amalgam of diagnostic assessments by multiple disciplines, leading to a collection of rehabilitative treatment plans and goals. This article discusses a clinical neurological paradigm, using rigorous clinical assessment of neuropathological and clinical diagnosis, along with prognostication of natural history and recovery. In the context of the role of neuroplasticity in recovery, this paradigm can add significant value to rehabilitation team management and planning. It contributes to enhanced understanding of neurological impairments and syndromes as they relate to functional disability, aiding in targeting deficits and setting treatment goals. Rehabilitation strategies and goals should be informed by natural history and prognosis, and viewed in the framework of the stage of recovery. Prognostic formulations should suggest an emphasis on restorative versus compensatory strategies for functional problems. Treatment planning should be informed by evidence on how interventions modulate brain reorganization in promoting recovery. Strategies that promote adaptive neuroplasticity should be favored, especially with restorative efforts, and evidence supporting optimal techniques, timing, and dosing of rehabilitation should be considered in treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas I Katz
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Encompass Health Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, Massachusetts
| | - Brigid Dwyer
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Encompass Health Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, Massachusetts
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Amooei M, Meshkati Z, Nasiri R, Dakhili AB. Cognitive decline prevention in offspring of Pb +2 exposed mice by maternal aerobic training and Cur/CaCO 3@Cur supplementations: In vitro and in vivo studies. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 209:111785. [PMID: 33348254 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals are considered contaminants that hazardously influence the healthy life of humans and animals as they are widely used in industry. Contact of youngsters and women at ages of parturition with lead (Pb+2) is a main related concern, which passes through the placental barricade and its better absorption in the intestine leads to flaws in the fetal developfment. However, the metals threaten animal and human life, in particular throughout developmental stages. Products existing in the nature have a major contribution to innovating chemo-preventives. As a naturally available polyphenol and necessary curcuminoid, curcumin (Cur) is a derivative of the herb Curcuma longa (L.) rhizome, which globally recognized as "wonder drug of life"; however, Cur has a limited clinical use as it is poorly dissolved in water. Therefore, to enhance its clinically relevant parameters, curcumin-loaded calcium carbonate (CaCO3@Cur) was synthesized by one step coprecipitation method as a newly introduced in this research. Initially, its structure was physio chemically characterized using FT-IR, FESEM and DLS equipment and then the cytotoxicity of lead when it was pretreated with Cur/CaCO3@Cur were assessed by MTT assay. Both Cur and CaCO3@Cur diminished the toxic effects of Pb+2 while the most protective effect on the Pb+2 cytotoxicity was achieved by pre-incubation of cells with CaCO3@Cur. Besides, the morphological changes of Pb+2-treated cells that were pre-incubated with or without Cur/CaCO3@Cur were observed by normal and florescent microscopes. A non-pharmacologic method that lowers the hazard of brain damage is exercise training that is capable of both improving and alleviating memory. In the current study, the role of regular aerobic training and CaCO3@Cur was assessed in reducing the risk of brain damage induced by lead nitrate contact. To achieve the mentioned goal, pregnant Balb/C mice were assigned to five groups (six mice/group) at random: negative and positive controls, aerobic training group and Cur and CaCO3@Cur treated (50 mg/kg/b.wt) trained groups that exposed to Pb+2 (2 mg/kg) by drinking water during breeding and pregnancy. With the completion of study, offspring were subjected to the behavioral tasks that was tested by step-through ORT, DLB, MWM and YM tests. As a result, having regular aerobic training and CaCO3@Cur co-administration with lead nitrate could reverse the most defected behavioral indicators; yet, this was not visible for both sexes and it seems that gender can also be a source of different effects in the animal's body. In fact, having regular aerobic training along with CaCO3@Cur supplementation during pregnancy may be encouraging protecting potential agents towards the toxicity of Pb+2 that could be recommended in the areas with high pollution of heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Amooei
- Department of physical education and sport sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Meshkati
- Department of physical education and sport sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Rozita Nasiri
- Iran National Elite Foundation, Tehran 93111-14578, Iran; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Amir Bahador Dakhili
- Department of physical education and sport science, Faculty of shahid chamran Branch, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Kerman, Iran
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Mesa-Gresa P, Ramos-Campos M, Redolat R. Behavioral impact of experience based on environmental enrichment: Influence of age and duration of exposure in male NMRI mice. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:1071-1081. [PMID: 33452673 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies have suggested that short periods of exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) in rodents induce physiological and behavioral effects. In the present study, our aim was to evaluate if the impact of experiences based on EE could be modulated by the age of onset and the developmental period of exposure. NMRI male mice (n = 64) were exposed to EE or standard environment (SE) and behavioral changes (anxiety, exploration, memory and social interaction) were evaluated. Groups compared were: (a) SE: exposure to SE on post-natal day (PND) 28 and lasting 6 months; (b) EE-6: exposure to EE on PND 28 and lasting 6 months; (c) EE-4: exposure to EE on PND 91 and lasting 4 months; (d) EE-2: exposure to EE on PND 154 and lasting 2 months. Results indicated that in the hole-board task the decrease in exploratory behavior reached significance when EE was initiated at adolescence whereas anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze tend to diminish after a longer period of EE. No significant effects of EE on aggressive behavior or novel object recognition were obtained. Taking these results into account, further studies are needed in order to determine the possible modulating role of age and duration of exposure to enriched environments on behavior. Results obtained could explain some discrepancies reported in previous studies, providing new evidence that could contribute to the design of future research related to the benefits of complex and enriched environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mesa-Gresa
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Ramos-Campos
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosa Redolat
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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Enriched Environment Promotes Cognitive Function Recovery following Cerebral Ischemic Injury via Upregulating GABAergic and Glutamatergic Systems in the Contralateral Hippocampus. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:8850119. [PMID: 33505485 PMCID: PMC7811490 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8850119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Poststroke cognitive impairment severely affects the long-term recovery of patients. However, it remains unknown whether an enriched environment can remodel contralateral hippocampal function and promote cognitive function recovery after cerebral ischemic injury. To further explore, 36 C57BL/6 mice that underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) were randomly assigned to three groups: enriched environment (EE), standard condition (SC), and sham surgery (Sham). After 21 days of intervention, the Morris water maze and step-through test was utilized for testing the cognitive function of the mice, cresyl violet staining for measuring the degree of atrophy in the hippocampal tissues, and western blotting for quantitating the expression levels of GA1B, GAD67, and NR2B, and immunohistochemistry for levels of NR2B in the CA1 region of the contralateral hippocampus. The results showed that cognitive function-related behavioral performance decreased in the SC group, and performance was better in the EE group than that in the SC group (p < 0.01); no significant difference in the degree of contralateral cerebral atrophy was observed between the EE and SC groups (p > 0.05); levels of GA1B, GAD67, and NR2B in the contralateral hippocampus were significantly higher in the EE group than those in the SC group (p < 0.01); and the level of NR2B in the CA1 region of the contralateral hippocampus significantly increased in the EE group compared to the SC group (p < 0.01). We believe that contralateral hippocampal function is inhibited after cerebral ischemic injury, further affecting cognitive function. However, enriched environment can upregulate GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in the contralateral hippocampus to promote cognitive function recovery after cerebral ischemic injury.
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Zeraati M, Najdi N, Mosaferi B, Salari AA. Environmental enrichment alters neurobehavioral development following maternal immune activation in mice offspring with epilepsy. Behav Brain Res 2020; 399:112998. [PMID: 33197458 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Anxiety-related disorders and cognitive deficits are common in patients with epilepsy. Previous studies have shown that maternal infection/immune activation renders children more vulnerable to neurological disorders later in life. Environmental enrichment has been suggested to improve seizures, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in animal models. The present study aimed to explore the effects of environmental enrichment on seizure scores, anxiety-like behavior, and cognitive deficits following maternal immune activation in offspring with epilepsy. Pregnant mice were treated with lipopolysaccharides-(LPS) or vehicle, and offspring were housed in normal or enriched environments during early adolescence to adulthood. To induce epilepsy, adult male and female offspring were treated with Pentylenetetrazol-(PTZ), and then anxiety-like behavior and cognitive functions were assessed. Tumor-necrosis-factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL) 10 were measured in the hippocampus of offspring. Maternal immune activation sex-dependently increased seizure scores in PTZ-treated offspring. Significant increases in anxiety-like behavior, cognitive impairment, and hippocampal TNF-α and IL-10 were also found following maternal immune activation in PTZ-treated offspring. However, there was no sex difference in these behavioral abnormalities in offspring. Environmental enrichment reversed the effects of maternal immune activation on behavioral and inflammatory parameters in PTZ-treated offspring. Overall, the present findings highlight the adverse effects of prenatal maternal immune activation on seizure susceptibility and psychiatric comorbidities in offspring. This study suggests that environmental enrichment may be used as a potential treatment approach for behavioral abnormalities following maternal immune activation in PTZ-treated offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zeraati
- Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Alborz, Iran
| | - Nazila Najdi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Belal Mosaferi
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Salari
- Salari Institute of Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders (SICBD), Karaj, Alborz, Iran.
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28
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Silva BA, Miglietta EA, Ferrari CC. Training the brain: could it improve multiple sclerosis treatment? Rev Neurosci 2020; 31:779-792. [PMID: 32712593 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease characterized by neuroinflammation, demyelination and axonal degeneration along with loss of function in the central nervous system. For many years, research in MS has focused on the efficacy of pharmacological treatments. However, during the last years, many publications have been dedicated to the study of the efficacy of non-pharmacological strategies, such as physical exercise and cognitive training. Beneficial effects of the combination of both strategies on cognitive function have been described in both ageing adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as MS. The analysis of combining both physical and cognitive stimulation can be summarized by the environmental enrichment (EE) experiments, which are more suitable for animal models. EE refers to housing conditions consisting of exercise and cognitive and social stimulation. In this review, we will summarize the available studies that describe the influence of EE in both MS patients and MS animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Anabel Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica (IMTIB)-CONICET, Potosí 4240, Buenos Aires, C1181ACH, Argentina.,Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations, IIBBA-CONICET, Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esteban Alberto Miglietta
- Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations, IIBBA-CONICET, Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carina Cintia Ferrari
- Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica (IMTIB)-CONICET, Potosí 4240, Buenos Aires, C1181ACH, Argentina.,Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations, IIBBA-CONICET, Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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29
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Pritchett-Corning KR. Environmental Complexity and Research Outcomes. ILAR J 2020; 60:239-251. [PMID: 32559304 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental complexity is an experimental paradigm as well as a potential part of animals' everyday housing experiences. In experimental uses, researchers add complexity to stimulate brain development, delay degenerative brain changes, elicit more naturalistic behaviors, and test learning and memory. Complexity can exacerbate or mitigate behavioral problems, give animals a sense of control, and allow for expression of highly driven, species-typical behaviors that can improve animal welfare. Complex environments should be designed thoughtfully with the animal's natural behaviors in mind, reported faithfully in the literature, and evaluated carefully for unexpected effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Pritchett-Corning
- Office of Animal Resources, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Cordier JM, Aguggia JP, Danelon V, Mir FR, Rivarola MA, Mascó D. Postweaning Enriched Environment Enhances Cognitive Function and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling in the Hippocampus in Maternally Separated Rats. Neuroscience 2020; 453:138-147. [PMID: 33039520 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adverse environments during early life may lead to different neurophysiological and behavioral consequences, including depression and learning and memory deficits that persist into adulthood. Previously, we demonstrated that exposure to an enriched environment during adolescence mitigates the cognitive impairment observed after maternal separation in a task-specific manner. However, underlying neural mechanisms are still not fully understood. The current study examines the effects of neonatal maternal separation (MS) and postweaning environmental enrichment (EE) on spatial learning and memory performance in a short version of the Barnes Maze, active and passive behaviors in the forced swim test, and on TrkB/BDNF receptor expression in the hippocampus. Our results revealed that MS impaired acquisition learning and that enriched rats performed better than non-enriched rats in acquisition trials, regardless of early conditions. During the probe, enriched-housed rats demonstrated better performance than those reared in standard conditions. No significant differences between groups were found in the forced swim test. Both MS and EE increase full-length TrkB expression, and the combination of MS and EE treatment caused the highest levels of this protein expression. Similarly, truncated TrkB expression was higher in the MS/EE group. Animal facility rearing (AFR) non-enriched groups present the lowest activation of phosphorylated Erk, a canonical downstream kinase of TrkB signaling. Taken together, our results demonstrate the importance of enriched environment as an intervention to ameliorate the effects of maternal separation on spatial learning and memory. TrkB/BDNF signaling could mediate neuroplastic changes related to learning and memory during exposure to enriched environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Maximiliano Cordier
- Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba -Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Julieta Paola Aguggia
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo. Ciudad Universitaria, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Víctor Danelon
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Franco Rafael Mir
- Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Departamento de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Rioja, Av. Luis M. de la Fuente S/N, Ciudad Universitaria de la Ciencia y de la Técnica, F5300 La Rioja, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299 X5000JJC- Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Angélica Rivarola
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo. Ciudad Universitaria, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299 X5000JJC- Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Daniel Mascó
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
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31
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Paolone G. From the Gut to the Brain and Back: Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Network Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurol 2020; 11:557928. [PMID: 33117258 PMCID: PMC7575743 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.557928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex, multisystem, progressive, degenerative disorder characterized by severe, debilitating motor dysfunction, cognitive impairments, and mood disorders. Although preclinical research has traditionally focused on the motor deficits resulting from the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, up to two thirds of PD patients present separate and distinct behavioral changes. Loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons occurs as early as the loss of dopaminergic cells and contributes to the cognitive decline in PD. In addition, attentional deficits can limit posture control and movement efficacy caused by dopaminergic cell loss. Complicating the picture further is intracellular α-synuclein accumulation beginning in the enteric nervous system and diffusing to the substantia nigra through the dorsal motor neurons of the vagus nerve. It seems that α-synuclein's role is that of mediating dopamine synthesis, storage, and release, and its function has not been completely understood. Treating a complex, multistage network disorder, such as PD, likely requires a multipronged approach. Here, we describe a few approaches that could be used alone or perhaps in combination to achieve a greater mosaic of behavioral benefit. These include (1) using encapsulated, genetically modified cells as delivery vehicles for administering neuroprotective trophic factors, such as GDNF, in a direct and sustained means to the brain; (2) immunotherapeutic interventions, such as vaccination or the use of monoclonal antibodies against aggregated, pathological α-synuclein; (3) the continuous infusion of levodopa-carbidopa through an intestinal gel pad to attenuate the loss of dopaminergic function and manage the motor and non-motor complications in PD patients; and (4) specific rehabilitation treatment programs for drug-refractory motor complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Paolone
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health - Section of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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32
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Queen NJ, Hassan QN, Cao L. Improvements to Healthspan Through Environmental Enrichment and Lifestyle Interventions: Where Are We Now? Front Neurosci 2020; 14:605. [PMID: 32655354 PMCID: PMC7325954 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is an experimental paradigm that is used to explore how a complex, stimulating environment can impact overall health. In laboratory animal experiments, EE housing conditions typically include larger-than-standard cages, abundant bedding, running wheels, mazes, toys, and shelters which are rearranged regularly to further increase stimulation. EE has been shown to improve multiple aspects of health, including but not limited to metabolism, learning and cognition, anxiety and depression, and immunocompetence. Recent advances in lifespan have led some researchers to consider aging as a risk factor for disease. As such, there is a pressing need to understand the processes by which healthspan can be increased. The natural and predictable changes during aging can be reversed or decreased through EE and its underlying mechanisms. Here, we review the use of EE in laboratory animals to understand mechanisms involved in aging, and comment on relative areas of strength and weakness in the current literature. We additionally address current efforts toward applying EE-like lifestyle interventions to human health to extend healthspan. Although increasing lifespan is a clear goal of medical research, improving the quality of this added time also deserves significant attention. Despite hurdles in translating experimental results toward clinical application, we argue there is great potential in using features of EE toward improving human healthy life expectancy or healthspan, especially in the context of increased global longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Queen
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Quais N. Hassan
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
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33
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Harland BC, Dalrymple-Alford JC. Enriched Environment Procedures for Rodents: Creating a Standardized Protocol for Diverse Enrichment to Improve Consistency across Research Studies. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3637. [PMID: 33659308 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental enrichment has beneficial effects on learning and memory, diverse neurobiological effects, and promotes recovery of function after brain injury. The effect of enrichment is produced by a combination of increased social interaction, physical activity, spatial complexity, and novelty. Procedures in the literature have, however, been idiosyncratic with poor consistency in the manner or extent to which protocols provide consistent enrichment. We provide an environmental enrichment protocol that can be easily replicated with minor details determined locally so that animals across cohorts and cages all experience a comparable level of enrichment. Procedures are outlined to generate and use a daily pool of suitably varied objects using a standardized format, with objects systematically varied up to a 40-day continuous period. Together with using a large group of rats in a suitably-sized cage, and regular shifting of the position of food and water and cage location, these procedures have produced robust effects in different laboratories and rat strain, thereby improving comparisons within and across laboratories. Non-enriched comparisons can vary, but typically would include grouped animals in standard laboratory housing without objects and with stable food and water locations. Enrichment is a safe non-pharamacological tool to examine behavioral and neurobiological processes in animal models of the lifespan, brain dysfunction and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce C Harland
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John C Dalrymple-Alford
- School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,New Zealand Brain Research Institute and Brain Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
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34
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Chrishtop VV, Tomilova IK, Rumyantseva TA, Mikhaylenko EV, Avila-Rodriguez MF, Mikhaleva LM, Nikolenko VN, Somasundaram SG, Kirkland CE, Bachurin SO, Aliev G. The Effect of Short-Term Physical Activity on the Oxidative Stress in Rats with Different Stress Resistance Profiles in Cerebral Hypoperfusion. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3014-3026. [PMID: 32458388 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01930-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress associated with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is one of the fundamental factors leading to neurodegenerative diseases. To prevent oxidative stress, physical activity is effective. Physical exercise enables development of rehabilitation techniques that can progressively increase patients' stress resistance. We determined the oxidative stress dynamics in experimental hypoperfusion and modeled rehabilitation measures, comparing sex and stress resistance levels. The experiment was performed on 240 Wistar rats of both sexes over a period of 90 days. Based on behavioral test results obtained using the open field test, the rats were divided into active animals with predicted higher stress resistance (HSR) and passive animals with predicted lower stress resistance (LSR). TBA (thiobarbituric acid) plasma concentration of the active products (malondialdehyde-MDA), blood plasma (NO-X) concentration, and L-citrulline (LC) concentration were determined spectrophotometrically at the corresponding wave length (nm). The intensity of oxidative stress was evaluated using the chemoluminscent method to determine the blood plasma antioxidant activity on the BCL-07 biochemoluminometer. This study revealed two stages of oxidative stress: a less pronounced phase covering the first days after surgery and a main one, which starts from the month after the operation to 3 months. Female sex and a high initial level of stress resistance reduced the severity of oxidative stress. Physical activity commencing a week after the surgery resulted in "reloading" the adaptive mechanisms and slowed the onset of the main stage, leading to a decrease in the free-radical process in all studied subgroups and the greater blood plasma (NO)-X decrease in the male animals. Future neuropharmacological intervention most likely will be able to determine the pathophysiology mechanism of chronic brain hypoperfusion and potentially extending adaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir V Chrishtop
- Central Research Laboratory, Ivanovo State Medical Academy, Avenue Sheremetyevsky 8, Ivanovo, Russian Federation, 153012
| | - Irina K Tomilova
- Department of Biochemistry, Ivanovo State Medical Academy, Avenue Sheremetyevsky 8, Ivanovo, Russian Federation, 153012
| | - Tatiana A Rumyantseva
- Department of Human Anatomy, Yaroslavl State Medical University, Street Revolutsionnaya 5, Yaroslavl, Russian Federation, 150000
| | - Elizaveta V Mikhaylenko
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), 8/2 Trubetskaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Marco F Avila-Rodriguez
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinic Sciences, University of Tolima, Barrio Santa Helena, Ibagué, 730006, Colombia
| | - Liudmila M Mikhaleva
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupy Street, Moscow, Russian Federation, 117418
| | - Vladimir N Nikolenko
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), 8/2 Trubetskaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 119991.,Department of Normal and Topographic Anatomy, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | | | - Cecil E Kirkland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Salem University, Salem, WV, 26426, USA
| | - Sergey O Bachurin
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds of Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Severny pr., Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia, 142432
| | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), 8/2 Trubetskaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 119991. .,Research Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupy Street, Moscow, Russian Federation, 117418. .,Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds of Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Severny pr., Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia, 142432. .,GALLY International Research Institute, 7733 Louis Pasteur Drive, #330, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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How the enriched get richer? Experience-dependent modulation of microRNAs and the therapeutic effects of environmental enrichment. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 195:172940. [PMID: 32413435 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172940] [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: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment and physical exercise have many well-established health benefits. Although these environmental manipulations are known to delay symptom onset and progression in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. A notable candidate molecular mechanism is that of microRNA, a family of small noncoding RNAs that are important regulators of gene expression. Research investigating the many diverse roles of microRNAs has greatly expanded over the past decade, with several promising preclinical and clinical studies highlighting the role of dysregulated microRNA expression (in the brain, blood and other peripheral systems) in understanding the aetiology of disease. Altered microRNA levels have also been described following environmental interventions such as exercise and environmental enrichment in non-clinical populations and wild-type animals, as well as in some brain disorders and associated preclinical models. Recent studies exploring the effects of stimulating environments on microRNA levels in the brain have revealed an array of changes that are likely to have important downstream effects on gene expression, and thus may regulate a variety of cellular processes. Here we review literature that explores the differential expression of microRNAs in rodents following environmental enrichment and exercise, in both healthy control animals and preclinical models of relevance to neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Silva BA, Leal MC, Farías MI, Erhardt B, Galeano P, Pitossi FJ, Ferrari CC. Environmental enrichment improves cognitive symptoms and pathological features in a focal model of cortical damage of multiple sclerosis. Brain Res 2020; 1727:146520. [PMID: 31669283 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease affecting white and grey matter, it is characterized by demyelination, axonal degeneration along with loss of motor, sensitive and cognitive functions. MS is a heterogeneous disease that displays different clinical courses: relapsing/remitting MS (RRMS), and MS progressive forms: primary progressive (PPMS) and secondary progressive (SPMS). Cortical damage in the progressive MS forms has considerable clinical relevance due to its association with cognitive impairment and disability progression in patients. One treatment is available for the progressive forms of the disease, but none are specific for cognitive deficits. We developed an animal model that reflects most of the characteristics of the cortical damage, such as cortical neuroinflammation, demyelination, neurodegeneration and meningeal inflammation, which was associated with cognitive impairment. Cognitive rehabilitation, exercise and social support have begun to be evaluated in patients and animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Environmental enrichment (EE) provides exercise as well as cognitive and social stimulation. EE has been demonstrated to exert positive effects on cognitive domains, such as learning and memory, and improving anxiety-like symptoms. We proposed to study the effect of EE on peripherally stimulated cortical lesion induced by the long term expression of interleukin IL-1β (IL-1β) in adult rats. Here, we demonstrated that EE: 1) reduces the peripheral inflammatory response to the stimulus, 2) ameliorates cognitive deficits and anxiety-like symptoms, 3) modulates neurodegeneration, demyelination and glial activation, 4) regulates neuroinflammation by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing the expression of anti-inflammatory ones. Our findings correlate with the fact that EE housing could be considered an effective non- pharmacological therapeutic agent that can synergistically aid in the rehabilitation of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Anabel Silva
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Biomedical Engineering of the Italian Hospital (IMTIB, CONICET), Potosí 4240, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations of Buenos Aires, (IIBBA, CONICET), Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Celeste Leal
- Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations of Buenos Aires, (IIBBA, CONICET), Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Isabel Farías
- Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations of Buenos Aires, (IIBBA, CONICET), Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Brenda Erhardt
- Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations of Buenos Aires, (IIBBA, CONICET), Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Galeano
- Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations of Buenos Aires, (IIBBA, CONICET), Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Juan Pitossi
- Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations of Buenos Aires, (IIBBA, CONICET), Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carina Cintia Ferrari
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Biomedical Engineering of the Italian Hospital (IMTIB, CONICET), Potosí 4240, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Leloir Institute Foundation, Institute for Biochemical Investigations of Buenos Aires, (IIBBA, CONICET), Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Casaletto KB, Staffaroni AM, Wolf A, Appleby B, Brushaber D, Coppola G, Dickerson B, Domoto-Reilly K, Elahi FM, Fields J, Fong JC, Forsberg L, Ghoshal N, Graff-Radford N, Grossman M, Heuer HW, Hsiung GY, Huey ED, Irwin D, Kantarci K, Kaufer D, Kerwin D, Knopman D, Kornak J, Kramer JH, Litvan I, Mackenzie IR, Mendez M, Miller B, Rademakers R, Ramos EM, Rascovsky K, Roberson ED, Syrjanen JA, Tartaglia MC, Weintraub S, Boeve B, Boxer AL, Rosen H, Yaffe K. Active lifestyles moderate clinical outcomes in autosomal dominant frontotemporal degeneration. Alzheimers Dement 2020; 16:91-105. [PMID: 31914227 PMCID: PMC6953618 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leisure activities impact brain aging and may be prevention targets. We characterized how physical and cognitive activities relate to brain health for the first time in autosomal dominant frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). METHODS A total of 105 mutation carriers (C9orf72/MAPT/GRN) and 69 non-carriers reported current physical and cognitive activities at baseline, and completed longitudinal neurobehavioral assessments and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. RESULTS Greater physical and cognitive activities were each associated with an estimated >55% slower clinical decline per year among dominant gene carriers. There was also an interaction between leisure activities and frontotemporal atrophy on cognition in mutation carriers. High-activity carriers with frontotemporal atrophy (-1 standard deviation/year) demonstrated >two-fold better cognitive performances per year compared to their less active peers with comparable atrophy rates. DISCUSSION Active lifestyles were associated with less functional decline and moderated brain-to-behavior relationships longitudinally. More active carriers "outperformed" brain volume, commensurate with a cognitive reserve hypothesis. Lifestyle may confer clinical resilience, even in autosomal dominant FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Casaletto
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - A M Staffaroni
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - A Wolf
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - B Appleby
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - G Coppola
- University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - B Dickerson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - F M Elahi
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - J Fields
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - J C Fong
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - L Forsberg
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - N Ghoshal
- Washington University, St. Louis, Illinois, USA
| | | | - M Grossman
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - H W Heuer
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - G-Y Hsiung
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - E D Huey
- Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - D Irwin
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - D Kaufer
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - D Kerwin
- University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - D Knopman
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - J Kornak
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - J H Kramer
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - I Litvan
- Parkinson and Other Movement Disorder Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - I R Mackenzie
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - M Mendez
- University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - B Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - E M Ramos
- University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - K Rascovsky
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | - S Weintraub
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - B Boeve
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - A L Boxer
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - H Rosen
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - K Yaffe
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- San Francisco Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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Rabadán R, Ramos-Campos M, Redolat R, Mesa-Gresa P. Physical activity and environmental enrichment: Behavioural effects of exposure to different housing conditions in mice. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2020. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Morera-Herreras T, Gioanni Y, Perez S, Vignoud G, Venance L. Environmental enrichment shapes striatal spike-timing-dependent plasticity in vivo. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19451. [PMID: 31857605 PMCID: PMC6923403 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55842-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioural experience, such as environmental enrichment (EE), induces long-term effects on learning and memory. Learning can be assessed with the Hebbian paradigm, such as spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), which relies on the timing of neuronal activity on either side of the synapse. Although EE is known to control neuronal excitability and consequently spike timing, whether EE shapes STDP remains unknown. Here, using in vivo long-duration intracellular recordings at the corticostriatal synapses we show that EE promotes asymmetric anti-Hebbian STDP, i.e. spike-timing-dependent-potentiation (tLTP) for post-pre pairings and spike-timing-dependent-depression (tLTD) for pre-post pairings, whereas animals grown in standard housing show mainly tLTD and a high failure rate of plasticity. Indeed, in adult rats grown in standard conditions, we observed unidirectional plasticity (mainly symmetric anti-Hebbian tLTD) within a large temporal window (~200 ms). However, rats grown for two months in EE displayed a bidirectional STDP (tLTP and tLTD depending on spike timing) in a more restricted temporal window (~100 ms) with low failure rate of plasticity. We also found that the effects of EE on STDP characteristics are influenced by the anaesthesia status: the deeper the anaesthesia, the higher the absence of plasticity. These findings establish a central role for EE and the anaesthetic regime in shaping in vivo, a synaptic Hebbian learning rule such as STDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Yves Gioanni
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Perez
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
| | - Gaetan Vignoud
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Venance
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France.
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Thomas EC, Snethen G, McCormick B, Salzer MS. An exploration of linear and curvilinear relationships between community participation and neurocognition among those with serious mental illnesses. Psychiatr Rehabil J 2019; 42:358-365. [PMID: 30945919 PMCID: PMC6776709 DOI: 10.1037/prj0000364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Longitudinal research supports an effect of participation in aspects of community life (e.g., leisure activity, employment) on neurocognition in the general population. This study examined the extent and nature of the relationship between community participation and neurocognition among people with serious mental illnesses. METHOD Participants included 168 adults with schizophrenia spectrum or affective disorder diagnoses who completed the Temple University Community Participation Measure and Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses explored linear and curvilinear effects of the amount and breadth of community participation on neurocognition. RESULTS Significant linear relationships existed between amount of community participation and overall neurocognitive functioning, motor speed, verbal fluency, and attention/processing speed, and between breadth of participation and verbal fluency. Significant curvilinear effects were noted between amount of community participation and verbal memory, and between breadth of community participation and overall neurocognitive functioning and motor speed. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Findings suggest that enhanced community participation may contribute to improved neurocognitive functioning, further supporting the importance of this rehabilitation target. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Thomas
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University
| | - Gretchen Snethen
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University
| | - Bryan McCormick
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University
| | - Mark S Salzer
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University
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Wong A, Yiu S, Lam BYK, Leung KT, Shi L, Lo E, Abrigo J, Au LW, Lau A, Mok V. Physical activities attenuate the negative cognitive impact from white matter hyperintensities in stroke and TIA patients with low education. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 34:1792-1798. [PMID: 31407822 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study is to examine the effects of recent regular participation leisure activities upon cognitive functions between 3 and 6 months after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). We also explored whether the cognitive effects interacted with the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), a marker of cerebral white matter disease, in patients with low or high education. METHODS Two-hundred and ninety-two subjects with mean age of 66.1 (11.0) years were recruited at median 161(131-180) days post index event. WMH volume was evaluated using a semi-automated method on MRI brain. Cognitive functions were measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the associations between leisure activity participation with WMH and the moderating effects of leisure activities upon relationship between WMH and MoCA. Analyses were further stratified by low (<6 years) or high education (≥6 years). All models were adjusted with age, sex, and years of education. RESULTS Physical activity (PA), but not intellectual activity (IA), was negatively related to WMH volume (P < .05). IA exerted a main effect on MoCA performance (b = 3.21, P < .001). PA, but not IA, significantly interacted with WMH volume (b = -0.18, P < .01) on MoCA performance, but the interaction was only significant in the lower education group (b = 0.28, P < .01) but not in the higher education group. CONCLUSIONS In patients with stroke/TIA, IA confers general cognitive benefits. Regular participation in PA negatively correlated with WMH volume. In patients with low education, PA increases resilience against vascular cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stanley Yiu
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bonnie Yin Ka Lam
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kam Tat Leung
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eugene Lo
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jill Abrigo
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lisa Wc Au
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alexander Lau
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vincent Mok
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Ladrón de Guevara-Miranda D, Pavón FJ, Serrano A, Suárez J, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Santín LJ, Castilla-Ortega E. Neuroplastic and cognitive impairment in substance use disorders: a therapeutic potential of cognitive stimulation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 106:23-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Toledo-Fernández A, Marín-Navarrete R, Villalobos-Gallegos L, Salvador-Cruz J, Benjet C, Roncero C. Testing whether cognitive reserve as measured by self-rating of stimulating activities moderates the association of polysubstance use and neurocognitive disorder. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2019; 24:421-433. [PMID: 31554497 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2019.1670631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The objectives were to identify a latent factor of cognitive reserve (CR) assessed by self-rating of cognitively stimulating activities, to analyze the association between this factor and educational attainment, and to test whether CR moderates the association between polysubstance use and neurocognitive disorder (NCD). Methods: Cross-sectional data of 753 participants was collected in Mexico City. A questionnaire for self-rating of stimulating activities (work/education, leisure, physical, social, usual- and current environments) was designed. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test unifactoriality. This CR factor was then used within a structural equation model of moderation between recent- and years of substance use and indicators of NCD (Montreal Cognitive Assessment and an interview for subjective cognitive deficits). Results: We found acceptable goodness-of-fit values for the unifactorial model, but no association of this factor with educational attainment, nor with recent- and years of substance use (suggesting independence of CR and severity of neuropathology). We did not find a moderation effect of CR between substance use and indicators of NCD; CR was negatively associated with subjective cognitive deficits only. Conclusions: Moderation effect of self-rated CR should be further tested using direct measures of substance-induced neuropathology. Measurement of self-rated CR may complement self-reported cognitive examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldebarán Toledo-Fernández
- Clinical Trials Unit on Addiction and Mental Health, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz (INPRFM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Marín-Navarrete
- Clinical Trials Unit on Addiction and Mental Health, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz (INPRFM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Villalobos-Gallegos
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Autonomous University of Baja California-Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico
| | - Judith Salvador-Cruz
- Department of Neuropsychology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Corina Benjet
- Division of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Roncero
- Psychiatric Service, University of Salamanca Health Care Complex, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Rico-Barrio I, Peñasco S, Puente N, Ramos A, Fontaine CJ, Reguero L, Giordano ME, Buceta I, Terradillos I, Lekunberri L, Mendizabal-Zubiaga J, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Gerrikagoitia I, Elezgarai I, Grandes P. Cognitive and neurobehavioral benefits of an enriched environment on young adult mice after chronic ethanol consumption during adolescence. Addict Biol 2019; 24:969-980. [PMID: 30106197 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Binge drinking (BD) is a common pattern of ethanol (EtOH) consumption by adolescents. The brain effects of the acute EtOH exposure are well-studied; however, the long-lasting cognitive and neurobehavioral consequences of BD during adolescence are only beginning to be elucidated. Environmental enrichment (EE) has long been known for its benefits on the brain and may serve as a potential supportive therapy following EtOH exposure. In this study, we hypothesized that EE may have potential benefits on the cognitive deficits associated with BD EtOH consumption. Four-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were exposed to EtOH following an intermittent 4-day drinking-in-the-dark procedure for 4 weeks. Then they were exposed to EE during EtOH withdrawal for 2 weeks followed by a behavioral battery of tests including novel object recognition, novel location, object-in-place, rotarod, beam walking balance, tail suspension, light-dark box and open field that were run during early adulthood. Young adult mice exposed to EE significantly recovered recognition, spatial and associative memory as well as motor coordination skills and balance that were significantly impaired after adolescent EtOH drinking with respect to controls. No significant permanent anxiety or depressive-like behaviors were observed. Taken together, an EE exerts positive effects on the long-term negative cognitive deficits as a result of EtOH consumption during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irantzu Rico-Barrio
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Sara Peñasco
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Nagore Puente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Almudena Ramos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | | | - Leire Reguero
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Maria Elvira Giordano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division “L. Donatelli”; The Second University of Naples; Italy
| | - Ianire Buceta
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Itziar Terradillos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Leire Lekunberri
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Juan Mendizabal-Zubiaga
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Izaskun Elezgarai
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
- Division of Medical Sciences; University of Victoria; Canada
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Research on intelligent cognitive function enhancement of intelligent robot based on ant colony algorithm. COGN SYST RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsys.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Gelfo F. Does Experience Enhance Cognitive Flexibility? An Overview of the Evidence Provided by the Environmental Enrichment Studies. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:150. [PMID: 31338030 PMCID: PMC6629767 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroplasticity accounts for the ability of the brain to change in both structure and function in consequence of life experiences. An enhanced stimulation provided by the environment is able to create a form of brain, neural, and cognitive reserve, which allows an individual to cope better with the environmental demands, also in case of neural damage leading to cognitive decline. With its complex manipulation of several stimuli, the animal experimental paradigm of environmental enrichment (EE) appears particularly effective in modulating the ability to successfully respond to the ever-changing characteristics of the environment. According to this point, it could be very relevant to analyze the specific effects of EE on cognitive flexibility (CF). CF could be defined as the ability to effectively change behavior in response to the environmental condition changing. This review article is specifically aimed to summarize and focus on the available evidence in relation to the effects of EE on CF. To this aim, findings obtained in behavioral tasks specifically structured to investigate animal CF, such as reversal learning and attentional set-shifting tests (tasks based on the request of responding to a rewarding rule that changes, within one or multiple perceptual dimensions), are reviewed. Data provided on the structural and biochemical correlates of these findings are also enumerated. Studies realized in healthy animals and also in pathological models are considered. On the whole, the summarized evidence clearly supports the specific beneficial effects of EE on CF. However, further studies on this key topic are strictly required to gain a comprehensive and detailed framework on the mechanisms by which an enhanced stimulation could improve CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Differential Effects of Cognitive Reserve on the Neurocognitive Functioning of Polysubstance Users: an Exploratory Analysis Using Mixture Regression. Int J Ment Health Addict 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-019-00090-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Yeshurun S, Hannan AJ. Transgenerational epigenetic influences of paternal environmental exposures on brain function and predisposition to psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2019. [PMID: 29520039 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0039-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, striking new evidence has demonstrated non-genetic inheritance of acquired traits associated with parental environmental exposures. In particular, this transgenerational modulation of phenotypic traits is of direct relevance to psychiatric disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other anxiety disorders. Here we review the recent progress in this field, with an emphasis on acquired traits of psychiatric illnesses transmitted epigenetically via the male lineage. We discuss the transgenerational effects of paternal exposure to stress vs. positive stimuli, such as exercise, and discuss their impact on the behavioral, affective and cognitive characteristics of their progeny. Furthermore, we review the recent evidence suggesting that these transgenerational effects are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, including changes in DNA methylation and small non-coding RNAs in the sperm. We discuss the urgent need for more research exploring transgenerational epigenetic effects in animal models and human populations. These future studies may identify epigenetic mechanisms as potential contributors to the 'missing heritability' observed in genome-wide association studies of psychiatric illnesses and other human disorders. This exciting new field of transgenerational epigenomics will facilitate the development of novel strategies to predict, prevent and treat negative epigenetic consequences on offspring health, and psychiatric disorders in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomo Yeshurun
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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Kokras N, Sotiropoulos I, Besinis D, Tzouveka EL, Almeida OFX, Sousa N, Dalla C. Neuroplasticity-related correlates of environmental enrichment combined with physical activity differ between the sexes. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1-15. [PMID: 30497839 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.11.1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE), comprising positive physical (exercise) and cognitive stimuli, influences neuronal structure and usually improves brain function. The promise of EE as a preventative strategy against neuropsychiatric disease is especially high during early postnatal development when the brain is still amenable to reorganization. Despite the fact that male and female brains differ in terms of connectivity and function that may reflect early life experiences, knowledge of the neural substrates and mechanisms by which such changes arise remains limited. This study compared the impact of EE combined with physical activity on neuroplasticity and its functional consequences in adult male and female rats; EE was provided during the first 3 months of life and our analysis focused on the hippocampus, an area implicated in cognitive behavior as well as the neuroendocrine response to stress. Both male and female rats reared in EE displayed better object recognition memory than their control counterparts. Interestingly, sex differences were revealed in the effects of EE on time spent exploring the objects during this test. Independently of sex, EE increased hippocampal turnover rates of dopamine and serotonin and reduced expression of 5-HT1A receptors; in addition, EE upregulated expression of synaptophysin, a presynaptic protein, in the hippocampus. As compared to their respective controls, EE-exposed males exhibited parallel increases in phosphorylated Tau and the GluN2B receptor, whereas females responded to EE with reduced hippocampal levels of glutamate and GluN2B. Together, these observations provide further evidence on the differential effects of EE on markers of hippocampal neuroplasticity in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - I Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - D Besinis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - E L Tzouveka
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | | | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - C Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece.
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Xu H, Rajsombath MM, Weikop P, Selkoe DJ. Enriched environment enhances β-adrenergic signaling to prevent microglia inflammation by amyloid-β. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 10:emmm.201808931. [PMID: 30093491 PMCID: PMC6127891 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201808931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is a rodent behavioral paradigm that can model the cognitive benefits to humans associated with intellectual activity and exercise. We recently discovered EE's anti-inflammatory protection of brain microglia against soluble oligomers of human amyloid β-protein (oAβ). Mechanistically, we report that the key factor in microglial protection by EE is chronically enhanced β-adrenergic signaling. Quantifying microglial morphology and inflammatory RNA profiles revealed that mice in standard housing (SH) fed the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol experienced similar protection of microglia against oAβ-induced inflammation as did mice in EE Conversely, mice in EE fed the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol lost microglial protection against oAβ. Mice lacking β1/β2-adrenergic receptors showed no protection of microglia by EE In SH mice, quantification of norepinephrine in hippocampus and interstitial fluid showed that oAβ disrupted norepinephrine homeostasis, and microglial-specific analysis of β2-adrenergic receptors indicated a decreased receptor level. Both features were rescued by EE Thus, enhanced β-adrenergic signaling at the ligand and receptor levels mediates potent benefits of EE on microglial inflammation induced by human Aβ oligomers in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixin Xu
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic DiseasesBrigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Molly M Rajsombath
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic DiseasesBrigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Pia Weikop
- Center for Translational NeuromedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Dennis J Selkoe
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic DiseasesBrigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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