1
|
Wijnen K, Genzel L, van der Meij J. Rodent maze studies: from following simple rules to complex map learning. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:823-841. [PMID: 38488865 PMCID: PMC11004052 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02771-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
More than 100 years since the first maze designed for rodent research, researchers now have the choice of a variety of mazes that come in many different shapes and sizes. Still old designs get modified and new designs are introduced to fit new research questions. Yet, which maze is the most optimal to use or which training paradigm should be applied, remains up for debate. In this review, we not only provide a historical overview of maze designs and usages in rodent learning and memory research, but also discuss the possible navigational strategies the animals can use to solve each maze. Furthermore, we summarize the different phases of learning that take place when a maze is used as the experimental task. At last, we delve into how training and maze design can affect what the rodents are actually learning in a spatial task.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kjell Wijnen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Postbus 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Genzel
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Postbus 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacqueline van der Meij
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Postbus 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fan S, Yan Y, Xia Y, Zhou Z, Luo L, Zhu M, Han Y, Yao D, Zhang L, Fang M, Peng L, Yu J, Liu Y, Gao X, Guan H, Li H, Wang C, Wu X, Zhu H, Cao Y, Huang C. Pregnane X receptor agonist nomilin extends lifespan and healthspan in preclinical models through detoxification functions. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3368. [PMID: 37291126 PMCID: PMC10250385 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39118-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Citrus fruit has long been considered a healthy food, but its role and detailed mechanism in lifespan extension are not clear. Here, by using the nematode C. elegans, we identified that nomilin, a bitter-taste limoloid that is enriched in citrus, significantly extended the animals' lifespan, healthspan, and toxin resistance. Further analyses indicate that this ageing inhibiting activity depended on the insulin-like pathway DAF-2/DAF-16 and nuclear hormone receptors NHR-8/DAF-12. Moreover, the human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) was identified as the mammalian counterpart of NHR-8/DAF-12 and X-ray crystallography showed that nomilin directly binds with hPXR. The hPXR mutations that prevented nomilin binding blocked the activity of nomilin both in mammalian cells and in C. elegans. Finally, dietary nomilin supplementation improved healthspan and lifespan in D-galactose- and doxorubicin-induced senescent mice as well as in male senescence accelerated mice prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, and induced a longevity gene signature similar to that of most longevity interventions in the liver of bile-duct-ligation male mice. Taken together, we identified that nomilin may extend lifespan and healthspan in animals via the activation of PXR mediated detoxification functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengjie Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yingxuan Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 115 Jinzun Road, Shanghai, 200125, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lingling Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Mengnan Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yongli Han
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Deqiang Yao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Minglv Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lina Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jing Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaoyan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huida Guan
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongli Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaojun Wu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huanhu Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 115 Jinzun Road, Shanghai, 200125, China.
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nikbakht N, Diamond ME. Conserved visual capacity of rats under red light. eLife 2021; 10:66429. [PMID: 34282724 PMCID: PMC8360654 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies examine the behavioral capacities of rats and mice with and without visual input, and the neuronal mechanisms underlying such capacities. These animals are assumed to be functionally blind under red light, an assumption that might originate in the fact that they are dichromats who possess ultraviolet and green cones, but not red cones. But the inability to see red as a color does not necessarily rule out form vision based on red light absorption. We measured Long-Evans rats’ capacity for visual form discrimination under red light of various wavelength bands. Upon viewing a black and white grating, they had to distinguish between two categories of orientation: horizontal and vertical. Psychometric curves plotting judged orientation versus angle demonstrate the conserved visual capacity of rats under red light. Investigations aiming to explore rodent physiological and behavioral functions in the absence of visual input should not assume red-light blindness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nader Nikbakht
- Tactile Perception and Learning Lab, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Mathew E Diamond
- Tactile Perception and Learning Lab, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Suarez JA, Solano JL, Barrios KP, Ortega LA. Nicotine increases behavioral variability on radial arm maze extinction. A preliminary study. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
5
|
Postu PA, Tiron A, Tiron CE, Gorgan DL, Mihasan M, Hritcu L. Conifer Essential Oils Reversed Amyloid Beta1-42 Action by Modulating BDNF and ARC Expression in The Rat Hippocampus. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2021; 21:85-94. [PMID: 33655878 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210303111537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The conifer species Pinus halepensis (Pinaceae) and Tetraclinis articulata (Cupressaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine due to their health beneficial properties. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which P. halepensis and T. articulata essential oils (1% and 3%) could exhibit neuroprotective effects in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model, induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of amyloid beta1-42 (Aβ1-42). METHOD The essential oils were administered by inhalation to the AD rat model, once daily, for 21 days. DNA fragmentation was assessed through Cell Death Detection ELISA kit. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (ARC) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) gene expressions were determined by RT-qPCR analysis, while BDNF and ARC protein expressions were assessed using immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS Our data showed that both essential oils substantially attenuated memory impairments, with P. halepensis mainly stimulating ARC expression and T. articulata mostly enhancing BDNF expression. Also, the inhalation of essential oils reduced IL-1β expression and induced positive effects against DNA fragmentation associated with Aβ1-42-induced toxicity, further contributing to the cognitive improvement in the rats with AD-like model. CONCLUSION Our findings provide further evidence that these essential oils and their chemical constituents could be natural agents of therapeutic interest against Aβ1-42-induced neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Alexandra Postu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania,Center for Fundamental Research and Experimental Development in Translation Medicine—TRANSCEND, Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi, Romania
| | - Adrian Tiron
- Center for Fundamental Research and Experimental Development in Translation Medicine—TRANSCEND, Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi, Romania
| | - Crina Elena Tiron
- Center for Fundamental Research and Experimental Development in Translation Medicine—TRANSCEND, Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi, Romania
| | - Dragoș Lucian Gorgan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania
| | - Marius Mihasan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania
| | - Lucian Hritcu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Noorbakhshnia M, Rashidkaboli A, Pakatchian M, Beheshti S. Agmatine attenuates methamphetamine-induced passive avoidance learning and memory and CaMKII-α gene expression deteriorations in hippocampus of rat. Physiol Behav 2018; 194:491-496. [PMID: 29908234 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is one the most worldwide problems with wide-ranging effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Chronic METH abuse can associate with cognitive abnormalities and neurodegenerative changes in the brain. Agmatine, a cationic polyamine, has been proposed as a neuromodulator that modulates many effects of abused drugs. The aim of this study was to determine if agmatine can decrease the impairment effect of METH on memory and hippocampal CaMKII-α gene expression, a gene that plays a major role in memory. Male wistar rats (200-220 g) were allocated into 7 groups, including 5 groups of saline, METH (1, 2 mg/kg), Agmatine (5, 10 mg/kg) and 2 groups of agmatine (5, 10 mg/kg) with higher doses of METH (2 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days (n = 8 in each group). All injections were done intraperitoneally and agmatine was administrated 10 min before METH treatment. Furthermore, Passive avoidance learning (PAL) test was assessed on the 5th day. Retention test was done 24 h after training and the rats were sacrificed immediately. Hippocampi were removed and stored at -80 °C. Finally, hippocampal CaMKII-α gene expression was measured using Quantitative Real-time PCR. Our data showed that chronic METH dose-dependently impaired PAL retrieval, as it decreased step-through latency (STL) and increased time spent in the dark compartment (TDC). While Agmatine with a higher dose (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased impairment effect of METH (2 mg/kg) on PAL and memory. Also, molecular results revealed that METH (2 mg/kg) markedly decreased hippocampal CaMKII-α gene expression while agmatine (10 mg/kg) co-adminstration prevented it. Taken together, the results propose that agmatine may provide a potential therapy for learning and memory deficits induced by METH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Noorbakhshnia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan. Iran.
| | - Arsham Rashidkaboli
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan. Iran
| | - Mahnaz Pakatchian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan. Iran
| | - Siamak Beheshti
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan. Iran
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shahin S, Banerjee S, Swarup V, Singh SP, Chaturvedi CM. From the Cover: 2.45-GHz Microwave Radiation Impairs Hippocampal Learning and Spatial Memory: Involvement of Local Stress Mechanism-Induced Suppression of iGluR/ERK/CREB Signaling. Toxicol Sci 2017; 161:349-374. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
|
8
|
Srivas S, Thakur MK. Epigenetic regulation of neuronal immediate early genes is associated with decline in their expression and memory consolidation in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:5107-5119. [PMID: 27553230 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0047-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we reported a correlation of scopolamine mediated decline in memory consolidation with increase in the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in the mouse hippocampus. Memory consolidation is a protein synthesis-dependent process which involves the expression of synaptic plasticity genes, particularly neuronal immediate early genes (IEGs). However, the mechanism of regulation of these genes during decline in memory is poorly understood. Therefore, we have studied the epigenetic regulation of expression of neuronal IEGs in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. Scopolamine significantly impaired memory consolidation as tested by radial arm maze, and the expression of neuronal IEGs was downregulated in the hippocampus as revealed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Further, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) analysis showed increase in DNA methylation, while chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) revealed decrease in H3K9/14 acetylation at the promoter of neuronal IEGs. Taken together, the present study shows that increased DNA methylation and decreased histone acetylation at the promoter of neuronal IEGs are associated with decline in their expression and memory consolidation during scopolamine-induced amnesia. These findings suggest that the epigenetic regulation through altered DNA methylation and histone acetylation might be explored further to develop potential therapeutic interventions for amnesia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Srivas
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Brain Research Centre, Department of Zoology, Institute of Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221 005, India
| | - Mahendra K Thakur
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Brain Research Centre, Department of Zoology, Institute of Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221 005, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ménard C, Quirion R, Bouchard S, Ferland G, Gaudreau P. Glutamatergic signaling and low prodynorphin expression are associated with intact memory and reduced anxiety in rat models of healthy aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:81. [PMID: 24847259 PMCID: PMC4019859 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The LOU/C/Jall (LOU) rat strain is considered a model of healthy aging due to its increased longevity, maintenance of stable body weight (BW) throughout life and low incidence of age-related diseases. However, aging LOU rat cognitive and anxiety status has yet to be investigated. In the present study, male and female LOU rat cognitive performances (6-42 months) were assessed using novel object recognition and Morris Water Maze tasks. Recognition memory remained intact in all LOU rats up to 42 months of age. As for spatial memory, old LOU rat performed similarly as young animals for learning acquisition, reversal learning, and retention. While LOU rat BW remained stable despite aging, 20-month-old ad-libitum-fed (OAL) male Sprague Dawley rats become obese. We determined if long-term caloric restriction (LTCR) prevents age-related BW increase and cognitive deficits in this rat strain, as observed in the obesity-resistant LOU rats. Compared to young animals, recognition memory was impaired in OAL but intact in 20-month-old calorie-restricted (OCR) rats. Similarly, OAL spatial learning acquisition was impaired but LTCR prevented the deficits. Exacerbated stress responses may favor age-related cognitive decline. In the elevated plus maze and open field tasks, LOU and OCR rats exhibited high levels of exploratory activity whereas OAL rats displayed anxious behaviors. Expression of prodynorphin (Pdyn), an endogenous peptide involved in stress-related memory impairments, was increased in the hippocampus of OAL rats. Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and immediate early genes Homer 1a and Arc expression, both associated with successful cognitive aging, were unaltered in aging LOU rats but lower in OAL than OCR rats. Altogether, our results, supported by principal component analysis and correlation matrix, suggest that intact memory and low anxiety are associated with glutamatergic signaling and low Pdyn expression in the hippocampus of non-obese aging rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Ménard
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute Research Center Montreal, QC, Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada ; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of Aging, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Research Center Montreal, QC, Canada ; Department of Medicine, University of Montreal Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rémi Quirion
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute Research Center Montreal, QC, Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvain Bouchard
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Guylaine Ferland
- Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Research Center Montreal, QC, Canada ; Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierrette Gaudreau
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of Aging, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Research Center Montreal, QC, Canada ; Department of Medicine, University of Montreal Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gautam A, Wadhwa R, Thakur MK. Involvement of hippocampal Arc in amnesia and its recovery by alcoholic extract of Ashwagandha leaves. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2013; 106:177-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|